of becoming my daughters.”
The girls quickly exclaimed, “Yes!”
Clint grinned at them, feeling more confident by their eager response. The girls wanted him as a father, but did Amelia want him as a husband? He turned his dark eyes on Amelia. “I can’t be one without the other.”
Tears started to flow down Amelia’s cheeks. “This is the best Christmas of my life,” she whispered.
Smiling at her response, Clint asked, “Are those happy tears?”
Amelia nodded.
Clint thought if he could judge his success by tears, then he’d succeeded in giving Amelia and the girls a wonderful Christmas. He opened the small box, plucked out the sapphire and diamond ring and gazed into her eyes. He arched his brow at her.
“Yes!” Amelia threw herself in his arms. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
Clint reached for her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. “The magic of Christmas,” he whispered in her ear before he kissed her. He kissed her for so long that he forgot all about the people around them until he heard Annie ask, “Does that mean Mr. Mitchum can sleep with us now?”
Pulling his lips from Amelia’s, Clint answered Annie’s question. “Yes, it does.”
“Can we call you Pa now?” Katie asked.
This time it was Clint who started to get teary-eyed. “Nothing would make me happier.”
Everyone had gathered around Clint and Amelia, including Mr. and Mrs. Stanton. After everyone offered their congratulations, Clint thanked Mr. and Mrs. Stanton, his ma and the doc for their help with the Christmas surprise.
Mr. Stanton had a request of his own. “Clint, can you come over to our buckboard for a minute? I need to show you something.”
With his arms around Amelia and the girls, Clint followed Mr. Stanton to the back of his buckboard, with all the other folks trailing close behind.
Clint looked inside the buckboard. Seeing nothing but a blanket, he looked at Mr. Stanton. “What’s wrong?”
“Move the blanket aside,” Mrs. Stanton instructed.
Tossing the blanket aside, Clint stared at the contents. He glanced up at the faces gathered around the buckboard. They were all smiling at him. “What’s this?”
“The magic of Christmas!” Katie replied.
“It’s your nightingales, Pa,” Annie exclaimed.
Wishing you a magical Christmas!
Courtesy of Portraits by Tracy
With millions of books in print, Jodi Thomas is both a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels and more than a dozen novellas. Her stories travel through the past and present days of Texas and draw readers from around the world. Jodi has been inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. When not working on a novel, Thomas enjoys traveling, renovating a historic home, and “checking up” on her grown sons and four grandchildren.
Turn the page for a sneak peek at Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas!
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New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
Jodi Thomas
PICNIC IN SOMEDAY VALLEY
A Honey Creek Novel
New York Times bestselling author Jodi Thomas continues her charming and heartwarming series set in small-town Honey Creek, Texas, where ties run deep, and lives intersect in unexpected ways . . .
Marcie Latimer longs to run away from Someday Valley—especially since her ex-boyfriend spun a web of lies that almost led to tragedy in neighboring Honey Creek. Little wonder so many locals have turned their backs on her. But not Brand Rodgers. The quiet cowboy comes to listen every time she sings at Bandit’s Bar, offering a glimpse of safety and calm that Marcie’s rarely known.
After Texas Ranger Colby McBride saved Honey Creek’s mayor, Piper Mackenzie, from a fire, she claimed him with a kiss. That was five months ago, and Colby still isn’t sure where they’re headed. Piper loves her town—but does she love Colby? And is he even ready for what comes next?
Pecos Smith, Honey Creek’s emergency dispatcher, is grateful to have a new bride he adores and a baby on the way—even if one vital piece of the puzzle is missing. But as trouble comes stalking through the valley, lives will cross surprising paths. And Marcie, who’s always felt that a forever love was out of reach, might discover that Someday is the perfect place to find it …
Click here to get your copy!
Courtesy of Leo Weeks Photographers
Sharla Lovelace is the bestselling, award-winning author of sexy small-town love stories. Being a Texas girl through and through, she’s proud to say she lives in southeast Texas with her retired husband, a tricked-out golf cart, and two crazy dogs. Among her work is the bestselling novel Don’t Let Go, the exciting Heart of the Storm series, and the fun and sexy Charmed in Texas series.
For more about Sharla’s books, visit www.sharlalovelace.com and keep up with all her new book releases easily by subscribing to her newsletter. She loves staying in touch with her readers, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @sharlalovelace.
Before becoming a published author, Scarlett Dunn was an entrepreneur, owning several businesses. Her love of history and the adventurous souls who settled the West inspired her to write historical, inspirational romance novels. She lives in Kentucky and, as an avid outdoorswoman, she enjoys any activity under the sun, where she develops her characters and plots. When not writing, her favorite days are spent with those she loves. See Scarlett’s books and what she has planned next by visiting her website, www.scarlettdunn.com. If you want to connect, she would love to hear from you! Reach out on Facebook, Twitter (scarlettdunn2), or Instagram.