Apple Lake series Book Four
Christmas Blessings
What had begun to convince Ellie to believe her dream of capturing Luke's heart was real, shifted south abruptly.
Luke had a change of viewpoint where their relationship was headed. Though it broke her heart, there was nothing she could do but deal with it.
She refused to influence his decision.
The choice must be his, and his alone. He must want her as much as she wanted him.
Apple Lake series: at Amazon
Christmas at Apple Lake (Bk 1 Apple Lake Series) 2015
The Christmas Stocking (Bk 2 Apple Lake Series) 2017
The Trouble With Wishes (Bk 3 Apple Lake Series) 2018
Christmas Blessings (Bk 4 Apple Lake Series) 2020
Christmas Blessings
What had begun to convince Ellie to believe her dream of capturing Luke's heart was real, shifted south abruptly.
Luke had a change of viewpoint where their relationship was headed. Though it broke her heart, there was nothing she could do but deal with it.
She refused to influence his decision.
The choice must be his, and his alone. He must want her as much as she wanted him.
Apple Lake series: at Amazon
Christmas at Apple Lake (Bk 1 Apple Lake Series) 2015
The Christmas Stocking (Bk 2 Apple Lake Series) 2017
The Trouble With Wishes (Bk 3 Apple Lake Series) 2018
Christmas Blessings (Bk 4 Apple Lake Series) 2020
Apple Lake series Book Four
Christmas Blessings
A Sneak Peek
Christmas Blessings
A Sneak Peek
Chapter 1
“Are you going to marry my daddy?” Danni asked, stretched out on her tummy, feet in the air, chin in both hands. With an expectant eleven-year-old’s expression and a twinkle in her eyes, she glanced up from her homework.
Without warning, Danni’s question hit Ellie Newsome so hard her toes curled and her stomach twisted. If only, sweetheart, if only. To become Mrs. Luke Conway one day would complete my life.
Ellie squeezed her eyes shut, exhaled the breath she’d held. Knowing this discussion wouldn’t be a short one, nor would it be an easy one, she closed the computer’s top. Since there was no way to sidetrack the subject, she gave Danni her undivided attention.
She winced inwardly and leaned forward as she met Danni’s expression, awaiting her answer. “Well, sweetheart, that’s an interesting subject to consider. Why do you ask?” Danni wasn’t a normal little girl; she was in tune with people’s feelings and knowledge beyond her years.
“I see the way you and Daddy look at each other.” Danni slid her math book aside, sat up, her legs crossed.
This young girl, but old soul, hasn’t missed a thing. “So, spit it out. What’s really on your mind, young lady?”
Danni grinned. “I thought it would be awesome if you wanted to be our mommy.”
Ellie wouldn’t lie to her. She was far too smart and would see right through her if she wasn’t truthful. She struggled to come up with an answer. Still, she shouldn’t reveal her entire dreams and wishes that someday they’d all be a family. A family she could only hope to be a part of and lay her head down at night, in peace. In love. One simple acquired wish could change her life.
Ellie understood Danni, too. Her hopes. Her dreams. It would only be a matter of time until she’d ask and expect the same answer of her daddy. As close as Luke and Danni were, Ellie had no doubt she would share their conversation with him. She had no right to ask her to keep the discussion between the two of the. To tread lightly, yet honestly, here would be the safest outcome. Coming up with the right words would be the problem.
She wished she’d been better prepared.
She wasn’t.
“Sweetheart, there’s nothing I’d like more than to be you and Brett’s mommy. It isn’t that easy. Please—you shouldn’t get your hopes up for something that may not ever happen. There is more to making one of life’s major decisions, such as to the question you’ve presented, than simply giving a clear-cut response. There’s also your daddy to consider. It’s important to consider his feelings.”
“How could you not know how Daddy feels? I see the way he looks at you sometimes, too.”
Ellie had also observed the way Luke often gazed at her the last few months when he thought she was unaware. Oh, let me say the right thing to this child.
“Well, as you already know, your daddy and I are close and we’re wonderful friends for which I’m thankful. He also has a lot on his plate right now. I’m sure getting married is the last thing on his mind. Running this bed and breakfast takes a lot of time and attention.”
“What’s that got to do with being married? I don’t understand.”
“Sweetheart, think about this for a moment. Daddy’s super busy since he added the four cabins, plus not to mention plans to add more cabins within the next few weeks. He really doesn’t have time for wedding plans.”
“I know he’s busy, but I don’t think that’s the real reason.” Danni fastened a determined stare with Ellie’s gaze. “Is it?
Danni had become more accomplished at talking about her mom and the loss. Still, Ellie normally didn’t bring up the memories unless Danni did, because she usually wound up running out the door in tears.
Ellie had always resolved to be truthful with Luke’s children, so she would be truthful now.
