CHRISTMAS WISHES
by Mary Manners
Love comes full circle when a child’s Christmas wish arrives special
delivery.
Though they were once best friends—even more—Riley Harper cannot
find it in his heart to forgive Kaylee McKenna for the death of his mother
ten years ago as a result of her father’s reckless actions. Will Kaylee’s
six-year-old niece’s special Christmas wish heal Riley’s damaged heart
and bind the trio together as a forever-family?
A Featured Sneak Peek
“I’m sorry.” Riley broke the ice, so to speak, with those two
simple words. “This has gone on long enough, this—whatever
you want to call it—disagreement, argument, debate. I take full
responsibility. I was wrong. I hurt you.”
The heartfelt words shocked the chill from her. Warmth flooded,
and Kaylee huffed out a long, ragged breath. “It’s OK.”
“No, it’s not.” He placed his hands on her shoulders, gave them
a gentle squeeze. “It’s never OK to hurt someone you care
about.”
“I don’t…” She shrugged from him, turned to clomp through the
snow as a slow burn ignited in her belly. “Why now, Riley? After
all this time, why now?”
“We’ve left this undone long enough.”
Kaylee picked up speed, putting distance between them. “On
the contrary, it was done a long time ago.”
“I have things to say—things that need to be said. I’ve changed,
Kaylee. I don’t know why or how. I just know I feel…” His boots
crushed the snow as he came after her. His voice held an edge
sharp as steel, pleading. “Don’t walk away, Kaylee. I want to
work this out. We have to work this out.”
“There’s nothing to work out.” She spun back to face him,
matching his heat spark for spark, ember for ember. “We’ve
both changed, Riley. Time—events beyond our control—have
changed us—altered what we once shared. It’s OK. I’ve come
to terms with it.”
“Yes. Change, however painful, is a part of life. I have Rosie to
consider now. I don’t have time to be…all muddled.”
“Muddled? Is that what you’d call it?” He reached for her hand,
drawing her close. His breath rushed out in puffs like the smoke
of a coal engine as he dipped his head, blocking the glare
of the sun. In an instant, his lips claimed hers. One moment,
two, seemed like eons as the ground shifted beneath Kaylee’s
feet. Her heart jolted as a shockwave shuddered through her.
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