Page 39 of The Sheriff's Mistletoe Bride

“You are a natural,” Tori said, smiling as she sat nearby.

“He makes me look good,” Ally responded.

“Well, it’s time he gets his dinner and then his nap, or he won’t look good at all.”Tori took him in her arms, and they bid all goodbyes.It was time to head home.Matt was covering the evening so his deputies could be with their families.Jillie was going home with her cousin to Cassie’s again.

Ally gave a final wave to her hosts as she and Matt drove away.It was mostly a silent drive back into town.Matt had put on some music and Ally was okay with that.She had a lot to think about.

Matt walked with her to her front door.She wasn’t sure how that part of the day was going to go.So, she was about to thank him again when he spoke first.

“I hope you didn’t feel that you were put on the spot at dinner.I’m glad though that Cade explained what was going on with his grandfather and Annie.It was indeed a miracle that brought you here the more I think about it.I would like to be there at the ceremony.”

“I’m glad.It would be nice to have you there.And I didn’t feel put on the spot.It was a bit of a surprise maybe, but not in a bad way.”

“Good,” he said, and his hand found hers and she felt such warmth and peace in having hers in his.

“This is uncharted territory for me,” he began.“I’ve gone on dates before.But nothing of any importance came from them.I guess I gave up and was irritated by unwanted attention.Jillie and I got through the years since she lost her mother.I was afraid of making the wrong choice where she was concerned.So, I did nothing.And then you crashed into our lives.”He grinned at his own words.“Quite literally.And it seemed natural…like you fit in without any warning.I still tried to hold that wall in place that had gone up along the way over time.But you just ‘fit’…in so many ways.I guess I’m not very good at saying this but to put it simply I want to date you.I want to have more time to figure out what you want and if you would even be interested in staying in a small town.I’m not good at saying what I want to say and you…”

Ally did what she wanted for the first time in her life totally on impulse.She went up on tiptoe and silenced his fumbling words with her lips.And to her surprise and pleasure, Matt took it from there, folding his arms around her and holding her close while his lips took the lead.And in that moment, there was no solid ground beneath her, her eyes closed and the porch was floating around her—or was she floating around the porch?The sensation was incredible.And for once she hoped the dream had become an absolute reality.

Matt drew back a little and he had a dazed look about him, but then a slow smile appeared, and his gaze was filled with an incredible light.“I do like how you cut to the bottom line and get to the heart of the matter.”

“I never have done anything like that in my life.”

“I think you should feel free to do it more often…on one condition.”

“One condition?”

“That I get to do the same thing…to move the conversation along when needed.”

“I think that’s only fair.”

His grin was wide and beautiful.“I think I’d better say good night as duty does call.And for once, I would gladly skip it.”

“No, you won’t.That’s not the Matt Parker I know.But you can pick up that conversation at a later date.”

“I like your thinking.”The next kiss was even better than the first.“Good night and sweet dreams.”

He waited until she shut the door behind her, and it locked.She didn’t remember walking up the stairs or anything much after that.But she did dream…and it was the best dream ever.

Chapter Eighteen

Three weeks hadpassed.And Matt had taken dating to a new level.They went to restaurants, a couple of dances; she helped him with the planning of the tree-lighting ceremony on the square.They watched movies with popcorn on the couch along with Jillie…and sometimes without her.She helped shop for gifts for his family and for Jillie.And then as she watched the tall tree lit with its hundreds of lights, returned greetings with so many more people she had met in Destiny, and found the many places Matt had found to place mistletoe, that a thought hit her.

I love Christmas!

How much difference a year had made in her feelings about the holidays.And it had come because Annie had told her stories of a place called Destiny’s River.And she had sent her on her last request to come back to that town.The day had come.

The small group gathered on top of the hill on the Lockwood Ranch.The day was cold, but the sun shone.They had decided on the hour before sunset because that was Annie’s favorite part of the day.She had said that was when Joseph had proposed.There was a prayer by the Parkers’ pastor.‘Amazing Grace’—her favorite hymn—was sung.And Cade reiterated the love story between his grandfather and the love of his life.That was when the small box was opened, and the breeze seemed to cooperate.Annie’s ashes floated free over the side of the hill and then higher across the valley toward the setting sun.Cade had shared with her earlier that his grandfather had a headstone in the family cemetery, but his ashes had been set free right before sunset in the same spot years before.Ally liked to think he was there waiting to soar with his love at last.Her tears were joyful at that moment.She had grieved tears of sadness when Annie left her.Now, all she could feel was grateful and happy for the woman who gave her the map to find her own true love.The others moved back down the hill to meet at the house.But she and Matt remained.

He had her hand safe and warm in his.His strength had been beside her the whole time.

She watched the sun blazing just above the horizon.Then Matt moved to capture her other hand and bring her gaze to his.

“I’ve tried to think of what the perfect moment would be to say this to you.And I couldn’t seem to find the perfect way.Until now.I believe that things are set in motion long before they happen.I think Annie sending you here was an example of that.Because of her great love, she sent you here to be mine.I love you, Ally Jones.From the first moment I laid eyes on you in the hospital.I can’t explain it.It was like I had been waiting.And you finally came.Being a man, it took me a little while to understand that fact.But when I did, I knew I would move heaven and earth to keep you in Destiny’s River.It was destiny that brought you here to a town of the same name.I’m hoping you’ll understand why this is the perfect time and place.”

And still holding her hands, he sank to one knee.Ally was frozen in total surprise.“Ally Jones, please stay with me in Destiny’s River for the rest of our lives and write our own great love story each and every day we have together.Will you marry me?”

Ally felt incredible peace fill her and circle them both.It was as light as a gentle hug, but she knew from where it came.She looked into the eyes of her one and only love and knew destiny had indeed brought her home.

The End