A Baby for Christmas (Christmas in Eden Valley #2)

“I have something for you.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a ring and slipped the golden band on her finger. “With this ring I thee wed.” His eyes brimmed with love. “Welcome home, Mrs. Hawkins.” He kissed her, a kiss full of promise and possibility.

She kissed him back, silently pledging him her love and care for as long as she lived.

Then she turned around in his arms to look at their new home. “It’s perfect.”

“It sure looks a lot better than it did a few weeks ago.”

“We couldn’t have done it without help.” Eddie had sent some of the cowboys over. The couples had come and washed and scrubbed and repaired until the place was like new.

Missy had helped make new curtains for the windows. She’d announced she wished to stay at Eden Valley Ranch and help Linette, and Louise couldn’t find it in her heart to object. At least she’d be safe at the ranch. If only they would receive word that Vic had been captured. The Mounties’ assurance the man would be found provided her with a modicum of relief.

Louise had insisted she alone would make the quilt for their bed in the little bedroom. She’d sewn each stitch with love and prayers that God would grant them many happy years and many children.

Nate had made the table where they would share their meals and good conversation at night. She’d discovered he liked reading aloud and she had spent many pleasant hours knitting things for Chloe while he read her books from Eddie’s vast library. She looked forward to many more pleasant evenings around this table in the weeks left before spring came and he got busy with cattle.

The sun shone through the sparkling windows, filling the room with rays of light.

One of the rays crossed Chloe’s face and she gurgled at it.

Nate went and scooped up the baby, who favored him with a toothless smile.

“She’s the prettiest little girl ever.” He pulled Louise into his arms. “Looks like her mama.”

“What do you mean? I have all my teeth.”

They laughed together. Over the past few weeks they had found many things to laugh about.

Most of all, though, they found their love went deep, and each day Louise enjoyed dipping a little deeper into that love.

She lifted her face for a kiss. “I love you, Nate Hawkins,” she whispered before his lips claimed hers.

For now and for always.

* * * * *

Dear Reader,

How precious is the birth of a baby. Even in the midst of storms and turmoil, the cry of a newborn evokes tenderness and hope. And what better Christmas gift than a baby? I have a daughter born on Boxing Day. She doesn’t think it’s a good time to have a birthday, but think about it. Don’t all the things we wish for at Christmas—joy and love and peace—promise to come true in the birth of a child?

In this story, I wanted the birth of little Chloe to change the hero and heroine, making them see what mattered in their lives.

This is a work of fiction, but I have used bits and pieces of real life discovered in my research. For instance, Kamoose Taylor, his hotel and his rules are real.

I love to hear from my readers. You can contact me at www.lindaford.org where you’ll find my email address and where you can find out more about me and my books.