Chapter 25
A few days after Christmas, Johnnie Clemons stood at the edge of the community hall and watched love settle over Shooting Star Canyon like a blessing no one had earned but everyone had needed.
The cleanup from the post-Christmas charity supper was still underway, though calling it cleanup was generous.
Half the town had stayed to help, which meant half the town was also talking, laughing, carrying chairs to the wrong side of the room, and sneaking leftover cookies from the dessert table when Betty Parker’s back was turned.
Garland still hung from the windows, the candles on the tables had burned low, and someone had started singing a hymn softly near the kitchen.
Across the room, Jacob Whitley stood with Rachel Morgan and Sadie near the donation boxes. Rachel’s engagement ring caught the light when she lifted a hand to brush Sadie’s hair from her face, and Jacob reacted as if he had not seen the ring a hundred times already.
The look on that young man’s face made Johnnie’s throat tighten. Jacob was not only looking at the woman he loved. He was looking at a family God had placed in his hands, and he seemed ready to spend the rest of his life being grateful for the weight of it.
Near the coffee table, Violet Hoffman and Caleb Pierce were laughing over something Will Hoffman had said.
Caleb leaned closer to Violet, listening as if every word from her mouth mattered, even when she was only talking about bakery orders and what still had to be done before New Year’s.
Violet’s cheeks glowed, and Johnnie could tell it wouldn’t be too much longer before Caleb got down on one knee.
Then his gaze found Mark.
His second oldest stood near the side doors with Natalie Winters tucked close beside him, her hand resting in his.
Mark, who had spent two years convincing himself he was safer alone, watched her with a softness that made Johnnie’s heart ache.
Natalie said something, and Mark bent his head to hear her better. She smiled brightly up at him.
Johnnie remembered another Christmas season, another woman, another almost-lost forever.
He had stood with Maggie when fear had nearly taken her from him.
He recalled hurt pride, a broken heart, cold pizza, and the choice to love her more than he loved having the day go according to plan.
He had come so close to losing the best part of his life before it had truly begun.
Maggie slipped her hand into his.
Johnnie looked down at their joined hands then over at the woman who had filled his home with children, noise, prayer, forgiveness, and more grace than he could have imagined as a young man standing outside a ruined wedding day.
“You’re quiet,” Maggie said, leaning gently against his side.
“Enjoying the moment.” He smiled and squeezed her hand. “Thinking the Lord’s been good to us.”
Maggie followed his gaze across the room to Jacob and Rachel, Violet and Caleb, Mark and Natalie. Her eyes softened.
“He has,” Maggie said softly.
Johnnie bowed his head for a moment. Thank You, Lord, for second chances, answered prayers, and the family You let us build.
When he lifted his head, Mark was laughing at something Natalie had said.
Maggie’s thumb moved gently over the back of Johnnie’s hand.
Johnnie smiled again.
Christmas had come and gone, but grace was still filling the room.