Hannah's Holiday Wish (Home for Christmas Book 6)

by Sophie Mays

  Hannah’s Holiday Wish

  Home for Christmas

  Sophie Mays

  Contents

  Foreword

  Home for Christmas

  Hannah’s Holiday Wish

  1. Chapter 1

  2. Chapter 2

  3. Chapter 3

  4. Chapter 4

  5. Chapter 5

  6. Chapter 6

  7. Chapter 7

  8. Chapter 8

  9. Chapter 9

  10. Chapter 10

  Epilogue

  Books by Sophie Mays

  Love Light Faith

  About Sophie Mays

  Hannah’s Holiday Wish

  Text Copyright © 2019 by Sophie Mays

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  First printing, 2019

  Publisher

  Love Light Faith, LLC

  400 NW 7th Avenue, Unit 825

  Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

  Foreword

  Receive a FREE inspirational romance eBook by visiting our website and signing up for our mailing list. Click the link or enter www.LoveLightFaith.com into your browser.

  The newsletter will also provide information on upcoming books and special offers.

  Home for Christmas

  Join seven heartwarmingly popular authors on a sweet, romantic journey spanning decades - even centuries - of holiday cheer.

  There’s no better season than Christmas to look back with gratitude for all the family blessings and forward with anticipation to all the joy to come. A holiday romance or a surprise Christmas wedding that leads to a lifetime of happiness is an irresistible story for a true romantic. Add some snow, hot chocolate, and carols at the piano and you’ll fall in love again and again.

  Second chances, mail order brides, marriages of convenience – this clean and wholesome series brings all this and so much more. Join our heroes and heroines from proper Regency England to the majestic Rocky Mountains as they find peace, true love, and inspiring Christmas spirit.

  This multi-author Christmas series is brought to you by these best-selling authors:

  Joyce Alec

  Rose Pearson

  Natalie Dean

  Bethany Rose

  Annie Boone

  Hanna Hart

  Sophie Mays

  Hannah’s Holiday Wish

  1

  Chapter 1

  Hannah stepped out of her car and stared at her childhood home.

  The ranch style house she’d grown up in looked the same as it ever did. The porch swing swayed back and forth slightly with the breeze. A long rope of dark, loosely braided hair slipped over her shoulder as she bent down to pop open the trunk.

  The drive was filled with cars and she assumed she was probably the last to arrive. As Hannah walked the length of her car to get her suitcases from the trunk, she felt unusually excited to see her family. She always missed them when they were apart, but lately it had felt like there was a hole in her heart that was only growing in width and depth.

  Hannah had left home a couple years ago. Moving to the city was supposed to be a chance to explore herself and what she wanted in life. She loved her little apartment and her coworkers at the coffee shop were nice to talk to, but she felt more lonely than anything else. She’d always planned to come back home eventually. Now, as she stared at her house, she thought she might make plans to move back sooner rather than later.

  The door flew open.

  “Hannah!” her little sister shrieked.

  She dropped her suitcases immediately, just in time to catch the flying blur that was her baby sister. Hannah threw her head back and laughed, arms locked tightly around Anna-Jane’s waist. There were only two and a half years between them, but Anna-Jane’s pixie-like frame and matching personality meant she was often treated as the baby of the five sibling Wyatt clan, despite the fact that her twin was younger by a whole twenty minutes.

  “AJ! It’s so good to see you!” She pulled away to press a kiss to her sister’s cheek. “Did you get paint on me?”

  AJ made and “uh-oh” expression and stepped back to scan Hannah’s clothes.

  “Nope, not a speck,” she said with a triumphant grin.

  “We both know it’s only a matter of time,” Hannah said, shaking her head. She reached out and tugged on a lock of AJ’s hair. At some point, her sister had cut her hair to just below her collar bone and dyed the ends violet. “This looks nice.”

  “I live to brighten the worlds of my parents and siblings,” AJ said with a mischievous grin, responding to both the accusation of paint-smearing and the compliment on her hair.

  Hannah giggled. She slung an arm around AJ’s shoulder and turned them toward the door where her brother Carson was already waiting. He leaned against the door frame, his head only a few inches below it, and stared at them in amusement.

  “You couldn’t even let her get inside the house, Fruit Basket?” he asked with a chuckle.

  Carson was the eldest of the Wyatt siblings and he had an infinite number of ridiculous nicknames for his little siblings. He claimed it was his right as Supreme Big Brother. Anna-Jane had acquired the nickname Fruit Basket after throwing a tantrum about her middle school art teacher, who refused to let her art class attempt anything but still lifes of fruit for the first two months of school.

  Anna-Jane wrapped her arms around Hannah’s waist and laid her head on Hannah’s shoulder.

  “I haven’t seen her in forever,” AJ whined. “If I haven’t seen you in at least two months, you get hug attacked. It’s in The Rules.”

  The Rules were a list of things AJ was allowed to do because she said so.

