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8 Weddings and a Miracle Romance Collection: 9 Contemporary Romances Need a Little Divine Intervention

By Tracie Peterson, Janet Lee Barton, Lena Nelson Dooley, Nancy J. Farrier, Pamela Griffin, Diann Hunt, Loree Lough, Sandra Petit, Gail Sattler

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Mrs. Oleg Olson
and
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Davis
request the honor of your presence
at the ceremony uniting
Christine Marie Dailey
and
Christopher Dean Davis
in holy matrimony
on Saturday, February 14
at 4:00 p.m.
in the chapel of
Wayzata Community Church
Dinner reception to follow
in the Fellowship Hall
R.S.V.P

Chapter 1

The moon above Litchfield, Minnesota, poured liquid silver over Christine Dailey as she cuddled in the back of a horse-drawn carriage with Christopher Davis. The flirty skirt of her red satin dress blew toward her lap, and she pushed it back over her knees, hoping is would stay down. She wouldn’t have worn such a short dress if she had known what would follow dinner.
She wondered if he knew that this had been her dream date. The meal at the out-of-the-way elegant restaurant had been a gourmet dream. Even though an autumn breeze nipped the air, this ride through tree-laden areas, where lovely homes with expansive lawns stood the test of time, made her feel like a princess in a fairy tale. Only one thing could make the night even better.
“Are you too cool?” Christopher’s breath disturbed her hairdo, but she didn’t mind.
“No.” Tucked under his muscular arm, she felt anything but cold.
The clip-clop of the horses’ hooves on the pavement matched the erratic thumping of her accelerated heartbeat. If she spent much more time so close to this man, she just might have a stroke.
Pulling from the comforting cocoon of his arms, Christine glanced up into his dark brown eyes, almost hidden in the shadows. She would never tire of looking at him. Unruly brown curls spilled across his high forehead, and she reached up and gently pushed them back, but to no avail. Christopher took the opportunity to shift her closer. His lips descended toward hers. Her eyes drifted shut waiting for the wonderful sensations his kiss always brought her. Lost in the wonder of their embrace, she barely noticed when the forward movement of the carriage ceased. The jingling harness bells that sounded when the horses shuffled about joined with the bells pealing through her head and heart.
Christopher slowly released her lips, and the love shining from his eyes went all the way through her. He pulled her arms down from around his neck and took her hands in his, rubbing his thumbs across the backs and shooting shocks of sensations up her arms. “I can’t get on my knees in this carriage, but I want you to spend the rest of your life with me.”
Christine almost forgot to breathe. The moment she had dreamed of since the day she met this wonderful Christian man might be happening tonight. If so, this night would be perfect.
“I love you more than life itself.” He paused, and she felt his hands tremble slightly. “Christine, will you marry me?”
She nodded, and her yes was swallowed in the soul-deep kiss that followed. Christine wished this moment could go on forever.
Much too soon, he leaned away from her. “I forgot this.”
Christopher reached into the front pocket of his slacks to collect the small midnight blue velvet box. When he flipped it open, moonlight glittered off the most beautiful princess-cut diamond she had ever seen. He quickly removed the ring from its resting place and picked up her left hand. When he slid the cool metal onto her finger, it fit perfectly and quickly warmed to her body temperature.
She lifted her hand and turned it in the moonlight, noticing other gems that surrounded the large stone. “It’s so beautiful.” She glanced up at Christopher’s smiling face. “How did you know I like princess-cut stones, and how did you find out my ring size?”
“Oh, I have my ways.” Christopher urged her back under his protective arm and signaled the driver to go.
“I can’t believe you planned all this.” She was sure her smile stretched from ear to ear.
A laugh rumbled through his chest where her cheek rested. “I wanted everything to be perfect for you. I asked the driver to stop where the moonlight was brightest so you could see your engagement ring.”
*****
Monday morning came too soon.
Christine stood behind the counter of her flower shop halfway between Wayzata and Minneapolis, designing a centerpiece for one of her regular customers when the bell over the front door tinkled announcing the entrance of her best friend and soon-to-be business partner.
“So how was the date last night?” Melissa Clark strode through the displays and hung her sweater on a hook right inside the back room while she kept talking. “Where did Christopher take you?”
Christine surveyed the almost finished decoration and decided it needed a little more yellow. She took a deep breath to calm her excitement, so Melissa wouldn’t guess too soon. “Well, we went to Litchfield. Christopher knew about a new restaurant with good food and ambiance romantic.” As she stuck the long-stemmed flower into the design, she wiggled her left hand a little so her ring would catch the light.
Melissa came to look at her work. “Is that all you did?”
