Her brows drew together. “As long as it’s a good talk…”
Finn smiled, realizing then how it must have sounded. “Of course, it is.” He shifted around on his seat, shoving a hand into the pocket of his jacket. “When I was in Scotland earlier this month, my gran gave me a few things to bring back. One of them was somethin’ my grandad had given her before he left for war with the understanding that upon his return, they’d get engaged.” Finn paused then held out the delicate gold Claddagh ring his gran had worn for years until it had threatened to cut off circulation in her finger as it had swelled because of arthritis in her joints. “Gran wanted me to give this to you as a show of my intentions just as my grandad did with her. I love you, Noella, and this ring is my way of promising you my friendship, my love and my loyalty. Hopefully, in the not-so-distant future, I will give you another ring that promises even more.”
“Oh Finn, I love you so much. I would be honored to wear your gran’s ring.” She took it from his hand and studied it for a moment before looking back up at him. “This is so beautiful, Finn. It’s a Claddagh ring, right?”
“Yes. She said she was savin’ it for me to give to the right girl and that she knew as soon as she heard me speak about you, that you were that girl.”
“I hope I get to meet her,” Noella said.
“About that…I was thinking that maybe we could take a quick trip over there for New Year’s Eve.”
Noella’s eyes widened. “Fly over there for New Year’s Eve?”
Finn nodded. “Dad offered the use of the company jet to get us to and from.”
If possible, her eyes widened further. “Jet?”
Finn reached out and cupped her cheek. “I know I told you that my family was wealthy. This is one of the perks.”
“I guess I just sort of assumed you had a nice house and nice cars. I didn’t know we were talking personal jet kind of rich. Do they know about me? Like, who I am?”
“They know you are the woman I love and hope tp spend my life with, and yes, I’ve told them a bit ‘bout you, but I want them to meet you for themselves.” Finn gave her a gentle smile. “They’re going to adore you, love.”
Noella glanced down at the ring she still held in her hand then looked up at him, her dark eyes wet with tears. “I have so much to be thankful for every single day, but this year I have even more. You being at the top of that list, but reconnecting with my mom has been an unexpected blessing, and now I’m getting the opportunity to get to know your family.” She swiped at the dampness on her cheeks. “I’m in awe of what God has done in my life this year once I was willing to let go of my fears. I’m blessed.”
“As am I.” Finn slid his hand along the back of her neck and pulled her close to press a kiss to her lips.
When they parted, he took the ring from her and slid it on the ring finger of her right hand. It was where Gran had always worn it since she’d worn her engagement and wedding ring on her left hand. He hoped it wouldn’t be too long before he could slide first one, then the other, of those on Noella’s hand.
“Merry Christmas, love,” Finn said as he lifted her hand to press a kiss to the back of it. “And happy early birthday.”
Noella’s jaw dropped and then she began to laugh. “I think this might be the first birthday in a long time that I’ll actually not mind celebrating.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Finn said with a wink as he released her hand so he could turn off the car. “I guess we’d better head inside.
***
Noella looked up at the man walking beside her, his hand grasping hers as they made their way up the shoveled walk to the Johnsons’ house. Though they’d only been dating a few weeks, she knew that he was the one for her. He had taken the time to show her his heart, his love. And not just for her, but for his family, his gran, his friends, and the people he took care of through his business and the trailer park. She was in awe of the wonder of his love, and she was blessed to be able to witness that love as it flowed from his heart to those around him. She wanted to experience that for years to come.
The ring he’d slipped on her finger earlier had been a promise that she would, but Noella found she was impatient for that promise to turn into a pledge.
As they stepped onto the porch, Noella stopped him before they opened the door to go into the house. She hugged him and gave him a lingering kiss. “I love you, Finn Kinnaird. Merry Christmas!”
When the porch light flickered, and the door was flung open, Noella wasn’t surprised to see Forrest standing there with a big ridiculous grin on his face. With a laugh, she tugged Finn after her into the warmth of the house, pausing to give Forrest a quick kiss on the cheek. Noella’s heart expanded with love for her foster brother and the others who would be gathered there. Which, for the first time in almost eleven years, would include her mom.
She was grateful for the work God had done in her heart over the past few months. Forgiveness for her mom wouldn’t have been possible the previous year, but God had brought Finn into her life and allowed him to heal her heart with his love and understanding.
It would be a Christmas she’d never forget, but Noella also looked forward to many more wonderful Christmas celebrations with Finn by her side as they forged even more new memories together.
Watch for Erin’s story,
The Sweetness of Her Love,
coming in
November 2016
as part of the boxed set
Frosting and Flurries.
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The Wonder of His Love: A Christian Romance (Fostered by Love Book 1) Page 11