“Don’t pull it, Ella,” Grayson said in a gentle voice. “The tree needs its ornaments to make it super pretty.”
“I like the star,” Ella said, pointing to the top of the tree.
“Me too,” Grayson said, placing her down on the ground so she could walk around.
As Ella walked over toward her grandparents, Hope moved closer to her husband, snuggling against his chest. He placed his arm around her and pulled her as close to him as he possibly could. She let out a contented sigh. Being in Grayson’s arms was sheer heaven. Hope knew how blessed she was to have found her soul mate, her other half.
“This Christmas feels so special. More than any other I’ve ever experienced,” Hope said as a warm feeling settled in her chest. “I don’t even have words to explain how happy I am.”
Grayson rubbed her back with one hand. “I feel the same way. We’re incredibly blessed.”
“We really are. Imagine that one year ago we didn’t know each other.”
Grayson shuddered. “I don’t want to imagine it. My life is infinitely better with you in it.”
“Ditto. I can’t help but think God led you straight here to Tybee Island and to me and Ella. I know you were blindsided when you found out you weren’t kin to Miss Hattie, but if you hadn’t been under that belief we would never have met.” Tears misted in Hope’s eyes. “I’m just so happy you showed up at my door looking for help.”
Grayson chuckled. “And I’m so glad I grew on you. You were pretty mad at me when you found out who I was.”
Hope stood on tippy toes and placed a tender kiss on Grayson’s lips. “I couldn’t stay angry at you for long. Something about those blue-green eyes enchanted me.”
“I think the moment I laid eyes on you I was a goner,” Grayson confessed. “I thank God each and every day for leading me here to you and my daughter.”
My daughter. Just hearing those words come from Grayson’s lips created a groundswell of emotion in Hope. In her heart she’d always feared Ella wouldn’t have a true father in her life.
Grayson was Ella’s father and he treated her as if he’d been in her life since day one. When he said the word daughter, Grayson was claiming her as his own. It awed Hope that a man who’d been as footloose and fancy free as Grayson could come to Savannah and turn over a new leaf so completely. God had been at work, helping Grayson grow into the man he’d always wanted to be. Her man—one who loved fiercely and would protect his family at all costs. It showed Hope that no matter where you thought your life was going, there would always be God moments. It humbled her.
Hope looked across the room at her best friends. Callie was holding her newborn in her arms. Jax was standing next to her, gazing down at Lucy in adoring fashion. Olivia and Hunter were a few feet away. Hunter was cradling their son in his arms. Xavier had made his debut a week after Lucy. As always, Callie and Olivia were in total sync. And they were both wonderful mothers.
The guest cottage where Hope used to live had now been transformed into a nursery so that when Callie and Olivia came back to work, they would have a nanny there ready to watch the babies. And they would only be a few steps away from them so they could visit during lunch and breaks. It was the perfect solution for working mothers. Ella would be there too. At the moment Grayson insisted on spending his days hanging out with Ella at their new house right on Savannah Beach. He said she inspired him to write more books for children.
Fancy looked beautiful in a red cocktail dress. She was standing under the mistletoe looking up at Case, who was dipping his head down for a kiss. Bless them, Hope thought. They had a tough road ahead of them, but they were both staying positive about creating a family. Fancy had been diagnosed with infertility due to a medical condition, so along with seeking medical treatment, they were exploring the idea of adoption. No matter how their family came together, Hope knew Fancy and Case would make amazing parents. She prayed for them every day.
Luke was gathering everyone around the grand piano so he could lead the group in Christmas carols. He had just signed an impressive record deal with a company out of Nashville. Morgan told anyone who would listen about her talented husband who was about to blow up. Morgan herself had been given an award from the City of Savannah as Chef of the Year. She was now gracing the cover of Southern Cooking, which had led to a flurry of reservations for Savannah House. It was now safe to save the resort was an amazing success story. Stays at the inn were in high demand. They were all now making a very nice living while preserving Miss Hattie’s legacy.
