Under the Mistletoe with John Doe (14 page)

“A loan?”

“No, a gift.”

Betsy glanced at the check again. “I don't know what to say.”

“A thank-you would work.” Jason eased closer and slipped his arm around her waist. “But a kiss would be even better.”

She laughed, then threw her arms around him and gave him just what he asked for, as well as a heart full of love to back it up.

Moments later, Jason's cell phone rang and he stepped out into the hall to take the call. When he returned, he was smiling.

“Good news?” she asked.

“The best. Remember the accident I told you about?”

The one he'd caused when he ran the stop sign.

She nodded.

“My father's golfing buddy has a wife who serves on a hospital board. And with her connections, they learned that the child's paralysis wasn't permanent. She'll need physical therapy, but she's going to be okay. And the newborn was released from the NICU a couple of days ago and was sent home. They're all going to be fine, thank God.”

They had a lot to celebrate, especially the fact that the accident would soon become a thing of the past. There would be a settlement, but as long as there weren't any permanent injuries, Betsy knew Jason was relieved.

“My mother wants to know when I'm going to bring you home to meet them,” Jason said.

Now that the medical center wasn't in dire financial
straits, Betsy would be able to schedule some vacation time. “I'll see what I can do. New Year's Day might be a little early, but I'll put in a request for the first weekend I can get.”

John wrapped his arms around Betsy and drew her near. “So Merry Christmas, honey. A new year never looked so promising. We've got a lot to look forward to.”

He had that right. They'd both come to grips with the past, and now they could relish the present and look forward to a love-filled future.

S
everal months later, on a sunny spring day, Jason stood beside his brother David in front of the Brighton Valley Community Church, waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle.

They'd had a rehearsal last night, and he knew right where to stand and what to expect, but that didn't make the waiting any easier. He was eager to see Betsy, to take her hand and marry the woman he loved.

It was nearing two o'clock, and the pews were filled with family, friends and colleagues who wanted to share in the special day. In a matter of minutes, Betsy would walk down the aisle, and they would start their lives together.

After the reception, they would honeymoon in Belize, then they would return to the ranch, where they would make their home and a raise a family. Thanks to Jason's donation, the hospital's financial woes were over, and
Betsy could stay on the day shift and work a normal, forty-hour week.

As the organ began another tune to indicate that the processional would soon begin, Jason watched his brother Mike escort their mother down the aisle, followed by their father. Jason's parents hadn't understood his decision to move to Brighton Valley and buy Doc's ranch, but they respected it. And they adored Betsy.

As his mom and dad took their seats, Barbara Nielson came next, wearing a beautiful green dress she and Betsy had picked out. Barbara couldn't look prettier—or more delighted—as she rode down the aisle in a wheelchair decorated with gold ribbons and white roses. Jim Kelso stood behind her, maneuvering the chair. When they reached the front row, where she would sit, Jim helped her to her feet and get settled in the pew. Then he pushed the chair to the side of the church, out of the way.

Once seated, Barbara glanced across the aisle at Jason's mother. The two women smiled at one another, their eyes misting over.

Betsy's biological family had been invited to the wedding and had taken a back-row seat. In spite of Betsy's fears that meeting Carla would complicate her life, it had turned out to be a blessing instead.

Again, the organ segued to another tune, and Molly Mayfield started on her way to the front of the church, where she took her place as the matron of honor and looked out at those who'd gathered. When her gaze lit upon her husband, Chase, who sat in the third row with their daughter in his lap, she beamed.

As the wedding march began, Jason tried not to crane
his neck, looking for Betsy. When he spotted her on her father's arm, his heart skipped a beat.

Dressed in a strapless, full-length gown, Betsy was a sight to behold. Jason had attended a lot of weddings and seen many beautiful brides, but none of them would ever compare to his.

As their gazes met and locked, he had to tell himself to breathe.

Moments later, Pete Nielson handed his daughter over to Jason, and within minutes, they'd made their heartfelt, lifelong vows to love and cherish each other forever. Then, they shared their very first kiss as husband and wife—sweet and gentle and loaded with promise.

Jason thought his heart would burst with happiness as he led his wife down the aisle.

“You have no idea how happy I am,” Betsy whispered.

“I've got a pretty good idea.” Jason gripped his wife's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

As a camera flashed, his feet slowed, and he turned to her. “Thanks for taking a chance on me when I had no idea who I was.”

“It wasn't hard to do. The only thing I didn't know about you was your name. Your strength, your honesty, your integrity, were all there. All I had to do was open my heart and let you in.”

There, in the back of the church, he gave her another kiss—this one spontaneous and unrehearsed.

I love you,
it promised.
Today, tomorrow and always.