by Hebby Roman
Was she? She of little faith?
“Yes, Mama.”
“Good girl.” Her mother laced her arm through hers. The doctor followed them, wearing his best suit.
They walked through the fort and to Ann Street where St. Mary Magdalene’s Catholic Church stood. She’d never realized it before, the irony of the name of their church. It was named for the most famous prostitute in the Bible.
Her mother had been a prostitute, and her mother’s experiences had poisoned Crissy’s thoughts.
She stopped and stared at the church. Today was her favorite holiday, the birth of her Savior. Jesus had forgiven Mary Magdalene and accepted her.
Had she really forgiven Mama?
Was her lack of forgiveness why she’d been ready to believe the worst of Davie? Because she’d never forgiven her mother for the life they’d had to lead?
But she loved her mother—how could she not have forgiven her?
She didn’t know anymore. But then, suddenly, she knew… knew the real truth… the reason for all her doubts.
Tears came, streaming down her face. She was ashamed, so ashamed. Her heart opened, and forgiveness poured into her, cleansing her, and removing all the darkness she’d been harboring. She bent her head and mumbled a brief prayer of thanks.
Another Christmas miracle—she was so blessed.
Turning, she threw her arms around her mother and said, “Mama, I forgive you. Truly, I do, from the bottom of my heart.”
Her mother hugged her back. “I know you do, Crissy. I know.” She reached up and wiped the tears from Crissy’s cheeks. “No tears now. It’s your wedding day. Be happy.”
Crissy’s heart lightened, realizing she’d finally banished the shame of her family’s past. It was as if a boulder had been weighing her down before. Now the heavy burden was gone. And she was happy! So happy!
She glimpsed the unlit luminarias lining the pathway to the door. She’d not seen them lit or taken part in the Noche Buena Posada last night. Instead, she’d met Davie’s parents and had supper with them. They were a nice couple, kind and generous-hearted, like her husband-to-be.
Her mother opened the church door and handed her off to the doctor to give her away. She lifted her head, tilting her chin up, ready to start her new life. Her heart was singing with joy. She saw her smiling friends and neighbors filling the pews, and her heart expanded.
Peggy turned and waved. She smiled back.
To her right, she glimpsed the Christmas tree of her dreams. The garland had been hung, the candles were lit in their holders, and the marvelous glass ornaments dangled from the tree. And on the top of the tree was an angel, looking like it was made from spun sugar, so light and airy, but bright and shiny, too.
Christmas magic—fairy magic—a wish come true.
She turned her face from the Christmas tree. As beautiful as it was, it was a tree. Her dress was a dress. And Davie’s sketch had been a pretty picture. Nothing more. People were important… not things.
She gazed at the altar. Her fiancé, decked out in his best dress uniform, stood straight and tall, waiting for her. He was so handsome with his dark, curly hair, turquoise eyes, and charming dimple. How had she gotten so lucky?
Their gazes caught and snagged. Davie was what was important—not trees or dresses or…
He smiled, and his dimple deepened.
Her heart lifted and took wing, soaring with love and hope and faith for their future. She smiled back and walked, as if treading air, embracing their love, and holding it close. Joining him at the altar, he took her hand, and the doctor stepped away.
His touch made her tremble with love and longing. And as she gazed into his eyes, she knew love had transformed them both.
He leaned close and whispered, “I love you, Crissy, forever and ever.”
“I love you, too, forever and ever. Until the end of time.”
* * *
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Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.
Cristabelle: The Christmas Bride
COPYRIGHT © 2018 by Hebby Roman
Published by Estrella Publishing.
Cover designed by Earthly Charms
All rights reserved and return to the author. This book and parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means –electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise -without prior written permission of the author and publisher, except as provided by the United States of America copyright law. The only exception is by a reviewer who may quote short excerpts in a review.
About the Author
Hebby Roman is a New York traditionally published, small-press published, and Indie published #1 Amazon best-selling author of both historical and contemporary romances. Her WEST TEXAS CHRISTMAS TRILOGY is an Amazon Bestselling and Award-Winning series. Her first contemporary romance, SUMMER DREAMS, was the launch title for Encanto, a print line featuring Latino romances. And her re-published e-book, SUMMER DREAMS, was #1 in Amazon fiction and romance. Her medieval historical romance, THE PRINCESS AND THE TEMPLAR, was selected for the Amazon Encore program and was #1 in medieval fiction.
She was selected for the Romantic Times "Texas Author" award, and she won a national Harlequin contest. Her book, BORDER HEAT, was a Los Angeles Times Book Festival selection. She has been a RONE Finalist three times and in three different categories.
She is blessed to have all her family living close by in north Texas, including her two granddaughters, Mackenzie Reese and Presley Davis. Hebby lives in Arlington, Texas with her husband, Luis, and Maltipoo, Maximillian.
Visit her at her website or on Facebook. You can find her Author Page on Amazon.