“Yes, oh, yes,” she said with a joyous smile.

  He cleared his throat self-consciously. “In case you hadn’t noticed, we have an audience.”

  She was too contented to care. A searing happiness was bubbling within her. “I want the whole world to know how I feel.”

  “You seem to have gotten a good start,” he teased with an easy laugh, and kissed the top of her head. “Don’t look now, but Claudia and company are headed our way.”

  Reluctantly, Ashley dropped her arms and stepped back. Cooper pulled her close to his side, cradling her waist.

  “Is everything okay with you two, or do you need more time?” Claudia’s gaze went from one of them to the other. “If that embrace was anything to go by, I’d say things are looking much better.”

  “You could say that,” Cooper agreed, his eyes holding Ashley’s. The look he gave her was so warm and loving that it seemed to burst free and touch her heart and soul.

  “But there are several things we need to discuss,” Cooper continued. “If you don’t mind, I’m going to take Ashley with me. We’ll all meet back at the house later.”

  Claudia and Seth exchanged knowing looks. “We don’t mind,” Seth answered for them.

  “But…Seth has your car,” Ashley said, confused. “How will we…?”

  He smiled. “I have a second car, since I can’t afford to be without transportation. We’ll be fine.”

  “Do I still get to open a present tonight? Because Auntie Ash said we could,” Johnny quizzed anxiously, not the least bit interested in the logistics of the grownups’ plans.

  Cooper’s eyes met Claudia’s, and she shrugged.

  “I think that will be fine, if that’s what your Auntie Ash said,” Seth interrupted.

  “Uncle Cooper?” John’s head tilted up at an inquiring angle.

  “Yes?” He squatted down so that he was eye level with his godson.

  “Is there mistletoe here, too?”

  Briefly Cooper scanned the interior of the huge building. “I don’t see any, why?”

  “ ’Cause you were kissing Auntie Ash again.”

  “Sometime I like to kiss her even when there isn’t any reason.”

  “You mean like Daddy and Mommy?”

  “Exactly,” he said, and smiled as his eyes caught Ashley’s.

  “I think it’s time we left and let these two talk. We’ll meet you later,” Seth announced. Claudia lifted Johnny into her arms and turned around, then looked back and winked.

  “Are you hungry?” Cooper asked.

  She hadn’t eaten all day. “Starved. I hardly touched dinner last night.”

  “I noticed.” His tone was dry.

  She ignored it. “And then this morning I was too miserable to think about food. But now I could eat a cow.”

  “We’re at the right place. Choose what you want, and while you find us a table, I’ll go get it.”

  The Food Circus had a large variety of booths that sold every imaginable cuisine. The toughest decision was making a choice from everything that was available.

  They hardly spoke as they ate their chicken. Ashley licked her fingers. Cooper carefully unfolded one of the moistened towelettes that had been provided with their meal and carefully cleaned his own hands.

  He glanced up and found her watching him. A tiny smile twitched at the corner of her mouth. “What’s so funny?” he asked.

  “Us.” She opened her own towelette and followed his example. “Claudia told me she didn’t know any two people more meant for each other.”

  Cooper acknowledged the statement with a curt nod. “I know I love you, whether we’re right or wrong for each other doesn’t seem to be the question.” He reached across the table and captured her hand. “But then, you’re an easy person to love. You’re warm and alive, and so unique you make my heart sing just watching you.”

  “And you’re so calm and dignified. Nothing rattles you, and so many times I’ve wished I could be like that.”

  “We balance one another.” His eyes searched hers in a room that seemed filled with only them.

  A burst of applause diverted Cooper’s attention to the antics of a clown. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Ashley happily agreed.

  They stood, dumped their garbage in the proper receptacles and linked their arms around one another’s waists as they strolled outside.

  A chill raced over her forearms, and she shivered.

  Cooper brought her closer to his side. “Cold?”

  “Only when you close me out,” she whispered truthfully. “If you hadn’t admitted to loving me, I don’t know that I could have withstood the cold.”

  He drank deeply from her eyes, perhaps realizing for the first time how strong her emotions rang. “We need to talk,” he murmured, and quickened his pace.

  A half hour later he pulled into the driveway of his home.

  “Coffee?” he suggested as he hung her coat in the hall closet.

  “Yes.” She nodded eagerly. “But, Cooper, could I have it in a mug? I’d feel safer.”

  His mouth thinned slightly, and she knew her request had troubled him. “I’m not the dainty teacup type,” she said more forcefully than she wanted to. “What I mean is…”

  “I know what you mean.” Lightly he pressed a kiss on her cheek, then against the hollow of her throat. “Do you have any idea how difficult it’s been this week to keep my hands off you?”

  “Not half as difficult as it’s been not to encourage you to touch me,” she admitted, and felt color suffuse her cheeks.

  A few minutes later he carried two ceramic mugs into the den on a silver platter.

  A soft smile danced from Ashley’s eyes. “Compromise?”

  “Compromise,” he agreed, handing her one of the mugs.

  She held it with both hands and stared into its depths. “I have a feeling I know what you’re going to say.”

  “I doubt that very much, but go ahead.”

