A Convenient Christmas Bride. Rhonda Gibson
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Hitched for the Holidays
After a pupil’s prank forces Anna Mae Leland to take shelter with a widowed sheriff during a blizzard, she loses her teaching job—but gains a fiancé. Josiah Miller needs a mother for his twin daughters and Anna Mae needs to protect her reputation. This business-only arrangement means the recently jilted Anna Mae need never risk the folly of love again.
Josiah has long admired the town’s spirited schoolteacher from afar. In close quarters, she’s an ideal friend and helpmate. Yet Christmas’s arrival brings a gift neither dared hope for—a second chance at love and happiness…but only if they’ll forego what’s practical and follow their hearts.
“I’ve decided to take you up on your offer.
“But before I say yes, I want you to know that I was engaged once before. My fiancé left town the night before our wedding and broke my heart. I can’t take that type of heartbreak again, so know this…I most likely will never love you. At least not the way a wife should love her husband.” She breathed out heavily. “There. I’ve said it, so if you don’t want to marry me after hearing this, I understand.”
Josiah’s heart went out to Anna Mae for her loss. But still it felt as if a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. She didn’t want a real marriage, either. This was perfect. He laughed.
“You’re happy I won’t ever love you?”
“Yes. I want to be friends with you, but I can never love you the way I did my first wife.”
“Oh, I see.” Anna Mae nodded. “But I’d rather no one else knows that this is a marriage of convenience.”
He nodded in turn. Anna Mae laughed. “Good, then we can get married whenever you’re ready.”
Was it his imagination or did her laugh sound forced?
RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.
A Convenient
Christmas Bride
Rhonda Gibson
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.
—1 Peter 5:6–7
To God be the Glory and to James who continues to believe in me.
Contents
Granite, Texas October 1887
Sheriff Josiah Miller peered out