“Honey. It’s only been two years since you and Brett lost your mom, and your dad lost his wife. Overcoming the loss of a loved one isn’t easy. He needs more time to grieve. To heal. So do you. I’m sure his thoughts are still with your mom and the life all of you had before the accident. Let’s try our best to be fair and give him the space he deserves. Does that sound like something you can do? Can you understand? Can you give your daddy time?”
A frown crossed Danni’s face while she pooched out her lips. “Yes, Miss Ellie. I can. I will. I’ll try to help my daddy get over my mom.”
“Sweetheart, neither you or your daddy are expected to, nor should you, get over your mom. That’s certainly not what I’m saying. Please don’t think it’s up to you to work out your daddy’s difficulties. He’s dealing with his grief the best he can. Give him time. Your mom is part of you and will always be in your heart and thoughts. It’s a matter of learning to live with the terrible loss. That isn’t an easy task to accomplish. Time and prayer helps to ease the pain and helps you to move forward. Your mom wouldn’t want you or your dad to live in a state of grief forever. She loved you and would want you to be happy. Your mom’s memory and strength must forever remain within your heart. Never let her go. Never. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Okay, I won’t ever let her go. I can’t. I miss her, too.” Danni stared at the floor, then looked at Ellie straight on, tears threatening to spill. “Yes, I understand. I don’t know what to say to daddy yet, but I understand the way you explained it to me. I don’t like to see my daddy so sad though.”
“You’re such a big help to your daddy.” Ellie moved closer to Danni and pulled her into her arms in a tight hug, then kissed her forehead. “You’re such a big girl. How about after you finish your homework, we continue with the piano lessons?” Ellie asked. “By the way, you’re doing excellent learning the chords. Before you know it, you’ll be a natural.”
“Thank you, Ellie. I like the lessons. You make learning the piano easy,” she said, then smiled. “I’m almost eleven now. Daddy says I look like my mom more everyday. Do you think so?”
“From the photos I’ve seen, I’d say you definitely do. You have her beautiful eyes and smile. It’s quite an honor that you look like your lovely mom. I’m sure she’d be proud of you. She is proud of you.”
Danni smiled at Ellie. “Yes. Mommy is proud of me. Daddy said she always watches me from Heaven.”
“Yes, sweetheart, she does. Always.”
Ellie stood beside Danni and took in her sweet smile. She had only been nine when her mom was taken from them. She’d gone through more heartache than most children had at such a young age, that and she’d had to grow up much too fast. The smile that spread across her face warmed Ellie’s heart, and reminded her how blessed she was to still have her mom. She also hoped against hope that the piano lessons and music would take Danni’s mind off wondering if she would marry her dad. She could only hope, but didn’t have much confidence that would happen.
More importantly, how would Danni handle talking with her dad about her mom? She had a feeling there would be no problem, since she was open in their discussions. Time would tell.
Ellie could only hope she hadn’t over-stepped her boundary offering Danni sensitive advice.
Luke may not accept her trying to help his daughter as supportive.
“Are you going to marry my daddy?” Danni asked, stretched out on her tummy, feet in the air, chin in both hands. With an expectant eleven-year-old’s expression and a twinkle in her eyes, she glanced up from her homework.
Without warning, Danni’s question hit Ellie Newsome so hard her toes curled and her stomach twisted. If only, sweetheart, if only. To become Mrs. Luke Conway one day would complete my life.
Ellie squeezed her eyes shut, exhaled the breath she’d held. Knowing this discussion wouldn’t be a short one, nor would it be an easy one, she closed the computer’s top. Since there was no way to sidetrack the subject, she gave Danni her undivided attention.
She winced inwardly and leaned forward as she met Danni’s expression, awaiting her answer. “Well, sweetheart, that’s an interesting subject to consider. Why do you ask?” Danni wasn’t a normal little girl; she was in tune with people’s feelings and knowledge beyond her years.
“I see the way you and Daddy look at each other.” Danni slid her math book aside, sat up, her legs crossed.
This young girl, but old soul, hasn’t missed a thing. “So, spit it out. What’s really on your mind, young lady?”
Danni grinned. “I thought it would be awesome if you wanted to be our mommy.”
Ellie wouldn’t lie to her. She was far too smart and would see right through her if she wasn’t truthful. She struggled to come up with an answer. Still, she shouldn’t reveal her entire dreams and wishes that someday they’d all be a family. A family she could only hope to be a part of and lay her head down at night, in peace. In love. One simple acquired wish could change her life.
Ellie understood Danni, too. Her hopes. Her dreams. It would only be a matter of time until she’d ask and expect the same answer of her daddy. As close as Luke and Danni were, Ellie had no doubt she would share their conversation with him. She had no right to ask her to keep the discussion between the two of the. To tread lightly, yet honestly, here would be the safest outcome. Coming up with the right words would be the problem.