  “No.” She shook her head, then nervously tugged a strand of hair around her ear. “I’ve put my foot in my mouth so many times that for once I’m content to let you do the talking.”

  “We seem to have a penchant for saying the wrong things to each other, don’t we?” His gaze searched hers, and the silence was broken only by an occasional snap and pop from the logs in the fireplace.

  His look was thoughtful as he straightened in his chair. Nervously, she glanced around the den she had come to love—the books and desk, the chess set. One of the most ostentatious rooms in the house and, strangely, the one in which she felt the most comfortable. Maybe it was because this was the room Cooper used most often.

  “I think it’s important to clear away any misunderstandings, especially about the party. Ashley, when I saw how hurt you were to be excluded, well…I can’t remember ever feeling worse. Believe this, because it’s the truth. I wanted you there from the first. But I felt you would be uncomfortable. Those people are a lot like me.”

  “But I love you,” she said, keeping her gaze on her coffee.

  “I didn’t know that at the time. I didn’t want to do anything that was going to make you feel ill-at-ease. Thrusting you into my world could have destroyed our promising relationship, and that was far more important to me. Now I realize what a terrible mistake that was.”

  “And the other things?” She had to know, had to clear away any reasons for doubt.

  “Thinking over everything you’ve told me, your point of view makes perfect sense.” He set his cup aside and sat on the ottoman in front of her chair. Holding her face with both hands, he tilted her gaze to meet his. Ashley couldn’t doubt the sincerity of his look. “I did those things because I thought you wouldn’t want to be associated with me. I didn’t let Claudia know you were here on Thanksgiving when she phoned to protect you from speculation and embarrassing questions. The same with what happened in church.”

  “Oh, Cooper…” She groaned at her own stupidity. “I was so miserable. I know it was stupid not to say anything, but I was afraid of the truth.”

  His kiss was sweet and filled with the awe of the discovery of her love. “Things being what they are, maybe you should open your Christmas gift now.”

  “Oh, could I?”

  “I think you’d better.” He opened the closet and brought out a large, beautifully wrapped box.

  Much bigger than an engagement ring, Ashley mused thoughtfully, fighting to overcome her disappointment. Cowboy boots? She’d tried on a couple of pairs when they’d bought his, but she’d decided against them because of the expense. But if her present was cowboy boots, why would Cooper feel it was important to give it to her now?

  He placed it on her lap, and she untied the red velvet bow, then hesitated. “My gift to you is at home.” It was important that he know he’d meant enough to her to buy him something special. “But I’m making you wait until Christmas.”

  “Maybe I should make you wait, too,” he teased, ready to take back the gaily wrapped present.

  “No you don’t,” she objected, and gripped the package tightly.

  “Actually,” he said, and the teasing light left his eyes, “it’s important that you open this now.” He smiled huskily and kissed her. His lips were a light caress across her brow.

  Ashley’s fingers shook as she pulled back the paper and lifted the lid of the box. Inside, nestled in white tissue, was a large family Bible. Her heart was thumping so loudly she could barely hear Cooper speaking above the hammering beat.

  “A Bible,” she murmured and looked up at him, her gaze probing his.

  “I’ve thought about what you said about your relationship with Christ, and how important it was to you. I wanted to have a strong faith for you, because of my love. But that wasn’t good enough. There were so many things I didn’t understand. If Christ paid the price for my salvation with His life, then how can my faith be of value if all I have to do is ask for it?” He stood and walked across the room, pausing once to run his hand through his hair. “I talked to Seth about it several times. He always had the answers, but I wasn’t convinced. Last Sunday I was in church, sitting in the sanctuary waiting for the service to begin, and I asked God to help me. On the way out of church after the service I saw the car I had given you in the parking lot. Suddenly I knew.”

  Ashley had been at church, but she had taught Sunday School and then helped in the nursery during the worship service. She had talked only briefly to Claudia and hadn’t seen Cooper at all.

  “My car? How did my car help?”

  “It sounds crazy, I know,” he admitted wryly. “But I gave it to you because I love you. Freely, without seeking reimbursement, knowing that you couldn’t afford a car. It was my gift to you, because I love you. It suddenly occurred to me that was exactly why Christ died for me. He paid the price because I couldn’t.”

  Unabashed tears of happiness clouded her eyes as her hands lovingly traced the gilded print on the cover of the Bible.

  “I’ve made my commitment to Christ,” he told her, his voice rich and vibrant. “He’s my Savior.”

  “Oh, Cooper.” She wiped a tear from her cheek and smiled up at him.

  “That’s not all.”

  An overwhelming happiness stole through her. She couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful than what he’d just finished explaining.

  “Do you recall the first Sunday Claudia and Seth arrived?”

  Ashley nodded.

  “I stepped into your Sunday School class.” He looked away as a glossy shine came over his dark eyes. “You were on the floor with a little girl sitting in your lap.”

  “I remember. You turned around and walked out. I thought I’d done something to upset you.”

  “Upset me?” he repeated incredulously. “No. Never that. You looked up, and your blue eyes softened, and in that moment I imagined you holding another child. Ours. Never have I felt an emotion so strong. It nearly choked me, I could hardly think. If I hadn’t turned around and walked away, I don’t know what I would have done.”

