Journey of the Magi by Barbara Edwards Read Free Book Online

home.”
    “The time seemed right,” she whispered.
    “Mommy,” Holly interrupted and gave a big yawn. “Tell my story.”
    ****
    The next few days blurred. The café was crowded for lunch and the evening meals well attended. The tip jar filled rapidly over the next two weeks. Holly continuously chattered about their trip home. Noel was taking a welcome break when Dan poked his head out of the kitchen.
    “C’mon,” he urged after he stripped off his apron. “The kids need some fresh air. Bundle ’em up for snow.”
    Noel scrambled to get ready. Happiness bubbled at being with him. She pressed her hand to her lips as they warmed in remembrance. Dan lifted her spirits with his cheerful attitude.
    In a few minutes they were outside in the chill air. Dan lifted Holly into a child seat he’d installed while Noel fastened Nick in a baby carrier in the truck’s back seat. She smiled at his thoughtfulness.
    “Where are we going?”
    “Out to the farm,” he said before he turned the big vehicle toward the north.
    Snow crunched under the big tires, and Noel cracked the window to enjoy the crisp air. Holly chattered about the houses they passed until Dan turned onto a plowed gravel lane and braked to a stop.
    “Where is it?” Noel eagerly turned from side to side.
    “There’s something I want you to see first,” he mumbled before he took her arm. His body blocked most of the wind while she checked to see that Nick slept.
    Holly squealed and hopped into the nearest snow-bank. Noel was grateful for the heat from his tall frame as she shivered. When he took her gloved hand, the connection warmed her to her toes. He tugged her into the center of a snowy pasture.
    The view was stunning. Fields spread in a postcard display to the blue horizon. Bare trees mixed with snow-laden pines dotted the expanse.
    Holly whooped before she threw herself spread-eagled onto the clear surface. Her arms and legs fanned an angel.
    Dan laughed and Noel’s heart expanded.
    “Everything we can see is part of my farm.” He gestured in a half circle and scuffed his boots in the snow. “It’s a big place.”
    “Why did we stop here?” she asked. His anxious expression aroused her curiosity.
    “So I could show you that.” Dan turned her toward a snow-crusted skeleton of two-by-fours and trusses that promised a new building.
    “It looks like a house.” Noel took a step closer as her breath hitched.
    “It is.” Dan turned her toward him, his broad hands cupping her shoulders. “Last fall I decided the farmhouse is too crowded and sleeping at the café wasn’t right. I wanted a new home, but winter came a little early.”
    Noel gazed at his eager expression. “It’s a lovely place.”
    “Could you be happy here?”
    “What? What did you say?” Her ears buzzed. He stroked a hand over her hair and she quivered with longing.
    “I want you to stay here with me. The café is making enough money to finish the house. You could tell me what you’d like to add.” Dan cupped her face and pressed a kiss to her cold lips. “I know that the room upstairs is crowded, but we could manage.”
    “But…” Noel’s throat closed on her protest, but she managed a whisper. “We’re going home. I promised.”
    Heaven help her, she wanted to stay. Dan was everything she’d dreamed a man could be. She struggled to keep tears from falling.
    “Don’t cry,” he murmured before he wiped a teardrop from her cheek.
    “Look, Mommy, look, Dan,” Holly yelled. She stood next to a line of five snow angels. “I made a family!”
    “Think about it, Noel.” Dan kissed her forehead.
    ****
    “Does our home have a toy box?”
    Noel straightened from the pile of coins spread on Dan’s desk. Installed in the playpen, Nicholas chortled as he played with his fingers. She picked through memories of her grandparents’ home. “There was one downstairs and one in my room and a big dollhouse.”
    “A dollhouse? Can I play with it?”
    “If it’s still