“No.” Christine crossed her arms making sure her left hand was on the outside. She wanted Melissa to notice for herself. It wouldn’t be as much fun if Christine had to tell her about the ring. “We also went for a carriage ride.”
After picking up a flower and gently rotating it in her fingers, Melissa placed it back with the others. “That sounds like fun.”
“It was.” Christine used her left hand to push a lock of hair behind her ear. “We stopped in the moonlight.” The morning sun cast rainbows of color from her ring across the counter, rivaling the kaleidoscope provided by the flowers scattered in profusion throughout the shop.
“Christine! Is that an engagement ring on your hand?” Melissa’s long red corkscrew curls whipped straight out from her head when she swiveled. “Let me see it!”
After Melissa grabbed her hand, Christine gushed, “That’s why we stopped in the moonlight. So he could propose. He wanted me to be able to see the ring.”
Melissa grabbed Christine and danced around in the limited space behind the counter. “I’m so glad for you. When is the wedding?”
Christine carefully picked up the arrangement and started toward the display cooler. “Will you open the door for me?”
Melissa hurried around her.
After placing the design in the middle of the center shelf, Christine closed the door. “I’ve always dreamed of a Valentine’s wedding. It sounds so romantic pledging your undying love on the day everyone celebrates love.”
“But this is Minnesota. It could be snowing.” Melissa scanned through the order book then picked up a basket from behind the counter. “How about if I use this one for the Melson’s centerpiece?”
Christine pictured walking down the aisle with scattered, feathery snowflakes drifting to earth outside the windows that lined the sanctuary. Her bridesmaids, dressed in red velvet with white fur trim preceded her down the aisle, slowly swaying to the time-honored music. “Snow would be a romantic touch. . .What did you say?”
*****
Nothing like the Old Man calling him in for a conference to dampen the start of a Monday morning. Chris wondered what had gone wrong. Dad sounded gruff through the phone intercom. When Chris reached the double doors that led to the CEO’s office, he took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. Here he was almost thirty years old, and when he was called into his father’s office, he felt like a little boy going to the principal’s office. Maybe he would have felt more comfortable around him if he father been home more while he was growing up. He had to get over this. Maybe he would just get a job somewhere else. He had good credentials. It shouldn’t be too hard.
Chris lifted his fist and gave three quick raps on the solid walnut door. It was so sturdy, he wondered if his father even heard. Before he could decide whether to knock again, the door opened, the floor-to-ceiling windows that made up two connecting walls of the executive office outlined his father in warm sunshine.
“Come in, my boy.” His father smiled and moved back to allow Chris to pass. Then the older man followed him and took a seat in the navy blue Moroccan leather chair behind the massive mahogany desk. “I have something important to discuss with you.”
Chris dropped into the cushioned office chair made of the same materials as the one his father occupied. “Okay, shoot.” He steepled his fingers under his chin.
“How are things going with you and Christine?” Matthew Davis sounded more like the CEO asking the question than a father.
“I proposed to her last night.” Chris hadn’t planned on telling him like this. He had hoped to wait until the whole family was together at their regular Friday night dinner and tell everyone at once. Of course, Chrissy would be with him, too, and the women could exclaim over her ring. Clasping his hands at his waist, he stared straight into the navy blue eyes of his father, waiting for his reaction.
Matthew leaned forward. “Good show. I thought that should be happening soon. So when is the wedding?”
Chris shook his head. Not only at the new phrase his father had evidently picked up from one of his foreign clients, but also at the question. “I’m not sure. We’re going to discuss that over dinner tonight. I’m hoping for a short engagement.”
A quick laugh burst from his father. “I can see you have a lot to learn about women and weddings.”
A pile of work waited on Chris’s desk. This personal discussion was taking up valuable time. “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”
After placing his palms on the desktop, Matthew pushed to a standing position. “No, but it does concern your future here at Davis Enterprises.”
Not wanting to be at a height disadvantage, Chris stood. “My future?”
His father turned and clasped his hands behind his back, looking out at the bright autumn sunlight bathing St. Paul. He stood there for several moments while Chris wondered what was coming.
When his father turned back toward him, a smile covered his face. “I’m going to retire. Your mother and I want to travel before we’re too old to enjoy it.”
“You’re not getting old.” Chris couldn’t help interrupting.
His father beamed even more. “I know, but we have a lot of places we want to visit.” He cleared his throat. “What I’m getting at is that I’m stepping down right away, and you’ll be the new CEO. That has been the plan since your grandfather established the company in 1956. I took over in 1986. Now it’s your turn.”
