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  He turned down his street, one house after another bright with Christmas lights. It was Christmas Eve. For the first time he could feel the hope of the season in his heart. He slowed down as he neared his driveway. What was going on?

  Multicolored lights flashed along the rail of his small porch. It looked like there was a wreath on his front door, and Sarah’s SUV parked in his driveway.

  It was his answered prayer to see Sarah step out from behind her SUV, graced by the soft glow of lights. He pulled to a stop, catching the culprits in his headlights. There was a box of ornaments in her arms and a tree leaning against the back of her vehicle.

  Sarah, his beautiful, gentle Sarah. For the first time his heart sparked like a candle, newly lit. He wanted to feel more. He needed to feel more. He cut the engine and stepped out into the bitterly cold morning.

  “Mike!” Ali came racing out from behind Sarah, bundled in his warm winter coat and hat with the ball on top. “Look at the lights.”

  “I see. Those are pretty fine lights.”

  “Yep. You know what?”

  “What?”

  “You gotta have lights and a tree!” Ali wrapped his arms around Mike’s waist and gave him a hug. “I’m bringin’ you Christmas.”

  “Thanks, buddy. That’s a mighty fine gift.” There was such goodness in the world, too. He could see it now, even through his darker experiences. He needed this child with all of his heart. He returned Ali’s hug and straightened, feeling better. Much better.

  Now for Sarah. He steeled his self-control, this time to keep the guards on his heart down.

  She was bundled up, too. Her cheeks and nose were pink from the cold and her eyes asked a question his heart could hear. “Any chance the invitation for Christmas still stands?”

  “Pretty good.”

  “How good?”

  “One hundred percent.” She smiled, and it was like taking his first breath.

  A little scary, but he needed her. He couldn’t make it without her. He knew that now. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “Ali wanted to bring you Christmas, and I thought it was a very good idea. You need Christmas, and we need you.”

  “I pushed you away. I hurt you.” He swallowed hard, digging deep for words that didn’t come. There was no way around it. It shamed him. It also gave him hope. He had found what he had lost, what mattered most: the little boy standing at his side and the woman who was his everything. “I was going to come to you, but you beat me to it.”

  “I’m always going to be here for you, Mike.”

  Her understanding meant everything. He held out his hand and she came into his arms. He held her tightly with all the need in his soul, savoring the warmth of her in his arms. The lost pieces in him ached, found after all. Keeping his heart wide open, he went down to his knees in gratitude.

  “Mike? Are you all right?” Concern lined her face. Love shone in her eyes.

  “I’m fine. Never been better.” He took her hand in his. He heard Ali gasp; the boy had figured out what Sarah had not yet realized. “I promised myself in the chapel—”

  “You were in the chapel?” she interrupted, a little shocked.

  “Yes.” He wasn’t going to be sidetracked. That discussion was for another time. This one could not wait. “I promised myself that the moment I saw you I was going to ask you a very important question.”

  “A question? Oh, Mike, you are down on your knees.” Realization made her gasp. Tears sparkled like silver in her eyes. The frigid wind chose that moment to gust, dancing through her silken red hair. Her lower lip trembled. Never had she looked more lovely to him than with her whole heart revealed and vulnerable.

  He took her hand, feeling the emotion tremble through her. He had put up defensive perimeters for as long as he could remember. But no more.

  It was tough to let down his guard, tougher still to say what he had felt all this time, to say what had always been his truth. “You are my dream, Sarah. Come rain or shine, rough or still waters, I want to be right beside you, taking care of you, loving you, needing you.”

  “You need me?”

  “More than air to breathe. More than the army. More than being a doctor. You are what I need to make my world right.” He cleared his throat, taking time as the wind gusted harder and fine drizzle began to mist from the heavy sky. “You are my once-in-a-lifetime love, Sarah. I love you. Marry me, please, because I am lost without you.”

  “Yes. I will marry you.” It was her Christmas wish come true. There was more than forgiveness; there was hope for a blissful future. Mike gazed up at her with love, and they both might be a little battered for what they had been through, but stronger, too. Sarah blinked, hoping her vision would clear, hoping she could find the right words. “I’ve never stopped loving you, Mike. I love you for exactly who you are. Everything you are.”

  “That’s how I love you.” He stood, towering over her, blocking her from the wind and rain. “Except there’s one thing. I’m not going to go for another long engagement. If you want to be my wife, you will have to marry me right away.”

  “Funny, I feel the same exact way.” Joy warmed her through, so that she didn’t notice the inclement weather or the fact that the street was coming to life. A jogger trotted by. A neighbor across the street took his dog for a walk. “How does a January wedding sound to you?”

