Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (23 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

E
ve kept up with Mrs. Braxton’s cheerful, if somewhat flighty conversation. But her focus was on Chance. It was obvious he was trying to avoid her, but she knew that was her own fault. Was he doing it because he thought she wanted it? Or because it was what he now wanted, as well? All she could do was hope that she would have the opportunity to redeem herself somehow.

A few minutes later, Dotty and Mr. Dawson entered from the kitchen, Dotty carrying a tray with cups and a teapot, and Mr. Dawson carrying a tray of sandwiches. Eve was going to have to talk to Chance about building a tea cart.

Assuming they were all still living here after today.

“Sorry to take so long with the tea,” Dotty said cheerfully. “But I thought you might care for something to eat, as well.”

Mrs. Braxton laughed. “That was very thoughtful of you but I’m afraid you went to all that trouble for nothing. I’ve been nibbling on these delicious pralines and have no room for anything but the tea.”

Eve suspected Dotty had known that but had deliberately delayed her and Mr. Dawson’s return to give her time to talk to the Braxtons.

* * *

“So what was that all about?” Mr. Dawson inquired once the Braxtons departed.

“Mr. and Mrs. Braxton have just ordered fifty of my large nutcrackers, one hundred ornament-sized nutcrackers, one hundred tin stars and several dozen of other Christmas items they’d like me to produce.”

His father frowned. “But what about your washing-machine project?”

Chance shrugged. “I’ll continue to work on it in my spare time. But I’m beginning to believe it’s time to shift my focus.” Strange that, in a way, he had Eve to thank for that. Had she known that this would be the outcome of her talk with the Braxtons?

“So you meet with an obstacle and just like that you give up on the whole thing.”

Chance frowned. “That’s not what I said. I’m not giving up on anything. I’m simply giving something else a higher priority at the moment.”

“I thought this invention of yours was something you were passionate about and I was willing to support you on it. It sounds to me as if you still don’t know what you want to do with your life.”

Before Chance could respond, Eve stepped in.

“Mr. Dawson, I know that deep down you love your son and think you’re looking out for his best interests, but that’s not how love works. True love means accepting a person for who he is, despite whatever decisions he makes.” She risked a quick glance Chance’s way. “And loving him imperfections and all.”

She turned back to Chance’s father. “Your son is a good and honorable man, with a lot to offer. He’s a son to be proud of. Chance has many wonderful talents and he’s choosing to use them. That’s to be celebrated, not criticized.”

She was defending him? Was it just her protective nature kicking in? Or dare he hope it was something more?

“Miss Pickering, I’m certain you mean well, but this is between me and my son.”

“I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t stand silent and let your statements go unchallenged. Because Chance deserves so much more. And besides—” she cast a sideways glance Chance’s way “—I have something to say to him myself and it won’t wait.”

Chance had never seen his father sputter the way he was now. But his focus was all on Eve as their gazes locked. What did she want to discuss with him?

But his father finally found his tongue. “Now, see here—”

Dotty touched his arm. “Come along, Woodrow. You and I should go take a walk.” Dotty pulled Chance’s father from the room.

It seemed to take forever, but finally they were alone.

Chance studied her face, afraid to read too much into what she’d just said. “That was quite a feisty defense you made with my father,” he said carefully.

“I meant every word of it.” Then her expression twisted into a mask of regret. “I’m so sorry. I was a confused, frightened fool who was too afraid to listen to her heart.”

“I’m
not
the same sort of man as your father,” he said stiffly.

“I know. You are Chance Dawson, the most generous, decent, caring man I know.”

Was she really trying to say she’d forgiven him? “I don’t need your pity. Or some misplaced gesture of gratitude.”

“Good. Because that’s not what I’m offering.” She took a deep breath. “Let me be clear. I love you. Very much.”

The tension inside him pulled so tight he felt as if he would snap apart at any moment. “Eve don’t. Don’t say things you don’t mean.”

“I would never, ever do that. If you no longer love me, say so and I’ll understand. I hurt you in a most unforgiveable way. But I can’t stand by and let you go on thinking that I don’t admire and respect you for the wonderful man you are.”

She reached up and placed a hand on his cheek. “But more than that, I need for you to believe me when I say that I love you more than you can ever know. You taught me to trust myself and my heart. To understand that the things my grandmother taught me, about both my mother and myself, were based on her own hurts and bitterness and shouldn’t be allowed to color my life.”

He saw tears pool in her eyes. “And the thought that I let you down so terribly when you shared your own private pain with me is something I deeply regret.”

He placed a hand over hers, trapping it there on his cheek. “I will never be able to read.” His eyes searched her face, looking for a flicker of distaste or withdrawal.

But instead he saw something soft and warm and accepting. “It would give me great joy to read to you so that we can enjoy books together.” She placed her free hand against his heart and he wondered if she could feel its accelerated pounding.

“I love you, Chance Dawson,” she said with undeniable conviction, “just the way you are, just the way God made you.”

Unable to resist further, Chance pulled her to him, giving her the kiss he’d wanted to give her since the first one they’d shared that day she fell. His hand eased around her neck, cradling it protectively, reveling in the softness of her skin and the silkiness of her hair, even as he tasted her lips.

He still loved the contradictions in this woman—the vulnerable strength of her, the shy courage, the quiet sense of adventure. What he once thought was a prim little mouse had a tiger’s spirit.

