by Jillian Hart
“This is the strangest Christmas Eve I’ve ever had.” Ford pulled her into his arms with tender reverence. What a nice place to be.
“Welcome to the Granger ranch.” She wrapped her good arm around him and held on tight so bliss wouldn’t carry her away like a balloon in the wind. “Maybe you want to come to the house for Christmas. Bring your family, too.”
“We’ll be there with jingle bells on,” he quipped. Her sisters tumbled up to congratulate them. Her dad winked at her with pride in his eyes. The Parnell girls found some candy in their SUV to lead the cattle down the road.
“I guess it’s time to go home.” Ford opened the Jeep’s door.
Home. How good that sounded. Tomorrow there would be roasted turkey with all the trimmings, family fun and more memories waiting to be made. For right now, there was just the two of them beneath a starry sky, alone as the rest of the vehicles drove away. Ford’s diamond winked on her left hand, a symbol of his never-ending love.
“We’re going to be happy. I promise.” His lips found hers.
“We’re going to be more than happy,” she whispered against his kiss. “We are going to be happily-ever-after.”
A sense of rightness lifted her up, and she felt Heaven smile.
Dear Reader,
Welcome back to Wild Horse, Wyoming. I hope you enjoyed getting comfortable and revisiting the Granger Family Ranch. In the snowy beauty of the breathtaking landscape, you can feel the gentle country breeze on your face, hear the cattle calling and find peace. As you know, a few things have changed since Rori and Justin’s book, The Rancher’s Promise. Frank tried to figure out if he had a chance with lovely Cady. Justin and Rori got married, and a sheriff moved to town. Amid all this, Autumn Granger was trying to get her ranch work done. She never fathomed how true love would come in the form of a big-city vice cop.
I wrote this story from my heart and from my experiences of growing up in the country. I’ve hidden several childhood memories in these pages—small-town weddings, the church’s Christmas bazaar and even an affectionate bottle-raised bull. It’s why the Grangers’ stories feel like home to me. It’s my hope you feel the same way. I also hope you liked how Autumn and Ford’s journey brought the true love God meant for them.
Wishing you the best of God’s blessings this Christmas season,
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
What are Autumn’s first impressions of the big-city sheriff? What does this say about her character?
What is Ford’s reaction when he first sees Autumn? What does this tell you about his character? How do you know he is sincere?
In the beginning of the story Autumn wrestles with fear. She is afraid to trust in love again. How does she overcome this? Have you ever felt this way? How has it affected you, and how have you handled it?
Why doesn’t Frank ask Cady out? What is he afraid of? Why is she shy around him? What is she afraid of?
What role does the community of the town play in the story? How does it help develop the romance? What Christian values does it show?
Why does Autumn agree to dance with Ford at the wedding? What new part of her character does this reveal?
What do you think are the central themes in this book? How do they develop? What meanings do you find in them?
How does God guide both Autumn and Ford? How is this evident? What do they learn about their faith?
Autumn fears that no man will love her just as she is. How is this challenged through the book? What causes her to change?
What role do the animals play in the story?
Do you perceive Ford differently as the book progresses? What do you see? How do you know he will be happy staying in Wild Horse?
What do you like most about Ford and Autumn as a couple? How do you know they are meant for each other?
What is the story’s predominant imagery? How does it contribute to the meaning of the story? Of the romance?
There are many different kinds of love in this book. What are they? What roles do they play in Autumn and Ford’s romance?
When does Autumn finally believe true love can happen for her? What does she learn?
ISBN: 978-1-4268-6941-9
HIS HOLIDAY BRIDE
Copyright © 2010 by Jill Strickler
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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.
This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.
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*The McKaslin Clan
†The Granger Family Ranch
**Buttons & Bobbins