Maggie shoved the carrier on the back counter.
Jenna was ringing up a sale. “Thank you Mrs. Henderson. Merry Christmas. Now that you know what you like, I hope you stop by again in the New Year.” As the bell jingled with Mrs. Henderson's exit, Jenna turned to Maggie. “That woman can't make up her mind. She asked to sample four different cookies, two coffees, and a brownie before she decided all she wanted was a hot teaâ¦to go.”
“She pretty much does that once a month and always on a Wednesday. I think she believes if she wears a different hat, I won't recognize her. But I figure, I'll take a few freebies if we get afternoons like this one.” She swept her hands toward the café.
Every table was full and most had more than empty coffee cups.
“I know. You are right.”
Maggie squeezed her shoulders. “I think we're doing just fine. Are you sure you're able to close up tonight? I need to get ready for the Greys's Christmas party.”
“Not a problem. Shop closes at five on Wednesdays. Ty and I are doing our own little Christmas tonight before the swirl of family Christmas over the weekend.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” She glanced at her watch. “Marshall should be here any minute for the cookies. He's already paid. I'll be upstairs if you need anything. Just leave the dishes for me. I will get them in the morning.”
“Leave it to me. Your trusty assistant.” She kissed Maggie on the cheek. “I'm just so happy you are safe.”
“Thanks Jen.”
~*~
Two hours later, Maggie tied a navy blue grosgrain ribbon around a small box papered in solid white. The package held her great-grandfather's pocket watch, one of her only remnants from her childhood. She wanted to give the treasure to Sean tonight as a pre-Christmas gift. She dropped the box in her tiny shoulder purse and laid the bag on her island. She walked to the bathroom for one last look.
Draped in a full-skirted, midnight blue cocktail dress, she finally looked more woman than baker. The dress was covered with a gauzy layer of matching dyed lace and accented with a velvet belt encrusted with petite rhinestones. She smoothed the front of her dress and patted the top of her wild hair twisted into a side ponytail. A knock on her front door caused a flock of butterflies to fill her belly. She shuffled to the door, her heels threatening to cause a stumble. She opened the door and her breath caught in her chest.
Sean was leaning against the doorframe dressed in a dark navy suit with a crisp white shirt, his navy overcoat folded over his arm. Only a faint yellow stain remained on his cheek, the final physical reminder of that awful night. A slow grin stretched across his face. “You clean up well, McKitrick.”
She stepped forward and brushed her lips across his. Running her fingers under his lapels, she settled back. “You don't look half bad yourself, Taylor.” She turned. “Let me just grab my coat and purse. I'm so excited. I haven't been to a Christmas party since my parents were alive. Their friends used to have one every year.” She slipped on her coat, wrapped her blue scarf around her neck, and slid her bag on her shoulder. Glancing down at her dress, she laughed. “But certainly nothing this fancy.”
“Well, Bits likes to go overboard.” He extended his arm to her. “Shall we?”
Linking her arm through his, she shut the door behind them. “Let's do it.”
His brows drew together. “No lock?”
She squeezed his arms. “Not tonight. I think tonight we will be free of all locks.”
24
The party was smaller than she thought. She lifted sparkling water to her lips and glanced around the room. Less than a dozen people were in attendance, Jane and Lindy, Millie and Jason, Bitsy and Henry, Molly and Jake, all tight within her group. Her group. Who would have thought that Maggie McKitrick, formerly Mary Margaret Sloan, would ever have a group? She wished her Uncle Jack could be here.
Mitchell was in custody, his injuries were not life-threatening, so he was able to be moved to a prison hospital.
There was no reason to hide.
But Jack was working on some top secret project, which was pretty much the story of her life, and said he didn't think he could make it in for the holidays.
Despite the missing people, the evening had been delightful. Bitsy and her daughters created a feast. Maggie wasn't sure she would be able to eat again for a week, or at least until she baked the ham for Sean and his brothers on Saturday.
At the moment, the group was passing around Millie's first ultrasound photos.
Life was pretty perfect.
Sean slipped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear. “Having fun?”
Nodding, she laid her head on his shoulder. “It's been a wonderful evening.”
He kissed her temple. “I think it might get just a little bit better.”
As she lifted her head to ask, why, the lights shut off. A door opened. Cold breeze blew in and shuffling and whispering could be heard. What was happening?
