Epilogue

One year later, Christmas Eve

"Go lay down in your spot, Jack," Claire told the tri-colored dog and pointed toward the stone hearth. The banked fire would radiate enough heat to keep the dog warm through the night. Jack did as he was told, nails clicking on the hardwood floor. The dog, a birthday present to Claire from Linc and the girls, circled three times, then eased onto his blanket and closed his eyes.

Claire spun in place, her red and green plaid dress swishing about her ankles. She checked the sitting room one more time, making sure everything was in place. The mantle was decorated with fragrant cedar boughs and ribbons. A cedar tree stood in the same corner as last year guarding the presents underneath. Glass baubles, crocheted snowflakes, and this year's straw ornaments hung from the branches, and spun like gold from the reflection of firelight. Tomorrow, they'd light the candles, and welcome family and friends. They'd feast on roasted turkey, a half-dozen side dishes, apple cobbler, and shortbread cookies—but no mincemeat pie!

"They went to sleep the minute their heads hit the pillows." Linc lowered his voice, his stocking feet padding silently on the stairs."

"It was a busy day for them." The girls were thriving. They continued to excel at school and enjoyed helping Claire around the house. Though Linc had hire Aaron Brooks, her sister's beau, to work part-time on the ranch, he still had the girls helping him with the milking. "I'll go up and kiss them goodnight shortly."

Love had made them a family. Deeply grateful, she turned toward Linc, toward the man she loved. Her heart filled to overflowing when he opened his arms to draw her against his strong chest.

"It was a big day for all of us." His lips brushed the top of her head.

"And tomorrow will be the second-best Christmas Day of my life. She leaned back in his arms, gazing up at his handsome face. He was her heart, her soul, her everything.

"It will be my second-best Christmas, too," he agreed. "Hard to top last year when I asked you to marry me. This past year has been like a dream having you as my wife and as the girls' mother."

"There are more wonderful days still to come, Linc." She rested her hand on her expanding waistline. Their baby would arrive in May. In the meantime, there were clothes to sew, quilts to piece, a new addition to be built, and more days to share with those she loved.

And sleigh rides, over and through the dips and planes of their land.

"I hope you don't have any regrets in marrying me," Linc asked.

"Only one." She pressed her cheek into his touch. Her lush mouth and sparkling eyes made her radiant. "We only have this lifetime to spend together."

"Then we'd better make every moment count."

It was a promise she prayed he'd keep every day of his life until his last breath. Lincoln Wyse was her life, her everything. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for him or the girls. He made her life whole.

Brimming over with love, Claire went up on tiptoes and kissed him tenderly. Love was all about timing, she thought, and gave thanks that it was their time for happiness.