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  She faced him. “Don’t pretend everything’s fine, when you’re leaving tomorrow morning.”

  He gave her an indulgent smile as if she was all of nine years old. “You know I have to go.”

  She wanted to throw a nine-year-old’s kind of tantrum, too, kicking and screaming. What would the urbane and controlled Dale Massey do then? Faith couldn’t manage anything over the lump of emotion closing off her throat, so she nodded.

  Of course she knew he had to go. But why couldn’t he promise to come back?

  He stepped closer and searched her eyes. She’d been mistaken. Dale wasn’t cold at all. There was heat in his gaze and, like the warmth of a fire, she wanted to draw closer and snuggle into his embrace.

  A stupid tear escaped and Faith dashed it away.

  “I’ve got some deals to close and business to wrap up in New York, and then I’ll call you.” Dale’s voice came out whisper soft.

  More tears. Nice brush-off line. She’d heard it all before, hadn’t every woman? “Real original, Romeo.”

  “What’s that?” He tipped his head and looked far too amused.

  “I’ll call you?” Her voice sounded harsh and bitter.

  She didn’t want to believe everything that had passed between them had only been for fun. She’d fallen too deep. For him.

  *

  Dale nearly laughed, but knew if he did, Faith might deck him and then he’d be in big trouble with her brothers. He’d never expected his beloved to have such a snarly temper. The reality that he loved her hit him hard. He’d never expected to see things crystallize into precise clarity in a single moment. The moment she’d pulled away from him and he saw the naked hurt in her eyes.

  Shame filled him for trying to wait it out and get some distance to be sure at her expense. Dale didn’t need distance to know what was in his heart. But then, he’d never felt this way before, so how was he to really know? He figured he’d obliterate any second thoughts by returning to New York. He’d think more clearly there. Get his bearings and then return.

  All that flew by the wayside looking into a pair of damp blue eyes. “I’ll be back, Faith.”

  “Yeah?” She sniffed. “When?” She still didn’t understand.

  “After I put my co-op up for sale.”

  Her eyes widened.

  He rested his hands on her hips as ideas flooded his mind and hope filled his heart. He could do this. They’d make it here in Jasper Gulch. He’d make it here where it felt like home. “Maybe I can buy that old Jenkins building. No reason why I can’t be the one to spearhead Massey International’s dip into Big Sky real estate from right here in Jasper Gulch.”

  “Really?” Her eyes grew wide.

  “Really. In fact…” Dale took a deep breath and went down on one knee, capturing both her hands with his. She was an all-or-nothing girl. Well, he wanted all of her.

  Forever.

  And forever didn’t seem so impossible looking into Faith’s eyes. The stone tile floor of the Shaw’s foyer felt hard and cold. Not exactly the most romantic place to do this, but once started, he had to go all the way.

  And it felt right.

  She was right. For him.

  “I’m not leaving you, Faith. I love you and I want to marry you.” He laid open his heart for her, something he’d never done before, and waited.

  Seconds dragged and his conviction wavered. Maybe he’d been wrong.

  “Oh, Dale…” She grabbed his shoulders and her fingers trembled. More tears spilled from her eyes. She laughed then, and pulled at him to get up off the floor. “Yes!”

  He scooped her up and held her tight as she laughed and cried.

  She pulled back a little. “When did you decide all this?”

  Dale set her down and raked a hand through his hair. “I don’t know. Just now everything sort of fell into place and I knew it was right. I’m sorry I didn’t do it up with roses and the whole shebang instead of the foyer of Shaw Ranch.”

  She giggled. “But this is where we met.”

  He rubbed his nose against hers. “You wouldn’t pick up my keys.”

  “You threw them at me!” She cupped his face with her hands and stared into his eyes. “I love you, Dale Massey. You. The man you are inside.”

  “I know.” And then he kissed her.

