“Don’t worry, Gramps,” Lizzie said. “We’ll come back.”
The old man blinked hard. “I don’t need—”
“Of course you do,” Pauline interrupted. “And I’ll be back to make sure you’re keeping this place as it should be.”
*
Pauline and Eric opted not to resume their trip to Chicago, planning to return to their homes in Bardville as the roads west cleared.
Bexley and Kiernan gathered their things to leave, Bexley sharing a few meal ideas with Pauline as she packed.
It seemed like it should have taken longer, considering all that had happened.
Exchanges of addresses, emails, social media IDs, and phone numbers accompanied promises to stay in touch.
Then exchanges of hugs with Bobby, the girls, Pauline, and Eric. Handshakes with Dan and Gramps.
Kiernan and Eric came back in from loading the vehicle.
“It was…” Bexley’s throat closed. She tried again. “It was a very merry Christmas. Thank you. Each and every one of you.”
In the vehicle, their seat belts on, the engine warming the interior, Kiernan paused before putting it in gear, his gaze on the steering wheel.
“Bexley, I want you to know… It wasn’t being stranded. It wasn’t Christmas. It wasn’t even watching how you made Christmas. It’s you. It’s all of you.”
He turned to face her.
“I want to make Christmas and every other day with you, Bexley Farber, and I hope you feel the same. I believe you do.”
“I… I do.”
“Will you take me home to meet your family? Will you come to Gloucester to meet mine?”
She leaned toward him, their lips so close.
“Yes.”
Then she kissed him.
It was a several minutes before they left the snowy lot. As they passed the shop’s door, they saw all the others standing there — obvious witnesses to the kisses — grinning and waving.
EPILOGUE
Kiernan and Bexley reached her family’s home December 27, after a mid-trip overnight stop at the third place they tried, the others filled by travelers staying put for now.
Kiernan looked around the routine motel room. “We could wait for someplace more romantic, before—”
She grabbed a fistful of his shirt from under his chin and tried to draw him to her. Since he didn’t budge, it had the effect of drawing her up to him. That worked, too.
“Are you nuts?” she growled into his face.
After a startled beat, he grinned. “I am. Indeed I am.” He kissed her fast, then scooped her up.
They spent three delightful and tormenting days — separate beds — at her family home. He fit in right off. When they caught him cheating at Scrabble, he was declared to be one of them.
But on the thirtieth, they started east again for her turn to meet the clan.
“Easier for you than it was for me,” he said when she wobbled a bit with nerves as she drove across Northern Indiana, “you’ve a glowing report already from Val and Matty.”
She turned startled eyes to him. Then jerked them back to the road. “What do you mean?”
“Last summer. News of that was through them all like—” He swallowed a colorful phrase. “Right away.”
She groaned.
“I’m not saying this visit wouldn’t have been difficult for you after walking out on me—”
“After I—?”
“—but they’ll forgive you now they see I’ve done the same.”
“You’ve forgiven me—”
“I have.”
Eyes still on the traffic, she reached out her right arm and whacked him in the upper arm. Between her angle and his coat, it lacked punch.
“If rough’s your fancy, Bexley, I must be telling you it’s not mine. But best to sort out such matters when we’re in the hotel I’ve booked for tonight, not while that walloping great semi is trying to sit in our backseat.”
She focused on the important issue while expertly evading the semi with no sense of personal space. “The hotel you’ve booked?”
But he would say no more of it.
Their bedroom at the historic inn near Syracuse had a working fireplace, the flames visible from the bed, which proved convenient because that’s where they spent most of their stay. They took time for a delicious dinner, but had breakfast in bed.
That breakfast tray came with a single white rose.
As they prepared to leave, Kiernan detached six white petals and starburst them around a pat of butter.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Have you ever heard of pasque flowers?”
“I don’t think so.”
“They can bloom in the snow.”
“That’s nice.”
He drew her down to him. “Very nice.”
The stay at the inn fortified them for the final hours driving in light snow to reach Gloucester, Massachusetts, and another inn — this one owned and run by Kiernan’s sister-in-law and brother.
They arrived mid-afternoon, also finding Val and Jack and their children there, as well as Val’s exuberant relatives.
By midnight, it was clear to all that the New Year would be entirely happy.
*
Sitting in front of a bright fire, the three women who’d cooked New Year’s dinner relaxed while the men cleaned up with the dubious help of the next generation.
“I think our first experiment turned out fine,” Val said.
