“Susannah,” Emily broke in, “when did you get that diamond? It looks like an engagement ring.”
“It is,” Nate said, reaching to the middle of the table for the last egg roll. He looked at Susannah. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“No. Go ahead.”
“What channel was it?” Nate asked between bites.
Emily told him.
“Must be a slow news day,” Susannah mumbled.
“Gee, Susannah,” said Emily, “I always thought if you were going to make the television news it would be because of some big business deal. I never dreamed it would be over a man. Are you going to tell me what happened?”
“Someday,” she said, expelling her breath. She’d never dreamed it would be over a man, either, but this one was special. More than special.
“Well, since we’re going to be brothers-in-law I guess I can forget about this unfortunate incident,” Robert said generously, having regained his composure.
“Good. I’d like to be friends,” Nate said, holding out his hand for Robert to shake.
“You’re going to be married?” Emily asked her sister.
Susannah exchanged a happy smile with Nate and nodded.
“When?”
“Soon,” Nate answered for her. His eyes told her the sooner the better.
She felt the heat crawl into her face, but she was as eager as Nate to get to the altar.
“Not only has Susannah agreed to be my wife, she’s also decided to take on the position of marketing director for Windy Day Kites.”
“You’re leaving H&J Lima?” Robert asked, as if he couldn’t believe his ears.
“Had to,” she said. She moved to Nate’s side, wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him. “The owner made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.”
Nate’s smile felt like a summer’s day. Susannah closed her eyes, basking in the warmth of this man who’d taught her about love and laughter and rainy day kisses.
Epilogue
Michelle Davidson arrived at her aunt and uncle’s waterfront home just before six. Although she’d been to the house countless times, its beauty never failed to impress her. The place was even lovelier at Christmas, illuminated by string upon string of sparkling lights. The figures on the lawn—the reindeer and St. Nick and everything else—were downright magical.
Michelle’s favorite was the young boy running with his kite flying high above his head. Her uncle’s kites were what had launched Windy Day Toys all those years ago. Michelle didn’t have any memory of those early days, of course. She’d been much too young.
Her aunt Susannah had worked with Uncle Nate for seven years. In that time, the company had gone from one successful venture to another. The first major success had been with kites, and then there was a series of outdoor games, geared toward getting kids outside instead of sitting in front of a TV or a computer screen. Buried Treasure came next and then a game called Bugs that caught national attention.
In the meantime Aunt Susannah had three children in quick succession and became a stay-at-home mother for a while. Despite her initial doubts, she’d loved it. Michelle’s own mother had three children in addition to her, all born within a few months of their Townsend cousins. When her youngest sibling, Glory, entered kindergarten, Michelle’s mother and Aunt Susannah had formed Motherhood, Inc.
The two sisters had introduced a series of baby products that were environmentally friendly, starting with cloth diapers and organic baby food. They’d recognized the desire of young mothers all across the country for alternatives to disposable diapers and ways to feed their babies wholesome food.
“Michelle! Michelle!”
Ten-year-old Junior was out the door and racing toward her even before Michelle had made it up the driveway. Eight-year-old Emma Jane was directly behind him. Tessa, who was twelve, was far too aloof, too cool, to show any excitement over Michelle’s visit. That was all right, because Michelle knew exactly how Tessa felt. Michelle had hated it when her parents had insisted on hiring a sitter, so she couldn’t very well blame Tessa now.
“Michelle.” Aunt Susannah waited for her by the entrance. “I really appreciate your doing this,” she said. Two large evergreen wreaths decorated the front doors, and a fifteen-foot-high Christmas tree dominated the entry, with gifts stacked all around.
Her aunt finished fastening an earring. “How’d it go at the office today?”
“People heard that we’re related,” Michelle confessed.
Junior and Emma Jane sat down beneath the massive Christmas tree and began sorting through the gifts—obviously an activity they indulged in often.
“I suppose everyone was likely to find out sooner or later,” Aunt Susannah said, turning toward the stairs. “Nate, hurry up or we’re going to be late for dinner.”
“I ended up telling everyone that it was because of me that you met Uncle Nate.”
At that, Tessa came out of the library. “You were?”
“It’s true,” Michelle said, accustomed to looks of astonishment after her coworkers’ reactions earlier in the day.
“How come no one’s ever mentioned this before?” Tessa demanded.
Aunt Susannah glanced at Michelle, frowning slightly. “It was a long time ago, sweetie.”
“All you said was that you met Dad when you lived in that condo building in downtown Seattle.”
“That’s how we did meet.” Susannah called upstairs again. “Nate!”
“I’ll be right down,” Nate shouted from the landing.
“Michelle?” Tessa asked, looking to her for the explanation that wasn’t being offered by her mother.
“I’ll tell you all about it,” Michelle whispered.
“Us, too,” Emma Jane said.
“Of course,” Michelle promised.
Nate Townsend bounded down the stairs, looking as handsome and debonair as always. He really was a wonderful uncle—energetic, funny and a terrific cook.
“Honey, we need to leave right now.”
“I know.” He opened the hall closet and took out Susannah’s coat and his own. He helped Susannah on with hers, then reached over to kiss each of the kids.
“Be good,” he said. “And Michelle, if you’re going to tell them the story of your aunt and me, don’t leave out the part about how you nearly ruined my reputation at the Seattle Bachelor Auction.”
“Or the fact that I spent far too much money to buy you,” Susannah muttered. “I could’ve got you for half of what I paid.”
Nate chuckled. “That’s what you think. And, hey, I was worth every penny.”
“Honey, we—”
“Have fun,” Michelle interrupted, steering her aunt and uncle toward the entrance. Once they were on their way, she closed the door—and found her three cousins watching her expectantly.
“Now, where were we?” she murmured.
“Tell us everything,” Tessa insisted.
“Can we have dinner first?” Junior asked.
“No,” Tessa answered.
“Can you tell us while we eat?” Emma Jane asked.
“I do believe I can,” Michelle said and the three followed her into the kitchen. “This is one of the most romantic and wonderful love stories I’ve ever heard—and to think it all started because of me.”
ISBN: 978-1-4268-0780-0
CHRISTMAS WISHES
Copyright © 2007 by MIRA Books.
The publisher acknowledges the copyright holder of the individual works as follows:
CHRISTMAS LETTERS
Copyright © 2006 by Debbie Macomber.
RAINY DAY KISSES
Copyright © 1990 by Debbie Macomber.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of
the publisher, MIRA Books, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Debbie Macomber, Christmas Wishes
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