The Witch's Christmas Wish (Miracle Express, #9)
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“Me?” He laughed, and it made him cough. “Well, that’ll be something to talk about at dinner parties, won’t it?”
“Dr. Rendon! Is he alive?” Detective Carlisle’s voice came to her and Terra looked up again to see both Gard and Carlisle standing over them. “I’ll be damned. We’ll get him to the hospital immediately and have a doctor take care of him.”
“Thank you,” Terra said, still on her knees next to Tommy. Carlisle went to look at the burning train and Gard knelt down beside Terra and Tommy.
“Guess that takes care of your vision.” He put a hand on Terra’s shoulder. “Maybe you’ll never have to see it again.”
“You know about her visions?” Tommy’s eyes widened, then he smiled. “Guess I asked the right man to take care of you. Right before you slammed the door, that is.”
“Oh hush,” Terra said. “Let’s just get you to the hospital, then you can tease me all you like.” She could see a vehicle coming toward them, its lights bright. “I think that may be the ambulance.”
“You ride with Tommy,” Gard said. “I’ll follow them to the hospital in my car after I talk to Carlisle. I’ll come up with something to tell him that doesn’t involve your magic. Unless he believes in mediums.”
“Thank you.” The medics were coming toward them with a stretcher and Gard helped Terra to her feet. “We did it, Gard. We really did.”
“We sure did.” It was dark enough that no one would see Gard putting an arm around Terra’s waist. “It’s all thanks to you, too.” Terra smiled and leaned against him. His warmth was a comfort to her, especially when it started to snow.
Terra watched the medics load her brother into the ambulance, and when she climbed in the back seat she took his hand in both of hers. Looking back out at Gard, she saw him wave at her as the doors closed. Then she turned her attention to her brother.
It was finally over.
Chapter Seventeen
On Christmas Eve, Terra and Gard were finally able to visit Tommy. Bursting with excitement, Terra had picked a selection of beautiful flowers from Tilly’s greenhouse to bring to him. She made sure she looked perfect so her brother wouldn’t be able to tease her, and Gard dressed in his best suit as well. She looked up at him as they walked down the hall of the hospital.
“Do you think I should have brought him a Christmas gift instead of flowers?” Terra’s best shoes clicked smartly on the floor and Gard shook his head.
“We can bring it by tomorrow. That’ll be a good excuse to come back and visit him again.” He laughed. “Not how you imagined spending Christmas with your brother, was it?”
“Not in the least.” The room numbers went by slowly and Terra finally saw her brother’s name at the end of the hall. She quickened her step and a smile spread over her face, growing wider until she burst through Tommy’s door with a grin. “I told you I’d be back.”
“I never doubted you.” Tommy sat up in bed as best he could. He’d managed to jump from the train just ahead of the explosion, but it had pushed him out with such force that when he hit the ground, he’d broken a leg, an arm, and several ribs. His broken limbs were encased in plaster and his leg was hung from the ceiling, making it impossible to move much without assistance. “Thanks for coming, though. Both of you.”
“Considering we’ve only met for about half an hour altogether, I thought I should say hello.” Gard smiled. “Glad to see you’re doing better.”
“I’ll manage. Like the doctor said, bones will grow back together. What I really need to worry about is the terrible food they’re giving me here. It’s far too healthy.” He sighed. “I couldn’t convince you to bring me in something better, could I?”
“Sure. Meatloaf sound good?”
“Meatloaf sounds wonderful.” Tommy reached over with his good hand and shook Gard’s hand. “If you know about Terra’s visions, she must trust you. I’m glad she’s finally letting someone get to know her.” He looked over at his sister. “I worry about my baby sister.”
“You’re absolutely useless, you know.” Terra set the vase of Tilly’s flowers on the bedside table. “Once you’re out of that bed, I’ll have to introduce you to our cousin. Well, she’s a distant cousin but she’s still our family.”
“You’ve just found all sorts of things in Virginia, haven’t you?” Tommy laughed. “Next thing you know, you’ll be telling me you’re staying here.” Terra tried to laugh, but she knew that her brother would see right through it. “I see.”
“Don’t be mad,” Terra said quickly. “It just feels like home here.”
“Why would I be mad? I just want you to be happy. And who knows? I’m going to be here for a while, so maybe I’ll fall in love with the place as well.” Tommy raised an eyebrow. “I wouldn’t want to get between you and your gentleman friend.”
“You’re so annoying sometimes.” Somehow Terra couldn’t make herself be mad at him. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you for understanding. I’ve got a feeling Mother and Father won’t be so pleased.”
“Don’t worry about what they think. I’m starting to think of moving out so I can find my own handsome gentleman friend.” Terra was surprised he’d said this in front of Gard, but Tommy shrugged as best he could with one arm. “Just worry about what I think and you’ll be fine.”
“I should put this pillow over your face.” With a huff, Terra flopped into one of the hard wooden chairs that were alongside the wall.
“Can it wait until you bring me that meatloaf?” Terra stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed. “Showing Gard your best side, I see.”
“Come on, Terra. We did promise the man some real food.” Gard nodded toward the door. “We’ll sneak it back in before visiting hours are over.”