She wished she’d been better prepared.
She wasn’t.
“Sweetheart, there’s nothing I’d like more than to be you and Brett’s mommy. It isn’t that easy. Please—you shouldn’t get your hopes up for something that may not ever happen. There is more to making one of life’s major decisions, such as to the question you’ve presented, than simply giving a clear-cut response. There’s also your daddy to consider. It’s important to consider his feelings.”
“How could you not know how Daddy feels? I see the way he looks at you sometimes, too.”
Ellie had also observed the way Luke often gazed at her the last few months when he thought she was unaware. Oh, let me say the right thing to this child.
“Well, as you already know, your daddy and I are close and we’re wonderful friends for which I’m thankful. He also has a lot on his plate right now. I’m sure getting married is the last thing on his mind. Running this bed and breakfast takes a lot of time and attention.”
“What’s that got to do with being married? I don’t understand.”
“Sweetheart, think about this for a moment. Daddy’s super busy since he added the four cabins, plus not to mention plans to add more cabins within the next few weeks. He really doesn’t have time for wedding plans.”
“I know he’s busy, but I don’t think that’s the real reason.” Danni fastened a determined stare with Ellie’s gaze. “Is it?
Danni had become more accomplished at talking about her mom and the loss. Still, Ellie normally didn’t bring up the memories unless Danni did, because she usually wound up running out the door in tears.
Ellie had always resolved to be truthful with Luke’s children, so she would be truthful now.
“Honey. It’s only been two years since you and Brett lost your mom, and your dad lost his wife. Overcoming the loss of a loved one isn’t easy. He needs more time to grieve. To heal. So do you. I’m sure his thoughts are still with your mom and the life all of you had before the accident. Let’s try our best to be fair and give him the space he deserves. Does that sound like something you can do? Can you understand? Can you give your daddy time?”
A frown crossed Danni’s face while she pooched out her lips. “Yes, Miss Ellie. I can. I will. I’ll try to help my daddy get over my mom.”
“Sweetheart, neither you or your daddy are expected to, nor should you, get over your mom. That’s certainly not what I’m saying. Please don’t think it’s up to you to work out your daddy’s difficulties. He’s dealing with his grief the best he can. Give him time. Your mom is part of you and will always be in your heart and thoughts. It’s a matter of learning to live with the terrible loss. That isn’t an easy task to accomplish. Time and prayer helps to ease the pain and helps you to move forward. Your mom wouldn’t want you or your dad to live in a state of grief forever. She loved you and would want you to be happy. Your mom’s memory and strength must forever remain within your heart. Never let her go. Never. Do you understand?”
“Yes. Okay, I won’t ever let her go. I can’t. I miss her, too.” Danni stared at the floor, then looked at Ellie straight on, tears threatening to spill. “Yes, I understand. I don’t know what to say to daddy yet, but I understand the way you explained it to me. I don’t like to see my daddy so sad though.”
“You’re such a big help to your daddy.” Ellie moved closer to Danni and pulled her into her arms in a tight hug, then kissed her forehead. “You’re such a big girl. How about after you finish your homework, we continue with the piano lessons?” Ellie asked. “By the way, you’re doing excellent learning the chords. Before you know it, you’ll be a natural.”
“Thank you, Ellie. I like the lessons. You make learning the piano easy,” she said, then smiled. “I’m almost eleven now. Daddy says I look like my mom more everyday. Do you think so?”
“From the photos I’ve seen, I’d say you definitely do. You have her beautiful eyes and smile. It’s quite an honor that you look like your lovely mom. I’m sure she’d be proud of you. She is proud of you.”
Danni smiled at Ellie. “Yes. Mommy is proud of me. Daddy said she always watches me from Heaven.”
“Yes, sweetheart, she does. Always.”
Ellie stood beside Danni and took in her sweet smile. She had only been nine when her mom was taken from them. She’d gone through more heartache than most children had at such a young age, that and she’d had to grow up much too fast. The smile that spread across her face warmed Ellie’s heart, and reminded her how blessed she was to still have her mom. She also hoped against hope that the piano lessons and music would take Danni’s mind off wondering if she would marry her dad. She could only hope, but didn’t have much confidence that would happen.
More importantly, how would Danni handle talking with her dad about her mom? She had a feeling there would be no problem, since she was open in their discussions. Time would tell.
Ellie could only hope she hadn’t over-stepped her boundary offering Danni sensitive advice.
Luke may not accept her trying to help his daughter as supportive.
Copyright ©2022 by Carol DeVaney
All rights reserved. These novels, stories and any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.
All rights reserved. These novels, stories and any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the author or publisher except for the use of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.