Plantation Christmas Weddings

by Barnes, Sylvia

  Wreath fingered the small box with the delicate china wreath inside. The symbol of forever. She didn’t know how else to tell Micah so he would understand. If the wreath didn’t say it, maybe the note inside would. He’d been cool and distant the day of the wedding. She’d been to Monmouth several times in the last few days but had been told he was busy elsewhere. He was avoiding her, and she couldn’t blame him. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve. If her small gift didn’t get through to him, then it was never meant to be.

  Micah noticed the small box sitting on his desk the moment he entered his office late Christmas Eve morning. Wrapped in gold paper with a white bow, it looked out of place on his dark wood desk. Picking it up, he examined it for a note or card. He didn’t know anyone here, with the exception of his staff, and of course Wreath.

  He dropped his briefcase and coat in a chair, picked up the box, and pulled off the wrapping. Inside, he found a delicate porcelain wreath. The gold tassel at the top made it perfect for hanging on a tree. If he had one. He held it up to the light, smiling. It sparkled like the light in Wreath’s golden-brown eyes. So why had she given it to him? A Christmas gift? He glanced back at the box, noticing a small note lying in the bottom. He pulled it out, a strange tightening feeling forming in his gut. He fingered it then set it aside.

  He went to the coffeemaker and poured a cup. He stirred in a spoonful of creamer, trying to ignore the tension in the center of his chest. Back at his desk, he shrugged out of his suit coat, loosened his tie, and rolled up his shirtsleeves. He planned on spending the day working and forgetting it was Christmas. And he intended to ignore the note on his desk. He knew what he’d find inside. A good-bye letter. Wreath’s let’s-be-friends dismissal.

  He sat down at his desk, shoving the box and its painful note aside. But it mocked him. With a grunt, he grabbed the paper and unfolded it, determined to get it over with.

  It was a list. He read the first line, rubbed his forehead, and started again.

  You love the Lord.

  Peppermint candy helped you stop smoking.

  You drink your coffee strong with a little cream.

  Your favorite verse is “Be still and know that I am God” because it gives you a moment to find peace in a hectic day.

  Your favorite dessert is pineapple upside-down cake.

  Your brother Nathan is your best friend.

  You want a family with three children.

  You want to own your own small hotel someday.

  You make me laugh.

  You make me feel special.

  The list went on. With each sentence, Micah’s heart soared.

  The church had been packed for the Christmas Eve service. The voices raised in joyful praise still echoed in her memory as she entered her townhouse. The simple service had filled her with peace, chasing away much of the tension she’d been under the last week. It had even put her soured relationship with Micah into perspective. She had no one to blame but herself.

  She trusted God with everything in her life, from her business problems to the choices she had to make daily. But when it came to her heart, she’d locked the Lord out because she hadn’t trusted Him to keep it from being broken again. She’d decided she was more capable of protecting her heart than giving it over to Him to heal. As a result, she’d spent too long holding on to a dream that never existed and missed out on a chance at real love. Helen had told her about a job offer Micah had received. If he accepted it, he’d be moving to California, and she’d never see him again.

  The weather had changed drastically. The balmy weather and sunny skies that had blessed Grace’s wedding day had turned cold, gray, and blustery. What she needed was a cup of hot chocolate and a warm fire.

  A knock on her door stopped her midstride. Who would be stopping by on Christmas Eve? Bonnie was with her family. She pulled open the door and froze. “Micah.” Her heart pounded and warmth flooded up into her cheeks.

  “Merry Christmas.”

  Despite her nervousness, she couldn’t help but smile. She was so glad to see him. He looked gorgeous in a leather jacket and faded jeans. Her mouth went suddenly dry. “Merry Christmas.”

  “I missed you at church. You left before I could get to you.” He shifted his weight slightly. “May I come in?”

  “Oh, of course. She stepped aside to let him enter. His tall frame made her living room feel cozier than normal. Why was he here? She gestured for him to be seated in the living room. He shrugged out of his jacket and waited for her to be seated first. Always a gentleman. Her heart skipped a beat. It hit her then—he had come to deliver bad news. He was leaving, taking the job in California, or else he was coming to tell her that her note had arrived too late.