  This is what he’d always wanted without ever naming it. He’d feared that if he acknowledged this deepest desire, he would never be the kind of man who could claim it. Faith had brought more than Christmas into his life; she’d pulled his heart out of hiding. He’d made a choice, one he would make every day from now on, and with God, his heart would remain forever faithful to one special woman.

  “Is it safe yet?”

  Dale heard his brother’s loud whisper.

  “No, no, don’t go out there.” Nadine’s came next.

  He broke away from Faith. “I think we’d better get those cookies.”

  “I suppose we should.” The radiant smile she gave him confirmed why he’d never get enough of her.

  Faith was real right down to her woolly socks. And then she laughed and gestured for her family to come closer. “It’s okay, you can come out now, the show’s over.”

  Nadine charged and nearly knocked him down when she hugged him. “I knew you were the one for our Faith. I knew it the minute I laid eyes on you.”

  “Thanks.” Dale shook the mayor’s offered hand, but wasn’t sure about the hard look in the man’s eyes. Surely, his future father-in-law didn’t expect him to ask permission to wed his daughter. “Jackson?”

  “Welcome to the family, son.”

  Family.

  Dale liked the sound of that. But did the mayor welcome him or the Massey money? It didn’t really matter. He would figure out Faith’s father eventually. He’d dealt with tougher men. For now, he would take the welcome for what it was worth. What mattered was Faith’s love. And God’s.

  After rounds of congratulations, Faith phoned her sister. He could hear her laughing in the next room. Adam and Austin had gone downstairs to ready the pool table for a game while Eric and Jordan finished their milk and homemade cookies.

  “So you’re moving here?” Jordan asked through a mouthful of crumbs.

  “Yes.” Dale stretched his arms on either side of the couch. Maybe they’d build in the spring. His life with Faith stretched before him as one exciting journey he could hardly wait to start.

  “Think Julian will go for it?” Eric reached for another cookie.

  “He wanted you at Lone Peak. I don’t see why he won’t accept me in an altered role in Jasper Gulch. You can work here, too, you know.”

  Eric looked thoughtful. “Maybe.”

  That was enough for Dale. For now.

  “But you’re the heir, you’re Dale the Coldheart,” Jordan said. “What’s Dad going to do without you in New York?”

  Dale laughed at the nickname. “Both of you are heirs to Massey International, and Jordan, you’re ready to really get your feet wet.”

  His youngest brother looked skeptical. “I don’t know.”

  Dale leaned forward. “I do. God has a plan and I finally got in on it. You both can, too….”

  Dale served a bigger kingdom now. Helping Jasper Gulch grow while keeping the town true to its core values is where he could better serve as heir to the Kingdom of God.

  This is where Dale belonged.

  Finally, he’d found his home.

  Epilogue

  Faith paced the living room at Shaw Ranch. It was late. Everyone had gone to bed and she glanced at the clock. Dale’s plane had been late landing in Bozeman. Snow fell outside in the darkness, but it wasn’t bad driving. Dale had told her so when he’d called from town. He’d be here soon.

  And they’d finalize plans for their wedding and honeymoon.

  Her stomach fluttered and dipped.

  Dale had called her, all right. The moment he’d landed in New York two weeks ago, he’d called their landline to set the date for a Christmas wed
ding. Two long weeks, Dale spent wrapping up business in New York. And in Jasper Gulch, too. He’d not only bought the Jenkins building, but he’d hired a builder to renovate the top floor into an apartment. A place for them to live after they returned from their honeymoon spent in New York and then Tahiti.

  Another two weeks and she’d become Faith Massey.

  New Christmas memories waited to be made and they didn’t want to miss a one. She heard the sound of a car pulling close and rushed outside.

  “Dale!” Faith threw herself into his open arms.

  He scooped her up and held tight. “I missed you.”

  She breathed in his subtle cologne mixed with snow and car exhaust. He even wore his red barn coat and jeans. “Are you hungry? Mom made cookies.”

  “In a minute.” He kissed her.