Charlotte floated around the party like a butterfly. She looked amazing in a vintage emerald green dress. Hope watched as Marc caught up with her and handed her a glass of champagne. Charlotte smiled up at her husband and pressed a kiss against his cheek. There was such love between this newly married couple, Hope marveled. It was amazing to see two people who had harbored a great deal of animosity toward one another develop into such a spectacular love story. They radiated happiness. Together, Marc and Charlotte had started a scholarship in the name of Marc’s late father, who had passed away from cancer. With the scholarship, they were celebrating Lucien Cabron’s life and paying it forward.
As the party wound down, Ella began helping out with the clean-up. After saying goodbye to the last of the guests, the six owners of Savannah House moved toward the kitchen for a celebratory glass of sparkling cider. As they looked around at each other, tears fell amid laughter and hugs. Olivia began gathering the glass flutes while Charlotte poured the sparkling cider.
“I can’t believe we pulled this off,” Morgan said, wiping away tears from her cheeks.
“I can believe it,” Hope said. “After all, we had Miss Hattie acting as our guardian angel from heaven. This whole time I’ve felt as if she was pushing us like the wind at our backs.”
“We did it, although the job isn’t done yet,” Callie said, holding up her flute. “Let’s toast to hard work and sacrifice and vision. And to continuing this amazing, joyful journey. And someday maybe our children will carry on Miss Hattie’s legacy.”
They all raised their flutes in the air. “To Savannah House,” Charlotte cried out.
“And to Miss Hattie,” Hope added, knowing their journey wouldn’t have been possible without their beloved mentor. She had effectively changed all of their lives for the better.
“To Miss Hattie,” they all shouted in unison, clinking glasses and taking sips of sparkling cider.
“And to our friendship,” Fancy said, clearly sniffing back tears. “I don’t know what I would do without you guys.”
“Right back ‘atcha,” Olivia said as they shared a group hug.
“Each one of us is right where she should be,” Hope said. “And we’ve each found a man of faith to walk through life with us. God is good.”
“All the time,” Callie said in a triumphant tone.
When they were finished cleaning up, Hope went in search of Grayson. He was holding a slumped over Ella in his arms. She was knocked out!
“I think it’s time to head home,” Hope said, reaching for Grayson’s hand and squeezing it. As they walked out of the doors of Savannah House, Hope turned around to get one last look at the festively decorated foyer. From this vantage point she could see the gigantic Christmas tree and the sweeping spiral staircase. A few guests were still milling around the area, reluctant to end the festivities. Hope smiled. There was such promise in every day at Savannah House.
On the drive over to their new home, Hope hummed along to Christmas music softly playing from the car radio. Once they stepped inside the house, they made a bee-line to Ella’s room. Neither one of them wanted to risk her waking up and having to be soothed back to sleep. Every time Hope stepped inside the room she felt awestruck by the beautiful illustrations Grayson had painted on the walls. Princesses. Fairies. Castles. And a sweet image of Ella walking through high grass at the beach. It was a masterpiece made with love.
“Goodnight, sweet Ella,” Hope whispered as Grayson lowered
her down to her toddler bed. She didn’t stir at all. Grayson slightly jiggled the bed’s railing just to make sure it didn’t give way. Hope loved his protective side. She imagined Ella wouldn’t go out on a date until her thirtieth birthday if Grayson had any say in the matter.
The celebration at Savannah House had been wonderful. The resort had been filled up to the rafters. The inn was fully booked for the Christmas holidays. Grayson’s parents were arriving tomorrow to spend Christmas with them, along with her parents. Grayson and his parents were working really hard to repair the dysfunction of the past and to come together as a family. Hope knew where there was love anything was possible.
Hope had a special gift under the Christmas tree for Grayson. And she wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight unless he opened it. After they finished settling Ella down, Hope led Grayson to the living room where the Christmas tree sat, brilliant and festive.
“There’s a little something under the tree I want you to open,” Hope said, her heart skittering with excitement.
“Aah. Breaking the rules on Christmas Eve, huh?” Grayson asked, rubbing his hands together.
Hope picked up the small, square shaped present with the red bow on top and handed it to Grayson.
