Christmas Up in Flames

by Lisa Harris

  “We did.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Owen threw his arms around her. “I like having you home from work.”

  “And I like being home.” She knelt down in front of him, hoping she wasn’t going to regret what she was about to say. “Owen, do you remember when we went to that wedding a couple months ago?”

  “And I got to wear a suit?”

  Claire nodded. “How would you like to go to another wedding?”

  “Where is it?”

  “In Timber Falls, at the O’Callaghan ranch.”

  The familiar feelings of fear pressed toward the surface, forcing her to question the decision. But if she couldn’t go for herself, she would go for Owen.

  * * *

  Reid moved the stepladder over another two feet, then climbed up to change a lightbulb hanging in the front of the chapel that was already decorated for today’s event. Afternoon sun filtered through the stained glass windows onto sixty-year-old wooden pews that had been draped with evergreen boughs and red ribbon.

  His grandfather had built the small chapel with its stone flooring and wooden crossbeams as a quiet refuge, a testament to both his craftsmanship and his faith.

  “It looks great in here,” Griffin said as he walked down the center aisle of the chapel, already dressed in his tux. “But what does Tory have you doing now? The wedding’s in just over an hour.”

  “I told her to put me to work this week, and she’s done just that. This time it’s two burned-out light bulbs.”

  “Looks like putting you to work turned out to be a good idea, but you’ve definitely been distracted these past few days.”

  Reid finished replacing the light, then started back down the ladder. “I guess I’m not used to taking this much time off, though I had no idea planning a wedding could be so time consuming.”

  Griffin laughed, but quickly sobered. “Something tells me that your restlessness has nothing to do with the wedding and everything to do with Claire.”

  Reid set the burned-out bulb on the front pew, then dusted off his hands.

  “Don’t even try to deny it,” Griffin said.

  Reid blew out a sharp breath. “Fine. I can’t get her out of my head, no matter how hard I try. And Owen...he’s my son, but in every scenario I come up with, it just...it feels so complicated.”

  “What’s complicated?”

  Reid shrugged, not sure how to put his feelings into words. “What if she ends up marrying someone else one day? Where does that leave me?”

  “Do you love her?”

  “I know I loved her once, but now...we’re very different people.”

  “What does your gut say?” Griffin asked.

  It was the question he’d been trying to ignore. Walking away was the easy way out. It meant he didn’t have to deal with his feelings or the consequences of what might happen. But as much as he fought it, his heart refused to deny he had feelings for her.

  Reid leaned against the ladder, then rested his hands on his thighs. “When we were in that fire, trying to make our way through the smoke and chaos, all I could think about was getting her out. And how if anything happened to her... I just knew I didn’t want to live without her.”

  “Then why don’t you tell her that?”

  Reid hesitated at the question. “Because all of those feelings don’t really matter if I can’t trust her. What she did was inexcusable. She didn’t tell me about our son, and had no intention to. If Shawn hadn’t said something to me, I might never have known.”

  “You don’t think she would have told you eventually?”

  “Does it matter? Owen is turning five this month, so no, I don’t think she had any intention of telling me.”

  “Finding out you have a son is a lot to take in. I’ll admit that.”

  “But you still think I’m making a mistake.”

  “I think you both made some wrong decisions years ago, but making another bad decision isn’t going to fix things. The way I see it is that you’ve been given a second chance.”

  “A second chance for what?”

  “She didn’t tell you about Owen, but don’t forget you’d just broken up with her. Think about the situation from her side. She didn’t want you to feel trapped or forced to get back together for the wrong reasons. She’s probably just as scared as you are.”

  Reid shook his head. “But we’re talking about a child. Our son. Maybe she was worried I would get back together with her for the wrong reasons, but on the other hand, he’s my son and there’s no way to get around the fact that I deserved to know about him.”

  “Maybe you’ll never have a romantic relationship again, but don’t you want to be a part of your son’s life?”

  “You know I do.”

  Reid started up the aisle of the chapel, but Griffin stepped in front of him. “Love is always a risk, but trust me...taking that leap of faith is worth it. Now that I’m getting married to a woman who completes me, I can’t imagine it any other way.”

  Reid let out a sharp sigh. He’d spend a lot of time growing his faith, which was why he wasn’t the same person he had been all those years ago. And he knew Claire had changed, as well. But did that mean they were meant to be a family?

  He leaned against the end of the old pew. “I’ll admit I miss her. Maybe I’m even still in love with her. But I’m struggling with getting past the whole trust part.”

  Griffin waited for him to continue.

  “Owen deserves a mother and a father, and I want to be a part of his life, but that doesn’t mean I’m not struggling to trust her again.”

  “All I know is what I’ve seen between the two of you. When you look at her, you’re totally lost.”

  Reid heard what his brother was saying, but he didn’t want a relationship with Claire simply to right a wrong. He pulled out his phone and stared at the photo she’d sent him of their son.

