Read Online Journey of the Magi by Barbara Edwards - Free Book Online Page B

shouted when she noticed a small table set with a plate and a glass. “You remembered we have to leave him a gift!”
    “Have to bake fresh cookies after we eat, since he’ll be here later,” Dan agreed before he swung her into the air and gave her a noisy buss on the cheek. She giggled and he set her on the floor.
    Nicholas stirred, and Noel sat with him in the kitchen while Dan served dinner. No longer shy, she fed the baby before consuming a bowl of stew. Holly impatiently wiggled while she waited.
    “Can we make the cookies now? We have to hang the stockings, too. And Mommy is going to help me put stuff on the tree,” she huffed as if she’d been running.
    “Our first Christmas together,” Noel said as they shared the moment. Dan leaned forward to press a kiss to her mouth before he tied an apron around Holly’s waist.
    “Time to bake those chocolate chip cookies. Santa’s favorite,” he added with a wink at Noel.
    Since he’d planned ahead, everything went smoothly despite Holly jumping from cookie mixing to hanging an ornament to petting Harriet. Noel laughed so much her ribs hurt.
    She put Nicholas to bed and rejoined Dan and Holly in time to assist him when he placed an angel on top of the tree.
    “It’s time for bed, Holly. You need to be asleep before Santa arrives,” Noel said before she hugged her.
    “In a minute, Mommy,” she protested.
    Dan returned from the kitchen. The filled milk glass already waited when he slid two cookies from the baking sheet to cool on the plate. Holly impatiently tugged on his pant leg.
    “I’m going to open Santa’s gift now,” she declared. In her hand was the small gift from the Thanksgiving party. Frowning in concentration she untied the red and white ribbon before she carefully opened the box.
    “What did you get, Holly?” Noel asked after she twined her fingers with Dan’s.
    “I asked Santa to change my wish,” she whispered. “I told him I wanted us to be a family.”
    She lifted the open box to show Noel and Dan a matched set of gold wedding bands tied with a red bow.
    “There’s no way Ernie put that in the grab bag,” Dan protested, before he exchanged puzzled glances with Noel.
    “Santa said this gift was for all of us.” Holly explained. “’Cause I already have a dog and we’re all home.”
    ****
    Noel cuddled into the thick couch cushions. The fire cast a warm glow through the room that matched the heat in her heart. Dan lifted his eyebrows in question after he hung up the phone.
    “Ernie couldn’t talk long, something about Christmas Eve being really busy. He claims he didn’t give Holly those rings. He sounded as puzzled as we are.” Dan scratched his head.
    Noel held out her hand to him. “Stop worrying about it and come over here. Is he coming?”
    “Oh, yeah. He’s positive he brought us together, so it’s only right he’s best man. He’s flying in the day after Christmas.”
    “And Rita will stand up for me.” Blue as a spring lake, her eyes reflected her happiness.
    The sparkling lights glittered on the decorated tree. Noel had explained each fancy ball’s history to Holly while they hung them. The crowded branches dipped toward the floor and formed a canopy over the manger.
    She smiled at the sweet memory. Holly had once again moved the figures after she’d tied the colored bows to the Magi’s camels. To thank them for bringing their gift, she explained.
    With a contented sigh, Dan sat alongside her and slid his arm around her waist. He cuddled her to his side before he kissed her ringed hand. She turned her palm up and cupped his cheek.
    The children were finally sleeping, and soon Dan would bank the fire. In a few minutes they would go to bed, too.
    “This isn’t what I expected to find at home,” she murmured. “You, your love and a future together. All I could think about was the journey.”
    “I love you.” Dan kissed her palm and then stroked her fingers. “Do you want to use the rings?”
    “Oh,