  Hannah and Carson shared an amused glance. Her brother sauntered forward. His basset hound, Cooper, was at his heels as always. He pulled them both into a bear hug, as AJ still refused to relinquish her hold, and rocked them from side to side.

  “It’s been too long, Panda,” he whispered.

  Hannah sighed and snuggled closer. She’d missed him too.

  Cooper barked, startling them apart. With a laugh, Hannah crouched and offered a few conciliatory scritches. She made sure to get his ears, just to see his tail wag excitedly.

  “I missed you, too, Cooper,” Hannah said.

  “Are y’all planning on letting Hannah in the house any time soon?” a new voice asked, filled with wry amusement.

  Hannah smiled at her older sister, Emma. She was still crouched down and giving Cooper belly rubs. Emma had her hands on her hips and was squinting at them.

  “Your glasses are on your head, Em,” Hannah said.

  Emma blinked at her, then pulled her glasses from her hair, sliding them up to rest on the bridge of her nose.

  “Well, that’s better. Now I can see your beautiful face.”

  Hannah stood and rushed over to her sister. Emma met her halfway, and they giggled as their legs tangled together and they nearly tripped. Hannah pulled back slightly. She felt like she hadn’t smiled so much in months.

  Emma put her hands on Hannah’s shoulders and studied her closely. Hannah didn’t know what her sister saw, but she looked slightly concerned.

  “How have you been, sweetheart?” Emma asked. She tucked a loose lock of hair behi
nd Hannah’s ear.

  “I’m happy to be home,” Hannah said. It was true, but she knew she was sidestepping the question.

  Emma’s frown deepened, but before she could say anything else, Carson walked up next to them. He was carrying Hannah’s bags, and she knew better than to try and take them back. He would tease her about how heavy they were, though they were probably feather light to him, but he would take them all up to her room without question.

  “Aw, leave her alone, Lucky,” Carson said to Emma. “You know Mama will fuss over her even more than you. You’ll hear everything you want to know just standing by.”

  “I can ask my own questions, Carson,” Emma said with exasperation. She turned back to Hannah. “But he’s right. Mama will want to see you now that you’re here.”

  Hannah felt a tug on her braid and tilted her head back.

  “Your hair’s gotten so long,” AJ marveled. “You know Mama will want to brush it out, soon as she sees it.”

  “Any reason y’all standing in the yard clucking like a bunch of chickens?”

  “Probably the same reason you’re standing in the door yowling like a cat,” AJ said sweetly, standing on her toes to peep over Hannah’s shoulder

  Jake grinned at his twin. “Just get in here so Hannah can hug the rest of us.”

  The sun was setting and the warm light complimented her youngest sibling.

  “Don’t act like you’re not just waiting to get your hands on her, Porky,” Carson said.

  “And what if I am?” Jake asked with a chuckle. “She’s my sister, too. And AJ’s had hands on her from the beginning, I’m sure.”

  “Jake, stop yapping and get over here,” Hannah said.

  Jake laughed and bounded down the stairs. He was far too tall to leap at Hannah the way AJ had, but he did wrap his arms all the way around her and spin her away from his twin.

  “Hey!” AJ yelled indignantly.

  “My Hannah-bear,” Jake said. Hannah laughed as he carried her away, up the stairs and into the house. He only set her on her feet, in the kitchen in front of their mom.

  “Hannah!” Mimi exclaimed.

  Hannah’s smile nearly split her face in two. “Hi, Mama.”

  Mimi didn’t waste any time in wrapping her up in a tight embrace. Hannah sank into it with a heartfelt sigh. Her mother smelled just the same as she always did, like warm bread and fresh linens and the jasmine perfume Hannah’s dad bought her every year for her birthday. Hannah would be hard-pressed to find any place more comforting than right there in her mama’s arms.

  “Oh, honey,” Mimi murmured, “You’ve been gone far too long.”

  Hannah tried not to cry. They would be happy tears, but it would concern her family to no end. She hadn’t realized until she was back how much being away from home had started to feel like missing a limb. There was only one person left to complete her homecoming.

  “Is that my Hannah-bear?” a deep voice asked.

  Hannah whirled with a grin and ran to her father. She threw herself into his arms without the slightest doubt that he would catch her.

  “My Hannah-bear,” Jake muttered, not quite under his breath. She heard a soft thwat and knew without looking that her mother had swatted her baby brother with the dish towel.

  “Hey, Daddy,” Hannah said.

  “Hey, yourself,” Boone chuckled. “I’ve missed you, sweet girl.”

  “I missed you, too,” she whispered.

  They could hear the thumps on the stairs that meant Carson was taking her suitcases to her old room. AJ was in the hallway, loudly trying to convince Emma to let her paint her glasses a brighter color so Emma would never lose them, while Emma quietly refused to be convinced. Jake had already started coaxing their mother to let him sample the sides she was prepping for tomorrow, dancing around her and pretending theft.