He could happily explore those contradictions for the rest of his life.

When they finally separated, Chance didn’t take his arm from around her waist. Her face was flushed, her hair mussed and her breathing slightly labored. And she was utterly beautiful.

She loved him! Believing that made him certain he could face anything, no matter how big, no matter how dark, that might come his way. “I love you, Eve Pickering, and want to spend the rest of my days with you, finding ways to bring joy to your life, and to your heart, if you’ll have me.”

She threw her arms around his neck in an exuberant embrace. “Oh, yes.”

* * *

Eve pulled back slightly to look into his eyes, seeking that connection that touched her so deeply. The love shining there was all the confirmation she needed that she had finally found her way home. It was there in the tenderness of his embrace, the strength of his arms, the warmth of his hand on her waist. To know she was so loved took her breath away. It was a precious gift and one she would never treat so cavalierly again.

And it was a gift she wanted to share. Perhaps, one day, she would search for her mother, and hear her side of what had happened all those years ago.

But for now, there was Leo. And perhaps someday in the not too distant future, there would be other additions to their family, as well.

Epilogue

E
ve poured five steaming cups of cocoa and added a touch of cherry syrup to each. It was Christmas morning after all, and that called for a special treat.

Then she carefully set each of the cups on her brand-new tea cart. Chance had given it to her this morning as her Christmas gift. She wasn’t certain exactly how he’d known she wanted it since she’d never got around to mentioning it, but somehow he always seemed to know these things.

She smiled softly as she traced her finger over the carved border—pretty little flowers on twining stems, and right in the center, a heart. A reminder, he’d said, that she had
his
heart, now and forever. It was her very first Christmas gift, other than the one given from heaven, and she didn’t think anyone had ever received a better one.

With a happy sigh, she pushed the cart to the doorway and paused a moment to view the beautiful tableau before her in the outer room.

She had to admit, Leo had been right—the tree he’d picked out was perfect for this place. They’d all pitched in to decorate it yesterday, even Chance’s father. And it looked beautiful.

Dotty and Mr. Dawson sat in two of the chairs arranged in front of the tree, deep in discussion, both wearing smiles.

Leo was on the floor playing with the toy soldiers Chance had given him a few minutes earlier, and Chance was stooped down beside him.

Her breath caught in her throat at the picture they made of a loving father and son.

Chance looked up and the smile he sent her way set the dragonflies dancing in her stomach and made her pulse quicken. She would never, as long as she lived, get used to having him look at her that way, as if she was something rare and precious and desirable. The thought that in just three days’ time she would become his wife filled her with overflowing joy and wonder.

Chance stood and headed toward her in long, floor-eating stride, his gaze never leaving hers. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he said, stopping short of meeting her.

“I’ve only been gone a few minutes,” she answered with a laugh.

“But I had something I wanted to give you.”

“Something else?” She stopped the cart next to him, wishing they were alone so she could sneak a kiss. It was an activity she’d grown quite fond of in the past few days.

“Uh-huh.” He glanced up, inviting her gaze to follow his.

Mistletoe? Now, when had he gotten around to hanging that?

“You must now pay the forfeit.” He seemed quite pleased with himself.

She pretended affront. “So, you were actually planning to
take
something, not
give
something.”

His grin broadened. “Let’s just say I’m hoping for a willing exchange.” With that, he leaned down to steal the kiss she was all too willing to give.

Conscious that they were not alone, they separated quickly. But he gave her hand a quick squeeze and sent her a special meant-only-for-her smile as a promise that there would be more later.

“Shall we give Leo his final gift?” Chance asked.

The night before they had decided they would immediately start the process to formally adopt the boy.

Eve nodded and grasped the handle of the cart again. Before she’d quite realized what he was about, Chance had reached around her and bookended her hands with his. As they started across the room, she felt his lips on her head and gave a quiet sigh.

“You’re the perfect height,” he whispered.

Then they reached the others and he moved past her to help hand out the cups.

Eve looked around with suddenly misty eyes at the group of very dear people in this room. When his father left Turnabout a few days after the wedding, they planned to join him on the trip to Philadelphia so Eve could meet Chance’s family. And if things continued as they were, Dotty just might be coming along.

Her life was so blessed, so full of joy, that she wasn’t sure her heart could contain it all. And she realized
this
was her true Christmas gift—a loving family to belong to. A family who loved her and willingly accepted her into their midst.

Her Christmas family.

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from THE SECRET PRINCESS by Rachelle McCalla.

Dear Reader,

Hello and thank you so much for picking up Chance and Eve’s story. These were two very wounded characters who seemed destined to live their lives without a happily ever after. It was a difficult story for me to write, and it took me quite some time to get them to tell me their full story, but I hope you will agree with me that it was totally worth all the effort.

As I write this, my thoughts are already moving on to the fourth book in this series, which will tell Mitch Parker’s story. Of the four grooms, Mitch has been the most enigmatic to me, so I am looking forward to having him finally give up some of his secrets, hurts and dreams to me. Please visit my website at
www.winniegriggs.com
to get updates on this and other books. And I love hearing from readers! Feel free to contact me at
[email protected]
with your thoughts on this or any other of my books.

Wishing you much love and many blessings in your life,

Winnie Griggs