Rena started laughing at Anabeth’s sincere concern. “Yes pumpkin. We will hurry.”
Anabeth rushed out of the room and Jack leaned over and kissed her on the lips. “Good morning wife. Merry Christmas.”
“Merry Christmas husband.”
They threw on robes and slippers before heading out to the kitchen. Out of habit, she checked her emails on her phone. Her heart stopped when she saw an email from the loan office sent late the night before. She took a deep breath and opened it.
“Oh my god, Jack.”
He saw her pale and went to her. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
She looked at him and held out her phone. “We got the ranch. It’s ours. We close at the end of January.”
The girls heard and started screaming in and dancing around. “We got a ranch, we got a ranch.”
Jack hugged her fiercely. “It’s all because of you. You did all of the work.”
“It’s because of us. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
After starting the coffee pot, they sat down and began going through and sorting the presents. Each girl had quite a few packages in front of them when Anabeth reminded them of the stockings.
“We can’t forget them. Santa put extra special treats in them. I love the oranges he puts in every year.”
“I’ll get them right now, Anabeth. Thank you for reminding us.” Jack laughed and passed out the stockings.
Rena sat down and watched her family tear into their presents. She felt so peaceful, her heart full. This was definitely the best decision they had made. Millflower was the perfect home for them and she saw the miracles all around her that had to happen for them to be in this moment, at this time. Her gratitude filled her soul.
“Come on, Mom. Start opening your presents.” Shari urged.
She smiled and blinked back threatening tears. “Okay. I’m going to start with my stocking. It’s my favorite.”
She reached in and began to pull out the candy and chocolates her and Jack and put there just hours before. She thought she had pulled everything out when her fingers brushed against something cold and hard. Frowning, she grabbed it and pulled the object out. The black and shiny rock felt heavy in her hand.
“Hahahahaha! Mom got a lump of coal for Christmas. You must’ve been so bad this year.” Shari laughed.
She giggled and looked at Jack. “What’s this?”
“I think Santa wanted to thank you for your crazy ideas and how you put your family first. I think he wanted to give you this as a reminder. That because of you, your husband will never have to go underground again. That I can come home to you and the girls every night and spend every weekend with you. That we are a family again. I love you babe.”
She couldn’t stop the tears even if she had tried. A year ago she had been wondering if she even had a marriage to save, struggling in debt and unhappiness. She had been so scared but she had turned that fear into determination and with faith and trust, she now had her beloved family back.
She stood up and moved into his arms. “I love you so much. I don’t think you realize how much. You are my best friend and I’ve missed you. I would give up anything to keep you in my life. You’re an incredible father and a better husband. Merry Christmas, Jack.”
“Merry Christmas, Rena. I love you too.”
“This is the best present I could’ve been given.” She leaned up and kissed him on the lips. “But I hope this is the last time I get coal in my stocking.”
The End
Harpers Wish
A Colorado Christmas Cowboy Novella
Could making a wish at the town’s wishing well help bring her the family she’d always wanted?
Krista Ames
Contemporary Christmas Romance
Harper’s Wish
A Colorado Christmas Cowboys Novella
© Copyright 2019 Krista Ames
www.kristaames.com
All Rights Reserved.
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or organizations are purely coincidental.
No part of this publication in any form may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted
in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher and/or copyright owner except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Cover design © Cover Design by Covers by Kay
Formatting/Editing by Deelylah Mullin
Blurb:
Christmas is supposed to be a joyous time of year, but for Harper Donaldson it’s just another
day. Orphaned at an early age, she doesn’t have a single good memory of Christmas.
But, when a Santa’s Mailbox mysteriously appears in the lobby of the post office where she works as
postmistress, Harper wonders what it could hurt to send her own letter to Santa.
Could making a wish at the town’s wishing well help bring her the family she’d always wanted?
Dedication:
To all those who love Cowboys & Christmas…
One wish at a time.
Chapter One
“Why can’t just one of these letters have my name on it?”
Harper sifted through the mail one piece at a time, postmarking each envelope of blue, red, and green. Funny how the holidays brought out every color of the rainbow, precisely the reason her special Santa stamp was black, so everyone could see it. As she inked each one, she absently read the names, wondering what great news the sender was sharing with the receiver of that special once-a-year card.
She’d started a tradition of feeling sorry for herself because she knew there would be no special cards for her. Harper didn’t even have a special somebody to spend the holidays with.
“Looks like I’ll die an old post marm.”
“Oh, heavens child, give yourself a break.”
Harper jumped where she stood, scattering the stack of letters all over the counter and floor. “Good Lord Elsie, couldn’t you warn me next time you sneak back in here after hours? You scared me half out of my wits.”
Elsie Whiddamore was a spry woman in her mid-sixties who was born and raised in Hopeful. After losing her husband early on, she took over for him, doing the job of head postmistress and raised her four children as a single mom. After thirty-five years and retirement knocking at her door, she’d hired and trained Harper to take over as her replacement. She still came in a few days a week, just some part time work to help pass the hours.
