On a Snowy Night: The Christmas BasketThe Snow Bride Read online

  Reid couldn’t come up with poetic lines the way Dalton could, but he possessed so many more of the qualities she considered important. “I felt pretty dreadful, too.”

  “The only reason I let you go was that I assumed you’d marry Fulton, and really, why shouldn’t I think that? One of the richest men in the country came chasing after you.”

  “Why shouldn’t you think that?” Jenna echoed. “Because, my soon-to-be husband, I’m in love with you.”

  Reid pulled her into his arms and held her close. “Do you mind saying that again? I can’t seem to hear it often enough.”

  The door opened, and Kim and Lucy entered. Both came far enough into the café to notice Reid and Jenna with their arms entwined and stopped cold.

  “What are you two doing here?” Lucy cried.

  “Together?” Kim added.

  Jenna exchanged a look of longing with Reid, a look that reminded him that within a few hours they’d be together. Forever.

  “Everyone was hustling and bustling about,” Reid confessed. “I was only in the way.”

  “Me, too,” Jenna told her friends.

  The café door opened a second time, and Addy and Palmer hurried in, each carrying a small wicker basket filled with what Jenna assumed were wedding favors. She didn’t think it would be a good idea to examine those too closely.

  “You’re early,” Addy commented, and rubbed the side of his neatly trimmed beard. He wore his heavy boots and hat with dangling earflaps; his nose was red from the cold.

  “You aren’t dressed proper, either,” Palmer complained, glaring at Reid. “If I’m going to wear a suit, you should have to.”

  “You’re wearing a suit?” This Jenna had to see.

  “He looks good, too,” Addy said, nodding proudly in his friend’s direction.

  “It’s a bit tight.” Palmer reluctantly removed his heavy winter jacket. “I can’t remember the last time I tried it on, but I think it’ll do. As soon as the preacher finishes, I’ll take off the jacket.”

  The suit, a bold green-and-blue plaid, looked like something out of a fifties clown catalog. Jenna managed to squelch a laugh when she realized how hard her friends had tried to make her wedding as beautiful as possible.

  “Oh, Palmer,” Lucy whispered.

  “He looks dapper, doesn’t he?” Addy said, as if to claim credit.

  “Quit talking about me,” Palmer insisted. “I don’t want to grab any attention away from the bride. Jenna’s the one people should admire, you know.” He sent Jenna an apologetic glance. “Sorry, Jenna, I didn’t mean to steal your thunder. This is your big day, yours and Reid’s. If you want me to change, I will,” he said hopefully.

  “Oh, no, Palmer, you wear your suit. I’ll take my chances.”

  Reid reached for her hand and squeezed her fingers, letting her know he appreciated her patience with his friends.

  “You’re going to be a beautiful bride,” Kim whispered.

  “She is,” Lucy agreed.

  Despite herself, Jenna blushed.

  “Now scoot,” Lucy said, ushering Jenna out the door. “The wedding’s in a couple of hours and we want to have everything ready.”

  “I think we have our marching orders,” Reid said.

  “It seems that way.”

  Before Jenna had a chance to object, Kim and Lucy whisked her out the door and away from Reid. She shrugged and cast him a resigned smile before the door closed.

  Two hours later, with the entire population of Snowbound in attendance, Pete escorted Jenna down the aisle to the makeshift altar, where Reid waited. She wore a white dress that was elegant and traditional at the same time—the perfect garb for a snow bride. Chloe stood off to the right, in the front row, weeping decorously. Loud sniffling came from Palmer and Addy, who sat on the other side. Kim and Lucy were serving as maids of honor, while Reid had asked Jim to be his best man.

  The flame on the candle danced and cheered as “Silent Night” played softly in the background.

  Reid held out his hand. With tears of happiness blurring her eyes, Jenna stepped toward him, ready to link her life with his.

  ISBN: 978-1-4592-4676-8

  ON A SNOWY NIGHT

  Copyright © 2004 by MIRA Books.

  The publisher acknowledges the copyright holder of the individual works as follows:

  THE CHRISTMAS BASKET

  Copyright © 2002 by Debbie Macomber.

  THE SNOW BRIDE

  Copyright © 2003 by Debbie Macomber.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or 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 publisher, MIRA Books, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

  MIRA and the Star Colophon are trademarks used under license and registered in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, United States Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries.

  www.MIRABooks.com