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“I like the star,” Ella said, pointing to the top of the tree.

“Me too,” Grayson said, placing her down on the ground so she could walk around.

As Ella walked over toward her grandparents, Hope moved closer to her husband, snuggling against his chest. He placed his arm around her and pulled her as close to him as he possibly could. She let out a contented sigh. Being in Grayson’s arms was sheer heaven. Hope knew how blessed she was to have found her soul mate, her other half.

“This Christmas feels so special. More than any other I’ve ever experienced,” Hope said as a warm feeling settled in her chest. “I don’t even have words to explain how happy I am.”

Grayson rubbed her back with one hand. “I feel the same way. We’re incredibly blessed.”

“We really are. Imagine that one year ago we didn’t know each other.”

Grayson shuddered. “I don’t want to imagine it. My life is infinitely better with you in it.”

“Ditto. I can’t help but think God led you straight here to Tybee Island and to me and Ella. I know you were blindsided when you found out you weren’t kin to Miss Hattie, but if you hadn’t been under that belief we would never have met.” Tears misted in Hope’s eyes. “I’m just so happy you showed up at my door looking for help.”

Grayson chuckled. “And I’m so glad I grew on you. You were pretty mad at me when you found out who I was.”

Hope stood on tippy toes and placed a tender kiss on Grayson’s lips. “I couldn’t stay angry at you for long. Something about those blue-green eyes enchanted me.”

“I think the moment I laid eyes on you I was a goner,” Grayson confessed. “I thank God each and every day for leading me here to you and my daughter.”

My daughter. Just hearing those words come from Grayson’s lips created a groundswell of emotion in Hope. In her heart she’d always feared Ella wouldn’t have a true father in her life.

Grayson was Ella’s father and he treated her as if he’d been in her life since day one. When he said the word daughter, Grayson was claiming her as his own. It awed Hope that a man who’d been as footloose and fancy free as Grayson could come to Savannah and turn over a new leaf so completely. God had been at work, helping Grayson grow into the man he’d always wanted to be. Her man—one who loved fiercely and would protect his family at all costs. It showed Hope that no matter where you thought your life was going, there would always be God moments. It humbled her.

Hope looked across the room at her best friends. Callie was holding her newborn in her arms. Jax was standing next to her, gazing down at Lucy in adoring fashion. Olivia and Hunter were a few feet away. Hunter was cradling their son in his arms. Xavier had made his debut a week after Lucy. As always, Callie and Olivia were in total sync. And they were both wonderful mothers.

The guest cottage where Hope used to live had now been transformed into a nursery so that when Callie and Olivia came back to work, they would have a nanny there ready to watch the babies. And they would only be a few steps away from them so they could visit during lunch and breaks. It was the perfect solution for working mothers. Ella would be there too. At the moment Grayson insisted on spending his days hanging out with Ella at their new house right on Savannah Beach. He said she inspired him to write more books for children.

Fancy looked beautiful in a red cocktail dress. She was standing under the mistletoe looking up at Case, who was dipping his head down for a kiss. Bless them, Hope thought. They had a tough road ahead of them, but they were both staying positive about creating a family. Fancy had been diagnosed with infertility due to a medical condition, so along with seeking medical treatment, they were exploring the idea of adoption. No matter how their family came together, Hope knew Fancy and Case would make amazing parents. She prayed for them every day.

Luke was gathering everyone around the grand piano so he could lead the group in Christmas carols. He had just signed an impressive record deal with a company out of Nashville. Morgan told anyone who would listen about her talented husband who was about to blow up. Morgan herself had been given an award from the City of Savannah as Chef of the Year. She was now gracing the cover of Southern Cooking, which had led to a flurry of reservations for Savannah House. It was now safe to save the resort was an amazing success story. Stays at the inn were in high demand. They were all now making a very nice living while preserving Miss Hattie’s legacy.

Charlotte floated around the party like a butterfly. She looked amazing in a vintage emerald green dress. Hope watched as Marc caught up with her and handed her a glass of champagne. Charlotte smiled up at her husband and pressed a kiss against his cheek. There was such love between this newly married couple, Hope marveled. It was amazing to see two people who had harbored a great deal of animosity toward one another develop into such a spectacular love story. They radiated happiness. Together, Marc and Charlotte had started a scholarship in the name of Marc’s late father, who had passed away from cancer. With the scholarship, they were celebrating Lucien Cabron’s life and paying it forward.

As the party wound down, Ella began helping out with the clean-up. After saying goodbye to the last of the guests, the six owners of Savannah House moved toward the kitchen for a celebratory glass of sparkling cider. As they looked around at each other, tears fell amid laughter and hugs. Olivia began gathering the glass flutes while Charlotte poured the sparkling cider.

“I can’t believe we pulled this off,” Morgan said, wiping away tears from her cheeks.

“I can believe it,” Hope said. “After all, we had Miss Hattie acting as our guardian angel from heaven. This whole time I’ve felt as if she was pushing us like the wind at our backs.”

“We did it, although the job isn’t done yet,” Callie said, holding up her flute. “Let’s toast to hard work and sacrifice and vision. And to continuing this amazing, joyful journey. And someday maybe our children will carry on Miss Hattie’s legacy.”

They all raised their flutes in the air. “To Savannah House,” Charlotte cried out.

“And to Miss Hattie,” Hope added, knowing their journey wouldn’t have been possible without their beloved mentor. She had effectively changed all of their lives for the better.

“To Miss Hattie,” they all shouted in unison, clinking glasses and taking sips of sparkling cider.

“And to our friendship,” Fancy said, clearly sniffing back tears. “I don’t know what I would do without you guys.”

“Right back ‘atcha,” Olivia said as they shared a group hug.

“Each one of us is right where she should be,” Hope said. “And we’ve each found a man of faith to walk through life with us. God is good.”

“All the time,” Callie said in a triumphant tone.

When they were finished cleaning up, Hope went in search of Grayson. He was holding a slumped over Ella in his arms. She was knocked out!

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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