by Jillian Hart
“Right.” It also meant unfaltering, dedicated and committed. They were so alike, him and Chelsea. Two sides of the same coin. They belonged together, he knew it now beyond all doubt. He could feel the certainty in his soul. “Are you taking the road or some shortcut to town?”
“—take—ild Rose La—ay—off—kit—” Static drowned her out and the connection went dead.
He couldn’t get it back.
Chapter Seventeen
Snow tumbled from an unforgiving sky, icy against her cheek as Chelsea reined Rio down the solemn stretch of white drifts that buried the country road. The thick and encompassing veil of falling snow cut off all sight of the surrounding countryside. No sign of other houses or horse stables, and only the swoop of the telephone lines laden with snow and the occasional mailbox or fence post sticking up out of the whiteness reminded her they weren’t alone.
“You’ve been quiet.” Sara Beth’s words were muffled by the scarf covering half of her face. “You’re thinking about him, aren’t you?”
“And trying not to.” Without him, the world didn’t seem as kind or as colorful. A bitter north wind blasted hard, and she shivered. He’d called to check up on her, like a good friend.
“You miss him.” Sara Beth seemed to already know the truth, the one Chelsea had been fighting ever since Michael had helped her into the sleigh that day.
“This past week has been terrible. There, I admitted it.” The confession felt torn from her. “I’ve tried everything I can to keep from feeling this way.”
“But it hasn’t helped.” Sara Beth nodded sympathetically. “Sometimes God puts a love in your heart, Chelsea. One that is everlasting.”
“No, Michael isn’t the one. He’s closed off, he can be like granite one minute and you have no idea what he’s thinking. But then he goes and does something so thoughtful and giving.” She shook her head, her emotions too tangled up to make any sense, but she knew one thing. “Kind and giving. That’s number one on my list.”
“Right, the Perfect Man list.” Sara Beth swiped snowflakes from her eyelashes. “What’s number two?”
“A good sense of humor. Not that it’s obvious at first, Michael comes across as so serious.” She blinked snow off her eyelashes, remembering her first impression of him, steel and fury when he’d protectively tried to shield his daughter from her in the cemetery. Or her first day at the clinic when he’d towered over her like a pillar of cool granite. “But he can be so funny. My kind of humor, you know?”
“Sure,” Sara Beth agreed, switching the reins to her other gloved hand and jamming the cold one into her jacket pocket. “You two seem to laugh when you’re together. What’s number three?”
Was it her imagination, or did the wind have a faintly jingling sound? A gust howled by, swirling snow down the last stretch of Wild Rose Lane. Chelsea took a breath, imagining the typed list, the one she’d written ages ago.
“He has to love me as much as I love him.” There, she’d said it and she was afraid Michael didn’t love her that way, that no one could. He’d sat on the pew in the chapel calmly saying he didn’t want to take one step farther with her. And she’d agreed just as sensibly.
Except she’d been wrong. She didn’t have the courage to tell him the truth. She couldn’t even be honest with herself. “I wish I could go back and do this last week differently.”
“I know you, Chelsea.” Sara Beth stopped to listen to the wind and shook her head. “I thought I heard something. Anyway, I know you would go back in time if you could and say no when Michael asked you into his and Macie’s sleigh. That way you wouldn’t be here hurting. I hate that you’re hurting.”
“Me, too.” Sara Beth was right, she thought, not liking that about herself. Had she become so careful in life that she’d closed herself up to opportunities? If she had said no, then she never would have zipped across the snow in a sleigh singing Christmas carols or laughed and dreamed and fallen in love with a man who felt like her other half.
A silvery chime rose above the whoosh of howling wind, but the worsening storm gave no hint of what it might be. Icy flecks beat against her face as she peered into the pummeling snow. Was that a faint shadow? A flash of pink? The shadow became two horses plowing through the drifts and a little girl’s pink coat. But it was the man seated beside her that stole her breath.
Michael.
