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Eden nodded her head. “They sure do. I still can’t believe how well the fundraiser turned out. We went above and beyond our goals. And so many of the animals have been adopted.”
“And we have the funds now to make it happen for all of them,” Brady said. “You’re some kind of wonderful, Eden.”
“Right back ‘atcha,” Eden murmured as a feeling of lightness enveloped her. She was letting go of all the pain and heartache and embracing a new dawn.
“This town is growing on me more and more every day,” Brady said, his lips twitching.
Eden placed her hands on her hips. “Brady Shepard! Are you moving to Celebration?”
Brady picked her up by the waist and whirled her around. “Yes! I am. I’m going to be working at The Country Vet permanently now. My grandmother has decided to come back on a part-time basis after her recovery. So you’re stuck with me, gorgeous. What do you have to say about that?”
Eden couldn’t speak for a moment. She cleared her throat. “Oh Brady, all I have to say is thank you. Thank you for coming back into my life. Thank you for being a wonderful, God-fearing man. And most of all, thank you for loving me.”
Eden and Brady joined hands and returned to the party to celebrate Christmas Eve with a house full of family members and guests. It was obvious to everyone who glanced in their direction that they were madly, joyfully, wonderfully in love.
And little did they know it, but outside small flakes of snow began to softly fall from the heavens. It was snowing on Christmas Eve in Celebration, Texas. It was going to be a white Christmas after all.
EPILOGUE
One year later
Brady and Eden stood in the living room and gazed at the towering pine tree situated in the corner of the room. Her father had insisted on getting the biggest tree in the lot. Eden didn’t have the heart to say no, especially since she was once again struck with the Christmas spirit. She had decorated their home from top to bottom in Christmas paraphernalia. Everything glistened and twinkled and glittered with Christmas spirit. Gran would be so proud! Eden thought.
“This tree is really something,” Brady said, his brows knitted together.
“Well, we’re celebrating. It’s our first Christmas tree together as a married couple,” Eden said in a gushing tone.
Brady pressed a kiss on her temple. “May this be our best Christmas ever.”
“I can’t wait to see how the tree looks when it’s all gussied up,” Eden said, rubbing her hands together in anticipation.
“Let’s make sure to have your dad help out since this gigantic tree was his idea,” Brady said in a teasing voice.
“Of course I’m going to help out,” Clint called out from the entryway. Eden beamed at him. Due to his physical therapy work, he no longer needed the use of a cane. God was good!
The doorbell rang. Eden looked at Brady. “Here we go. Our first holiday tree trimming party as a married couple.”
“I’ll go answer the door,” Brady said, placing a kiss on Eden’s temple before he walked away.
“You’ve got a good man there,” her father said with a nod in Brady’s direction.
“Don’t I know it,” Eden said, her face lighting up as the first group of guests trickled into the living room. As she greeted everyone and welcomed them to the party, Eden couldn’t help but remember one stormy night when she’d opened her door up to a stranger who’d turned out to be her childhood friend. And the love of her life. Her forever. Her Christmas miracle.
“Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings,” Eden said as she walked over and joined her husband, entwining her hand in his.
This was the love of a lifetime. And being surrounded by
the people she loved most in the world was what Christmas was all about. It was the very heart of Christmas.
