by Irene Brand
“Was there something on your mind—in particular?” Owen sounded hopeful.
“I did want to talk to you.” Holly could barely hold back her emotions.
“Is it something I want to hear?”
Holly released the branches and strolled around the tree. She could have jumped up and down and screamed, “Yes, I’ll marry you.” But perhaps something so celebratory and so sanctioned by God deserved at least a romantic prelude. “Well, I have a new theme idea for a tree, and I was excited to tell you about it.”
“Oh?” Owen sounded disappointed. “That’s all?”
“Well, it’s the best theme I’ve ever come up with. First, we’ll start with a tree that looks flocked. Faux, of course. And then we’ll decorate it with bouquets of gardenias, tulle, and white ribbons.”
“White sounds promising.” Owen came out from under the tree. “Tell me more.”
“Well, the tree will be so beautiful it’ll become the talk of the town.”
“And why is that?” Owen stepped closer to her.
“Everyone will say, ‘It’s about time Holly and Owen put up a wedding tree. In fact, we don’t know why they didn’t think of it sooner.’”
Owen took her into his arms. “It is the best idea I’ve ever heard.”
Holly traced her finger along his face, studying him in a new way. “I can’t believe I’ve been looking at you all these years, but I’d never really seen you—until now. How can that be?”
“Well, life is full of mysteries, and apparently our love is one of them.”
“So we’re right up there with the Devil’s Promenade and Big Foot?”
“Maybe.” Owen glanced up. “Well, look at that. We’re standing right under the mistletoe.”
“So we are. And it’s about time we made full use of it.” Holly tilted Owen’s chin toward her lips for a kiss she hoped he’d remember for a long time to come.
Epilogue
That same year, on the eve of Christmas, in a chapel nestled in the Ozark Mountains, a wedding was about to begin.
Ivy Quigly, Owen’s mother, smoothed Holly’s bridal gown and then adjusted her floor-length veil. “Now, don’t you look just like a princess?”
Holly hugged the woman, grateful to be on the receiving end of Mom Ivy’s generosity and her gift for mothering. “And thanks for the lace gloves. They’re perfect.”
“Well, you had to have something old.” Mom Ivy patted Holly on the cheek. “The music is about to begin, dear.”
Holly turned to her father and latched onto his arm.
“Are you ready?” he whispered.
“Are you kidding, Dad? I am soo ready.”
He chuckled. “What a glorious day this is. I’m going to have grandchildren at last.”
“Daaad.” She jiggled his arm.
The guitarist began to play “The Wedding Song,” and they both straightened.
“Here we go, Cricket,” her father said.
Together father and daughter started that famous march up the church aisle.
The stone chapel—which had floor-to-ceiling windows and a majestic view of the woods and mountains—had been the ideal choice for the ceremony. Holly glanced up at the rafters and saw the Christmas ball full of mistletoe. Her father had tied the keepsake just above the spot where she and Owen would seal their vows with a kiss. She grinned, thinking how many times Owen must have stood beneath that very mistletoe, and how she never knew he was the one—to kiss, to marry, and to love for a lifetime.
As Holly passed each pew, the townspeople of Noel gave their nods of blessing—Miss Plumtree, Sandra Westin and her boys, Vincent Hagerdey and his wife, and most surprisingly, Van and Lindy, snuggled side by side. Holly had no idea how Van’s life story would go, but she prayed it would have a happy ending.
Holly squeezed her dad’s arm as they continued up the aisle. Standing at the front, smiling at her, was Owen Quigly. That is, my Mr. Quigly. How she loved him.
Just outside, among the oaks and hickories and pines, snow began to fall as though angels were sprinkling white confetti. A few gasps rippled through the crowd. Snow on her wedding day. Just how beautiful is that?
Holly remembered the gift of the compass and breathed a prayer of thanksgiving to God, the divine Navigator of her soul. The path had been lit and love was all about them, falling down like the snow, pristine and full of wonder.