Grayson took the present and shook it. He held it up to his ear. “Hmm. It’s not rattling.”
Hope rolled her eyes. “You’re worse than a child,” she said, making a tutting sound. “Go ahead and open it.”
“Okay. Okay.” Grayson ripped off the wrapping paper then lifted the top off the box. He scrunched up his nose and held up the small green and red bootie. “What’s this? I don’t think it’s going to fit.”
“It’s not for you,” Hope said in a soft voice. She watched as Grayson’s expression transformed from confusion to clarity. “It’s for someone new who’s coming in about seven months or so.”
“A baby?” he asked. “Are we having a baby?” His voice had become raspy. He was trembling.
“Yes,” Hope said with a firm nod of her head. “We’re having a baby, Grayson.”
A dazed expression appeared on his face. He dangled the baby bootie in the air. “So this means I’m going to be a father again?” He ran shaking hands over his face.
Hope nodded. She could feel the gigantic smile breaking out over her face. “Yes, sweetheart. It does. We’re having a baby. Ella’s going to be a big sister.”
Grayson let out a ragged breath. He seemed truly stunned.
Hope bit her lip. This wasn’t going exactly how she’d planned. “Grayson, are you all right? A-aren’t you happy about it?”
“Happy? I’m over the moon thrilled about it. I keep thinking I should pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming.” He bent down and placed a triumphant kiss on her lips. “Hope, I can’t imagine receiving better news than this. Baby, this is wonderful.” Tears pooled in his eyes. Hope could see the raw emotion on his face.
He threw his head back and let out a hoot of celebration. “Wahoo!”
Hope giggled and pressed her hand over his mouth. “Shh. You’re going to wake up Ella.”
“Sorry. I feel like shouting it from the rooftops.”
“I want to be really sensitive where Fancy and Case are concerned. I don’t want our joyful news to deflate them,” Hope said.
Grayson brushed a kiss across her temple. “My sweet, considerate wife. Always thinking of others. Something tells me Fancy and Case will be over the moon for us. And they’ll get their little bundle of joy. There’s more than one way to make a family.”
“Have I told you lately how much I love and adore you?” Hope asked.
He encircled her waist with his arms and pulled her close. “Not nearly as much as I’d like to hear. I’m crazy about you, Hope. And that will never change.
All was right in their world. With love, faith and devotion, they had built a beautiful world for themselves. Children. Family. Friends. Savannah House. There were so many things to be thankful for on Christmas Eve.
Grayson had come to Savannah in search of his identity. In the process, he’d found everything he had always been looking for. Love. A family of his own. Feeling settled in his own skin. And in Grayson, Hope had found a man who would stand by her side, come what may. He was Ella’s father in every sense of the word.
Hope gazed up at Grayson. Her heart was so full of love she thought she might burst. “Thank you, Grayson, for making my fairytale ending come true.”
As they stood by the tree and counted their blessings, Hope said a silent prayer to God. Without Him, none of this would have been possible. He had blessed them abundantly! She knew neither she nor Grayson would ever lose sight of the love they shared or the path that had led them to this moment in time.
THE END
Breathless by Belle Calhoune—January of 2017
A whole new adventure begins featuring the Donahue cousins of Pelican Bay, Florida. Parker Donahue is a P.I. living in his hometown of Pelican Bay, Florida. When Cadence Johnson walked back into his life—the only woman he’s ever loved—Parker has to steel his heart against her breaking it all over again. And when he discovers the real reason Cadence has come back into his life, Parker will stop at nothing to help Cadence…and himself.
Guarding Her Heart—December 2016 release
Prologue
Guilford, Connecticut
Chapter One
Marissa Santana nursed her diet Coke and watched from across the courtyard as her sworn enemy chatted up a group of good looking ladies. It was like watching a train wreck, she thought. She wanted to look away from the disturbing sight, but she couldn’t manage to do it. Matt Cruz was like a panther –sleek and deadly. And the eligible ladies of Briarwood were acting as if he was the last single man on the planet Earth.