  She sat down, drew her legs up under her, preparing for the worse. “It was a lovely service, wasn’t it?”

  He held her gaze. “Yes.”

  She clasped her hands together, her thumb rubbing the center of her palm nervously. “Can I get you something to drink? Coffee, hot chocolate?” He responded with a slow, lopsided grin that brought a light into his blue eyes and sent her heart tripping.

  “Sure.”

  She stood and hurried to the kitchen, surprised when he followed behind her. Her hands shook as she slipped a cup of water into the microwave and took a package of hot cocoa mix out of the carton. She struggled to stay calm. She inhaled peppermint. Her heart lurched. She loved that smell. She turned to speak to him and found him only inches away, his gaze raking over her quickly before staring into her eyes. He pulled something from his pocket and held it up.

  Her heart plummeted to the pit of her stomach. Her list. She started to move away, not wanting him to see her heartache, but he placed his hand on the counter, trapping her between it and him.

  “Tell me about this, Wreath.”

  She refused to look at him, a wave of humiliation sucking the breath from her body. “Micah, please.” She started to move again, but he blocked her way, pressing closer.

  “I want to know what this is. Why you gave it to me.”

  She looked at him then. She had nothing to lose now. She crossed her arm over her chest, her only protection. “I wanted you to know that I’ve been paying attention.”

  “Why?”

  “Because you’re important to me.”

  “Why?”

  “Because. I’m in love with you. I know it’s too late. I’ve ruined everything. Grace helped me see I’ve been holding on to old dreams, afraid to find new ones for fear of getting hurt again.”

  Micah held up the note again. “You remembered what I said, about knowing me.”

  She nodded. “I remember more than what’s on that list. I remember fireworks on the river, and the day at the park when we saw the baby birds, and the night we drove out to—”

  Micah captured her mouth with his, drowning out all memories except the joy of being in his embrace. He ended the kiss, so full of promise and love. His hands cradled her face. “I’ve loved you from the first moment I saw you. I knew you were the only woman I could ever spend my life with.”

  Wreath slipped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his solid chest, listening to the beat of his heart. “I’ve been so blind and stupid. I’ve wasted so much time.”

  “Now we have all the time in the world. Marry me.”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll give you the wedding of your dreams.”

  “No. I want the marriage of my dreams. With you.”

  He kissed her again, with all the passion and promise of the future.

  About the Authors

  After retiring from BellSouth, owning a gift shop and tearoom, and working as a court clerk for the town of Pelahatchie, Mississippi, Sylvia Barnes penned a novel on a yellow pad, joined a writers group headed by Aaron McCarver, and started attending American Christian Fiction Writers conferences. Her first novella, A Proper Christmas, was included in the bestselling A Biltmore Christmas collection, published in 2011. Sylvia and her husband, J.W., live in the
country outside of Pelahatchie, where they are active members of their church. They have two daughters and three wonderful grandchildren. Sylvia would love to hear from you. E-mail her at sylviajw@att.net.

  Cynthia Leavelle teaches English and ESL at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. A native of New Mexico, she has two degrees from the University of North Texas. She has published one book with Crossbooks, The Cord: The Love Story of Salmon and Rahab, and has written numerous devotionals and short stories. She has been married for more than thirty-five years and has three grown sons. Cynthia would love to hear from you at cynthialeavelle@gmail.com or visit her webpage www.cynthialeavelle.com.

  Virginia Vaughan worked as an investigator for the state of Mississippi before leaving to pursue her passion for writing. A divorced mom of two grown boys and one lovely daughter-in-law, she hopes to shine a light on the healing power of Jesus Christ through her stories. Virginia and her family make their home in Byram, Mississippi, and are members of Hillcrest Baptist Church.

  Lorraine Beatty is a multi-published, bestselling author born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. She and husband Joe have two grown sons and five grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in Junior High and has written for trade books, newspapers, and company newsletters. She is a member of RWA, ACFW and is a charter member, and past President of Magnolia State Romance Writers. Away from writing she sings in her church choir, loves to garden, spend time with her grandchildren, and travel. I love to hear from my readers. Visit her at LorraineBeatty.com