The Cowboy's Holiday Blessing (17 page)

She shook her head. “I'm not going to say no, but it's so much and it's Christmas and…”

He grinned big and she smiled. “And you love me because I'm crazy and nothing like any other man you've ever met. Madeline, you need a man like me, someone strong and stubborn. I'm not going to let you go. I'm not going to hurt you.”

The ring in his hand, more than a hundred years old, sparkled and the metal heated in his hand. He slid it on her finger. “My great-grandfather gave this ring to his wife. When my grandmother got married, they gave it to her to wear. She wanted you to have it because she wanted you to know that when you marry me, you're a Cooper. We marry for life and we hold on to each other through life's storms.”

“Did your grandmother tell you to say all of that?”

He grinned and shook his head, but then he nodded. “Some of it.”

Madeline fell to her knees in front of him. He forgot
about his aching knees when she cupped his cheeks in her sweet hands and moved close, touching her lips to his.

He forgot about everything but Madeline and how it felt to hold her in his arms. He'd spent a lifetime thinking he'd never get caught, only to find out that it wasn't about getting caught, it was about falling. And falling.

With Madeline, he thought he'd be falling in love with her for the rest of their lives. He told her that and she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his shoulder.

“Madeline, will you marry me?”

She nodded. “I will.”

“Then you'd better help me up and we'd better get to the house before they send out a search party.”

She stood, reaching for his hands and pulling him to his feet.

“Where's Jade?” Madeline's eyes watered and her nose was pink.

“I'm right here.”

They turned and Jade was standing in the door of the kitchen with Angel the puppy. “I think that was about the sappiest proposal ever.”

Madeline reached for his hand and held it tight. “I think it was the sweetest proposal ever.”

Jade ran forward and hugged them both. “The best part is that I'm going to have a family. Merry Christmas!”

“Merry Christmas, Jade.” Jackson hugged the girl who was his. It didn't matter what the DNA test said—in his heart, she was his daughter. They were a family, and he'd never had a better Christmas or been more blessed in his life.

June

J
ade looked out the window of the Sunday school classroom they were using to dress for the wedding and she whistled softly. “Maddie, you have to see this.”

Beth ran to the window and shook her head. “No, Jade, she doesn't. It's a surprise.”

Madeline tried to slide past Beth but several pairs of hands caught her and kept her from getting a look outside.

“No, ma'am, don't even think about it.” Angie Cooper held her veil. “Jackson went to a lot of trouble and you're not going to ruin it for him.”

Madeline closed her eyes but she giggled. “You remember his proposal, right?”

Angie laughed. “He couldn't walk right for a week. And he was supposed to keep the ring until after you'd dated a few months.”

“Exactly. So I really need to see what's out there. Someone, please?” Madeline looked around the room, hoping for someone willing to spill the secret. Her
bridesmaids, Jenna, Beth, Heather and Jade, all shook their heads.

The only other person in the room shook her head, too. Madeline's mother, Marjorie, was a thin, tiny woman. She no longer looked beaten down by life. Her eyes had a spark that hadn't been there months ago when they'd met in Tulsa. They were getting to know each other again.

Madeline had a family. She smiled at Jade, remembering a teenager who had defied everyone to get that exact same thing for herself.

Jade twirled in her pale yellow dress. “I love this dress.”

“Don't get it dirty,” Madeline warned. “Or trip over the hem.”

“I won't.” Jade weaved, dizzy from turning in circles. “I wish I could go to Hawaii with you.”

“Sorry, this is a honeymoon for two. When we get home we'll take you to Florida, remember?”

“I remember.” Jade's smile brightened. “And I get to stay with Grandma Angie while you're gone.”

“Yes, you do.” Madeline looked in the mirror at her simple, white dress. Straight lines, no beading or lace. She'd never thought about weddings or what she would wear. She'd never dreamed of honeymoons or even the man who would change her life.

And yet he had existed anyway. All of those years of closing herself off, afraid to feel, afraid of being hurt again, and God already had the perfect man for her.

Jackson Cooper. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror. In a million years she wouldn't have thought he would be the one. It wasn't that long ago that she'd avoided looking him in the eye when he helped pick up her spilled groceries.

Today he would stand before God, in the presence of these people, and he would become her husband.

She would become Madeline Cooper. Maddie Cooper. She closed her eyes as love and contentment overflowed. When she opened them, Beth stood behind her, smiling.