Bexley surveyed the satisfied smile of Val Trimarco Ralston. Her cousin, Eleanor, frowned at Val.
“What experiment?” Bexley asked.
“Rebecca calls it the Wyoming Marriage Association, though we’ve agreed marriage isn’t necessary to declare a situation finalized.”
“Rebecca… She’s from Far Hills Ranch?” She remembered Dan Quick saying their ranch wasn’t far from Far Hills.
“Right. She’s married to Luke, the foreman. And there’s Ellyn and Griff, Kendra and Daniel. And Marti and Robert, who own the home ranch, though they don’t live there. That’s why they’ve used it for special occasions for people in the area, a few weddings, a couple reunions.”
“That’s the Wyoming Marriage Association?”
“No, no. Rebecca hopes to find matches for guys who keep showing up because they were used to camping out with Luke when he was single. Good guys, but they need help to, you know, make a real romantic connection.”
“Val and several others believe they can provide that help.” Eleanor’s tone combined skepticism and affection.
“We can. We did. We—”
“Val.”
At her cousin’s warning word, she stopped abruptly.
Looking into the flames, Bexley asked, “Kiernan and me? We were the experiment?”
“It’s not like we planned for you two to be snowbound — that was pure good luck.”
Eleanor coughed.
“Well, it was. Gave them more time to figure things out than the car trip alone would have. Though when Matty texted the drive was a possibility, I told her she had to make it happen.”
“Val, hush while you’re ahead. Let Bexley absorb this.”
Bexley was silent for a full minute.
She blinked three times, coming back to the room. “I have two candidates.”
“Women?”
“Men. Because I’m pretty sure Pauline’s taken care of herself with Gramps.”
“I don’t know,” Val said. “Rebecca won’t want to make matches for new guys until she cuts down the bachelors hanging around her house.”
“As your first experiment, I deserve to pick next. Besides, wait until you hear about these two.”
And there, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, began discussions that led Eric Larkin and Hall Quick — and his children — into completely new lives as the next projects of the Wyoming Marriage Association.
*
So glad you read Kiernan and Bexley’s story in Making Christmas!
Get ready for the
upcoming
Wyoming Marriage Association series.
Bexley and other women of the Wyoming Wildflowers series team up with those from the Bardville, Wyoming, and A Place Called Home trilogies in the Wyoming Marriage Association series. Be sure to catch up on those series before you read what’s in store for Eric Larkin and Hall Quick.
Want more Christmas? Of course you do! Read about Donna and Ed Currick and their love-at-first-glance that laid the foundation for all the Wyoming Wildflowers stories. Step back a generation for the unforgettable Christmas romance in Wyoming Wildflowers: The Beginning.
Bardville, Wyoming
Unexpected love arrives when strangers come to small-town Bardville.
A Stranger in the Family
A Stranger to Love
The Rancher Meets His Match
A Place Called Home
Three cousins share a family ranch … and a century-old family curse that only they can lift.
Lost and Found Groom
At the Heart’s Command
Hidden in a Heartbeat
Kiernan, Bexley, and friends ask if you’ll help spread the word about them and the Wyoming Wildflowers series. You have the power to do that in two quick ways:
Recommend the book and the series to your friends and/or the whole wide world on social media. Shouting from rooftops is particularly appreciated.
Review the book. Take a few minutes to write an honest review and it can make a huge difference. As you likely know, it’s the single best way for your fellow readers to find books they’ll enjoy, too.
To me — as an author and a reader — the goal is always to find a good author-reader match. By sharing your reading experience through recommendations and reviews, you become a vital matchmaker.
For news about upcoming books, as well as other titles and news, join Patricia McLinn’s Readers List and receive her twice-monthly free newsletter.
The Wyoming Wildflowers series
Donna and Ed’s lives are worlds apart. Can they ever bridge the distance…
Wyoming Wildflowers: The Beginning
Dave Currick has everything he wants, except the woman he loves…
Almost a Bride
Cal and Taylor can spark a wildfire, but will they come together in…
Match Made in Wyoming
Lisa’s carried a secret in her heart for years — and he just hit town…
My Heart Remembers
Prequel to Jack’s Heart
A New World
New England single mom meets her Lone Ranger.
Jack’s Heart
Prequel to Where Love Lives
Rodeo Nights
One night stands in the way of Zoe and Matt spending the rest of their days together.
Where Love Lives
Jack and Val invite you to share the big day with them.
A Cowboy Wedding
Can Kiernan and Bexley make the best of an accidental Noel?