  But if that was what he really wanted, why was his heart screaming at him to run after her?

  Fifty minutes later, Reid tugged on the black bow tie, then turned around and saw Claire walk into the small vestibule with Owen. Reid sucked in a breath and pressed his hand against his chest. She’d worn her hair down so it lay softly against her shoulders and was wearing an emerald-green dress that swirled around her ankles.

  She shot him a shy smile and waved.

  “Claire...” He stepped around a couple who had just walked in, but all he saw was her. “I didn’t know you were coming.”

  “I’m sorry. I... I thought Tory told you.”

  “No, but...wow...you look beautiful. And you, young man,” he said, turning to Owen, “are quite handsome in that suit.”

  “Thank you.” Owen scrunched up his nose. “Why are you wearing a flower? I thought flowers were for girls.”

  “It’s called a boutonniere for men and a corsage for women. People wear them on special days like weddings.”

  Reid bent down, pulled off his boutonniere and pinned the rose on Owen. “How about that?”

  Owen glanced up at Claire. “Does my mom get a flower?”

  “I think I can find one for her.”

  “It’s fine.” Claire shook her head. “Tory and Gwen stopped by my house and invited me, but now I’m not sure—”

  “Oh, Claire... I’m so glad you and Owen came.” Gwen rushed up to them in her red bridesmaid dress and pulled Claire into a hug before stepping back. “We have a bit of an emergency.”

  Claire glanced at Reid. “What’s wrong?”

  “The ringbearer came down with the chicken pox this morning. We decided not to worry about it, but now that Owen’s here...” Gwen pressed her lips together. “Would you mind if Owen takes his place?”

  “No. As long as he doesn’t mind.”

  Gwen turned to Owen. “Would you like to be a ringbearer in the wed
ding?”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You just walk down the aisle holding a pillow and a ring, and keep it very safe. And when it’s over you can eat cake.”

  Owen shrugged. “Sure. I can do that.”

  Gwen kissed him on the top of his head. “You’re a lifesaver.”

  Owen started to follow Gwen, then stepped back in front of Reid. “Are you going to be my daddy?”

  Reid tried to push down the lump of emotion. “Would you like me to?”

  Owen cocked his head. “Yeah. I think you’d make a good dad.”

  He smiled, then ran to follow Gwen, leaving Reid alone with Claire.

  “I... I’m not sure how to respond to that,” he said.

  “You never know what an almost five-year-old is going to say,” she said, clearly feeling as awkward as he was.

  Violin music started playing in the background. Reid glanced toward the doors leading from the small lobby into the chapel.

  What does your gut say?

  Griffin’s question replayed in his mind, and suddenly everything seemed clear. He might still have all of the same doubts and fears, but maybe that was okay. Because the truth was that Claire wasn’t the only one who’d made mistakes in their relationship. She’d made it clear that she wanted something permanent with him and he’d been the one who’d run. He’d told her he wasn’t ready for marriage and a family. Could he really have expected her to have done anything else?

  “We need to talk,” he said.

  “The wedding’s about to start.”

  “We’ve got five minutes until I have to be at the front with Griffin.” Reid took her hand and pulled her outside and onto the side of the chapel while guests continued to trickle in. “I’ve been trying all week to convince myself that I don’t need you in my life, that you would be better off without me, but I can’t get you off my mind.”

  “I—”

  “Don’t say anything. Not until I’m done. Please.” If he didn’t say what he was feeling now, he might never be able to.

  “Okay.”

  “First, I think Owen’s right about my making a good dad, and second, I owe you an apology. Your mother called me and told me, like you did, about how she convinced you not to tell me about Owen. So here’s the thing. If I’ve learned anything over the past few years, it’s that God is the God of second chances. I know He’s done that in my own life, and I think you’ve seen the same thing. You were put in a difficult situation when you found out about Owen, and while I wish you would have come to me, I can understand why you did what you did.”

  Claire’s eye’s widened. “You can?”

  A light snow started falling, dusting her hair with snowflakes. He reached up and brushed one off her cheek. “I’m not saying it doesn’t still hurt, but yeah, I think I can.”

  “But you told me you couldn’t ever see yourself having a family.”

  “Do you know why I said that?”

  She shook her head.

  “I said that because I could never see myself with anyone but you.” He cupped her face in his hands. “And that hasn’t changed. I don’t want to live my life without you and Owen.”

  “But I don’t want you to be in our lives just because you feel guilty or obligated.”

  He brushed his lips across hers, lingering for a few seconds while he pulled her against him. “Do you believe me now?”

  A soft smile settled across her lips. “That’s a good start.”

  “There are going to be obstacles, I know, and we’re going to have to tell Owen the truth, but I lost you once and, in the process, lost our son. I don’t want to lose you again.”

  “I don’t think I ever stopped loving you either. If we could be a family...”