  Ashley thought her heart would burst with unrestrained joy. “Our child.”

  “Yes.” Cooper knelt on the floor beside her, took the Bible out of its box and set the box on the floor. Reverently, he opened the first pages of the holy book. “I got this one for a reason. I’ve written our names here, and I’m asking that we fill the rest out together.”

  Ashley looked down at the page, which had been set aside to record a family history. Both their names were entered under “Marriage,” the date left blank.

  “Will you marry me, Ashley?” he asked, an unfamiliar humble quality in his voice.

  The lump of joy in her throat prevented her from doing anything but nodding her head. “Yes,” she finally managed. “Yes, Cooper, yes.” She flung her arms around his neck and spread kisses over his face. She laughed with breathless joy as the tears slid down her cheeks.

  His arms went around her as he pulled her closer. His mouth found hers in a lingering kiss that cast away all doubts and misgivings.

  She lovingly caressed the side of his face. “I don’t know how you can love me. I always seem to think the worst of you.”

  “Not anymore you won’t,” he whispered against her temple as he continued to stroke her back. “I won’t ever give you reason to doubt again. I love you, Ashley.”

  She linked her hands behind his neck and smiled contentedly into his eyes. “I do want children. Just being with Johnny and Scott has shown me how much I want babies of my own.”

  “We’ll fill the house. I can’t wait to tuck them into bed at night and listen to their prayers.”

  “What about horsey rides?”

  “Those, too.”

  “Cooper…” She paused and swallowed tightly. “Why were you so angry with me after the party?” She wanted everything to be right and needed to know what she’d done to displease him.

  Some of the happiness left his face. “I love you so much, Ashley. It hurt me to see you so uncomfortable, afraid to make a move. Your fun-loving, outgoing nature had been completely squelched. I wanted you to be yourself. Later—” He sat on the ottoman and took both her hands in his. “—I had already gotten the Bible with the hope of asking you to marry me, and you listed off all the things I had done to make you believe I was ashamed to be seen with you. I don’t mind telling you that it shook me up. I was on the verge of asking you to be my wife, and you didn’t even know how much I loved you.”

  “I won’t have that problem again,” she told him softly.

  “I know you won’t, because you’ll never have reason to doubt again. I promise you that, my love.”

  The sound of footsteps in the hall brought their attention to the world outside the door.

  Cooper stood, and extended a hand toward her. “I don’t think either Claudia or Seth will be surprised by our announcement. Or your family, for that matter.”

  “My family?”

  “I talked to your mother and father yesterday. They’ve given us their blessing. I was determined to have you, Ash. I wouldn’t want to live my life without you now.” He hugged her tightly and curved an arm around her waist. “Christmas. It’s almost too wonderful to believe. God gave His Son in love. And now He’s given me you.”

  While on a solo holiday trip, one woman rediscovers her passion for music, reconciles with her family, and falls in love in this inspiring novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

  A Christmas Duet

  Read on for a special sneak peek!

  Available soon from Ballantine Books

  One

  Hailey Morgan’s doorbell chimed, and she hurried to answer, eager for her best friend to arrive. This was the last day of school before the holiday break and Hailey was more than ready to celebrate. As teachers at George Washington High School, Hailey and Katherine were set for a girl’s night. They’d debated about going out but in the end decided simply relaxing at home sounded like a far better idea. Hailey had offered to host. She had heavily spiked eggnog at the ready and would follow up with popcorn later for the Christmas movie. Katherine was ordering the pizza.

  Throwing open her apartment door, Hailey greeted her friend with a hug. “Free at last,” she squealed. “Has any school day ever seemed so long?”

  “It lasted forever,” Katherine groaned, as she removed her hat and coat and tossed them over the arm of the chair.

  The two had worked at the high school for three years. They’d been hired at the same time and quickly become fast friends.

  “You got the eggnog?” Katherine asked.

  “All counted for,” Hailey assured her.

  “The pizza is ordered for delivery,” she paused and glanced at the time. “At any minute.”

  Just then the doorbell chimed. Katherine opened it, took the pizza box from the teenage driver and passed along a generous tip. “Thank you,” she said and promptly closed the door.

  Hailey got out the paper plates and red pepper flakes. Like so many other similarities, they both shared a love of spicy food.

  Slouching down on the sofa side by side, they indulged in the Hawaiian pizza, too busy enjoying their dinner to talk.

  After a few moments, Katherine paused between bites. “I take it your day was as hectic as mine.”

  “As bad or worse,” Hailey said with a heavy sigh.

  The music students had their minds on anything but schoolwork. Even her band class had been chaotic, with everyone anxious for the school day to end. The teens had been watching the clock, counting down the minutes, which was exactly what Hailey had done.

  Katherine taught American history, and Hailey could well imagine her friend’s day. In the best of times, it was hard to control the classroom full of hormone enhanced teenagers, glued to their cell phones and posting on social media. With vacation looming and Christmas in the air, it had become nearly impossible for a teacher to hold their attention. It’d become especially hard for Hailey after the band’s holiday performance earlier in the week.