Christmas Daisy (8 page)

Daisy stood at the edge of the crowd, tears welling in her eyes.  Ben
still held tight to her hand, one eye on his students, one on Daisy, as the song progressed. 

The excitement, the surprises, the emotion, the beauty of the whole experience reverberated through her.  Memories swirled in her mind. 
Her childhood, her mother, her father.  Her mind flashed through scenes of the  the accident.  The loss.  The grief.  The years in Africa, finding again there was beauty in life, but avoiding Christmas. 

New Horizons.
The children.  Facing the pageant. Hearing the carols. Alexandra singing, Hannah singing.  Finding the beauty again.  As the feeling ripped through her, as the words of Silent Night rang softly in the air, she could feel the pain flow out of her heart, and she could feel the constant, supporting, loving pressure of Ben’s hand holding tight to hers. He was holding on as if he would never let go.  She let the tears fall.

Ben
turned her then, wrapping his other arm around her, shielding her from the crowd, letting her cry into his shoulder.  Nothing in her life had ever felt so good. Or so healing.

“Whatever it takes, Daisy.  I’m here. I love you.” He spoke softly into her hair.

And at that instant, she knew that was true, and that his love was something she could depend upon.  And give back without reservation. 

She pressed into his shoulder.  “I love you too,” she said with a choked voice, amazed at the joy  and
peace  flowing in her heart.

As the song ended, the kids erupted into joyful clamor again, surrounding a blushing Alexandra, and
then lifting Hannah high into the air.  Ben and Daisy stood, looking at their amazing medley of people who made up their school family. They heard the cheers of the happy crowd, and dared to think about the future.  Because Christmas IS a time of miracles!

The
End.

About the Author..

Christine Bush is the
award winning author of many books and novellas of sweet romance and mystery. She is also the author of two middle grade fiction series.

When she isn’t writing, she can be found teaching Psychology at a local college, or working with clients in her private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist.  Christine loves to hear from readers and aspiring writers.  She can be reached at  www.ChristineBush.com

Books by Christine Bush

Cindy’s Prince

Noah’s Bark

Whisper a Warning

Love, Julie

Promise Forever

When Love Prevails

Courageous Heart

Daring Heart

Patient Heart

Cowboy Boots (Novella)

Fear of Flowers (Novella)

Meddling Mona (Novella)

Isabel the Invisible (Middle Grade Fiction)

The Secret of the Missing Stagecoach (Middle Grade Fiction