He was handsome, she had to admit, in a rugged kind of way. He was tall, 6’3 she would guess, with a massive build comprised of pure muscle. His features were strong and bold – high cheekbones, a strong nose and full ruby lips. His skin was burnished, no doubt with a little help from the Texas sun. His onyx colored hair hung to his shoulders in a straight, no frills style. On another man it might’ve looked girly, but it just served to make him look more manly. His brown eyes were dark as sin and looked almost black. His good looks could certainly make a woman stop and stare.
As a Christian woman she hated feeling so angry toward him, but he was rude and an absolute fool. And he’d made it clear on several occasions that he despised everything about her. Every time she was in his presence, he made her feel agitated.
You’re nothing a small town, narrow-minded petty gossip.
Cruz’s words had been cutting and to the point, leaving no question as to his disgust toward her. It still bothered her that he harbored such animosity towards her, such unbridled hatred. She wasn’t used to people not liking her; in her profession it was vitally important that she be likable, personable and approachable. Without those qualities she wouldn’t be able to sell ice water in the desert, never mind million dollar homes in Texas. And she was good at her job, the best in fact in the entire region.
Heat seared through her as he looked up and met her gaze, his dark eyes inscrutable and forbidding. For goodness sakes he was practically scowling at her, Marissa realized. Who did he think he was anyway? She had just as much right to be here as he did. Sierra was her best friend, and her relationship with Caleb had grown into a solid friendship over the past few months.
When Sierra sidled up to her and lovingly put an arm around her shoulder, it provided Marissa with a well-needed distraction from Matt Cruz’s annoying presence.
“Hey my friend. Thanks for the fabulous party. Caleb told me how much you helped with the planning. I can’t tell you how much it means to me.”
Her best friend was beaming, Marissa thought. She radiated happiness. And she was looking more gorgeous than ever. She held her hands up in protest. “Don’t thank me. Your Mom was like a machine the way she ran things. She could be a professional party planner if she wanted to.�
�� Self-consciously, she darted a glance in Cruz’s direction.
Sierra followed her gaze and said, “Like bees to honey. They’re really swarming around him, aren’t they?”
Marissa sniffed and said, “It’s amazing what some people find attractive.”
Sierra let out a throaty laugh. “C’mon, Marissa. You may dislike the man, but you have to admit he’s gorgeous.”
“And ugly on the inside,” she muttered.
Sierra swatted her hand at Marissa. “Stop it. He’s not so bad. I know the two of you got off on the wrong foot, but he’s a really good guy.”
She sputtered on her soda. “Wrong foot? That’s putting it mildly. The last time we ran into each other he had a lot of nasty things to say about me. And then some.”
Sierra patted her on the arm reassuringly and said, “I’m sorry about that. He doesn’t know you like I do. You’re one of the most generous, kind people I’ve ever known.”
Tears pricked in Marissa’s eyes as she listened to Sierra’s soothing words. She’d never wanted to admit how much it had hurt when Cruz had called her out and labeled her as a vicious gossip. And all because of a simple rumor she’d passed on about him and the widow Jenkins. She hadn’t created the rumor, for goodness sakes. She’d just passed it on a couple of times. Well, perhaps it had been more than a couple of times, but talking to clients was part of her job duties as a realtor. Sometimes exchanging tidbits of information was part of the process of selling real estate. She barely remembered repeating the story. And how did he know she was the one who was responsible?
Caleb suddenly appeared at Sierra’s side and wrapped a strong arm around her waist, pulling her toward him in a tight embrace. As Marissa looked on, Caleb planted a tender kiss on Sierra’s lips, one that drew clapping and whistles from the guests. Caleb pulled away from his wife and scowled at his audience. “Hush. Can’t you see I’m trying to romance my beautiful wife?”
“By the looks of it bro, you’ve already done a bit of romancing,” Drew, Caleb’s handsome twin brother, piped in as he pointed to his sister in law’s bulging belly. His comment drew laughter from the crowd, and she couldn’t help noticing that Cruz threw his head back in laughter and clapped Drew on the back. So he does laugh, after all. He wasn’t just brooding looks and snarky comments. He wasn’t just a bully with a badge. He was human.
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