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Christmas is the day that holds all time together.
– Alexander Smith
Christmas Day
Jordyn knew her mother would probably sleep in a little on Christmas day. Who could blame her? As hard as she’d been working, she’d finally put another year of festivities behind her. But Jordyn could hardly contain herself as she waited in the living room and watched the clock.
To help pass the time, she stood in front of the towering family Christmas tree, staring at its overflowing branches, and touching one or two of the ornaments lightly. Just a jumble of decorations to most people, but each one held a special memory for Jordyn. A handmade ball covered with glitter from a six-year-old Jordyn here. An intricately designed Christmas bell from her teenage years there.
Some of the pieces sparked instant memories. Others were stored more deeply, and rose to the surface only after careful consideration.
When her mother at last walked into the living room and saw Chad pacing in front of the fireplace, she stopped in her tracks.
“Merry Christmas, Mrs. Dunaway,” he said politely, as if his presence wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.
“Merry Christmas, Chad.” She recovered and walked over to give him a kiss on the cheek. “What are you—”
“I wanted him here when I showed you what he gave me.” Jordyn pulled the sleigh bells out of the bag and gave them a shake. “Look. Can you believe it?”
“The sleigh bells.” Mrs. Dunaway looked over at Chad with watery eyes. “It’s beautiful! Now I know why you were asking for the missing one.”
When she glanced back at Jordyn, she threw her hand over her mouth in surprise. “What’s that?” She pointed to the ring on Jordyn’s finger.
“Oh, just another gift Chad has been waiting to give me. Isn’t it beautiful?”
When her mother didn’t say anything, Jordyn reached out with a steadying hand. Her Mom looked so pale, Jordyn thought for a moment she was going to faint. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Mrs. Dunaway shuffled over to the tree, and picked up a small package. “It startled me for a minute, that’s all. But I shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Is this for me?” Jordyn took the box and sat down cross-legged on the floor near the tree.
“I guess it’s actually for both of you,” Mrs. Dunaway said, her voice still full of bewilderment.
As Jordyn stripped away the ribbon, Mrs. Dunaway continued to talk. “When Chad asked me to look for the missing bell, I remembered that Shawn had engraved one for you...but I never saw it. I had no idea what he’d done with it.”
Jordyn lifted the lid of the box and pulled away the bright red tissue paper inside.
“I found that yesterday in the bottom of the closet when I was searching for a bolo tie for Chad to wear to the Gala.” She swiped a quick tear from her eye. “I mean I’ve been in that closet hundreds of times, but I never noticed it before.” Her eyes sought and lingered on a large picture of her husband on the wall beside the tree. “It was right there, lying on the floor in the back. Directly beside the box of bolos.”
Jordyn gasped when she saw the sleigh bell and Chad’s eyes grew large. “It’s the missing bell, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s the missing bell. Merry Christmas—from your mother and your father.”
A single tear trickled out of Jordyn’s eye as she saw the engraved date. It was the year she’d left Painted Sky ranch to begin her new career. She glanced up and smiled, knowing her father was looking down from Heaven. He had a hand in this miraculous find—and everyone knew it. The essence of him filled this room. The only thing missing was his booming laugh and joyful smile.
Jordyn handed the bell to Chad so he could take a closer look. When he saw the single word her father had engraved all those years before, she watched his blue eyes turn misty. “How—” He stopped, unable to continue.
Jordyn wondered the same thing. The gift was the perfect conclusion to their perfect love story...a love story that had not been denied or delayed—but merely, destined.
Because how could her father have known then that the sleigh bell would remain hidden until now? And how could he have guessed that it would be found on the same day that his daughter became engaged?
What is it luck? Coincidence?
Or another Christmas miracle?
Because the word inscribed on the magical sleigh bell was: Love.
*****
Thank you for reading Sleigh Bells Ring! If you have time, please share a review!
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Keep Reading for BONUS MATERIAL! Don’t miss the award-winning novel Lacewood!
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History, mystery, and a love story that spans centuries...
Two people trying to escape their pasts find a connection through an old house—and fulfill a destiny through the secrets it shares. Part love story, part Civil War ghost story, Lacewood is a timeless novel about trusting in fate, letting go of the past, and believing in things that can’t be seen.
Do you BELIEVE?
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I hope you enjoyed reading SLEIGH BELLS RING!
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Christmas is a time of wonder, traditions, and special magical moments that I hope I captured in this novel. I had a wonderful time reminiscing about my own childhood, which sparked memories of chestnuts roasting on an open fire and the sounds of Christmas music filling the air.
If you’re like me and believe in twists of fate, true love, and the magic of Christmas, then you will love a family-owned business. I discovered while writing this novel. Called Magical Bells, the company fashions its sleigh bells after the iconic ‘First Gift of Christmas’ featured in the movie Polar Express. They are faithful in every detail, resulting in beautiful, handcrafted, heirloom-quality bells. (Click here for a 20 percent discount code to use in 2020).
Gift-giving is only one facet of Christmas, and there are many ways to celebrate the holiday season that don’t involve buying presents. A special family tradition can be as simple as making popcorn garland to hang on the tree, enjoying a mug of hot chocolate on Christmas Eve, or baking and decorating cookies.
Of course, the best Christmas tradition of all is spending time with the ones we love, while remembering the true reason for the season.
I hope you and yours have a holiday full of magical moments that will be remembered for years to come!
Merry Christmas!
Jessica James