Chris had to sit down. He didn’t know what he expected, but it wasn’t this. He was going to become CEO now, not when he was forty as his father had been. He glanced from the carpet up to his father’s familiar face. “I don’t know what to say.”
His father sat on the desk corner nearest to Chris. “I know it’s a lot to think about right now, but being CEO will give you a better salary for raising a family, won’t it?” He stood up and clapped Chris on his shoulder. “I’ve been planning this for a while. That’s why you’ve gradually been given more important assignments. You’ve earned the title. I think we’ll announce it next week in the staff meeting. In the meantime, we can start the transition.”
This promotion came much sooner that Chris expected it to, but he knew he could do the job. His father’s decision felt like a compliment. Chris smiled all the way back to his office.
*****
Christine looked at her watch for the tenth time since she sat at the white linen-covered table. The waiter had already brought her a refill of soda. She pulled her purse from the extra chair beside her and started digging through the contents for her cell phone. She couldn’t find it until it started ringing, steering her under her empty, zippered bank bag that rested on the bottom of the tote. She glanced at the display.
“Hello, Christopher.” Christine tried not to sound peeved. She really hated to wait on anyone for very long.
“Chrissy, I’m sorry. I didn’t know the meeting would run so late.” He did sound harried. “I’m running to the car, and it should take me less than ten minutes if the traffic isn’t bad.” Evidently he looked at his watch, because he whistled. “Wow, I didn’t know it was this late. So okay, the traffic won’t be bad. See you in a few minutes.” Kissing sounds accompanied the slamming of his car door. “Maybe that’ll hold you until I get there.”
The smacking brought to Christine’s mind the kisses they shared last night. She studied the ring on her left hand as she shut her phone and slipped it down the inside of her oversized handbag. Warmth spread through her as she relived every moment of the kiss after he proposed. Even the memory caused her temperature to rise. She knew she couldn’t stay mad at him. He was the man of her dreams. And tonight they would plan the wedding of her dreams. The waiter came by to ask if she wanted a refill.
“No, thank you. I’ll wait for my fiancé to get here.”
Did the man’s expression contain pity? Did he think she had been stood up? She hoped not.
When Christine came out of the ladies’ room a few minutes later, Christopher sat at their table, talking to the waiter. She hurried toward him, and he stood. When she was close enough, he dropped a kiss on her cheek, but the expression in his eyes promised more when they were in a less public place. Shivers of anticipation traveled up and down her spine.
Christopher pulled out her chair, like the gentleman he always was around her. After she slipped into it, he sat down and put his hand over hers and squeezed it. His eyes said that will have to do for now. They discussed what they wanted to eat, and he placed the order with the waiter, who now acted more friendly than he had while she waited alone.
“So what took so long today?” Christine really wanted to know.
He leaned back in his chair. “You’ll never believe what happened.”
“Okay. Tell me.” Her eyes traced his features. He looked tired, but maybe a little elated.
Christopher took a deep breath. “It’s hard to believe the day I’ve had. Dad called me into his office first thing this morning. I almost felt as if I were in trouble.”
“Why would you feel like that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe a flashback from one of my many trips to the principal’s office.”
Christine reached her hand toward him. He leaned forward and placed his palm against hers, intertwining their fingers.
“Dad is retiring, and I’m going to be the new CEO of Davis Enterprises.”
The news astounded Christine. Christopher would be a very young Chief Executive Officer. “Oh that’s wonderful! You’ll be as good or better than your father. When will it take place?”
“We’re going through the transition right now. We’ll announce it at next Monday’s staff meeting. I’m not sure when Dad will actually leave. But we don’t need to worry about that now. We have a wedding to plan. Tell me what you want.”
Once more, Christine picked up her purse and dug through it until she found a small notebook. She held it up. “I’m not going to leave anything to chance. I’m writing down everything we decide.”
Christopher laughed. She loved the musical sound as it enveloped her.
“So when do you want the wedding?” He scooted his chair closer to the table corner that separated them.
The look in his eyes mesmerized her, making her train of thought derail. She blinked and tried to remember what they were talking about. Oh yes, the date for the wedding. “I’ve always wanted to get married on Valentine’s Day. What do you think?”
“It’s all right with me, as long as it’s this next one. I wouldn’t want to wait for over a year.” This time his gaze seared its way to her heart. “You can plan a wedding in four and a half months, can’t you?”
After that look, she would do almost anything to please him. She had hoped to have more time.
“Of course, I can.”

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