Journey of the Magi (8 page)

“What did you get, Holly?” Noel asked after she twined her fingers with Dan’s.

“I asked Santa to change my wish,” she whispered. “I told him I wanted us to be a family.”

She lifted the open box to show Noel and Dan a matched set of gold wedding bands tied with a red bow.

“There’s no way Ernie put that in the grab bag,” Dan protested, before he exchanged puzzled glances with Noel.

“Santa said this gift was for all of us.” Holly explained. “’Cause I already have a dog and we’re all home.”

****

Noel cuddled into the thick couch cushions. The fire cast a warm glow through the room that matched the heat in her heart. Dan lifted his eyebrows in question after he hung up the phone.

“Ernie couldn’t talk long, something about Christmas Eve being really busy. He claims he didn’t give Holly those rings. He sounded as puzzled as we are.” Dan scratched his head.

Noel held out her hand to him. “Stop worrying about it and come over here. Is he coming?”

“Oh, yeah. He’s positive he brought us together, so it’s only right he’s best man. He’s flying in the day after Christmas.”

“And Rita will stand up for me.” Blue as a spring lake, her eyes reflected her happiness.

The sparkling lights glittered on the decorated tree. Noel had explained each fancy ball’s history to Holly while they hung them. The crowded branches dipped toward the floor and formed a canopy over the manger.

She smiled at the sweet memory. Holly had once again moved the figures after she’d tied the colored bows to the Magi’s camels. To thank them for bringing their gift, she explained.

With a contented sigh, Dan sat alongside her and slid his arm around her waist. He cuddled her to his side before he kissed her ringed hand. She turned her palm up and cupped his cheek.

The children were finally sleeping, and soon Dan would bank the fire. In a few minutes they would go to bed, too.

“This isn’t what I expected to find at home,” she murmured. “You, your love and a future together. All I could think about was the journey.”

“I love you.” Dan kissed her palm and then stroked her fingers. “Do you want to use the rings?”

“Oh, yes.” Noel laughed softly. “I agree with Holly. Like the Magi’s gifts, they were given with love.”

A word about the author...

Barbara Edwards loves American history, gardening and travel. This explains her participation in Civil War re-enacting, time spent growing a perennial garden with antique roses, and long trips across country.

She uses her experiences to write her romances. Barbara writes in several romance genres: historical, paranormal and contemporary. This is her first sweet romance and she’s looking forward to writing more.

Check out her website

http://www.barbaraedwards.net

and her blog

http://www.barbaraedwardscomments.wordpress.com
.

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Also available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

Ancient Blood by Barbara Edwards

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A Reason to Fly by Aysel Quinn

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