by Leah Atwood
Thank You, Lord.
She slipped inside the vehicle, and they headed to Grandfather De La Vega’s place.
When Christmas dinner was on the table, Arturo, Lana, Grandfather De La Vega, Evelyn, and Arturo’s parents stood in a circle, holding hands.
Arturo said grace, and Lana’s heart soared.
“Amen,” everybody said when Arturo finished.
“Merry Christmas,” he whispered to her as they all sat down at the table.
“Merry Christmas. Feliz Navidad,” she said, pronouncing each word carefully.
As she looked around the table at her makeshift family, Lana smiled. Her most prayed-for, special Christmas wish had come true.
Epilogue
Lana took in a shaky breath, happy and frightened at the same time. “I can’t believe this moment is finally here. The moment I’ll walk down the aisle. Though, knowing me, I’ll probably trip over something on the way,” she whispered to her bridesmaid Kelly, who arranged the veil around her shoulders. Her bouquet of white roses was provided by Kelly’s Flowers.
“You’ll do fine.” Mari, her maid of honor, dismissed her with a wave of her hand. “Besides, I warned people not to sit too close to the ends of the pews. I’m kidding. Just think that at the end of that aisle, happiness awaits you.”
It had taken a long time for Lana to talk her best friend into wearing a long sleeveless dress, and Mari had insisted on it being a dark blue color. Lana had no objections to that. After all, it was the color of the starry night…
Kelly’s dress was the same style and color but had to be altered several times, as her pregnancy moved along.
“All done. You look gorgeous.” Kelly stepped back and sat down. She put a hand on her big stomach.
“Are you okay?” Lana asked, concerned for her friend.
Mari grabbed a tissue and dabbed at Kelly’s forehead that glistened with perspiration.
“I’m fine.” Kelly’s breaths came out in quick puffs. “But I’m glad you didn’t postpone the wedding any longer.”
“Maybe I should’ve postponed it another month, until the baby is born.”
“Or maybe you should’ve postponed it until she’s old enough to be your flower girl. Forget it. I’m marrying you off today. That’s it.” The light shining in Kelly’s eyes softened her harsh words.
Lana’s heart warmed. A baby. A miracle.
It was going to be difficult for Kelly to raise the baby on her own, but they all would pitch in. Mari had been working on the baby shower in The Café, and Arturo and Dylan had bought enough baby goods to provide for the first two years, even if Kelly had triplets. Arturo had made a crib and painted the nursery. Arturo and Lana had already accepted the honor of being little Lana’s godparents.
But maybe her wedding day reminded Kelly of hers and everything she was missing now. Lana touched her friend’s hand.
Kelly’s eyes became misty, and she blinked rapidly. “I’m fine. Really. Today is your big day. Enjoy every moment.”
After a small hesitation, Lana whirled in front of the mirror in the church dressing room, dizzy with happiness. She didn’t even feel bitter that there was no father to walk her down the aisle. Grandfather De La Vega and Evelyn seemed excited to do it. It pleased Lana to no end that now he was walking without even a cane, his wound completely healed.
On the other hand, it was Arturo who had required her help for some time after tearing his ACL.
“Do you regret that you had to postpone the wedding for four months because of Arturo’s injury?” Mari asked, perceptive to her thoughts, as always.
Lana rubbed her forehead. “No. But I felt so bad for him. Even though he tore his ACL while helping his team to win the championship. The rehabilitation process was grueling.”
“Still, everybody is shocked that he decided to retire. Me included,” Kelly chimed in.
“I didn’t ask him to do it,” Lana said quietly. He’d assured her he had no regrets.
“We know that,” Mari and Kelly said in unison.
“I think the fact that his best friend, Brandon, was forced to retire after an injury and started drinking affected Arturo. Maybe he was trying to show Brandon leaving football wasn’t the end of the world. And he’s trying to bring him here with the same determination he tried to make his grandfather move to Houston.” Lana glanced in Kelly’s direction. “Who knows? Brandon could meet a wonderful girl in Rios Azules who could help him turn his life around.”