“What are you doing here?” She nearly slipped off her horse. Her mittens grabbed the saddle horn, keeping her upright. She blinked, and he was still there, not her imagination, not her wishful thinking, the man she adored. “It’s nearly a blizzard, in case you hadn’t noticed.”
“Right. I figured if you were out in it, I could be too.” He waited for the sleigh to skid to a stop and ignored Natalie, who listened intently as she held the reins in the front seat. “Macie loves sleigh riding and I thought she might want a ride for Christmas.”
“Hi, Chelsea. Hi, Sara Beth.” Macie waved, bundled up happily on the seat. “We’re going on another adventure.”
“Where to this time, Princess Macie?” Chelsea leaned closer, her face pink from the cold but her blue gaze alight with affection for his girl. “Are you off to see more polar bears?”
“I thought about it.” When Chelsea’s mare pushed her nose into Macie’s hand, the girl happily stroked it. “And I’d like to see the penguins again, but this time we’re on a Christmas mission.”
“Not to the North Pole, I hope. Word is this storm could get worse. Blizzard warnings are up for afternoon. That’s why we’re getting to town while we can.”
“That’s why we’re out, too.” He spoke up, wishing Chelsea would look at him. He steeled his spine, gathering his courage. She’d didn’t want anything serious, but seeing her again and hearing her voice was the balm he’d needed. This past week without her, with only distant glimpses and friendly hellos had been torture. No, he’d prefer torture compared with a single day of living without her. He braced his feet, sure of his course and afraid he was heading for heartbreak. “We’re headed to your house.”
“Our house?” Her gaze locked on his. She hadn’t guessed. She didn’t know. Surprise twisted her pretty mouth. “Why? I mean, you should be home getting ready for Christmas. Maybe paying a visit to Mrs. Collins.”
“My mom is out doing that right now,” he assured her. “Two little Christmas gifts will be safe at her house tonight.”
“What little Christmas gifts?” Macie interjected. “Are they for me?”
“You’ll have to wait and see.” He tugged the brim of his daughter’s knit hat to cover her ears. “Maybe both presents are for me.”
“No way.” Chelsea’s gentle quip rang like music. “Not unless they are two pieces of coal.”
“See? They are for me,” Macie sang happily.
Chelsea towered above him, dappled with white. Snow dotted her hat, clung in her wavy hair and crested the slender line of her shoulders. She sat straight in her saddle, as sweet as a holiday dream.
His dream.
Full of hope, he stood to offer her his hand. “Why don’t you ride with us? It’s warmer beneath the fleece blankets.”
“I’d like that.” The truth hovered in the promise of her smile. “But we have to get to town.”
“No, you don’t.” His fingers grasped hers and held on tight. “I picked up your father’s Christmas gift.”
“You did what?”
“Couldn’t help myself. It’s the way things are going to be.” It was a promise made to be kept, one that would never waver. “From this point on, I’m here for you. Always and forever. Come, let me take you home.”
“Uh—” No was her automatic response. No to his help, no to his offer, no to always and forever. Chelsea bit her bottom lip as she thought, realizing that was her fear talking, the part of her that never wanted to take a
risk and step off her planned course. Had her whole life become playing it safe and saying no to wonderful possibilities? What would she miss out on if she said no?
With all the emotion swirling around in her, she tried to cling to what was real. “Y-you have Dad’s gift?”
“Right here in the sleigh.” He patted a big and bulky object strapped to the seat beside Natalie, wrapped in plastic.
“Why did you do this?” Tears burned behind her eyes, tears she refused to let fall. There could be only one reason why, and it frightened her as much as she wished for it.
“Because I love you.” His hand holding hers wasn’t the only connection between them.
“You l-love me?” she repeated because the words didn’t sink in. They were sudden and shocking and real and everything she wanted.
“I do.” He tugged, she slid off Rio’s back and landed light as air in his strong arms. “You are impossible not to love, Chelsea McKaslin. I never thought any woman could open my heart like this, but you did it with one smile. Just one. That’s all it took.”
