Waiting on Love

by Leah Atwood

  The tractor followed the path of stringed light and bright stars and ornaments. It began to slow down, and allowed a view of the first scene, a family standing around a Christmas tree with song books in their hands. After lots of oohs and ahhs, they moved forward, slowing down again for another scene, a winter wonderland of wildlife. On the way to the next stop, a two-dimensional sleigh glided through the trees, led by flying reindeer.

  The light displays that flashed in a pattern to mimic movement were some of her favorites. The sleigh and reindeer led to Santa’s workshop, where animated elves made gifts and checked the Naughty or Nice list. Here Comes Santa Claus blared over the speakers.

  Squeals of delight erupted when a live Santa came out from the workshop shouting, “Ho, ho, ho” and climbed onto the wagon. He handed out candy canes to everyone onboard and took a few seconds to greet each child, leaning down to hear their whispered plea for a certain toy. When Lacy’s turn came, Tanya tried to read her lips, but to no avail. Probably the same toy she’d been asking for.

  Santa disembarked, and the ride continued, to her all-time favorite spot. Wooden cutouts of Mary and Joseph were trimmed with all white lights. Mary, with her swollen stomach, sat atop a donkey, with Joseph leading her to the manger. If the setups hadn’t changed, the last display would be baby Jesus in the manger with the wise men presenting gifts. These two were her favorite—it reminded her of the discomfort Mary surely experienced as they traveled to Bethlehem, and Jesus’s humble beginnings. When life got tough, she would remember that one of Mary’s greatest trials gave birth to the Savior of the world, putting any obstacle she faced into perspective.

  She turned her head to look at Scott in the same instant he turned to face her. An earnest exchange passed between them, a need to connect. Scott took her hand and wove their fingers.

  At his touch, she was thankful she’d forgotten her gloves on the counter. The warmth of his hand was all she needed. Snow flurries drifted from the sky, completing the perfect moment. Wrapping her fingers more tightly around his, she leaned against him, completely at peace.

  Chapter Eleven

  Scott carried Lacy over the ten inches of snow that had fallen since yesterday morning. The storm caused the Christmas Eve candlelight service to be canceled, along with the annual family get-together after the service. The roads were clear enough this morning to make it to Gran’s house, finally. He still felt the tension in his shoulders, though he’d managed to appear calm while driving. A few steering-wheel clenching moments tested him, but he relaxed completely with Lacy’s giggling at Tanya’s narration of the snails’ races they kept encountering through the slow spots.

  The front porch had been cleared of snow, and he set Lacy down to ring the doorbell.

  Madison opened the door to Gran’s house. “Merry Christmas.”

  “Merry Christmas.” Scott shook hands with her then moved aside for the women to hug.

  “Come in and get out of the snow.” Gran showed up and waved them into the house. “The boys are about to take care of my driveway, and then you all can move your cars.”

  “Can I help?” He dreaded the idea—Archer offered reserved friendship, but Landon remained cool, if not unfriendly—but if Gran needed assistance, he’d be there.

  “If you could take care of the back patio that would be great.” Turning her head, Gran looked down the hallway that led to the back door. “I hate taking away the beauty of the snow, but if it’s not taken care of now, it will invite icy patches.”

  “We need you safe and healthy.” After removing her coat and hanging it on the pegged rack, Tanya kissed Gran’s cheek. “Merry Christmas.”

  “You too, dear.” An affectionate look passed between granddaughter and grandmother. “Come help in the kitchen. I finally convinced your parents to let me cook a part of the meal.”

  “Can I help too?” Lacy piped up.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Gran put an arm around Lacy, took Madison’s hand and led the girls to the kitchen.

  Scott returned to the car, snow crunching and compacting under his feet as he walked. He popped the trunk and piled the colorfully wrapped presents in his arms. His arms were too full to close the trunk, so he used his elbow to slam it shut. He trudged through the snow again, taking his time and scouting out the neighborhood, enjoying the white Christmas.

  The presents shifted as he walked, and when he reached the door, he discovered there was no way to free his hand to turn the knob. Careful to not topple the fragilely stacked pile, he lifted a finger to ring the doorbell.

  Archer opened the door and helped free Scott’s hands from several of the most precariously positioned gifts. “Did you buy for an army?”

  “You know your sister. She loves ‘Christmas giving’ more than ‘getting.’”

  “She’s always been like that, and Lacy takes after her in that way.” Archer slapped his back. “Want to help with the driveway after we get these dropped off by the tree.”

  Scott smiled at the invitation and the chance to be included, but had to decline. “Gran’s already assigned me to the back patio. Where can I find a shovel?”

  “There should be a few in her garage, and I also brought one along with the snow blower. We’ll have it taken care of in no time.”

  Presents already surrounded the tree. They sat them to the side, then went about their outside tasks. Once the driveway and patio were clear, the men came back inside.

  Hot chocolate awaited each of them, homemade by Tanya’s mom.

