“That’s right. Love equals having faith. And if you don’t have any, you don’t love. It’s all about taking chances. But I gotta ask you one thing.”
He tipped his bottle, swallowed and nodded.
“Is it true about your brother having four wives? That’s just too freaky.”
The dimple in his cheek creased. “It’s true.”
He reached out and took my hand.
It looked as if we were just sitting there to anybody else. But we were really jumping, almost flying—taking that huge leap of faith together.
Christmas dinner was more modest than Christmas Eve. We had lots of leftovers. I think Mama and Saul were hungover, too; they were much more subdued. They talked in the corner.
The kids were quiet, tired out from excitement, playing hard and too much food.
“We’d better get up and straighten this mess,” Carole said, making a halfhearted effort to struggle off the couch.
“Chill. I pre-booked an after-Christmas housecleaning with Cheerful Cleaners tomorrow.”
Nick listened to his comedy CD through earphones. He laughed at intervals.
I lay on a floor pillow, watching my family, watching him. Nick and I were brand-new and shiny. I didn’t know if we’d work out or not, but so far it felt good. The gambles were that we’d keep being real and keep it right.
I glimpsed this beautiful place in my mind, full of flowers and trees. Birds sang and a waterfall cascaded into an idyllic pond. Nick was at my side. Was it a premonition or a fantasy? I had to take the chance.
Nick was at my side. We were hand in hand, still leaping, flying into that wide-open unknown wilderness of the future. Together.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-1063-3
Copyright © 2007 Harlequin Books S.A.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holders of the individual works as follows:
Faith, Hope and Love
Copyright © 2002 Beverly Beaver
The Christmas Bride
Copyright © 1991 Heather Graham Pozzessere
Christmas Passions
Copyright © 2004 Kathy Garner
A Seasonal Secret
Copyright © 2004 Diana Hamilton
Return of the Light
Copyright © 2004 Margaret Benson
Star Light, Star Bright
Copyright © 2004 Anne Kristine Stuart Ohlrogge
Naughty or Nice?
Copyright © 1998 Stephanie Hauck
Christmas Fantasy
Copyright © 1999 Janelle Denison
A Christmas Marriage Ultimatum
Copyright © 2004 Helen Bianchin
A Prince for Christmas
Copyright © 2004 Rebecca Winters
The Millionaire’s Christmas Wish
Copyright © 2004 Lucy Gordon
Merry Christmas, Baby
Copyright © 2006 Monica Jackson
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