by Ciara Knight
I rubbed her arm, hoping to connect with a mother I’d been distant from for over ten years. My heart wanted more now. A real mother-daughter relationship. Seth was right… She was my mother, and I felt blessed to have one who loved me so much. Even if it was a little tough at times. “I think there has been enough self-loathing in this family. How about we work on being better and not focusing on past mistakes? Seth has made me realize that it’s time to move on with my life.”
“I can do that. And Emmeline, I will try hard to let you be yourself and not make you feel judged. Maybe someday, you’ll even want to spend the holidays at home with me.”
I squeezed her hands. “How about for now you join us?”
“Really?” She looked toward the boisterous laughter seeping through the doorway. “Um, okay. I can do that.”
“They’re children, Mother. Not rats.”
“Right. I know. There are just so many of them.” She followed me out of the kitchen into the main room. “Is that dog going to be joining us, too?”
“Yes, Mother. Everyone is welcome at the Pine Tree Lodge at Christmas, now and always.”
Chapter 24
Christmas Eve filled the lodge with happy faces, laughter, and warm hugs. Margie and I had never experienced a big family at the lodge before. It made the place seem like an entirely different place. I could tell even my mother was moved by the holiday spirit flowing through us all. She even read The Little Drummer Boy aloud to the children.
Each kid was unique and special in their own way. I could guess that Sam was the one who had asked for the basketball cleats, Nathan the tent and sleeping bag, and sweet little Tabitha the doll. Tabitha was also Souffle’s favorite. Seth held Tabitha on Souffle’s back as she trotted around the room. If I ever was blessed with a daughter, I’d want her to be just like Tabitha.
Seth turned me to face the Christmas tree. “I know you don’t like me buying you expensive things that will change your life, but I was hoping you’d give up the beach vacation for something else.” He whistled softly, and Souffle leapt to all fours, snagged a red envelope off the hearth, and trotted over. Seth took the envelope, patted Souffle—who only remained standing beside us—and handed me the envelope.
“I want to show you that I support you and your dreams. That I’ll follow you to the ends of the earth so that you’ll be happy.”
With trembling hands, I opened the envelope. Two airline tickets were wrapped in tissue paper. “Paris?”
“Yes. You have an appointment next week. If you want to go, there’s a special training class. I thought you would like to spend your vacation studying to be a chef. This’ll give you a sampling of what it would be like.” Seth took my hand and knelt in front of me. “That’s not your only gift, though. Emma Winters, I’ve had this ring for a year. The morning I bought it was also the day I fled. The day you told me we’d never work out long distance. I believed you then, but now I believe in us. Em, will you marry me? Would you allow me the pleasure of watching you make all your own dreams come true?”
I flung my arms around him and pressed my lips to his with all the passion I’d been holding inside for so long. A kiss of freedom. Freedom to allow myself to love.
“Is that a yes?” Mother asked, and the kids giggled.
“Yes.”
Seth slid the ring onto my finger, stood, and swung me around.
My heart pounded faster than a woodpecker on the lodge roof. “Wait.”
He stopped and set me on my feet. I wobbled on unsteady feet with a spinning head. I looked at Seth, at my mother who had tears in her eyes, and at the smiling kids. “I’ll marry you as long as we both work on our dreams. You don’t have to give up LA for me. I don’t have to give up Montana for you. And we can both enjoy Paris together.”
“I thought you didn’t do long distance.” He gripped my hands as if he’d never let me go.
“I don’t, but we can live in more than one place. Last time I checked, I had a rich fiancé who could afford a couple of houses.”
“That’s an idea, but I have another one. What do you think about staying here? I’d like to start a program for foster kids and orphans two weeks out the year to visit the lodge. And Souffle loves it here. I don’t want to return to LA, or Paris, or London, because my family is here. My heart is here.”
“Yes, I’d love to stay here!” I scanned the room, imagining all the changes I’d love to make to turn the Pine Tree Lodge into a family friendly resort.
“Good, because I already purchased the Sherman house. I thought we could live there year-round.” Seth blinked at me. “I knew you loved that place, and I couldn’t help myself, but if you don’t want to live there—”
“It’s perfect.” I kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you. You’ve made me the happiest man in Montana.”
“I hope you’re this happy when we face my mother’s guest list for the wedding. Oh, and tomorrow we’ll have to tell the girls before The Christmas Extravaganza. The kids will go with us, right?”
“Slow down. First, I can’t get you to agree to go on a date with me… Now you’re rushing me around to tell everyone.”
I snuggled into his side, eyeing the sparkling lights on the tree. “You’re the one who told me to go after my dreams. I’m just following your advice.”
“Okay, what else are you dreaming about?”
With new sense of fullness, I turned in his arms and said, “Children.”
“I thought…” He looked at my belly but snapped his gaze back up quick.
For once I didn’t have an urge to hold my stomach but to give my full heart. “I want to adopt, or foster, or volunteer. I don’t know. Perhaps the reason I can’t have children is because there are so many others to love. These kids showed me that tonight.”
Seth held me close. “I’d love to help children who are in the system.” He looked at me as if I were the only woman in Montana. “But that’ll be complicated. It’s not as easy to adopt as you might think.”
“Maybe, but I don’t mind complicated. After all, this has been one complicated Christmas.”
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The End
About the Author
Ciara Knight is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author, who writes clean and wholesome romance novels set in either modern day small towns or wild historic old west. Born with a huge imagination that usually got her into trouble, Ciara is happy she’s found a way to use her powers for good. She loves spending time with her characters and hopes you do, too.
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Next in the Series
If you enjoyed spending time with these characters, be sure to read Joy’s story in
Christmas Mountain Clean Romance Series, Book 5
Also by Ciara Knight
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
* * *
Winter in Sweetwater County
Spring in Sweetwater County
Summer in Sweetwater County
Fall in Sweetwater County
Christmas in Sweetwater County
Valentines in Sweet-water County
Fourth of July in Sweetwater County
Thanksgiving in Sweetwater County
Grace in Sweetwater County
Faith in Sweetwater County
Hope in Sweetwater County
Love in Sweetwater County
* * *
Riverbend
In All My Wishes
In All My Years
In All My Dreams
In All My Life
* * *
Gone with the Brides
The Sassy Bride
The Southern Bride
The Sweet Bride
* * *
HOLIDAY READS
A Christmas Spark
A Miracle Mountain Christmas
Homecoming for Christmas
* * *
HISTORICAL WESTERNS:
* * *
McKinnie Mail Order Brides Series
Love on the Prairie
(USA Today Bestselling Novel)
Love in the Rockies
Love on the Plains
Love on the Ranch
His Holiday Promise
(A Love on the Ranch Novella)
Love on the Sound
Love at the Coast
* * *
A Prospectors Novel
Fools Rush
* * *
Bride of America
Adelaide: Bride of Maryland
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YOUNG ADULT:
Battle for Souls Series
Rise From Darkness
Fall From Grace
Ascension of Evil
* * *
The Neumarian Chronicles
Weighted
Escapement
Pendulum
Balance