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The Best Christmas Ever
Cheryl Wolverton
CHRISTMAS WISHES…Mickie:All she wanted for Christmas was a new mommy, one who loved baking cookies with little girls. But not just any mommy would do–it had to be their new housekeeper, Aunt Sarah….Sarah:She'd come to heal the past, but adorable Mickie and her handsome father soon tole her heart. Yet Sarah feared that Justin would never want to marry her, especially when he learned her unhappy secret….Justin:He wanted to show Sarah forgiveness. But soon he yearned for much more. Could she come to love him as he loved her? Could they ever be a family? Justin prayed for a way to make all his Christmas wishes come true….
Table of Contents
Cover Page (#u5bbb1e03-2e79-5875-b188-3458da118a9c)
Excerpt (#u2dbebf43-6d21-548a-89b3-4c0b04a9caf1)
About the Author (#u45429e24-4830-58bb-af69-4849b8b6c920)
Title Page (#u15b668a5-561b-52a1-9acc-07d182f12d1a)
Epigraph (#u0fb512da-a20e-5a99-91f2-85b7df63b4d4)
Dedication (#uf615e703-acd0-581c-8bed-cc29662ee723)
Prologue (#u2423277f-93cc-589c-be46-7a56530c6c7a)
Chapter One (#u97fd7a2f-da6c-5ede-b895-72d944fc4484)
Chapter Two (#u11f79268-5ee3-57a3-b4c8-5153821e6f75)
Chapter Three (#u8c557bfd-49f4-57b0-b73e-cb98145b7804)
Chapter Four (#ud016c409-9dde-5e82-a70f-c164ebda4858)
Chapter Five (#u19c8f96e-1aea-59c4-a503-0a6a6edb51ca)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eighteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nineteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-One (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twenty-Two (#litres_trial_promo)
Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
What was it about Sarah that was
different from all the others?
She brought out a surge of protectiveness and tenderness, true. He wanted to hold her, protect her. But why? Why her? His feelings were disconcerting.
Justin shook his head, feeling an emotion churning in his gut.
Loneliness.
He had to admit he was lonely. He loved his daughter. But he missed having someone closer around to share his experiences with. Someone to talk with in the evening when he got home from work, someone to laugh with over a joke or share those little secret smiles when Mickie did something really adorable. Someone to hold when he felt overwhelmed. Someone to love with all his heart.
But Sarah?
No. Anyone but her…
CHERYL WOLVERTON
Growing up in a small military town in Oklahoma, where she used to make up stories with her next-door neighbor, Cheryl says she’s always written, but never dreamed of having anything published. But after years of writing her own Sunday school material in the different churches where she’s taught young children, and wanting to see more happy endings, she decided to give it a try, and found herself unable to stop.
Seeing so many people hurting, afraid to reach out and accept God’s forgiveness, she felt inspired to begin writing stories about God’s love and forgiveness in romances, because, she says, “We can’t truly have happily ever after, if we don’t have that happily-ever-after relationship with God, too.”
Cheryl now lives in a small Louisiana town and has been happily married for fifteen years. She has two wonderful children who think it’s cool to have a “writing mama.” Cheryl would love to hear from her readers. You can write to her at P.O. Box 207, Slaughter, LA 70777.
The Best Christmas Ever
Cheryl Wolverton
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake
His faithful ones.
They will be protected forever…
—Psalms 37:28
To Janet Abbott for always listening. Thanks to Anne Canadeo, the greatest editor in the world, and Jean Price, the greatest agent!
And I can’t forget Dee Pace—who went above and beyond for this book! Thanks! And three other very special ladies: Denise Gray, Donna Blacklock and Cheryl Crews.
With love to my husband who is so patient and thoughtful when I’m going crazy over computer problems, and my kids, Christina and Jeremiah. You guys are the love of my life.
Prologue (#ulink_cfcbb2d2-ca5e-53a3-a2a0-391ed4313865)
Dear Santa:
All I want this year for Christmas is a mommy. I know it’s sorta early still to ask, but it is almost cold out, and I miss Mommy, and so does Daddy. He doesn’t exactly say he misses her, but he stares at Mommy’s picture a lot. I heard my baby-sitter on the phone telling someone Daddy needed to get married again. Well, that’d mean I’d get a new mommy. And if I had a new mommy, then I wouldn’t have to play Go Fish with Daddy’s secretary anymore when he couldn’t find a baby-sitter. And I wouldn’t have to take store-bought cookies on party day at school. I could have a real mommy to bake chocolate chip cookies—and make me peanut butter-and-jelly sandwiches as much as I wanted. But most of all, Santa, I would have a mommy to hug me the way the other kids do when we get out of school. It would be just too cool to have that. So, Santa, that’s what I’ve decided I want for Christmas. I told Jesus so He can look around for the right mommy, then tell you which one to bring me on Christmas Eve. I know this is going to be the best Christmas present ever.