  Each sip of the sweet liquid warmed his chilled body. Tanya slid an arm around his waist. Was it a show for her family, or because she wanted to be near him? Something about their relationship had changed the night of the hayride. She had been more affectionate, but hadn’t declared any change of heart.

  Their marriage was young, barely a month old. Just because I love her, doesn’t mean she has to love me. And if she does fall in love with me, the process will take longer because there’s more to forgive. The reminder didn’t comfort him much. Unwilling to ruin Christmas with thoughts of what could have been, he counted his blessings.

  Gran popped her head into the room. “Present time in fifteen minutes. Everyone gather in the family room.”

  He grabbed Tanya’s hand, and they were about to leave the room when Landon stopped them.

  His shoulders slumped, uncharacteristic of his typically confident demeanor. “Can I talk to both of you for a minute?”

  Tanya shifted her gaze to him. He nodded his consent.

  “I want to apologize to both of you. Even after the wedding, I still wasn’t happy about Scott coming back into your life, but I’ve seen enough to know he is a changed person.” He took a deep breath. “Either way, it wasn’t my place to act like a jerk, especially on your wedding day. And I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you, Landon. That really means a lot.” Tanya’s eyes filled, and she gave him a hug.

  Scott shook hands with him. If a proud man like Landon apologized, he meant it, and Scott wouldn’t withhold forgiveness. He’d received enough of his own to know its value.

  Landon brought a small gift-wrapped box from behind his back. “This is for both of you, the wedding present I should have gotten weeks ago.”

  She stopped fanning her eyes to halt her happy tears and took the box. She examined it, and asked, “Should I open it now?”

  “Go ahead.”

  She tore at the tape gently so as to not rip the paper. Under the wrapping was a plain white box. Her hands shook as she lifted the flap and removed a piece of Styrofoam.

  “Oh, Landon, it’s gorgeous.” She lifted the gift from the box and showed it to Scott.

  It was a snow globe with a winter scene, and an older couple leaving a church in a wedding gown and tuxedo.

  “It plays music too. The name of the song is Waiting on Love.” Landon’s voice dropped an octave. “Other than the couple being older, this reminded me of you and Scott. I hope the two of you have a long and happy marriage.”


  Tanya let the tears fall freely. “I love it. Thank you.”

  Even Scott found himself overcome with emotions. Landon’s gift went above and beyond anything he’d expected. “It’s a wonderful gift.”

  “Could I have a few minutes alone with my sister?”

  Scott nodded and addressed Tanya. “I’ll wait for you in the foyer.”

  Many things ran through his mind while he waited. He imagined a multitude of scenarios of what was happening in the kitchen. Judging from the apology and thoughtful gift, he didn’t think Landon would say anything hurtful, but his nerves wouldn’t settle until he knew for sure.

  After five minutes, Tanya came into the foyer. She didn’t say a word, but walked straight to him, never breaking eye contact. Her hands lifted to his face and caressed his cheeks. She brought his mouth to hers until their lips met in an explosive kiss.

  He didn’t know what was going on, but he went with it, returning her kiss with equal fervor.

  Finally, they broke apart, breathless and dazed.

  He missed the contact and traced her lips with a finger. “What was that for?”

  “Landon told me what you said to him on our wedding day, and how you put Lacy and me before yourself.” She covered his hand with hers. “He also told me you loved me. Is that true?”

  “Yes.” It was the easiest question he’d ever had to answer.

  “I love you too. I think I always did, which is why it never worked out with anyone else.”

  His love for her overwhelmed him. “It was always meant to be us. We just had to wait for our happy ending.”

  Tanya smiled, her tears brimming with happy tears. “Good things come to those who wait.”

  Epilogue

  Three Days Later- December 28th

  Scott held one side of the cake and Tanya held the other. The flame atop the purple candle shaped in the number seven flickered and waved as they walked from the counter to the table where Lacy sat surrounded by all her family and a few friends from school.

  Smiling at her husband, Tanya let him take the lead. His baritone voice began singing, and everyone joined in after the first beat.

  “Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday to you. Happy Birthday, dear Lacy. Happy Birthday to you.”

  They laid the dinosaur princess cake on the table. Lacy stared at the candle for a solid minute before drawing in a long breath, then puffing her cheeks to blow out the flame.

  Tanya knelt beside her. “Did you make a wish?”

  “Yes.” A big smile spread over Lacy’s face. “My wish for a daddy came true this Christmas, so I know I’ll get my birthday wish, too.”

  “What did you ask for?” Scott asked.

  “A baby brother or sister.”

  Laughter circled around the table.

  She hugged her daughter’s shoulders. “That’s a great wish, sweetheart.”

  Locking eyes with Scott, Tanya grinned.

  Scott winked. “Maybe next year.”

  “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

  Letter From The Author

  Dear Reader,

  Whether you are a single parent or sharing the responsibility of raising your child, whether you’ve stepped into the role of parent by adoption, as a stepparent, guardian, or whether you serve as an aunt or uncle, mentor, Sunday school teacher or other role—to each of you who have played a role in raising a child, thank you!

