He looked down and smiled.
Tears stung Carroll's eyes as a glorious profusion of color flowered to life around them. Lights glistened and glowed, illuminating the entire town. They came on, and they stayed on.
Christy turned an awed face to Slade. 'I bet we could light up the whole world.'
He groaned and tightened his arm around her. 'Don't mention that to Kris. Please.'
Carroll nudged him. 'How did you do it?'
Shaking his head, he said simply, 'I didn't. We can thank the U.S. Marines.'
Her brows rose. 'Oh?'
'I told them the problem, and they decided they could use a little positive PR. They donated the use of a diesel generator, and the boys volunteered to do some rewiring.' He smiled complacently and nodded toward the minicam. 'Tom should be telling the world about it right now.'
The church choir softly sang 'Joy to the World,' and soon everyone joined in. Carroll wiped a bit of moisture from her cheek, then dabbed at the tip of her nose. She blinked and looked around her. It was. It really
She looked up, her eyes meeting Slade's. He grinned ruefully and shook his head.
It was
Right on schedule, Kris drove down the street, booming greetings to one and all. The hay wagon did indeed look like a sleigh. Rudolph and Blitzen, mercifully, did not look like reindeer. Eleven grinning marines sat among the pile of presents.
When Santa parked his sleigh, Slade handed Christy up to one of the marines, then found a quiet spot for himself and Carroll to watch.
'I didn't put my gift on the sleigh,' he told her quietly.
'I didn't, either.'
They reached into their coat pockets, and each of them brought out a small box. When they exchanged them, Slade said, 'You first.'
It was a ring, a solitaire diamond, sparkling and darting, reflecting the dazzling lights all around them.
'Will you marry me, Carroll? Will you trust me to love you the way you should be loved? Will you-'
She stopped his words with her fingers. 'First, open your present.'
He lifted the lid. Taking out a small enamel pin, he said, 'A dove?'
She shook her head, smiling uncertainly. 'It was as close as I could come to a homing pigeon. It's silly, I guess, but I wanted to tell you that I know you'll always come back.'
He slid the ring on her finger, and they both looked up to see Christy watching, doing an awkward jig in the crowded sleigh. Carroll threw her arms around his neck and tugged, bringing his mouth down to hers. Hunger and trust and love blended in the brief kiss.
Behind them, her voice shrill with excitement, Christy called, 'God bless us, every one!'
Holding Carroll tight against him, Slade asked, 'How do you feel about Harold if the first one's a boy?'
'I hate it,' she said promptly, her voice muffled against his jacket.
He smiled. There was hope. 'Merry Christmas, darling.'
'Merry Christmas.'
Author's Note
One morning, lying in bed, half-awake and half-asleep, the idea for this story came to me. I thought of Kris and his lights, Noel and her painting, a girl who wanted a father, a woman afraid to love and a man who had enough love for all of them. I liked the idea and planned to do something with it. Someday. Several days later, my editor called and asked if I would like to do a Christmas story. Timing is rarely that perfect.
I love everything about Christmas.
I still look at tinsel, trees, lights, TV specials, poinsettias, garlands and wrapped presents with wide-eyed wonder. I love shopping, crowds, carols and cards with family news and special messages of love. Most of all, I enjoy family get-togethers and seeing old friends.
It's a season for dreaming and believing.
It's a season that suits me quite well because I have a lot of Kris in me-I'm big on dreaming impossible dreams and reaching for stars. And, like Kris, I believe that dreams do come true-you just have to be willing to work at them.
From me and mine to you and yours, a shower of blessings. May you have health, joy, prosperity and love. May you dream big, and may all your dreams come true.
ALWAYS AND FOREVER by
To L/Cpl. Jim Flint and
Cpl. John Connelly, USMC-Vietnam veterans and dear friends
who served with me at Moffett Field, USNAS, California, 1965.
You served with pride and patriotism.
I salute you.
My mom took a fruitcake recipe and changed it around to please us-by adding black walnuts, which we gathered every fall.
RUTH'S CHRISTMAS FRUITCAKE
Preheat oven to 300° F. Line and grease two 9' X 5' x 3' loaf pans or one 10' x 4' tube pan. Set aside.
Cream together shortening and sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs. Set aside.
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Alternately stir flour mixture and orange juice into shortening