Thank you, Santa.
Signed,
Mickie Warner
Chapter One (#ulink_352333c6-2385-54d0-b808-88813bd1eed7)
“Sarah?”
Sarah Connelly smiled sweetly at her brother-in-law’s incredulous tone, then watched as his surprise slowly turned to cool remoteness. “Surely, Justin, it hasn’t been so long that you’ve forgotten me,” she quipped, doing her best to hide her fear that he’d slam the door in her face.
His mask fell into place just the way Sarah remembered it had in the past. His critical gaze slowly took her in. Sarah did her best not to gather the thin sweater around her shoulders against the cold wind or his icy scrutiny.
“Maybe it’s just because I’ve never seen you in jeans,” he replied indifferently. “Remember the last time I saw you—in court? That nice little blue suit you wore when…”
“Yes, well.” Sarah shrugged dismissively.
“So what brings you here?” He leaned against the door frame, blocking her way into his house. “It has, after all, been two years.”
“I wanted to see Mickie,” she replied, deciding that any hope she’d had of getting the baby-sitting/housekeeper job was just a dream. He was still furious with her, and she didn’t blame him. Although she’d hoped it would be different
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“I’m her aunt.”
“Who hasn’t been here in two years,” he retorted.
“I’m sorry.” Sarah shifted her chilled feet, pushing at the loose strand of blond hair that blew across her face. She was cold. Justin knew she was cold, but he wasn’t going to let her in.
“Sorry?” Justin’s eyes flashed. “For what? For not coming to see Mickie? Or for trying to take her away from me two years ago?”
Instead of getting angry as she would have back then, Sarah dropped her gaze from Justin’s accusing one. “Both,” she finally whispered. Lifting her chin, she forced a smile. “Look, I wanted to apologize and put it all behind us, but I guess that’s impossible. I’ll be going.”
All she wanted to do was leave. She’d known it was a stupid idea to come here and apply for the job. But her friend Bill had been so certain Justin would take her on. Of course, Bill was newly married and in love. He thought all families loved one another the way he loved his in-laws. He couldn’t understand the icy wall of anger and bitterness that separated her and Justin, the guilt and fears…
Justin’s hand shot out and wrapped around her small arm. “Wait.”
She froze at Justin’s first touch, then slowly turned. Indecision and frustration etched his rugged features. He wasn’t sure if he wanted her there or not. The years hadn’t changed him. Justin was still as good-looking as when she’d first met him almost seven years ago. A few gray hairs she didn’t remember were now mixed in his dark brown wavy hair. It was cut short in the back and longer on the top; one lock of his hair fell casually out of place over his forehead. He hadn’t gained an ounce of weight. “Since when do you wear jeans?” She liked the way he looked in them.
He cocked an eyebrow in amusement.
Warmth climbed her face as she realized she’d actually asked the question out loud.
“Since I’ve been doing the housework,” he replied evenly.
She fidgeted a moment, then stepped back. “Well, I’d better go—”
“No. I…” He ran a hand through his hair, his other hand on his hip. Finally, he sighed. “It’s been two years, Sarah. Why now?”
“You already asked that,” Sarah replied with the only comeback she could think of that would give her time to form an answer.
“Daddy?”
Justin’s head jerked toward the stairs.
Sarah saw panic in his eyes. “Look, Justin, if you don’t want Mickie to see me I’ll go. I understand if—”
“No, come on in.” A long, low breath escaped Justin before he stepped back to allow her in.
Turning toward the stairs, he called up, “I’ll be right there, Mickie. Go ahead and put on the jeans I laid out for you.”
He stepped back and allowed Sarah to enter the house. It hadn’t changed since her sister, Amy, had lived there two years ago. The same overstuffed sofa filled the living room; an oak coffee table still sat in front of the sofa, with a book of scenic landscapes throughout America on it. On the mantel framed family photos were arranged with pride and loving care. Looking out through the open curtains, Sarah saw the sky was still clouded over and it looked as though it might rain or snow any moment.
“Mickie has been asking about relatives lately. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to let you meet with her. Just don’t do anything to hurt her.”
Sarah jerked as if she’d been slapped. “I’d never hurt Mickie.”
“Then why’d you try to take her away from me two years ago?”
This was the question Sarah had not wanted to hear. The accusation and suppressed anger in his voice were as obvious as the fact that he expected her to answer. “I truly thought she’d be better off with me, Justin,” she finally said.
He snorted. “I’m sure your fiancé would love having her with you now, wouldn’t he, Sarah?”
Sarah stiffened. “How do you know about André?”
“Hamilton is a small town,” he replied, shrugging.
Of course everyone in the small suburb well outside the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolis knew everything about everyone. She paled, wondering if he knew the rest, too. She didn’t dare ask. Instead, she said, “André likes children.”
That much was true.