Making Christmas
Box Sets
Wyoming Wildflowers Trilogy (Books 2-4)
Wyoming Wildflowers Box Set Two: A New World (prequel) and Jack’s Heart
Wyoming Wildflowers Box Set Three: Rodeo Nights (prequel) and Where Love Lives
Wyoming Wildflowers: The Complete Collection
Eight books: The Beginning, five central titles and two prequels. Perfect for new fans who have dipped their toes into a field of wildflowers and now want to binge-read these stand-alone stories.
Also by Patricia McLinn
Seasons in a Small Town
What Are Friends For? (Spring)
The Right Brother (Summer)
Falling for Her (Autumn)
Warm Front (Winter)
Marry Me series
Wedding of the Century
The Unexpected Wedding Guest
A Most Unlikely Wedding
Baby Blues and Wedding Bells
Ride the River: Rodeo Knights
(romantic suspense; includes cameos from Wyoming Wildflowers characters)
The Wedding Series
Prelude to a Wedding
Wedding Party
Grady’s Wedding
The Runaway Bride
The Christmas Princess
Hoops (prequel to The Surprise Princess)
The Surprise Princess
Not a Family Man (prequel to The Forgotten Prince)
The Forgotten Prince
Explore a complete list of all Patricia’s books
Or get a printable booklist
Patricia’s eBookstore (buy digital books online directly from Patricia)
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn spent more than 20 years as an editor at The Washington Post after stints as a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.) and assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.). She received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University.
McLinn is the author of more than 50 published novels, which are cited by readers and reviewers for wit and vivid characterization. Her books include mysteries, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical romance and women’s fiction. They have topped bestseller lists and won numerous awards.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia, to Washington, D.C., including being a guest speaker at the Smithsonian Institution.
Now living in northern Kentucky, McLinn loves to hear from readers through her website and social media.
Visit with Patricia:
Copyright © Patricia McLinn
eBook ISBN: 978-1-944126-92-6
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-944126-93-3
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Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
Did you love Making Christmas? Then you should read A Stranger in the Family by Patricia McLinn!
A sexy, intriguing stranger arrives unexpectedly at her Wyoming ranch, threatening the one thing Cambria protects more fiercely than her heart — her family.
Bodie's discovery that he fathered a son 17 years ago starts a search that leads him to the warm and welcoming Weston family. But his response to one member of the family is far more than he ever expected.
The sparks between him and Cambria are real … and so is the danger to his hopes for their future if she finds out why he's really in Wyoming.
Family is the core of the first book of the Bardville, Wyoming, series, but family is not necessarily simple. As one reader review states, "A Stranger in the Family" "mixes love, family and complicated situations together. I could not put this book down."
BARDVILLE, WYOMING SERIES
A Stranger in the Family
A Stranger to Love
The Rancher Meets His Match
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ If you especially enjoy western romances, also try these other books by Patricia:
A Place Called HomeLost and Found GroomAt the Heart's CommandHidden in a HeartbeatWyoming Wildflowers seriesWyoming Wildflowers: The Beginning (a prequel)Almost a BrideMatch Made in WyomingMy Heart Remembers-- A New World (prequel to Jack's Heart)Jack's Heart-- Rodeo Nights (prequel to Where Love Lives)Where Love Lives
A Cowboy WeddingHistorical western romanceWidow WomanCourting a Cowboy... and east of the Mississippi, try:The Wedding SeriesPrelude to a WeddingWedding PartyGrady's WeddingThe Runaway BrideThe Christmas Princess-- Hoops (prequel to The Surprise Princess)The Surprise Princess-- Not a Family Man (prequel to The Forgotten Prince)The Forgotten PrinceMarry Me seriesWedding of the CenturyThe Unexpected Wedding GuestA Most Unlikely WeddingBaby Blues and Wedding Bells
Read more at Patricia McLinn’s site.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn spent more than 20 years as an editor at the Washington Post after stints as a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.) and assistant sports editor
(Charlotte, N.C.). She received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University.
McLinn is the author of more than 50 published novels, which are cited by readers and reviewers for wit and vivid characterization. Her books include mysteries, romantic suspense, contemporary romance, historical romance and women’s fiction. They have topped bestseller lists and won numerous awards. She also is host of the podcast, Authors Love Readers.
She has spoken about writing from London to Melbourne, Australia, to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution.
Now living in Northern Kentucky, McLinn loves to hear from readers through her website and social media.
Read more at Patricia McLinn’s site.
Making Christmas Page 17