The room slowly grew brighter. One by one, candles filled the space held by dozens of friends from town, from church, from her new life.
Maggie stepped from Sean's embrace as she watched his brothers, Jenna, Ty and her Uncle Jack round out the assembly. She looked over her shoulder. “I don't understand.”
“It's for you.” Sean kissed her on the cheek. “Everyone wanted to join in the celebration.”
Her brows drew together as she felt a light hand on her shoulder. She turned to a smiling Jane who handed her a candle. “I was talking with Sean afterâ¦well, after everything that happened and we realized you've never had a celebration of your new you. And we thought there couldn't be a better time than Christmas, a time when the whole world celebrates the start of the Savior's life.”
The tears flowed down her cheeks as she clutched the candle in her hand. Swallowing deeply, the butterflies from earlier started a new dance, but not from nerves or excitement, they were dancing a waltz of love.
“OK, everyone,” Bitsy yelled from the back of the crowd. “We are moving this little shindig outside before you burn down this lovely house.”
People began to pour out of the French doors and onto the patio toward the back lawn.
“Here,” Sean said from behind her. “It's a little chilly out there. You might need this.”
He held open her coat. She slid her arms into the sleeves, gently transferring the candle from hand to hand. He secured the belt at her waist and knotted the scarf at her neck, before picking up his own candle. “Shall we?”
They followed the crowd into the backyard. Dozens of Chinese sky lanterns peppered the yard. Each person selected a lantern and lit a small fuel source at the base with their candle.
Jane handed Maggie and Sean the final two. Jane beamed as she lit her lantern and released it into the air. “Maggie, I met you just a year ago, but I feel as if we have known each other a lifetime. I am amazed by your spirit and your grace. God has granted you love,” she said, looking at Sean and back to Maggie. “And He has granted you new life. Tonight we celebrate both.”
One at a time, the lanterns were released, trailing each other in an exquisite parade across the sky.
Sean lit his lantern and turned to her as he waited for the heat to build. “Maggie-girl, I wasn't the nicest to you when you first moved to town.”
The group rolled in a chuckle and the mayor hollered from the back. “Well, that's certainly an understatement.”
“True enough. But even from that first meeting I knew you were someone special. That somehow, in the midst of all of your nagging, there was a gift from God wrapped tight by a beautiful bow.” He released his lantern and turned back to face her. “So tonight, when we celebrate the gift of Maggie McKitrick in our lives, I would like you to grant me the great honor of changing your name one last time.” Drawing a small box from his jacket, he knelt on one knee. “Maggie, will you marry me?” He cracked the lid on the velvet box and revealed an antique-set diamond in white gold.
She wrapped her arms around him, the candle and the lantern forgotten.
“Well, don't burn him, Maggie,” Millie yelled. “A simple yes or no will do.”
Maggie laughed and nodded her head. “Yes.”
Sean stood straight up, Maggie's arms still linked around his neck, her toes barely touching the ground. He leaned down and kissed her with an aching tenderness that rolled a wave of heat through her body.
Her feet slid to the ground when he released her, candle and lantern still in hand. The tears that started earlier grew in abundance, chilling her cheeks as they chased frosty paths down her face. She lit her lantern and spoke surprisingly solid and steady. “This town, all of you, have been my refuge. A place to call home. You've given me the freedom to be me again. A gift I wasn't sure would ever be mine. Thank you for loving me enough that I could fall in love. Both with Seanâ” she said with a smile over her shoulder, “âand with Maggie.” She glanced around the backyard, taking in the people who had transformed her life in a few short months. “Ten years ago, this was a life I never would have dreamed of having. But now, I can't imagine anywhere else I would rather be. Thank you.” She released her lantern and watched it trail behind the others.
Sean wrapped his arms around her, sliding the ring on her finger with subtle ease. “It looks like they could go all the way to heaven.”
“They might make it there, but I've already had a glimpse tonight. A small peek of the love that must be rooted in the grace of the Father.” She turned in his arms and brushed a light kiss on his lips. Her champion.
“I love you, Mr. Taylor.”
“I love you, Miss McKitrick.”
She closed her eyes and rested her head against his shoulder.
I love you, Lord. Thank You for loving me more.
Thank youâ¦
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