  Hannah let the sounds of home fill her up to the brim. She had a whole week with her family before she had to go back to the city, and she intended to enjoy every moment of it.

  Emma and AJ wandered in. AJ immediately darted to the counter, snatched a spoonful of half-finished stuffing, and dashed away. Jake cried foul, while AJ teased him about not being quick enough. Emma shook her head and found a place at the kitchen table, asking Mimi when she could start prepping the pies. Carson walked in, took in the situation with a glance, and pulled AJ into a headlock. He gave her a gentle noogie, while Jake crowed about how vengeance was his. Mimi lightly pinched Jake’s side to shuffle him out of her way as she went back to preparing for the next day.

  They stayed in the kitchen talking and laughing until late in the night.

  Hannah woke with the sun the next morning and crept downstairs to share a quiet cup of coffee with her mother and older sister. The morning light filtered into the kitchen limning everything with a warm glow. The ladies quietly discussed the order of food preparation, what would go in the oven first, which dish would be placed on the stove when. It was a relaxing prelude to what would surely be a hectic day.

  Hannah helped with the food, laughing with Emma and Mimi as they all moved around each other. The boys were in the living room watching the game, cheering and booing in turns. AJ flitted between the two rooms, occasionally taking pictures, but mostly razzing everyone every chance she got.

  Dinner was delicious and filled with laughter, as always. Hannah made plans to go riding with the twins. She promised to let her dad show her his new garden. Her mom wanted to take her shopping for a few bits and bobs to take with her back to the city. She made Carson and Emma swear to give her a few of their new recipes, though of course she would need samples to make sure she made them correctly.

  Hannah hadn’t even known how down-to-her-bones freezing she’d been until she had the love of her family warming her up again.

  They ate until they were stuffed full, and talked over dessert until they were sleepy.

  Boone, Carson, Jake, and AJ started to gather up the dishes. AJ packed away the leftovers and stacked the dishes, leaving the boys to wash up. She always did just enough cooking to avoid having to spend too much time assisting in the cleanup, sly thing that she was. The ladies sat in the living room catching up with what everyone had been doing, the conversation expanded to include the boys when they walked in after the clean dishes were put away.

  Emma shyly informed them that her job at a bakery was going well. So well, in fact, that a cake she had designed was to be published in a magazine’s Christmas issue. She would be given direct credit for both the design and the recipe, which would go a long way toward building her reputation. Her family offered effusive congratulations, which she accepted with quiet grace.

  The family talked and laughed some more until they were all jerking their heads up and moving restlessly, trying to stay awake. Finally, Mimi called bedtime and they all went to their rooms.

  The next few days were a blur of family time. They went riding around their favorite old trails every day, occasionally racing their steeds in a way they hadn’t since they were all much younger. They went into town together in twos and threes, wandering around and bumping into old friends and acquaintances, catching up with familiar faces. Hannah was never alone unless she was in bed sleeping. Even then, there was one night when AJ sneaked into her room and they giggled together until the early hours of the morning.

  On Sunday, their parents gathered them all in the living room.

  “Oh, stop looking so worried,” Mimi soothed, “It’s nothing dire. Your father and I would like to give you kids a gift. At least, we hope you all see it that way.”

  “Christmas isn’t for a whole ‘nother month,” Jake said.

  “Quiet, Bacchus. I, for one, would love an early Christmas present,” Carson said.

  “Same,” AJ agreed with a bright grin and excited wiggle.

  Boone cut in before any teasing could begin. “Your mother and I know you kids have been going your own way, spreading your wings. We thought we’d remind you that you always have a home waiting for
you.”

  “As a gift, an early Christmas gift,” Mimi said with a wink at Carson, “We’re giving each of you some land. 50 acres to do what you want with.”

  Mimi reached down and picked up a rolled up piece of paper. She spread it out on the coffee table and they realized it was a map of the property. Circled were several parcels of acreage from which they could all choose at will.

  The kids stared at their parents with wide eyes.

  “We want to see you kids enjoy a bit of the inheritance we’ll be leaving you,” Mimi said.

  “This is a way for you kids to be around, while still having your own dependence. You can do whatever you want with the land. It’ll be all yours,” Boone said.

  Emma leaned forward, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose. She scanned the map carefully.

  “You’ve given us a lot of options.”

  “Y’all have a few more days before you dash back off to your busy lives. You can take a look around and see which piece of land you like best,” Boone said.

  After a moment, they all started discussing who would look at which parcels and when. Then they started talking about possible solutions to two of them wanting the same parcel. The conversation extended over dinner. Hannah and her siblings separated for bed with different destinations for the next day.

  2

  Chapter 2

  Sitting on the window seat in her bedroom, Hannah stared up at the stars. The brilliant points of light were one of the many things she missed when she was in the city. Now, thanks to her parents, she might be able to have all those things once more if she decided to build a home on the land they were offering. It would be so easy to settle back in the place she grew up, but did that mean she was running away from trying to find herself?