About the Author
Anita Higman is the author of more than two dozen titles, including fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and plays. Anita’s romance books include Love Finds You in Humble, Texas and contributions to Ozark Weddings, Larkspur Dreams, The Love Song, and Castles in the Air. Her published mysteries include Another Stab at Life and Another Hour to Kill. Anita is a member of ACFW and the Christian Humor Writers’ Group, and she has been recognized for her involvement in literacy programs. A Texan for the past twenty-six years, Anita has coauthored an award-winning book about her home state, A Tribute to Early Texas. She lives with her husband near Houston.
www.anitahigman.com
Want a peek into local American life—past and present? The Love Finds You™ series published by Summerside Press features real towns and combines travel, romance, and faith in one irresistible package!
The novels in the series—uniquely titled after American towns with unusual but intriguing names—inspire romance and fun. Each fictional story draws on the compelling history or the unique character of a real place. Stories center on romances kindled in small towns, old loves lost and found again on the high plains, and new loves discovered at exciting vacation getaways. Summerside Press plans to publish at least one novel set in each of the 50 states. Be sure to catch them all!
NOW AVAILABLE IN STORES
Love Finds You in Miracle, Kentucky
by Andrea Boeshaar
ISBN: 978-1-934770-37-5
Love Finds You in Snowball, Arkansas
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-934770-45-0
Love Finds You in Romeo, Colorado
by Gwen Ford Faulkenberry
ISBN: 978-1-934770-46-7
Love Finds You in Valentine, Nebraska
by Irene Brand
ISBN: 978-1-934770-38-2
Love Finds You in Humble, Texas
by Anita Higman
ISBN: 978-1-934770-61-0
Love Finds You in Last Chance, California
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-934770-39-9
Love Finds You in Maiden, North Carolina
by Tamela Hancock Murray
ISBN: 978-1-934770-65-8
Love Finds You in Paradise, Pennsylvania
by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-934770-66-5
Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida
by Debby Mayne
ISBN: 978-1-934770-80-1
Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-934770-74-0
Love Finds You in Revenge, Ohio
by Lisa Harris
ISBN: 978-1-934770-81-8
Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-935416-16-6
Love Finds You in Sisters, Oregon
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-18-0
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio
by Annalisa Daughety
ISBN: 978-1-935416-17-3
Love Finds You in Bethlehem, New Hampshire
by Lauralee Bliss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-20-3
Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska
by Loree Lough
ISBN: 978-1-935416-19-7
Love Finds You in Holiday, Florida
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-935416-25-8
Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana
by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
ISBN: 978-1-935416-29-6
Love Finds You in Bridal Veil, Oregon
>
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-935416-63-0
Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania
by Cerella D. Sechrist
ISBN: 978-1-935416-64-7
Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa
by Melanie Dobson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-66-1
Love Finds You in Pendleton, Oregon
by Melody Carlson
ISBN: 978-1-935416-84-5
Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico
by Lena Nelson Dooley
ISBN: 978-1-935416-74-6
Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii
by Bodie Thoene
ISBN: 978-1-935416-78-4
Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington
by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss
ISBN: 978-1-60936-000-9
Love Finds You in Calico, California
by Elizabeth Ludwig
ISBN: 978-1-60936-001-6
Love Finds You in Sugarcreek, Ohio
by Serena B. Miller
ISBN: 978-1-60936-002-3
Love Finds You in Deadwood, South Dakota
by Tracey Cross
ISBN: 978-1-60936-003-0
Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho
by Janelle Mowery
ISBN: 978-1-60936-005-4
Love Finds You in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
by Sandra D. Bricker
ISBN: 978-1-60936-027-6
COMING SOON
Love Finds You in Hope, Kansas
by Pamela Griffin
ISBN: 978-1-60936-007-8
Love Finds You in Sun Valley, Idaho
by Angela Ruth
ISBN: 978-1-60936-008-5
Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee
by Janice Hanna
ISBN: 978-1-935416-65-4
Love Finds You in Tombstone, Arizona
by Miralee Ferrell
ISBN: 978-1-60936-104-4