“Look what God did, Madeline. He took all of your fears, your past, your insecurity upon Himself and gave you this new life, this new hope.”

The door opened. Jackson's sister Sophia, self-appointed wedding coordinator, smiled and motioned them all out the door.

“Time to get this show on the road.”

“Very romantic, Sophie.” Heather patted her sister on the cheek as they filed out of the room.

“I don't have time for romance.”

“Of course you do.” Angie Cooper shook her head and then kissed her older daughter's cheek. “Romance will find you.”

Tim Cooper, Jackson's dad, stood at the entrance to the church sanctuary, ready to walk Madeline down the aisle. He looked so handsome in his Western-cut tuxedo. But Madeline's gaze slid past him to the front of the church. Tim placed her hand on his arm and they started down the aisle, the bridesmaids walking in front of them.

Madeline had eyes only for the man at the front of the church. Jackson Cooper, the man she would spend her life with. Fifteen minutes later he slipped a wedding band on her finger, sliding it against the ring his grandmother had provided. They said “I do” and he pulled her to him, kissing her as if he would never let her go. And then he led her down the aisle and out the doors of the church.

To her surprise a white open carriage was parked in front of the church. Adorned with white roses, it was pulled by four white horses. A man in white livery stood next to the door of the carriage, holding it open for them.

“Surprise.” Jackson leaned and kissed her cheek.

“It's a wonderful surprise.”

“Throw the bouquet,” someone shouted.

Madeline turned her back to the crowd and tossed the yellow daisies and white roses. The bouquet landed right in Sophia Cooper's hands.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Cooper Creek! I've gotten very attached to Dawson, Oklahoma, and to the Cooper family. With twelve siblings I think there will be plenty to keep us busy in the coming year. Most importantly there will be plenty of cowboys. 2011 was Harlequin's YEAR OF THE COWBOY, but 2012 will provide many more cowboys to keep us reading. And of course wonderful heroines who make it easy for those cowboys to fall in love.

Jackson Cooper has been around Dawson for a while and it seemed only fitting that he be the first hero in this series. Jackson has watched his friends and neighbors falling in love and getting married. He warned Wyatt Johnson that Rachel Waters would get under his skin. For some reason, Jackson Cooper, resident ladies' man, thought he was immune to love.

Like so many of us, Jackson had his ideas about his life. God had a different set of plans. So make a cup of coffee, or tea, put on some Christmas music and step into the world of Dawson, Oklahoma, at Christmas time.

Blessings,

1. Madeline Patton finds herself in a situation she wants to walk away from. Instead she puts herself and her heart on the line by agreeing to allow Jade Baker to stay in her home. Why would she make that decision?
   
2. Jackson Cooper asks Madeline to let Jade stay with her. He has several reasons. What are they? Do you agree with the choices he made?
   
3. Jackson is torn when he looks up Madeline on the internet. Like so many of us, he was curious. But learning her story put him in a situation where he had more knowledge than perhaps he had wanted. How does this information change his relationship with her?
   
4. Jackson has a certain reputation, but as we get to know him we see that being a “ladies' man” is just one facet of his personality and life. Who is the real Jackson Cooper?
   
5. Madeline receives a card from her mother that she doesn't immediately open. Why doesn't she want to face her mother's words? What would you have done?
   
6. Why has Madeline been in the habit of moving? Why is it important for her to stay in Dawson?
   
7. Jackson goes back to church. Did he have a real reason for walking away from his faith?
   
8. Why do you think Madeline sleeps with the lights on? She has faith but still struggles with fear. How does Jackson help her through these fears? How does she help herself?
   
9. Madeline is hurt by what she sees as Jackson's rejection. How does this draw her out of her shell?
   
10. Why is Jackson being so careful in his relationship with Madeline?
    
11. Jackson remembers the chorus of his grandmother's favorite hymn. The lines in the chorus are “No turning back, no turning back.” What do the words mean to Jackson in his personal growth? In his relationship?
    
12. Jackson knew from the beginning that Jade couldn't be his child and yet he allowed her to stay. Why do you think he allowed her to stay?
    
13. Madeline has forgiven her mother but there is still pain. Is it realistic to think she should give in and develop a relationship with her mother or is caution the best way to handle this relationship?
    
14. Jackson and Madeline fall in love rather quickly and both realize that they need more time to get to know one another. Love is based on more than immediate attraction. What is the basis for their relationship, beyond those first feelings of chemistry?