  This year has been an interesting journey for me, but the idea of compassion and forgiveness has weighed heavily on my heart, which is why I chose Colossians 3:12-14 as my verses for this book. I’ve never been one to hold a grudge, but I admit I often find myself thinking “so and doesn’t deserve such and such.” What a sad frame of mind I’m in when those thoughts pop in, and then I repeat these verses as a reminder of God’s love for ALL of us.

  This Christmas, what greater gift can you give than offering forgiveness, compassion, grace, and understanding to someone? Maybe you are that someone. Whatever you are holding onto, let it go, and bask in the glory that God sent his son as a baby to become our Savior. Merry Christmas!

  Until next time,

  Leah

  P.S. If you’re new to the Modern Conveniences series and love marriage of convenience romances, check out the entire series here, and if you want Landon’s story, check out the Jasper Lake series here.

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  Also By Leah

  Contemporary Romances

  Come to Me Series

  Come to Me Alive

  Come to Me Free

  Come to Me Again

  Come to Me Joyful (Bonus NOVELLA)

  Modern Conveniences Series

  Love In a Fix

  Calling Love

  Lost in Love

  Love at the Lake

  Not This Time

  Historical Romances

  Brides of Weatherton Novellas

  After the Rain

  Fire and Ice

  Winds of Change

  Whiter than Snow

  Dancing on Dew

  Texas Wildflowers Novelette Series

  Free to Love

  Free to Heal

  Free to Protect

  Free to Serve

  Free to Roam

  Free to Forgive

  Mail-Order Short Stories and Novelettes

  The Ultimatum Bride

  A Man to Be Proud Of

  Their First Noelle

  The Not Quite Mail-Order Bride

  The Mail-Order Bride’s Quilt

  Riches of the Heart

  Unlikely Substitute

  The Most Wonderful Bride of the Year

  Not This Time Excerpt

  An excerpt from Not This Time, available HERE

  Amie Reynolds stared at the empty church still decorated for a wedding that hadn’t happened.

  Bouquets of purple-berry dahlias hung from the center-aisle edge of each pew. A length of white satin carpet stretched from the rear of the church to the altar. The never-lit unity candle nestled in its brass holder, a bitter reminder of the nonexistent wedding.

  All because her fiancé—no, ex-fiancé—decided without consulting her that a “once-in-a- lifetime opportunity” to study a previously uncontacted tribe of the Amazon took precedence over their wedding and a life together.

  A note—that’s all Tim had left for her to find early this morning. Instead of experiencing what should have been the best day of her life, she’d been jilted. Tim hadn’t even given her a say in the matter. He’d simply taken off for Brazil last night, two hours after the rehearsal dinner, with little regard for her, the woman he professed to love and wanted to marry. His note explained he’d had to make an instant decision. The study would last five years, and he didn’t expect her to wait for him. He’d ended the note with “Sorry for the inconvenience.”

  Inconvenience? Is that what it was called these days? Try humiliation, heartbreak, devastation, or all of the above.

  Somehow, in the midst of her anger and disappointment, Tim’s insensitivity and immaturity in handling the situation provided a mild salve to her battered ego. He had obsessed over his work for as long as she’d known him, but she’d foolishly assumed that would change once they were married and started a family. Her lack of nuptials today proved she’d been wrong.

  Work always had and always would come first to Tim Deshaye. If they’d made it to the altar, she’d have found herself trapped in a life of playing second fiddle. When she looked at it that way, being jilted was a blessing in disguise. Regardless, it did
n’t ease the pain.

  “I’ll think about it tomorrow.” Her declaration echoed in the empty church.

  Isn’t that what Scarlett O’Hara had said? Yeah, and look how well that worked out for her.

  Amie moved to the rear pew and sat down. Her gaze fixed on one of the dahlias, the flower she’d picked for its lack of scent as a consideration for many of Tim’s family members who couldn’t handle strong smells. How many times had she acquiesced to his requests? She’d never minded because she loved him, but now that she reflected on their three-year history, she realized Tim rarely compromised.

  Had they ever been truly in love? If so, she wouldn’t be sitting in the church, unmarried, would she? But she loved him—that much she knew. Overwhelmed, she brought in a sharp intake of breath as she felt herself losing control. She hadn’t cried yet, a feat she thought was significant in itself. Why hadn’t she?

  The sensation of drowning enveloped her and breathing became more difficult. She’d read somewhere that the hollow stems of the dahlia plant were once used as an underwater breathing apparatus. It was a useless piece of trivia to remember at the moment, but its frivolity distracted her, if only for a few seconds.

  Until the waterworks began. Whether it was denial or self-preservation that kept them away all day, Amie gave in to the tears and lost the battle against crying. Her chest heaved with sobs as her eyes overflowed with the emission of her heart’s shattered pieces.

  After an indeterminate amount of time, Amie felt a hand on her shoulder. Though she hadn’t seen anyone approach, she wasn’t startled for she knew that touch. It was the hand that had comforted her since she was born, bandaged her scrapes and hugged away many tears.