  She shivered.

  “Let’s get inside where it’s warm. I’ve got something for you.” He smiled.

  “What?”

  “Inside.” He nodded toward the door while he grabbed his travel bag from the backseat of the SUV he drove.

  “Nice rental you’ve got there. No lemons left?” Faith gave him a cheeky grin.

  “I bought this.”

  Faith ran her hand along the hood of a big and brand-new jeep. “Wow. Nice.”

  He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go inside.”

  Once in the foyer, Dale dropped his bag and threw his coat on the bench there. Then he led her into the living room, beyond the fireplace and in front of their Christmas tree.

  Dale knelt.

  She did, too. Faith knew what he’d brought her and smiled. “No roses and the whole shebang?”

  “I can’t wait for all that.”

  “Since when have you become so impatient?”

  He grinned. “Since meeting you. Now, be quiet and give me your hand.”

  Faith sat back on her slippered feet and gave him her right hand.

  “The other one,” he growled.

  She giggled and did as he asked.

  Dale pulled a little black box out of his pocket and opened it. “Marry me, Faith.”

  She gasped at the shimmering round diamond placed deep in a vintage platinum setting of intricate filigree. “It’s gorgeous.”

  Dale concentrated as he slid the ring on her finger. “I thought you’d like it. It’s amazing, the story behind this little ring and more.”

  “Little?” She held her hand out and fluttered her fingers. The diamond was huge and sparkled like mad against the glow of the Christmas-tree lights.

  He took both her hands in his. “My father had old photos, newspaper clippings and this ring in his safe. He said it belonged to my great-great-grandmother. Grace Massey. I had it cleaned and appraised and it’s dated around the nineteen-twenties. Silas must have given this to Grace after they’d settled in New York.”

  Faith’s eyes burned. The ring was so beautiful. “How can I accept this? It’s your family’s heirloom.”

  “You’re my family.” Dale curled his hand around hers. “My father agreed it should be yours. Forever. Faith, this ring was meant for your finger. Look how perfectly it fits.”

  Faith grinned. “You’re right. It’s so mine.” Then she wrinkled her nose. “Do you think it was paid for with the stolen bank money?”

  “Could be. But we’ve evened that up.”

  “How’d we do that?” She knew, but wanted to hear Dale admit to it. His donation to the bridge fund had been huge. And he’d become one of many new museum patrons.

  “A Shaw stole a Massey’s heart.” He kissed her finger, near the ring. “For keeps.”

  Faith wrapped her arms around Dale’s neck. “That’s worth more than any amount of gold a bank can hold.”

  He rubbed his nose against hers. “I agree.”

  Faith kissed him then. And she couldn’t help thinking the founding fathers of Jasper Gulch might be smiling down on them right along with the women who’d loved them.

  *

  If you liked this BIG SKY CENTENNIAL novel, watch for the next book, HER MONTANA CHRISTMAS by Arlene James, available December 2014.

  And don’t miss a single story in the BIG SKY CENTENNIAL miniseries:

  Book #1: HER MONTANA COWBOY

  by Valerie Hansen

  Book #2: HIS MONTANA SWEETHEART

  by Ruth Logan Herne

  Book #3: HER MONTANA TWINS

  by Carolyne Aarsen

  Book #4: HIS MONTANA BRIDE

  by Brenda Minton

  Book #5: HIS MONTANA HOMECOMING

  by Jenna Mindel

  Book #6: HER MONTANA CHRISTMAS

  by Arlene James

  Keep reading for an excerpt from AN AMISH FAMILY CHRISTMAS by Marta Perry.

  Dear Reader, Thank you for picking up a copy of my book. I’m thrilled to be a part of this wonderful series. Dale and Faith were a fun couple to write, coming from such opposite places. I love Faith’s spunk, not to mention that she plays a mean fiddle and honors everything about Christmas. Dale is the one who surprised me most. I had him pegged as an arrogant charmer, but soon found out it was a facade he hid behind. He had everything money could buy but lacked the one thing he wanted most—unconditional love and acceptance.

