As guests continued to arrive and fill up Eden’s home, she gathered up everyone in the living room to help with the decorating of her naked Christmas tree. As everyone pitched in to trim the tree, holiday music filled the house, as well as the smells of a smorgasbord of food. Everyone clapped as the final ornament was placed on the tree. Eden couldn’t remember seeing anything as beautiful as the fully-decorated tree.
“There’s one more thing to do,” Eden announced, holding up the star Gran had gifted her with all those years ago.
As the sounds of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” played in the background, Eden stepped up on the stool and placed the star on top of the tree. When she stepped back down to the hardwood floor she took a moment to admire her handiwork. Her chest tightened. It looked stunning. A gold star that had been given to her with love by her grandmother.
Eden felt goosebumps pop up on her arms. Gran’s presence lived on. It pulsed and vibrated in the space around them. Love shone like a beacon. Somewhere along the way Eden had lost sight of all the love she still had in her life. Never again, she vowed. This was her Christmas gift. The knowledge that she was loved in abundance and she had to spread love abundantly.
Her father came to stand beside her and lovingly placed his arm around her. Tears pooled in his eyes. “I’m proud of you, Eden. And Gran would be too. She loved you so much.”
“She really did,” Betsy chimed in. She leaned in and hugged Eden. Eden closed her eyes and simply savored this wonderful moment. She couldn’t describe how wonderful it was to have Betsy back in the fold. And Cleave too. He was standing right by her sister, loving and supporting her. The news that she would soon be an Auntie was the best Christmas gift Eden could ever receive.
Brady came to stand beside her and reached for her hand. Eden smiled at Brady through her tears. None of this would have been possible if it hadn’t been for Brady. Sweet, wonderful Brady. His return to Celebration had changed her entire world. He’d forced her to stretch herself outside of her comfort zone. He’d given her a soft place to fall along with the knowledge she could trust him. And he’d made her realize that she wasn’t honoring Gran by shutting out the world and ignoring Christmas.
Gran’s world had been filled with love and light and the Lord. Those were the very things she’d taught Eden to value. Those were her values too, right down to her core.
“Turn up that Christmas music!” her father barked. “This is a party, isn’t it?”
As the music grew louder, people began to dance and bop to the music. Even with her bad hip, Vicky grabbed Brady’s hand and began to dance with him. Her dad was using his cane to dance with Maria. Eden smiled at the festive vibe in the air. Everyone looked so happy.
Eden caught Brady’s eye. He was standing a few feet away staring at her with a smile on his face. Tom had come and stolen Vicky away from him. Eden moved toward the doorway and beckoned him with a crook of her finger.
In a flash he was by her side, looking down at her with love emanating from his eyes.
“You know you’re standing under the mistletoe, right?” Brady asked, eyes flashing with merriment.
“I might have strategically placed myself here,” Eden said.
“Never let it be said that I can’t take a hint,” Brady murmured as he dipped his head down and placed a tender kiss on her lips. Eden kissed him back as a feeling of joy swept through her. Kissing Brady was like finding a place to call home. He reached out and pulled her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him for all she was worth.
As the kiss ended, Eden saw something flicker in Brady’s eyes. It looked a lot like love.
Brady let out a contented sigh. “Eden, I know this may seem way too early to say, but I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Eden nodded. “I feel the same way.” She ducked her head down. She was still a little shy about saying how she felt, but she was getting better at being more open every day. “I love you too, Brady.”
A huge grin overtook his face. He took her face between his palms and placed a celebratory kiss on her lips.
“We’re very blessed to have reconnected,” Brady said, looking around him all the guests who had filled up Eden’s home with good will and cheer. “This community really comes together to support one another.”
Eden nodded her head. “They sure do. I still can’t believe how well the fundraiser turned out. We went above and beyond our goals. And so many of the animals have been adopted.”
“And we have the funds now to make it happen for all of them,” Brady said. “You’re some kind of wonderful, Eden.”
“Right back ‘atcha,” Eden murmured as a feeling of lightness enveloped her. She was letting go of all the pain and heartache and embracing a new dawn.
“This town is growing on me more and more every day,” Brady said, his lips twitching.
Eden placed her hands on her hips. “Brady Shepard! Are you moving to Celebration?”
Brady picked her up by the waist and whirled her around. “Yes! I am. I’m going to be working at The Country Vet permanently now. My grandmother has decided to come back on a part-time basis after her recovery. So you’re stuck with me, gorgeous. What do you have to say about that?”
Eden couldn’t speak for a moment. She cleared her throat. “Oh Brady, all I have to say is thank you. Thank you for coming back into my life. Thank you for being a wonderful, God-fearing man. And most of all, thank you for loving me.”
Eden and Brady joined hands and returned to the party to celebrate Christmas Eve with a house full of family members and guests. It was obvious to everyone who glanced in their direction that they were madly, joyfully, wonderfully in love.
And little did they know it, but outside small flakes of snow began to softly fall from the heavens. It was snowing on Christmas Eve in Celebration, Texas. It was going to be a white Christmas after all.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Brady and Eden stood in the living room and gazed at the towering pine tree situated in the corner of the room. Her father had insisted on getting the biggest tree in the lot. Eden didn’t have the heart to say no, especially since she was once again struck with the Christmas spirit. She had decorated their home from top to bottom in Christmas paraphernalia. Everything glistened and twinkled and glittered with Christmas spirit. Gran would be so proud! Eden thought.
“This tree is really something,” Brady said, his brows knitted together.
“Well, we’re celebrating. It’s our first Christmas tree together as a married couple,” Eden said in a gushing tone.
Brady pressed a kiss on her temple. “May this be our best Christmas ever.”
“I can’t wait to see how the tree looks when it’s all gussied up,” Eden said, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
“Let’s make sure to have your dad help out since this gigantic tree was his idea,” Brady said in a teasing voice.
“Of course I’m going to help out,” Clint called out from the entryway. Eden beamed at him. Due to his physical therapy work, he no longer needed the use of a cane. God was good!
The doorbell rang. Eden looked at Brady. “Here we go. Our first holiday tree trimming party as a married couple.”
“I’ll go answer the door,” Brady said, placing a kiss on Eden’s temple before he walked away.
“You’ve got a good man there,” her father said with a nod in Brady’s direction.
“Don’t I know it,” Eden said, her face lighting up as the first group of guests trickled into the living room. As she greeted everyone and welcomed them to the party, Eden couldn’t help but remember one stormy night when she’d opened her door up to a stranger who’d turned out to be her childhood friend. And the love of her life. Her forever. Her Christmas miracle.
“Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings,” Eden said as she walked over and joined her husband, entwining her hand in his.
This was the love of a lifetime. And being surrounded by
the people she loved most in the world was what Christmas was all about. It was the very heart of Christmas.
The Heart of Christmas Page 8