His Christmas Wish (12 page)

Would it be too much to start clapping for Sage? He winked at her in encouragement.

“However, if you and Daddy would like to come over to our house tomorrow, y’all are more than welcome.” Then Sage hung up the phone and gave him a shaky smile.

He went to her then, arms wide open. She snuggled right up against him, her slender arms holding on tight. “Proud of you, baby.”

“That’s the first time I’ve ever fussed at my momma.”

“You did good.” Actually, she was spectacular, but didn’t think she’d want him crowing over her putting Virginia in her place. “Ready to make some of our own Christmas memories?”

“I think we’re off to a pretty good start.”

He nuzzled her hair. “You know when I was in the ‘Stan, I saw a falling star one night, then about a dozen more right after it. One of the prettiest things I’d ever seen in my life.”

“Did you make lots of wishes?”

“Only one.” He dipped his head, his lips inches from hers.

“Did it come true?”

“We’ll see in a minute.” Smiling, he fished her engagement ring out of his pocket and slipped on her finger.

“I’m never taking this off again.” She smiled at him, her lips trembling. “I love you, Joaquin, with everything inside of me.”

His heart felt near to bursting right about now. Words he’d longed to hear from her, in person, had finally been said and she meant it. He blew out a steadying breath. “Looks like my wish came true.” He captured her mouth with his and kissed her.

Epilogue

Christmas Day, One Year Later

“We’re under the mistletoe,” Joaquin said to his wife as she passed him in the living room. He grabbed her, rubbing a hand over her belly and bending to press a kiss to it. A swift kick had him stumbling back and laughing.

“I don’t think he’s too happy with you getting in the way of his dinner,” Sage laughed.

“A Morales though and through,” Juan said, raising his glass.

Joaquin shook his head. “I think she is happy to hear her daddy.”

After the first miracle Joaquin had received, he hadn’t expected to be blessed with more. But last year, after a bittersweet Christmas due to Sage’s parents not joining them, Charles had shown up on New Year’s Eve, with Virginia and an apology. Since then, some things had remained the same, while others had gotten better.

“While I don’t understand why you wouldn’t want to know the sex,” Virginia said with a sniff. “The nursery needs to be finished and—”

“Oh I agree, Virginia,” Mariela said, placing a hand on the other woman’s. “These two want it to be a surprise. How much more surprised can you get?”

Sage’s best friend, Mandy, waddled around the room, stopping by her husband and giving him a kiss on the cheek. “Try finding out you’re having twins.”

“Kevin almost fainted, you said.” Sage winked at Mandy and her husband.

Kevin grinned like a happy fool and shook his head. Joaquin recognized that smile, because he sported it himself twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

“Have y’all picked out any names?” Charles asked, grabbing a gingerbread man from the tray on the table. “My grandfather—”

“Not this again,” Juan said with a roll of his eyes. “The baby will be named after—”

“Matthew, after both great-grandfathers,” Sage said with a smile.

“It will be
Mateo
when he is with me,” Juan muttered, then his eyes widened. “It’s a boy?”

Joaquin put his arms around Sage as their parents and friends rushed to them, hugging and laughing.

“Finally, this stupid feud can be put to rest,” Mariela said, wiping her eyes.

“Because joining our businesses together wasn’t enough?” Joaquin asked. It had been his idea to merge. Both companies had what the other wanted. Except his dad had room to spare while Charles’ dealership was slowly being zoned into residential and small shops, with the city’s downtown revitalization plan that it didn’t fit in.

Charles gave Joaquin a hearty clap on the back. “That’s why you’re in charge, son.”

Sage snorted. “So why do you and Juan keep going to the office?”

“Someone has to make sure he doesn’t run us into the ground,” Juan said and Charles nodded.

“Give my son-in-law some credit,” Virginia suddenly said, shocking everyone into silence. “What…a zebra can change its stripes. Besides, it’s all about tiger prints this year.”

Joaquin grabbed Sage’s hand and led her to the nursery. Soft yellows, greens and blues greeted them. A crib made of natural wood still in its box sat in the corner.

“One more month, and then it’s not just us,” Sage said, her red hair brushing his shoulder as she passed by him. She picked up a stuffed giraffe and tossed it to him.

He shrugged. “I was getting kinda of tired talking to you anyway. We need some excitement around here.”

Rolling her eyes, she moved to him and kissed his cheek. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Morales.”

“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Morales.”

Acknowledgements

Once again I have to thank my husband, Matthew, for putting up with my while writing this novella. Well, I should just thank him for putting up with me.

A special thanks to my sister, Samantha, for her help with all the Army details. Any errors made are entirely my own.

This novella also wouldn’t be possible without the invaluable help of Katherine Ashe, Andris Bear, Michelle Kenny and Kelly Williams. Your comments, critiques and support mean the world.

Discover Holland Springs~ Where Falling in Love is an Act of Magic

Seduction of the Billionaire Playboy Actor

In order to capture the attention of Hollywood's latest British import and newest bad boy, recent graduate student, Zoe Ambrose, disguises herself at a masked ball as a woman named Amber.
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Twice Tempted

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MARQUITA VALENTINE
 writes small town romances that are anything but small. Lisa Kleypas, Carly Phillips and Rachel Gibson are her favorite contemporary authors. Marquita met her husband aka Hot Builder at Sonic when they were in high school. She suggests this location to all of her single friends in search of a good man -- and if that doesn't work, they can console themselves with cheesy tatertots. She lives in North Carolina in a very, very small town with Hot Builder and their two children.