The Best Christmas Ever

by Cheryl Wolverton

Overview

CHRISTMAS WISHES…

Mickie:
All she wanted for Christmas was a new mommy, one who loved baking cookies with little girls. But not just any mommy would do—it had to be their new housekeeper, Aunt Sarah….

Sarah:
She'd come to heal the past, but adorable Mickie and her handsome father soon tole her heart. Yet Sarah feared that Justin would never want to marry her, especially when he learned her unhappy secret….

Justin:
He wanted to show Sarah forgiveness. But soon he yearned for much more. Could she come to love him as he loved her? Could they ever be a family? Justin prayed for a way to make all his Christmas wishes come true….

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459264670
Publisher:	Harlequin
Publication date:	07/15/2011
Series:	Christmas Flash , #2
Sold by:	HARLEQUIN
Format:	eBook
Pages:	256
File size:	432 KB

Read an Excerpt

"Sarah?"

Sarah Connelly smiled sweetly at her brother-inlaw's incredulous tone, then watched as his surprise slowly turned to cool remoteness. "Surely, Justin, it hasn't been so long that you've forgotten me," she quipped, doing her best to hide her fear that he'd slam the door in her face.

His mask fell into place just the way Sarah remembered it had in the past. His critical gaze slowly took her in. Sarah did her best not to gather the thin sweater around her shoulders against the cold wind or his icy scrutiny.

"Maybe it's just because I've never seen you in jeans," he replied indifferently. "Remember the last time I saw you—in court? That nice little blue suit you wore when..."

"Yes, well." Sarah shrugged dismissively.

"So what brings you here?" He leaned against the door frame, blocking her way into his house. "It has, after all, been two years."

"I wanted to see Mickie," she replied, deciding that any hope she'd had of getting the baby-sitting/housekeeper job was just a dream. He was still furious with her, and she didn't blame him. Although she'd hoped it would be different.

"I don't think that's a good idea."

"I'm her aunt."

"Who hasn't been here in two years," he retorted.

"I'm sorry." Sarah shifted her chilled feet, pushing at the loose strand of blond hair that blew across her face. She was cold. Justin knew she was cold, but he wasn't going to let her in.

"Sorry?" Justin's eyes flashed. "For what? For not coming to see Mickie? Or for trying to take her away from me two years ago?"

Instead of getting angry as she would have back then, Sarah dropped her gaze from Justin's accusing one. "Both," she finally whispered. Lifting her chin, she forced a smile. "Look, I wanted to apologize and put it all behind us, but I guess that's impossible. I'll be going."

All she wanted to do was leave. She'd known it was a stupid idea to come here and apply for the job. But her friend Bill had been so certain Justin would take her on. Of course, Bill was newly married and in love. He thought all families loved one another the way he loved his in-laws. He couldn't understand the icy wall of anger and bitterness that separated her and Justin, the guilt and fears....

Justin's hand shot out and wrapped around her small arm. "Wait."

She froze at Justin's first touch, then slowly turned. Indecision and frustration etched his rugged features. He wasn't sure if he wanted her there or not. The years hadn't changed him. Justin was still as good-looking as when she'd first met him almost seven years ago. A few gray hairs she didn't remember were now mixed in his dark brown wavy hair. It was cut short in the back and longer on the top; one lock of his hair fell casually out of place over his forehead. He hadn't gained an ounce of weight. "Since when do you wear jeans?" She liked the way he looked in them.

He cocked an eyebrow in amusement. Warmth climbed her face as she realized she'd actually asked the question out loud.

"Since I've been doing the housework," he replied evenly.

She fidgeted a moment, then stepped back. "Well, I'd better go—""

"No. I..." He ran a hand through his hair, his other hand on his hip. Finally, he sighed. "It's been two years, Sarah. Why now?"

"You already asked that," Sarah replied with the only comeback she could think of that would give her time to form an answer.

"Daddy?"

Justin's head jerked toward the stairs. Sarah saw panic in his eyes. "Look, Justin, if you don't want Mickie to see me I'll go. I understand if—"

"No, come on in." A long, low breath escaped Justin before he stepped back to allow her in.

Turning toward the stairs, he called up, "I'll be right there, Mickie. Go ahead and put on the jeans I laid out for you."

He stepped back and allowed Sarah to enter the house. It hadn't changed since her sister, Amy, had lived there two years ago. The same overstuffed sofa filled the living room; an oak coffee table still sat in front of the sofa, with a book of scenic landscapes throughout America on it. On the mantel framed family photos were arranged with pride and loving care. Looking out through the open curtains, Sarah saw the sky was still clouded over and it looked as though it might rain or snow any moment.

"Mickie has been asking about relatives lately. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let you meet with her. Just don't do anything to hurt her."

Sarah jerked as if she'd been slapped. "I'd never hurt Mickie."

"Then why'd you try to take her away from me two years ago?"

This was the question Sarah had not wanted to hear. The accusation and suppressed anger in his voice were as obvious as the fact that he expected her to answer. "I truly thought she'd be better off with me, Justin," she finally said.

He snorted. "I'm sure your fiancé would love having her with you now, wouldn't he, Sarah?"

Sarah stiffened. "How do you know about André?"

"Hamilton is a small town," he replied, shrugging. Of course everyone in the small suburb well outside the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolis knew everything about everyone. She paled, wondering if he knew the rest, too. She didn't dare ask. Instead, she said, "André likes children."