“I didn’t mean to.” The confession rolled across her lips, one that made him grin. Not fair, since she had no defense against the power of his dimples.
“I know this might not be what you want to hear. I know this isn’t the right time for you.” His words rumbled through her like a prayer, sweet and solemn. He really did love her. His gaze deepened, showing all of his soul. “I’ll wait as long as it takes. I don’t want to stand in the way of your dreams. I’m hoping one day we can reach some of those dreams together. What do you say?”
Devotion to him welled up with a force so strong her will couldn’t stop it. Logic couldn’t diminish it, nothing could. God had put this in her heart, this rare and perfect affection. Like nothing she’d known before, like nothing she would ever know again. No way could she let this opportunity pass, not a second time. She believed in Michael. She had faith that he would never let her down.
“I don’t want you to wait for me.” She laid her hand on his chest, her heart so full she could hardly speak. “I don’t want to waste any more time. I love you, Michael.”
“You do? That is the best Christmas gift I could ever want.” Relief dug into the pleasant creases of his face, making him even more handsome. He caressed the side of her cheek with a touch so tender, the only thing more sweet was the brush of his lips to hers.
Their first kiss was fairy-tale perfect, just like their love would be. Snow swirled around them, like pieces of heavenly grace. Sleigh bells jingled faintly, as if brushed by a loving hand, a musical approval as Michael broke their kiss and pulled her into his arms where she was meant to be.
Forever.
Epilogue
Christmas Morning
The Christmas lights cast a vivid glow over the four sisters seated in a half circle around the tree. A fire crackled in the fireplace, soft instrumental hymns lilted from the CD player and Burt purred contently from the back of the couch.
“It’s perfect, just perfect.” Grant stared at the framed portrait of his daughters, once young and sweet, and now so beautiful. Just like their mother. “Seeing your mom smiling like this is the best gift I could ask for.”
His four girls beamed happily as he leaned the frame against the wall. Dee and Bayley watched curiously from their places beside the hearth. “We’ll hang it after the rest of the presents are opened. Johanna, you’re next, love.”
“Let’s see.” She rose up on her knees, peering in at the plentiful piles of festive wrapping and ribbon. “That’s easy. I pick Mom’s.”
“Good choice,” Chelsea agreed with a nod. She sorted through a few packages, came up with a square box and squinted at the tag. “No, this is Meg’s.”
“Gimme.” With a grin, Meg stretched out both hands to take her mother’s last gift.
“Sara Beth’s,” Chelsea read, nudging the next box across the carpet. “Here’s mine. And yours, Johanna.”
“Let’s open them together.” Johanna’s eyes glistened as she untied the frilly bow. “We already know what they are.”
“She got us each the same one,” Meg agreed, untying her gift’s bow.
Chelsea tackled the scotch tape and the wrapping paper fell away. The box held a porcelain ornament, one of a young mother with a small daughter on her lap, reading the Christmas story. No one spoke as they admired their gifts, and the living room fell silent. Chelsea understood the message of her mother’s gift, that wherever Mom was, she loved them still.
“We love you, too, Mom.” She would always miss her mother, but her love was stronger than her grief. The brilliant glory of the Christmas tree, the peaceful sunny Christmas morning and the faces of her family reminded her of all her blessings. Life really was beautiful.
Dee lifted her head off her paws and barked. Bayley gave a welcoming woof. Boots clomped up the porch steps and knocked on the door.
“I may have forgotten to mention something.” Sara Beth smiled mischievously. “When Michael and Macie brought us home in the sleigh yesterday, I invited them to Christmas breakfast hoping the county would be able to plow the roads, which they apparently did. I thought it was fitting.”
“Very fitting,” Meg and Johanna agreed in unison, but Chelsea was already on her feet, her hand turning the doorknob, breathlessly eager to see the man she loved.