Elsie only laughed at the younger woman as she approached the front counter to stand beside her. “My dear, you need to relax a little. You’re only twenty-four, why be in such a hurry?”
“I just feel like an old spinster working at the post office.” When Elsie raised an eyebrow at her, Harper rephrased her thoughts. “Okay, that didn’t come out right and I don’t mean to say that’s what you are.” Harper took a deep breath and contemplated for a moment before continuing.
“Don’t get me wrong, I love this job and I wouldn’t trade for the world that I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people in town but seeing them come in everyday, it gets me to thinking about all the things I never had growing up and makes me want what they all have. The big family gatherings on Christmas with a massive feast and oh, there was this tradition I heard the McCormick’s talking about last week where they let their kids each open one present on Christmas Eve and then the rest the next morning.” Harper bowed her head in disappointment. “It sounds like so much fun. Just once, I’d like to have what they all have.” She swung her arm to encompass the whole of the town of Hopeful. “I’d like a family of my own.”
The older woman placed an arm around Harper’s smaller frame, lending what comfort she could. Then Elsie pointed toward the front of the building. “See that red metal mailbox over in the corner all by itself? Why don’t you write a letter to Santa telling him what you’d like for Christmas this year a
nd put it right on in there? Never know,” her predecessor winked at her. “You might just get your Christmas wish.”
Harper shook her finger at Elsie. “Yeah and about that box, how does that thing get in here anyway? I know I didn’t bring it and you say it’s not your doing so how?” She held a hand up to stop Elsie from speaking. “And please, don’t tell me it’s Santa’s secret. I found out the hard way a long time ago there’s no such thing as Santa. I think I’d be better off throwing my wish in the wishing well.”
“Tsk-tsk,” Elsie whispered, “such a cynic. Don’t you let the customers hear you saying such a thing. As for that box, I wish I knew but it’s been here every Christmas I have. Why not join the rest of the town and write that letter? Maybe you’ll get lucky. And if you’re so included, go ahead, and wish on that old wishing well. I know it’s done me a favor or two over the years so you just never know. Now, I’m going home and you should too. There will still be plenty to do tomorrow.”
Elsie wrapped her scarf about her head before donning a pink ear-flapped hat and matching wool-lined parka then headed toward the front door, winking at Harper as she tapped that red mailbox on the way out.
Harper shook her head in disbelief as the elderly woman unlocked the front door and left. She was under no illusion about Santa being the one sneaking that letter box into her lobby. Elsie knew more than she was sharing but she was also as stubborn as they came and there was no way any answers would slip from her lips. The graying woman was right about one thing though, it was past time to go home and all that mail would still be there in the morning.
She cleaned up the mess from all the envelopes falling everywhere when the woman startled her. After locking the back door, Harper reached for her coat, lunch bowl and bag, and headed for the front door. Standing on the sidewalk outside of the post office in the cold early evening air, she dug in her over-stuffed catch-all bag looking for the ring of keys and a quarter for the wishing well when a touch on her shoulder had her dropping everything.
“Damn, I’m really sorry. Here, let me help.”
Fin bent down to collect the plastic bowl that had rolled away from the woman when he’d accidentally startled her. He grabbed a few miscellaneous items, handing them to her as she shoved everything else into her bag. The last item they reached for at the same time, Fin looping his fingers in the key ring and standing.
“Guess you probably need these huh?”
She nodded slightly, not taking her eyes from him. No words were spoken, was she okay? Maybe she was having a heart attack? After staring at him for another few moments, a whispered thank you squeaked from her lips and she promptly turned her back to him. He heard jangling as the young woman fidgeted with her keys, reminding him there was a reason for his visit.
“I didn’t mean to scare you, honest. I only needed to drop off this letter to Santa before clos…”
She turned so fast he stopped mid-sentence.
“What did you just say?”
Surprise had him catching his breath and Fin couldn’t help but notice how striking her blue eyes were as they bore into him. The sparkles that appeared in their depths when she twitched her one eyebrow reminded him of the way tinsel on a Christmas tree sparkled in the firelight.
“Um this letter…” He held up the white stationary envelope with colored Christmas trees all over it. “It’s kind of a tradition with my nieces and I never could lie to them so when I see them tomorrow, I need to honestly be able to tell them I dropped it into Santa’s letter box myself.”
The look she gave him was one of lunacy, as if he’d lost his mind. While that may be every bit true, the story he’d just told her was even truer.
“It is still here isn’t it? The box? Lord I hope so; my brother said he saw it last week.”
“Oh yeah, I mean yes, it is here. You wrote a letter to Santa?” Why did she sound so surprised?
“Yes, ma’am I sure did. You try telling three-year-old twins Santa doesn’t exist. I do whatever those two gorgeous little rug rats tell me to. Hence this letter.”
