Page 45 of A Miracle for the Confident Cowboy

He frowned. “I’d never feel that way about you. Sophie…” he breathed, “ever since you left last Christmas, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I’ve been miserable up until—” He forced a wry chuckle. “Until you returned my messages.”

Her lips formed a small ‘o’.

“I love you,” he added for good measure. “I never stopped.”

Sophie sucked in a quiet breath.

“That’s why I’m here,” Duke continued. “I needed to come here to convince you?—”

She placed a finger on his lips, cutting him off. “You don’t have to convince me of anything, because I love you, too.” Her hand moved to his cheek and she tilted her head. “I love that you care for your family. I love that you chase after things that make you happy. I even love your ridiculous stubbornness?—”

He forgot himself then. He forgot their surroundings, the people rushing to their last-minute flights to travel before the holidays. He forgot about the smell of spiced and roasted nuts being sold at a nearby kiosk. He forgot everything and everyone except Sophie—his personal Christmas miracle.

Duke swept her into his arms and lifted her into the air. She laughed, staring down at him with a love he couldn’t believe he hadn’t seen before. Slowly, he let her slip down his body. Her hands slipped into his hair and her lips captured his. Their kiss, just as magical as he’d remembered it. Whatever happened next, she would be at his side. They would do it together.

EPILOGUE

Christmas Morning

Sophie curled her legs beneath her as she sat on Allie’s couch in their large entertaining room. As Pippa’s sister-in-law, she’d been invited to their family lunch but she could already see this becoming a big tradition.

Her eyes swept through the room, landing on every person she now considered part of her growing family. Allie and Luke sat on the floor with their daughter, attempting to put together a toy she’d opened this morning. Pippa’s other brother Brent was chatting with Rob on the far side of the room while Jackie had moved into the kitchen.

Duke and his mother and sister were seated on another couch closer to the window. Every so often, he’d meet her gaze and warmth would wrap around her, confirming just how much he cared for her.

Pippa plopped down on the couch beside Sophie and elbowed her in the side. “Crazy it’s been a year already, huh?”

Sophie dragged her eyes to her friend. “Hmm?”

“One year ago. You and Duke.”

Sophie scoffed. “We’ve hardly dated for a year.”

Her friend shrugged. “The way I see it, you didn’t date anyone. He didn’t date anyone. You just went through a long-distance thing even though you didn’t realize it.”

Duke’s eyes found hers again and Sophie grinned. “Yeah, maybe you’re right.”

“IknowI’m right. Because I made the wish.”

Sophie swung her focus to Pippa. “What are you talking about?” she laughed.

“I made the wish,” she repeated simply. “I used the wishing well. I made the wish you and Duke would work it out.” Her smile was more wicked than anything else. “I might have made a couple wishes.”

A laugh bubbled out of Sophie’s throat. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Nope. It’s magic.”

All around them the magic of the holiday season seemed to agree. The lights on the Christmas tree twinkled. The whole house was filled with the delicious smells of traditional food meant for the season. Poinsettias, mistletoe, and evergreen boughs only added to the sensation. But none of it felt nearly as magical as the way she felt for Duke. “Maybe you’re right,” she murmured.

“Have you thought about where you’re going to live when the two of you get hitched?” Pippa asked.

Sophie stiffened and stared hard at her friend. Then she let out a surprised laugh. “We’re not even engaged.”

Pippa got to her feet. “Not yet.” She pulled Sophie to her feet. “Come on. Smells like lunch is just about ready.” As if her words were all it took to herd their family into the kitchen, the others in the room moved in that direction as well.

Duke pulled out Sophie’s chair. His hand brushed against hers, sending a tingling sensation through her body. Her awareness had only grown since she’d returned. She’d been back only a few days and already she was finding it hard not to think like Pippa.

Her future.

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