That much was true. "So, do you still work as your fiancé"s secretary?"

"So, do you still take people's business away from them?" she retorted, and was immediately contrite at the look of pain that flashed in Justin's eyes. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." She placed her hands on her hips, her exasperation evident in every inch of her stiff body. "Why must you be so provoking, Justin? I came here to apologize, to put the past in the past. We're family. Mickie is the only blood relative I have left. I want to get to know her. I thought you might be able to forgive me for that reason alone."

It had taken two years. She'd had to hit rock bottom and turn to God before realizing how much she'd wronged this man. But once she had acknowledged what a grievous blow she'd dealt Justin by taking him to court for custody of Mickie, she'd hoped to correct it. Her only mistake was in listening to Bill and deciding to apply for the job as housekeeper.

Of course, now that she saw how Justin still felt about her, she couldn't tell him about what she'd found out from the doctor. Or how that had led to André breaking off their engagement. Nor how that had led to the sweet note in her mailbox the following week saying that Watson and Watson had to cut back staff and she, unfortunately, was the one who had to go.

André hadn't even had the guts to fire her in person.

That still hurt. But she knew God had a reason for all that happened. She knew now that if she trusted Him, He would turn everything out for the good. It was His way even when she couldn't see it herself.

Justin sighed again. "You're right. I'm sorry, too."

"I really do want to try to get along." Justin ran a hand through his hair. "For Amy's sake," she said, then added more desperately, "for Mickie's sake."

That swayed him. "You're right. Despite how angry I am at you, Mickie needs to know you. Other kids at kindergarten have been asking about her family. The kids at school all have aunts and uncles."

She heard the silent and a mother. "I think she'd really like to meet a relative. But if you hurt her or say anything—""

"I won't," Sarah cut in. Since her devastating news and resulting breakup with André she'd had a lot of time to think and pray.

She wanted to know Mickie. She'd allowed two years to pass since the court battle, and hadn't seen Mickie since. It was time to forget the past and go forward. And she wanted to do that with the only family she had left.

"Look, I have an important meeting I'll be late for if I don't get ready. I'll go up and change. I'll tell Mickie you're here."

"Will she know who I am?"

Justin scowled. "She knows she has an aunt Sarah. You can visit with her until the baby-sitter gets here. If all goes well, then we'll see about visits after that.

I'd better warn you, though—Mickie doesn't take well to strangers, whether she's heard of them or not."

Sarah nodded.

Without another word, Justin turned and headed up the stairs.

The kids at school all have aunts and uncles. Sarah's heart ached at his words. How much had Mickie missed because of her mother's death, because of Sarah's bitterness and anger, because of the bitterness and anger between her and Justin?

Well, she was going to set things right if she could, starting now.

A sound at the top of the stairs caught her attention and she looked up. A five-year-old girl, with long brown curly hair that hung past her shoulders stood at the top of the stairs, a fashion doll clutched in her hands.

The child studied Sarah a long minute before slowly descending. "Daddy says you're my aunt."

Tears welled in Sarah's eyes, but she quickly blinked them away. Mickie looked so much like Amy it hurt to see her. She wanted to grab the child and hug her, never let her go, but she knew Mickie didn't remember her. "That's right, Michelle," she said, trying to hide her trembling by clasping her hands.

"Daddy calls me 'Mickie.""

Of course, Sarah thought, not even knowing why she had used the child's given name. "That's right. Your mom said that was the first word out of your daddy's mouth when you were born."

Mickie's eyes widened. "Did you know my mama?"

"Yes, sweetheart, I did. Your mama was my sister."

Mickie's wide brown eyes, the only thing she had inherited from her father, stared at Sarah as if assessing that bit of information.

"Her picture looks like you. Will you tell me her favorite story?"

Sarah reached out for the child's hand. After Mickie slipped her tiny one into hers, she led her over to the couch. "Of course I will," she said, humbled that Mickie took her in without questioning why she'd never come by or why she'd missed birthdays and Christmases. "Her favorite story was The Littlest Angel. Have you ever heard that?"

Mickie shook her head and Sarah settled her in to tell her the tale.

Upstairs, Justin listened to the murmuring below. He'd told Sarah Mickie didn't usually take to people, but Mickie had been so excited when she'd found out her aunt Sarah had come to visit. Knowing the sitter would be there any minute, he'd allowed Mickie to go down by herself.

It was the least he could do after telling Sarah never to come near his child again. Sarah had attempted to breach the wall between them. He wouldn't reinforce the barricade by refusing to trust her for a few minutes with his daughter. After all, what could happen?

The ringing phone interrupted his thoughts. Pulling on his long-sleeved white shirt, he crossed the room to answer it. "Hello?"

It was Mrs. Winters, the baby-sitter. "Justin. I know I was supposed to baby-sit tonight, but I just got a call fifteen minutes ago from my daughter out in Arizona. She's gone into early labor and it's not going well. I've had to book an emergency flight and am leaving within the hour. Justin?"

Barely able to restrain a groan of dismay, he replied, "I understand, Mrs. Winters. I'll be praying for your daughter."

"I really hate to do this. I know I told you I'd be able to work at least three more weeks, but pregnancies just aren't always predictable."

"Don't worry," he said, even as he silently went through a list, trying to figure out whom he could round up to watch his daughter on such a short notice.

"I'll find someone. You just worry about getting to your daughter's side. I'll be fine."