“Merry Christmas.” Michael towered above her, his granite face gentle when he gazed upon her.
“Merry Christmas.” She was against him with his arms folded strong around her. Tucked against his chest, she didn’t notice the icy air. Not one bit. She could hold him like this forever, stay cuddled against him, safe and sweet, but a patter of footsteps on the porch behind him caught her attention.
“Look what I got for Christmas.” Macie balanced a pink carrier as if it held the greatest treasure. “I didn’t just get Pearl. I got Hank, too!”
“I didn’t want to leave them home alone,” Michael explained, and yesterday Sara Beth hinted it would be all right to bring them along.”
“Absolutely. We are animal people here.” Chelsea stepped aside to allow father and daughter into the warm house and closed the door. Her sisters rushed forward, the carrier was opened and two adorable little kittens mewed their greetings as they were held and adored and snuggled. Dee tapped over to inspect them with a welcoming tail wag.
Chelsea couldn’t take her gaze off Michael. After the sleigh had returned them home and he’d carried Dad’s gift upstairs for Sara Beth to wrap, the two of them had talked about everything. Their feelings, their future and even marriage.
“There’s something I want to give you.” He pulled her away from her family and into the light of the Christmas tree. He fished a small black velvet box from his pocket. “I had Natalie swing the sleigh by the jewelry store on our way home yesterday. Macie helped me pick this one. She liked the blue stone because it matched your eyes.”
A two-caret sapphire winked up at her, rimmed with baguette diamonds. Her breath caught. Stunned, surprised, overjoyed, she forgot to breathe.
“Marry me, Chelsea.” Warmth, humor, love and commitment layered his voice as he went down on one knee. In the background her sisters gasped, Macie smiled and Michael’s hand closed over her own. “You fill my heart like no one ever has. You bring color to my world and joy to my life. Please give me the best Christmas gift of all and agree to be my wife.”
“I will.” No panic, no fear, only great happiness filled her as he slid the ring on her finger. Vaguely she heard Dee barking, Macie hopping up and down and her sisters cheering, but Michael stood front and center. The promise to love and cherish her shone like a sacred vow in his gaze. A vow she could trust.
It was easy to see a future, one she could believe in, one that would last. Of happy days to come filled with their work as doctors, of raising Macie and addi
ng more children to their family one day. She pictured their house full of little girls laughing and gathering around a future Christmas tree. “I love you so much, Michael.”
“I love you more.” He cradled the back of her neck with one hand, holding her close as their lips met. His kiss was perfection, proof this wasn’t just any ordinary love. This was what she dreamed love could be. Two hearts, one soul. Happily ever after. Forever and ever.
“Hey, what about the rest of our presents?” Meg asked, cradling a snuggling Hank.
“I have a lot more stuff to open,” Johanna added, tucking an adorable Pearl under her chin. “C’mon, Macie, you can help us.”
“Okay!” Macie slipped one hand in Chelsea’s and held on so tight. Together they settled on the floor in the light of the Christmas tree, laughing and talking and opening gifts, a happy family.
* * * * *
Keep reading for an excerpt of Montana Dreams by Jillian Hart!
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to another McKaslin story. As you may have guessed by now, I love few things more than writing a Christmas story. It is one of my favorite times of year, with twinkling lights and Christmas cookies and carols celebrating family, love and faith. So it felt appropriate to have chosen a Christmas story for the McKaslin cousins who live in snowy Wyoming. Chelsea has worked hard to become a pediatrician but has yet to discover that God has planned greater dreams for her than she could ever dream for herself. Those dreams happen to come in the form of Michael Kramer, a dedicated doctor and father whose heart comes alive when he meets beautiful Chelsea. I hope you enjoy the wonder of falling in love along with Chelsea and Michael and that your Christmas season is filled with love.
Thank you for choosing Jingle Bell Bride and for returning to the McKaslin family with me.
Wishing you a blessed and beautiful holiday season,