“And still stay true to your principles?”
She laughed. “You were right. Our principles aren’t so far apart, after all. I can see that now, too. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.”
“Apology accepted. And I’m sorry I dragged my heels over making stockings and ornaments. As for what I said to the kids about going shopping, I’m sure in your eyes it seemed I was focused on the commercialism of Christmas, and that’s not what I intended at all.”
“I know that now.”
What he had said to Tommy about Santa told her he did know what the holiday was all about. What he had said to her tonight proved they agreed on the purpose of giving gifts. What more could she ask from him?
“You told me you loved me,” he said. As if she needed the reminder. “You haven’t reneged on that, have you?”
“That depends.” Fighting a smile, she pointed to his other hand. “What exactly is that meant to be?”
He held up the clay ring. “An engagement ring. A promise ring. Heck, a friendship ring, if that’s all you’ll accept from me right now. But whatever you decide, I’ve decided to vacation in Snowflake Valley because this is where you are. And where you are is where I belong.”
“You must be a very good troubleshooter. You cover all the bases.”
“I try. And I want you to know all those dinners and flowers and theater tickets were my way of showing how much I care. I love you, Lyssa. And I won’t give up until you’re mine.”
For a moment, she couldn’t respond. Then she said, “Now you’re telling me what I want to hear?”
He laughed. “Of course. That’s the way it works.” He slipped his arm around her and held her close. “I told you once, you deserved all the world has to offer. But together, we can have the best of both worlds. What do you say to that?”
“I say, it sounds like a win-win.”
“And that’s exactly what I like to hear. I have to confess, though, I won’t be satisfied until I give you a real ring.”
She tilted her head, pretending to consider his words. “Well…since you’ve told me how much pleasure you get from giving gifts, I suppose I could agree to accept a replacement ring.”
“Is that a compromise?”
“It does sound like we’ve found a middle ground.”
“And come to an understanding.”
“Yes.” She smiled. “And I think we can both agree those are the best gifts of all.”
Epilogue
At the Barnett residence, the party had ended, all their guests had gone home, and Lyssa’s family had cooperatively disappeared into their bedrooms for the night. She and Nick stood in the living room, near the front door. The only light in the room came from the twinkling bulbs on the Christmas tree and the glowing star-shaped ornament at the top.
“We’ll see you tomorrow?” Lyssa didn’t really need to ask. She just wanted to prolong the moment before they would have to say good-bye until the morning.
“You’ll see me,” he assured her. “With jingle bells on. Your mom promised to save some cinnamon rolls for me.”
“You’ll love them. They’re homemade. And they’re a Barnett family Christmas morning tradition.”
“There’s a lot I love already about the Barnett family.” He smiled. “And I won’t have any trouble getting used to traditions like that one.”
She laughed, and he kissed her again.
“I hate to leave you,” he added, “but I’d better get over to the hotel.” He shook his head. “Can’t believe they lock the doors at midnight.”
“It’s a small town,” she reminded him.
“So I’ve heard.”
She opened the door to a blast of frigid air.
“Now, I’m really going, before you catch cold.” He kissed her one last time. “See you in the morning.”
She watched from the doorway as he made his way through the fresh snow to their family’s van, on loan to him until tomorrow. After the taillights disappeared in the darkness, she took one last look at the scene outside the house.
Fresh snow, frosted by the glow of the street lamp, covered everything in sight. All was well in Snowflake Valley.
Smiling, she closed the door, then went to unplug the Christmas tree.
Upstairs, she tapped lightly on Callie’s bedroom door.
When Lyssa entered, Callie said, “Is Santa off to make his rounds?”
“No, I think Santa’s going to settle down for a long winter’s nap. Once they unlock the hotel door for him, that is.”
“I’m glad things worked out for you and Nick,” Callie said softly, “and especially that you’re together again in time for the holidays.”
“I’m glad, too,” Lyssa said, giving her only older sister a hug.
Both Callie and Amber deserved to feel as much happiness and joy of their own as she felt right now.
Silently, she made a wish for another Christmas miracle. A wish that, someday soon, all three of the bad-luck Barnett sisters would find their dreams had come true.
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About the Author
Barbara White Daille is an award-winning author whose short contemporary romances have received Top Picks and glowing reviews. Her books focus on small-town settings, where the heroes and heroines’ lives are filled with family and friends, lots of nosy neighbors, and often a matchmaker—or three.
Barbara has been a writer since before she could spell all the words in her stories. She and her husband live in the hot and sunny Southwest, where they love the lizards in the front yard but could do without the scorpions in the bathroom.
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