“Good. I need to keep my strength up to heal.” As they walked out of the hospital room, Terra heard her brother laughing. Whether it was because he had amused himself or he was thinking up the perfect way to tease her when she came back Terra didn’t know but she was sure she would find out.
Even when he was trying to drive her mad, Terra couldn’t help loving her brother. They’d been together since the first sparks of their lives, so she knew he wouldn’t be too upset when he said he was happy for her to move to Roanoke. She was happy he approved of Gard, though, even if only because they had the same sense of humor.
The air was crisp and cold when they stepped out of the hospital, and night was stealing over the city. Terra took a deep breath, smelling snow on the wind and the scent of fires in hearths, and a feeling of peace settled over her. Her brother was safe and she would never have the vision of him dying again. Once he was healed, he could go back to his work and she could breathe easily. It wouldn’t even matter if they weren’t near one another if she could have an occasional conversation with him on their own private telephone exchange.
“Before we go into the restaurant, why don’t we walk down to the Christmas tree first?” Gard’s voice snapped her out of the daze she found herself in and she nodded.
“That would be lovely. We are driving to the restaurant first, though, right?” Terra put her gloves on and rubbed her hands together.
“Of course. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to start snowing again soon and I don’t want to be caught in it.” He led Terra to the car and they got in, driving through the slushy streets until they made it to the restaurant. “Let’s just walk down from here.”
“All right.” When Gard offered his arm, Terra took it eagerly and walked with him toward the glow of the tree in the square.
Once again the carolers were singing beneath the colored ornament covered tree, and the candles in the glass globes were lit so that the snow on the street seemed to sparkle. It somehow looked even more beautiful to Terra than it had the first time she had been there with Gard and she snuggled closer to him, squeezing his arm against her body.
“So I suppose I should ask you what you want for Christmas,” Gard said. “It might be a little late, though. Tomorr
ow’s the day.”
“It doesn’t really matter,” Terra replied, leaning her head against him. “I already got what I wanted the most.”
“Your brother being safe?”
“That too. But I always wanted for someone besides my brother to love me for who I am. Not even my parents really do. I think I’m a disappointment in a lot of ways. You’re different. Not just because of my magic, but everything. You know just about everything about me and you still care for me.” Terra closed her eyes. “It’s one of the reasons I love you so much.”
“How could I not care about you? You’re perfect as far as I’m concerned.” Gard leaned down and kissed her on the forehead. “Magic and all.”
Terra didn’t respond. When his lips had touched her skin, a flash of the future had come to her. It was brief, but an image of Gard putting a ring on her finger had flickered through her head. It couldn’t be the past, so it had to be the future. She couldn’t help but grin and Gard looked at her with one eyebrow raised.
“What was it?”
“What do you mean?” Terra tried her best to look innocent, but Gard let go of her and folded his arms across his chest.
“You just had a vision. What was it that you saw?”
“I’m afraid that’s just going to have to be a surprise.” With a playful smile on her face, she reached up and put her arms around Gard’s neck. He laughed and put his hands on her waist, shaking his head.
“Then I suppose I’ll just have to look forward to it.” They moved toward one another at the same time and met in the middle.
As they kissed, not caring who was looking at them or what they might be saying, Terra wondered what she might see next. It could be something from their future or a memory of her past. Whatever it was, she knew she would be looking forward to it as well.
Author Note
The Witch’s Christmas Wish isn’t just the 9th Miracle Express book, it’s also another sort-of followup to my first Enduring Legacy book, The Search for Sam. Ever since it came out I’ve had people asking me what happened to Isabella, Tilly and Jacob’s adopted daughter, as well as demanding that I give Gard Lewis a girlfriend. It seems that Terra’s not the only one who got her wish granted this year! I hope you’ll enjoy this one as much as the other two and consider picking them up if you haven’t already.
Once again I would like to thank Dawn Brower for inviting me to work on the Miracle Express series. Her patience and organizational skills are an inspiration to me, and she is now and has always been one of my writing heroines. She’s also a wonderful advice giver and has helped me grow both creatively and business-wise.
Last of all, I’d like to thank Rebecca Holmes for loving my Enduring Legacy books enough to ask for spoilers, then tell me she doesn’t want to be spoiled. We may agree to disagree about who was the first Rebecca but she’s fantastic.
About the Author
Rebecca Lovell was born and raised in Texas, and has loved learning about the history of Fort Worth since her first visit to the Stockyards. Historical fiction is her first love, and she enjoys researching and studying new eras as well as writing contemporary romance. She’s always coming up with new ideas and occasionally manages to settle down and write one. When she’s not writing, Rebecca enjoys watching horror movies, crocheting, and playing video games.
Though she has traveled the country extensively and lived in all sorts of weather, Rebecca currently lives in Fort Worth with her high school sweetheart and a number of vocal and pushy cats. She misses Chicago and hopes to live there again when she’s rich and famous.
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Also by Rebecca Lovell
Chicago Underground
At Any Cost
Christmas Wishes
A Christmas Reunion
Enduring Legacy
The Search For Sam
Miracle Express
On the Wings of a Winter Heart
The Witch's Christmas Wish (Coming Soon)
Standalone
Magic in the Family (An Enduring Legacy Story)
Also by Miracle Express
Miracle Express
On the Wings of a Winter Heart
The Witch's Christmas Wish (Coming Soon)