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Prologue
“Gran, how do you know which star is the right one to put on the top of the Christmas tree?” Six-year-old Eden Lassiter peered up at her grandmother as they trimmed the Christmas tree. She looked at the six stars sitting in boxes on the coffee table. They were all so pretty. Gold. Silver. White. Shimmery. In Eden’s opinion, they were all fabulous.
“I go by instinct,” Gran said with a smile.
“Insect?” Eden asked, wondering what bugs had to do with anything.
Gran’s laughter lit up her beautiful face. Eden loved the tinkling sound of Gran’s laughter. “No, silly goose. Instinct. It means a hunch or a feeling that reaches all the way down to your gut. It helps me decide which star to put up top.”
“Oh. So that’s how you do it,” Eden said, her voice full of awe. Everything Gran did at Christmas seemed so mysterious. It was like she had a special pipeline to God.
“I know how much you love my stars,” Gran said. “So this year I decided to buy you one of your own.”
Eden let out cry of disbelief. Her very own star? “Oh, Gran. Can I see it? Pretty please.”
Gran leaned down and pressed a kiss on her forehead. “Of course you can, my sweet.” She pointed to a red box on her coffee table. “It’s in that red box.”
Eden grinned and rushed toward the table. Gran’s voice called after her. “Take your time, Eden. Be gentle. It’s not going anywhere.”
Eden slowed down her movements. She reached out for the box and gingerly took the top off, making sure not to shake the box or do anything that might result in a broken star.
When the top came off, Eden let out a gasp. Nestled among a mound of tissue paper was a shiny gold star. Eden reached out and traced her finger over the cursive letters etched on the star. “Love,” she said out loud, reading the single word.
“With love all things are possible. That’s how Mary and Joseph were able to bring baby Jesus into the world. Mary gave birth in a manger surrounded by love, most especially God’s love. They loved God so much they believed baby Jesus was the son of God.” Gran chuckled. “Not an easy feat by any means.”
“I love God and I believe,” Eden said in a solemn voice. “And I love you, Gran. This big.” She opened her arms and spread them as wide as she could.
“And I love you my little bitsy,” Gran said, reaching down and tweaking her nose. “I picked the star just for you, Eden, because no one loves harder than you do. You love people and animals and God. That makes you a very special young lady.”
Eden pressed the star against her chest and hugged it. “I think it’s beautiful. Thank you, Gran, for giving me my own star.”
“You’re welcome. When you grow up and have a family of your own, you can put this star on top of your own Christmas tree and remember that loving others is at the heart of Christmas.”
“I can’t wait to grow up!” Eden said in an excited voice.
Gran reached out and smoothed back Eden’s hair. “Don’t wish your life away, sweetheart. You have miles to go before you’re a grown woman. Just remember to be happy. And grateful for all your blessings. Never lose this feeling of wonder over Christmas. Promise?”
“I promise, Nana. Can we put the star on now?”
The sound of Gran’s laughter filled Eden’s ears. It was just as delightful as the holiday music she heard on the car radio. As Gran lifted Eden up on the step stool then raised her high in the air, she felt as if she was flying. She reached out and place
d Gran’s star firmly on the top of the tree, just the way Gran had instructed.
Once she was standing on solid ground again Eden looked up in wonder at the Christmas tree. She felt as if someone was squeezing her heart. It was so full of hope and joy and love. She prayed she would always feel this way at Christmas.
Chapter One
The ice storm bearing down on Celebration, Texas might end up in the record books, Eden Lassiter thought as she wrapped her fingers around her mug of hot chocolate and savored the rich taste of the cocoa as it slid down her throat. She nestled herself under the burgundy throw then reached for the paperback she'd been dying to read for months now. It was a suspense book set on a holiday cruise. Eden wasn’t sure she should be reading the creepy book this late at night, but she couldn’t bear to put the riveting read down. Lola, her mini poodle, lay nestled at her side, looking as snug as could be, oblivious to the strange weather occurring outside.
A quick glance out the window confirmed the storm was still in full effect. She could barely see a thing due to the snow and ice blanketing her bay window. The ice storm had been raging for hours now, pulling down wires and trees, making travel dangerous and causing a lot of outages in Celebration and neighboring towns in Western Texas. Thankfully, it was an uncommon occurrence in this part of the state. They were more likely to get dust storms blanketing the area than ice storms. The wintry mix had left her home without power, but a newly purchased generator had come to the rescue, allowing Eden to cook a meal, take care of her father's needs and have enough light to dig in to her novel.
Things could be far worse, she reckoned. At least she wasn't by herself during the storm. It was a strange thought for someone who'd spent so many years seeking out solitude. Nevertheless, it was true. After her father's mild stroke, Clint Lassiter had been sent to a rehabilitation center for two months. Upon completion of the program she'd moved him into her house so she could keep an eye on him. The former sheriff of Celebration hadn't taken too kindly to his child bossing him around, but she'd gotten her way in the end. After everything her father had done for her over the course of her life, lending him a helping hand during his recovery was a cake walk.
Now, with her father down the hall resting comfortably in the guest bedroom, she'd decided to take a break and enjoy some down time. There was something about watching Mother Nature in all her wintry glory that felt comforting to her, especially since she was snuggled inside where it was warm and bright. After all, seeing snow in Texas was a rare occurrence.
At some point she needed to venture outside and get some firewood from the shed if she wanted to keep the fire going, she reminded herself. And she wanted to keep it going since there was nothing better in her opinion than sitting before a roaring fire. Even so, she kept putting it off, not wanting to leave her comfortable spot on the couch. Fifteen more minutes of reading and then she'd venture outside. She just wanted to read one more chapter.
She turned toward the Christmas tree sitting in the corner of the room. She had purchased it at her father’s suggestion and out of a measure of nostalgia. The men who worked at the local tree stand had helped her bring it inside and set it up. Eden let out a sigh. Gran had adored decorating the tree. Putting the star on top had been Gran’s favorite part of trimming the tree. Those memories were seared on Eden’s heart for all time.
Poor pine tree. She hadn’t done a single thing to decorate it. Not a single ornament. Not even one candy cane or garland. It was too painful of a road to journey down. With every ornament and keepsake, Eden knew memories of Gran would come crashing back to her, cracking her heart wide open in the process.
No. It was far better to pretend as if it was normal to have a completely naked Christmas tree sitting in her living room.
A loud knocking sound jolted her out of her thoughts, causing her to sit up as straight as a board. Had something crashed on to the house? A tree limb perhaps? With all the heavy ice sitting on the roof she'd been fearful all evening about something happening. She jumped as another loud thud echoed in the stillness of the house. Rodeo, her border collie, growled low in his throat, the hairs on his spine standing on end. Setting her mug down on the side table, Eden stood up and walked towards the foyer, her steps cautious and measured. She cocked her ear to the side. The noise was coming from the front door. Another thud echoed in the stillness. It caused her to practically jump out of her skin. Somebody was out there!
Fear shot straight through her. She flattened herself against the wall, hoping whoever was outside couldn't see her through the frosted glass. Her breathing became ragged and her mind began to whirl with a dozen different scenarios. Was someone trying to break in? Her legs were shaking so badly she didn't think she would be able to make a run for it. Run for it? Who was she kidding? With her ailing father down the hall, there was no way she could ever run for safety and leave him behind. And where would she go anyway in this raging storm?
