The Christmas Wreath by John C. Laird (most popular novels TXT) đ
- Author: John C. Laird
Book online «The Christmas Wreath by John C. Laird (most popular novels TXT) đ». Author John C. Laird
Suddenly, for a brief second, a gust of cold air hit his nude body as the sleeping bag was opened and another body quickly joined him, then just as quickly re-zipped their cocoon.
âGeez, itâs cold in the morning, but I just had to pee. Now I wish we would have bunked down a little closer to the outhouses.â Burrowing under the joined sleeping bags, Judi speedily shed her sweatshirt and sweatpants and snuggled up to him, her face buried in his neck. She ran her cold hands down his warm body.
He jerked. âShit, Judi, your hands are freezing.â Ben wrapped his arms around her and held her close. âIâm not complaining; like they say, âcold hands, warm heartâ.â He had ducked his head back inside the sleeping bags, now they were completely enclosed. âCold out, but warm in here.â
Judi murmured into his neck. âBy the way, somebody put a Christmas wreath over the antenna on your car. I guess Ensenada really caters to college students during holiday breaks.â
Benjaminâs breath caught in his throat. âWhat did you say?â
âI said, somebody put a wreath on your car. A real one, a really nice one, too. Red ribbons, berries and these really cool little wooden angels with big trumpets.â Judi kicked her feet. âAnd you need to clean these sleeping bags out more often; I found pine needles down at the bottom, they kept pricking my feet. Oh, yeah, I put the wreath in the car; youâre going to have to check it out, itâs pretty unique. When he didnât respond, she pulled the top of the sleeping bag down and looked at him, at the puzzled expression on his face. âHey, Ben, whatâs wrong, is everything okay?â
He stared at her for a long second. âYeah, itâs okay. Last night, I think I had a dream about Christmas trees and winter, with snow and everything, like back in Michigan. I canât remember much, you know how they fade after you wake up. Something about a wreathâŠand there was this guyâŠhell, I canât rememberâŠjust weird, I guess.â
Judi burrowed even closer to his body. âAnyway, donât forget, we canât spend all day here, my plane leaves for Ohio tonight, and even if it is the âred eyeâ we still have a long drive back. And Iâm looking forward to a long, hot bath beforeâŠâ
âJudi, I changed my mind; I want to go with you.â
She pulled back, looking, searching his face, her eyes brightening. âYou changed your mind? Why?â
The sea eagles cried, the surf roared. This time around, Benjamin Logan didnât even hesitate. âI want to be with you, wherever we go. I love you, Judi. I always will.â He kissed her, long and hard.
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Joshua frowned and gently put his hand on Benjamin Logan. The sleeping manâs chest was rising and falling rhythmically beneath his hand. âItâs more than a dream my old friend. Itâs a second chance for you. Make the best of it; youâve earned it. Call it a do-over, so to speak.â Benâs breathing slowed, then stopped.
Joshua H. Cristobel looked at the half full bottle of Jim Beam. âThey thought my changing water into wine at a wedding a wonder, or feeding the multitude with two fish and five loaves of bread a miracle.â He shook his head and sighed, âOh, ye of little faith.â Finally, a smile brightened his countenance like a sunrise. âBut for those that are strong in their belief and their faithâall things are possible.â He lifted his hand from the still form before him. âMerry Christmas, my friendâŠâ
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The sun blessed the day, the eagles rejoiced and the pounding surf thundered its approval. The two young lovers held each other close, their love and their life stretching out before them in a seemingly endless stream of blissful anticipation.
And God smiled.
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Text: J. C. Laird
Images: istockphoto/Alexandra Laird
Editing: Alexandra Laird
Publication Date: 12-13-2012
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