Kelly groaned. “First, you know how much I loved my husband. Second, it’s all about little Lana from now on. Third, Brandon Carmichael, really? What have I done to you?”
Lana figured she’d give the issue a rest. For now. “But I think what really cinched the deal to retire for Arturo was that the Houston Storm drafted a talented running back. Arturo was the one who gave the rookie lots of good pointers. I think he can see himself in that guy.”
“But the team doesn’t need Arturo as much anymore?” Mari asked.
“Exactly. It’s not going to be easy. But he said it was time for him to leave. Injuries were taking their toll, and he wanted to leave when he was at the top of his game.”
Mari nodded. “He wanted to leave a winner. Still, even if in a small part, I think his decision had something to do with you. It’s clear how much he loves you.”
“I prayed for the best for him. Arturo seems to be happy coaching high school football, giving speeches, and building furniture. Together with several of his celebrity friends, he’s setting up a charity to help sick kids play football.”
Mari stepped to her. “Are you happy?”
A huge grin spread over Lana’s face. “Very.”
Two more bridesmaids entered. Lydia and Soledad had been Mari’s friends initially, but they’d become Lana’s friends, too.
“It’s time for Lana to walk down the aisle,” Lydia said. “Arturo’s grandfather and my grandmother are waiting outside the door.”
Lana nodded as her pulse skyrocketed, and she made the first step toward the new life that awaited her…
Dylan Jr. did a great job as the ring bearer. Her heart swelled at seeing the church filled with people, and it didn’t matter that none of them were related to her by blood. All that mattered was that they had welcomed her into their hearts.
As she walked toward her future husband, dashing in his tuxedo, Lana’s heart sang at the sight of the overflowing love in Arturo’s eyes.
Faith, love, hope, and happiness.
She couldn’t wish for bigger blessings.
Thank You for Reading
Dear Reader:
Thank you for reading Christmas Blessings and my novel Season of Miracles. If you kindly write several words about it on www.amazon.com, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Authors depend so much on reviews and recommendations. I’m grateful to every person who reads my books, and every review matters to me.
I loved writing this book. Christmas is my favorite time of the year, and Christmas miracles are part of the joy the season brings us. It was a huge honor and privilege for me to be in this wonderful set with such talented authors. I want to write more Christmas books where the characters from this novel (Dylan and Kelly) will get their own stories.
I admit this novel was a challenge for me in many senses, too. I entered the world of book publishing with Christian romantic suspense. Not only was Arturo and Lana’s story my first Christmas novel and first Christian contemporary romance, but I had to learn together with my heroine about football. Yes, I confess to having been absolutely ignorant about this great sport, but now I’m a fan!
I love hearing from readers, and if you email me at [email protected], or visit me on Goodreads, Facebook, and/or Twitter, you’ll make my day. For giveaways, news, and recipes, please sign up for my newsletter.
Thank you very much for spending your time with me and my books.
Blessings,
Alexa Verde
About the Author
Alexa Verde
has had 200 short stories, articles, and poems published in the five languages that she speaks. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, a master’s in Russian, and enjoys writing about characters with diverse cultures. She can claim her fifteen seconds of Amazon fame with her books climbing to the #1 spot in Hispanic American and #3 in Christian Mystery & Suspense. She’s worn the hats of reporter, teacher, translator, model (even one day counts!), caretaker, and secretary, but thinks that the writer’s hat suits her the best. After traveling the world and living in both hemispheres, she calls a small town in southern Texas home.
Want to Read More?
Available Now
Secrets of Rios Azules Series
Sweet, wholesome books about faith, love, and murder
Book 1 Color of Danger (Mari’s story)
Book 2 Taste of Danger (Soledad’s story)
Book 3 Scent of Danger (January’s story)
Coming Soon
Rios Azules Christmas Series
Sweet, wholesome books about faith, love, and hope
Book 2 Season of Joy (Dylan’s story, Summer 2017)
Book 3 Season of Love (Kelly’s story, Winter 2017)