  We may have everything or nothing, but God, our Heavenly Father, is the one we need to please. Only through His grace can we hope to find contentment and real acceptance. And joy that surpasses any circumstance.

  Many blessings to you this holiday season of Thanksgiving into Christmas.

  And may God prove to be real in your life, Jenna

  I love to hear from readers. Please visit my website at www.jennamindel.com or drop me a note c/o Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279

  Questions for Discussion

  When Dale arrives in Montana, he’s irritable and doesn’t want to be there. How did he treat those waiting on him? Could he have done better? How? Can you relate to where he’s coming from? Or not?

  When Faith meets Dale, she’s not the least bit intimidated by him, but then something changes when she realizes who he is. How did Faith treat him? What were her first impressions of him? Were they correct?

  How common is it to view people by their appearance? What do we see? How different is that from what God sees?

  Jasper Gulch is a fictional place, but like most small towns, it values its history. Why is that so important?

  Faith is a woman of faith and pretty centered because of her beliefs. How did she demonstrate this?

  Dale comes from an affluent background. How does he view money? Does that outlook change by the end of the book? If so, how?

  Economic growth is more challenging than ever. How difficult is it for small towns to experience growth these days? Were the folks of Jasper Gulch going about it the right way? What could they have done differently?

  Jackson Shaw pushed Faith toward Dale without much tact. Why was that? Was he wrong to manipulate circumstances with the power outage to throw the two together?

  Dale feels unloved by his earthly father. How can God heal that kind of wound? What steps will Dale need to take to accept God’s healing?

  Faith’s passion for music keeps her content to share her talent in a regional orchestra. Should she strive to prove herself by aiming higher in the professional arena? Why or why not?

  Faith tried to give Dale a good memory of Christmas to compensate for so many lonely holidays he’d experienced growing up. What more could she have done? Do you think she succeeded?

  What are some of your fondest Christmas memories? What’s your favorite Christmas carol?

  We hope you enjoyed this Harlequin Love Inspired story.

  You believe hearts can heal. Love Inspired stories show that faith, forgiveness and hope have the power to lift spirits and change lives—always.

  Enjoy six new stories from Love Inspired every month!

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  Chapter One

  Susannah Miller stood behind the security of her teacher’s desk, watching the departure of school board member James Keim and his wife, and wondered if her annual Christmas program was going to spell the end of her job as teacher at Pine Creek Amish School. The hollow feeling in her stomach brought on by Keim’s complaints lingered even after the door had closed behind him.

  Too worldly? What would make the Keims think there was anything worldly about the Amish school’s Christmas program? The program celebrated typical Amish values and attitudes toward the birth of Christ. It had always been the highlight of the school year for her scholars and their families in this small, valley community in central Pennsylvania.

  Susannah stiffened her spine. It still would be, if she had anything to say about it. She glanced around the simple, one-room schoolhouse that had become so precious to her over the past twelve years. Everything from the plain, green shades on the windows to the sturdy, wooden desks to the encouraging sayings posted on the wall declared that this was an Amish school, dedicated to educating kinder for life in an Amish community.

  Becky Shuler, Susannah’s best friend since childhood, abandoned the pretense she’d adopted of arranging books on the bookshelves. She hurried over to put her arm around Susannah’s waist.

  “Ach, Susannah, it wonders me why you don’t look more upset. I’d be throwing something if I had to put up with James Keim’s criticisms. The nerve of the man, coming in here and complaining about your Christmas program before he’s even seen it.”

  Susannah shook her head, managing a smile. “I’m not upset.”

  Or, at least, she had no intention of showing what she was feeling. Becky was her dearest friend in the world, but she knew as well as anyone that Becky couldn’t keep herself from talking, especially when she was indignant on behalf of those she loved.