  “Just right.” His hands cradled her face. His touch was reverent, his tenderness unmistakable. “Thank you, Sarah. For bringing me Christmas. For being here. For not giving up on me.”

  “I made that mistake once, and I will never do it again.” They had wasted so much time between the two of them with their mistakes and fears. But no more. Life was too precious and their love was too important. The army, having a family around his deployments, it was all things that they could work out. All she wanted was Mike to have and to hold forever as her husband, her love, her life. “Real love isn’t letting go. It’s holding on in rough waters.”

  “Then I’m going to hold on to you, Sarah, no matter what. You can count on that.”

  “We’re two of a kind, Mike.” Soul mates. Best friends. Forever in love. They had found their way back to one another. Love, real and true, bound them more tightly than any force in the universe. “I can’t wait for our life to start. I have been waiting for so long.”

  “Me, too.” He kissed her gently, as if he wanted her to feel all that was in his heart.

  Sarah’s soul sighed with contentment. She was right where she belonged at last. “There is only one problem. I’m not going to adopt Ali.”

  “What?” Mike stepped back, shocked by her words, searching her face before he smiled. “I agree. I think that your adopting Ali is a very bad decision.”

  “That’s right. We are going to adopt him. Together.”

  “Together,” Mike agreed with one hundred percent happiness. It shimmered in his beautiful hazel eyes and danced in the air between them.

  “It’s all white!” Ali jumped up, trying to catch as many snowflakes as he could in both hands. “Look, Mike! Look, Sarah!”

  Tiny airborne flakes dusted the air. Snow, she realized in amazement. Tiny flakes sifted over them like Heavenly grace. It was the perfect start to their happy ending.

  Epilogue

  New Year’s Eve

  “Sarah, I can’t believe this turnout for our fund-raiser.” Caitlyn Villard sidled up in line at the refreshment counter. She radiated happiness that was brighter than the engagement ring she wore. Caitlyn gestured to the rink and the recreation area pleasantly congested with families. “It’s our best yet.”

  “Think of all the world’s children who will benefit.” Sarah accepted her change from the cashier and pocketed it. There was so much need, but making a difference mattered. “How was your first Christmas with Amanda and Josie?”

  “Mom, Steve and I did everything we could to make it a good one, but the girls are going to need time to adjust. That’s why we are having a long engagemen
t. The children come first.”

  “Yes they do.” Sarah admired the love and care Caitlyn gave her sweet twin nieces. “Are they out on the ice?”

  “Yes. Mom is keeping an eye on them.” Caitlyn smiled as her fiancé came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. There was love in her eyes and in his.

  There was nothing in this world more important than love. Sarah took the cardboard carrier of snow cones from the clerk and told Caitlyn and Steve she would see them on the ice.

  “Sarah!” Anna Terenkov waved. She was hand in hand with her tall, dark handsome helicopter pilot David Ryland, who had flown Ali from the Middle East to the States.

  They were clearly an item as they stood close together, looking deeply contented. Word was that David was going to finish out at Fort Bonnell and then work for the hospital as a medical helicopter pilot. The happy couple were talking with her mom. A very happy looking Olga waved, too, standing next to a transformed Reverend Franklin Fields, who nodded hello.

  There were so many happy endings lately. Good people who deserved great happiness. She was deeply grateful to God for leading her back to Mike. Joy filled her as she spotted him out on the ice. Her heart skipped two beats at the sight of him strong and protective, skating alongside Ali. Their son. The paperwork was moving forward. The adoption would be complete soon, according to their attorney, Jake, who was supposed to be here along with his fiancée, Maddie.

  She searched the crowd and saw them at the silent auction tables. Jake and Maddie looked like a perfect match in their Texas Longhorns sweatshirts and jeans, and the sight warmed her heart. Maddie, an army nurse, often visited Ali when he was in the hospital and was very fond of him. As was Jake, who was finalizing his adoption and setting up the college trust Ali’s grandfather, Marlon, had left him, the dear old man. It was hard to miss the knockout marquis-cut diamond engagement ring on Maddie’s left hand. She had heard from Jake that the couple were hoping to get married as soon as things could be arranged.

  “Sarah, I’ve been looking for you.” Robert Dale, reporter for the Midwest bureau of the Liberty & Justice headed her way with his arm around Dr. Nora Blake, who had been Ali’s heart surgeon. Rob was a born charmer with his wavy brown hair, bright blue eyes and ready smile. “We saw Mike and Ali out on the ice.”

  “I love to see my patients happy and well.” Nora smiled, and the intense, blond beauty had never looked happier. “I’m thankful his story has a good end.”

  “I am, too,” Sarah agreed, thinking of all the needy children in the world, praying that they would find one, too. “So, what is the word on the two of you?”

