Page 65 of The Holiday Gift

“We’ll figure it out,” Hope said. “This is so great! Maybe you’ll have a boy, too, and he and Sammy can be best friends!”

Faith felt a big, strong hand reach out and grip hers. She glanced at her husband and saw a secret little smile there, the same one exploding in her heart. The two new cousins would soon become three, but she and Chase were the only ones at the table who knew that, for now.

They wouldn’t share their news yet. Faith was only eight weeks along and they had decided to wait until after the New Year to tell anyone. Even Barrett, Lou and Addie didn’t know yet.

It was tough to keep the news under wraps but there would be time enough to let the family know even more joy would soon be on the way.

For now, she would celebrate her sister’s happiness.

Her heart seemed filled to overflowing and tears welled up as she looked around the table at her family, these people she loved so much.

Pregnancy hormones were making hercrazy. She cried at everything these days. This, the chance to spend Christmas Eve with all the people she loved most in the world, was worth a few tears, she decided.

Chase’s strong, callused fingers threaded through hers and more tears leaked out. He nudged her shoulder with his, and then her oldest and dearest friend—and the man she loved with all her heart—handed her his napkin so she could dry her tears.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying, Mom?” Louisa asked, concern in her eyes that could look so fierce and determined when she and the horse she adored galloped through a barrel course.

Faith sniffled a little more. “I’m happy. That’s all.”

“Cut it out or you’ll set me off,” Celeste said.

“And me,” Hope said. “Since I had Sammy, I cry if the wind blows at me from the wrong direction.”

Faith gave her sisters a watery smile. Their father’s words certainly held true for his daughters. Each of them had proved that faithwasstronger than fear, that they could move past the tough experiences in their past and let love help them heal.

She tightened her fingers around Chase’s, the joy in her heart blazing as brightly as the lights on Aunt Mary’s big Christmas tree that sent out warmth and color and hope across the snowy night.

* * * * *

A Cold Creek Noel

To Tennis and Kjersten Watkins, with love. We can’t wait to see what life has in store for the two of you!

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

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