He held it out to her.
“I’m Finley Cole by the way. Fin for short. Are you the postmaster?”
Holy Hot Cowboy! Where the heck did this guy come from?
“Uh yes, sorry. I’m Harper Donaldson, nice to meet you.”
Harper shifted her belongings all into one arm so she could offer a hand to shake.
“Are you new around here? Not sure I’ve seen you before but then, I don’t get much further than the post office most days.”
A magnetic force drew them toward each other while charging the air between their palms as their hands touched. An invisible spark snapped, sending an electric tingle spiraling through her entire body. Fin glancing down toward his hand told her he’d experienced the same. Dropping her arm to her side, she scrambled to shift the focus to something else.
“Did you say you wanted to drop that letter in our Santa box?”
“Yes, and yes.”
Is that a smirk? Why are men so confusing?
“Excuse me…what?” She’d totally lost her focus.
“Yes, I’m new in town, kind of, and yes I want to drop this letter off. I’m sorry this isn’t exactly how I’d planned for us to meet. Do you need help with that lock?”
She was fumbling with her keys, trying to find the right one without dropping everything else in the process. Not that it would be the first time. She was also praying he wouldn’t touch her again unexpectedly because she might just have to jump him. What did he mean by this wasn’t how he’d planned for us to meet?
“Thanks, but no, I’ve got it. Were you planning for us to meet?” She looked back at him.
After the key glided in the chamber, releasing the pins to unlock the deadbolt, Fin reached for the door as Harper swung it open.
“Well maybe.” His feet shifted, his gaze not quite meeting her face. “I’ve seen you around town a little.” His smile was a bit mischievous.
“Okay…there’s the Santa letter box,” she explained as she pointed to the corner of the lobby, trying to ignore his sexy grin that was making her cheeks warm, not to mention other areas she definitely shouldn’t be thinking about. He’s just a stranger living in the same town, nothing to get overly excited about. Except that he was extremely attractive and happened to be a grown man believing in the Santa box. Unfortunately, he was only one of the many town folk that had already been in to drop off their own letters. Would people think her nuts to write a letter of her own?
“Harper, are you okay?” She’d been lost in her own little world and didn’t hear him approach the door.
“Oh, um, yep I’m okay. Just thinking to myself, nothing important. Are you all done?”
“All done. Thanks for opening back up, I really appreciate it. It might have been an ugly situation come tomorrow if you hadn’t been here.”
“I’m glad I could help. Definitely don’t want to disappoint your nieces.” She flipped the sign in the window to Closed and pulled the door shut, twisting the key in the deadbolt after Fin walked out of the building. Turning around toward the sidewalk, Harper lost her footing and fell right into the arms of Fin, dropping all her things once again.
“Whoa there little lady, I’ve got you.” Looking up into the gorgeous face of her savior, she was definitely in a pickle now.
“I swear this just isn’t my day.”
Chapter Two
“I would love to know why you continue to stare at the front door. Are you expecting someone?”
“Holy crap Elsie! Quit sneaking up behind me like that. You’re gonna give me a heart attack one of these days.” Harper had been so focused she didn’t hear her co-worker walk up behind her.
“I’m not staring at anything and I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She grabbed the rag from under the register and scrubbed at the black Santa she’d just accidentally stamped on the counter after missing the envelope.
“You know Harper, I wasn’t born yesterd
ay. Shall we just say, I’ve been around the block a time or two and I can tell by the look on your face, there’s something bothering you? The worry couldn’t be more evident if it were written in big black marker. Now tell me. Did you make that wish in the wishing well? It’s good luck, I really believe that.”
Harper continued to scrub at the counter where the jolly Santa stared up at her, avoiding her friend’s questioning until Elsie laid a hand over her own, stilling her momentum.
“Oh, alright but it’s really nothing. I just met a guy yesterday. And no, I didn’t get to the wishing well. I kind of got sidetracked.” Harper threw the rag back into its hiding place and busied herself with sorting mail.
“Really? Now that’s not nothing. When was this and is he cute? Why didn’t you say anything yesterday?”
“I didn’t say anything because it happened after you left last night. It’s really no big deal Elsie.”
She had no intention of letting Fin get her all worked up today. It’d taken her hours to fall asleep last night after their encounter and she didn’t even know the guy. They’d had a quiet and a bit of an awkward goodbye after he helped her pick up the contents of her bag a second time and told her he’d see her soon. She just couldn’t get the picture of his eyes out of her head. When he looked at her, a calming effect overcame her, made her so at ease she wanted to tell the guy her life story. And his scent must have seeped into her skin during the brief seconds she was in his arms because she could still smell traces of him this morning and they hadn’t done more than touch. And dang it, she must have lost the quarter for the wishing well when she dumped everything on the ground.
A loud slap brought Harper back to reality. “What was that?”
Country Wishes Page 86