  Reid let out a low whistle. “As unexpected as all this is, I think I’m finally ready to have a family if it includes the two of you.”

  “Well, it’s about time the two of you figured out you were still in love with each other,” Caden said, walking up to them, before shooting Reid an apologetic look. “Sorry to interrupt, but we do have a wedding about to start.”

  “I just need another minute,” Reid said.

  “Thirty seconds,” Caden said before heading back inside.

  “You need to go,” Claire said, resting her hands against his chest. “We’ll have plenty of time to talk after the wedding.”

  Reid grasped her hands and laced his fingers with hers. “I know, but now that we’re being honest with each other, I’d really like to kiss you again.”

  The smile that crossed her lips was the only answer he needed.

  He leaned down and kissed her, this time knowing he’d found what he’d been looking for—the missing pieces of his heart, wrapped up in the presence of the woman he loved, their son and the promise of a future filled with forgiveness, redemption and hope.

  * * *

  If you enjoyed this thrilling story from Lisa Harris, don’t miss the other O’Callaghan brothers’ stories:

  Sheltered by the Soldier

  Christmas Witness Pursuit

  Hostage Rescue

  Available now from Love Inspired Suspense.

  Find more great reads at www.LoveInspired.com.

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Arctic Christmas Ambush by Sherri Shackelford.

  Dear Reader,

  I can’t believe that Reid and Claire have brought the O’Callaghan brothers’ stories to a close. I also can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve enjoyed writing their stories and exploring the commitments of family, honor and loyalty, and delving into the themes of sacrifice and going beyond the call of duty.

  We all know that life is full of twists and turns. Sometimes, like in a suspense novel, it takes you places you’d rather not go, but it can also bring joy you didn’t know was even possible!

  Today, I’m praying that wherever you are in life at this moment, you will feel God’s presence and peace in your life.

  Because of Him,

  Lisa Harris

  WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS BOOK FROM

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  Arctic Christmas Ambush

  by Sherri Shackelford

  ONE

  The gunman was still in the house.

  Kara Riley sank deeper into the jumble of suffocating winter coats in the hall closet. A metal zipper scraped her cheek, and the stale scent of mothballs turned her stomach.

  She had to stay calm and think if she was going to survive the next few minutes.

  Noises sounded from the kitchen, and her hands trembled.

  Breathe, Kara, she silently coached herself. If she didn’t get some oxygen into her lungs, she was going to faint.

  An hour earlier, she’d parked her snow machine outside Walt’s kennels in order to check on his litter of five-week-old pups. The falling snow was rapidly turning to blizzard conditions, and she was the only veterinarian within fifty miles.

  She and Walt had known each other for more than a dozen years, and he always kept a carafe of coffee warming on the stove when he knew she was coming. Once she’d finished examining the animals, she’d let herself inside through the kitchen at the back of the house, as was her usual custom.

  She was wiping her boots on the mat when she realized Walt was arguing with another man. Their voices were muffled through the wool flaps covering her ears, but there was no disguising the tone. She’d taken an automatic step deeper into the house before she heard the gunshot.

  Walt’s voice went abruptly silent and then there was a sickening thud.

  She’d frozen in shock until the footfalls sounded. Acting on pure adrenaline and instinct, she’d ducked into the nearest hiding
place—the closet beside the back door.

  Trembling in silence, she listened as the gunman rummaged through the kitchen. Silverware rattled. A cupboard door slammed. Had he seen her snow machine parked behind the kennels? He couldn’t have. Not from the house, anyway.

  Please, God, please don’t let him look inside the closet.

  She hadn’t been able to pull the door shut entirely, and a shaft of light appeared through the opening. Footfalls sounded, and a shadow passed before her hiding place. Panic flooded her system.

  Backed against the wall, she twitched the sleeve of Walt’s parka to fill the gap between the coats. If the gunman opened the door, he might not see her immediately. Might not. Her heart thudded against her ribs.

  She held her breath until the footsteps receded.

  Moving carefully, she reached for her phone to turn off the sound. The waterproof material of her parka rustled, and she cringed. Shielding the illuminated screen of her phone with one hand, she muted the sound. There was no way she was dying because of a text message alert.

  The name at the top of her Favorite Contacts list snagged her attention: Shane Taylor.

  Having dated the most senior Alaska state trooper assigned to the area was an advantage. She had his personal number. Even given the way things had ended between them, she knew he’d always be there for her. They were wrong for each other, that was all.

  Kara typed her message and hit Send, then added another silent prayer.

  How long before he responded? Shane wasn’t always great about checking his personal messages, and given the current weather conditions, he was most likely distracted.

  The footfalls neared, and a shiver of horror tripped down her spine. The puffy, down-filled parka blocked most of her vision. Walt’s killer could be staring at the closet. There was no way to tell.

  A doorknob rattled.

  Pressing her hands against her mouth, she stifled a gasp.

  For a long moment, the only sound was the blood rushing in her ears.