  “Now that I’m here at Fort Bonnell to stay,” Rob said, “my next mission is to marry Nora.”

  “You are never going to get an easier assignment.” Nora smiled.

  After saying goodbye, Sarah headed down the aisle through the bleachers. She searched the ice. There they were: her boys. Love uplifted her. Ali proudly took short gliding steps while Mike cheered him on. Mike looked up and the moment their gazes met, their souls did, too.

  She held up the box of cones, earning another smile. There were two blueberry ones for the boys, and a strawberry one for her. She carried them to an empty bench, and recognized two of the little girls from her class. Julia Saunders and Evan Paterson knelt before each of their children, busily lacing up their skates. Julia was Ali’s social worker.

  One of the best things about this fund-raiser was the chance it gave her to catch up with the people she cared about. She smiled at her students. “I’m glad you could make it tonight.”

  “Hi, Miss Alpert,” Ellie and Paige said in unison.

  “We wouldn’t miss it for anything.” Julia finished the bow on her daughter’s skate and straightened. Anyone could see how happy finding Evan had made her. Her new engagement ring sparkled tastefully on her slender hand.

  “Congratulations.” Sarah leaned to admire the diamond. “When is the wedding?”

  “Soon!” Julia radiated the kind of joy that only came from finding true love. The man at her side gazed at her the same way. “Sarah, I’m so pleased everything worked out with you and Mike. Now Ali has a family. He is loved.”

  “God is gracious.” Sarah had never seen it so clearly before.

  “Yes He is. Looks like your boys are here. We had best get out on the ice. We’ll see you at Mike’s baptism on Sunday.” She and Evan took hands and the four of them went off together, their own happy little family.

  Yes, God was very gracious. Her own hero dropped onto the bench beside her, guiding their little boy to make sure he didn’t trip on his blades.

  “Sarah? You know what?” Ali, bubbling with joy, dug into his snow cone. “I went around the rink all by myself! I didn’t fall or anything.”

  Mike was silently laughing. She knew that look. He had made sure Ali had skated in victory, gently keeping a hand on him whenever he looked ready to fall.

  She loved him greatly. It was so easy to see their future. Their wedding in three weeks, and their honeymoon—they were taking Ali to the theme parks in Florida. Mike might deploy late next year or maybe not. They didn’t know for sure, but they were not going to put off having a baby and adopting another child. Heaven knew there was a world of need. She was proud to be marrying one of the soldiers who put service above self to fight for what mattered most.

  “Are you doing anything after you’re finished with your snow cone?” Mike leaned close to whisper in her ear.

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “A spin around the ice with my favorite girl.” His smile became a kiss. “Happy New Year, Sarah. This is going to be our best year yet.”

  “I know it is. Our best is yet to come.” She kissed him back. Life was good, and she was incredibly lucky. Filled with love and brimming with hope, she thanked the Lord for all her beautiful blessings.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you so much for choosing Homefront Holiday. I hope you enjoyed reading Sarah’s story as much as I did writing it. Sarah regrets breaking off her relationship with Mike. Mike is a dedicated soldier and surgeon suffering from post-traumatic stress and life without Sarah. The little orphan Ali finds a new loving family with Sarah and Mike. I am very grateful to Steeple Hill books for allowing me to tell this story of deserving people who work toward forgiveness, love and healing. I love that this is a story where the good guys finish first. I hope you do, too.

  Please drop by my Web site at www.jillianhart.net.

  Blessings and Merry Christmas.

  QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  At the beginning of the story, how would you describe Sarah? What are her weaknesses and her strengths?

  When Mike sees Sarah on the street for the first time since their breakup, how does he treat her? What does he believe? What does this say about his character?

  How do Sarah’s feelings for Mike change? Why?

  Sarah is new to faith. She is learning to turn to the Lord. How is this evident?

  Mike is struggling with the aftereffects of a difficult tour of duty. How does he cope? What does this say about him?

  How is God’s leading evident in the story?

  How does Sarah forgive Mike? Why does she begin to see the importance of Mike’s values and ideas?

  Mike has worked hard and made great sacrifices for his country. Why has he done this? Why does he believe it is important?

  How does Sarah come to understand Mike’s great sense of duty? How does this change her?

  Mike’s view of faith softens throughout the story. What has kept him from accepting Christ into his heart? What finally breaks down his reserve?

  How does Mike come to forgive Sarah?

  How do the themes and values of Christmas work in this story?

  ISBN: 978-1-4268-2577-4

  HOMEFRONT HOLIDAY

  Copyright © 2008 by Harlequin Books S.A.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole o
r in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This edition published by arrangement with Steeple Hill Books.

  ® and TM are trademarks of Steeple Hill Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.

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