The Billionaire's Christmas Miracle (Sweet Billionaires 3) Read online

  Jacqueline’s eyes brightened and the somber expression on her face lifted. “Yes? Oh, that’s wonderful. Thank you, Gwen. I believe you might be as amazing as Drew claims you are.”

  “All right, Mother,” Drew said, “I think you’ve propped me up enough. Don’t put me too high on that pedestal or I might fall off.”

  “He’s a keeper,” Jacqueline whispered to Gwen before patting her arm. “It’s time I let you rest anyway. I’ve got a Christmas party to plan.” She flashed a small wave and then walked out of the room.

  “I missed a lot in a week,” Gwen said with a smile. She felt a little like Alice in Wonderland. Everything seemed different.

  Drew issued another one of those deep laughs. “You did. God works in mysterious ways, and though I wouldn’t wish your accident on anyone, I’m thankful it made my mother see the error of her ways. Oh, and I checked with the doctor. He will come examine you, but as long as he finds nothing out of the ordinary, he said you could go home today.”

  Home. She could think of no place she’d rather be.

  Chapter 23

  “You look beautiful,” Carrie said as she batted Gwen’s hand down. “Stop messing with it.”

  “I’m sorry. It itches.” Gwen had agreed to let Carrie take her for a full day of pampering before the Christmas dinner party. Her hands and feet were neatly painted, her skin was scrubbed fresh, and her hair was pulled up, but the woman had put a few too many pins in her hair and they were digging into Gwen’s scalp. She tried one more time to scratch, but Carrie shot her a disapproving look. “Okay, fine. Thank you for coming with me by the way.”

  “Are you kidding? My pleasure. I want to live in a place like this someday. Who would have thought that you would live in a mansion before I did?”

  Gwen scoffed and ducked her head as they walked up the ornate path. “I’m not living in one yet.”

  “You will be. I’ve seen the way Drew looks at you. He may not propose tonight, but if I were a betting woman, I’d wager he pops the question within six months, and you’re married before next Christmas.” Carrie pressed the doorbell.

  Gwen hoped Carrie was right. Ever since she had returned from the hospital, her apartment had seemed lonelier. And even when Drew came over to bring her food or do a devotional with her, the stillness only abated while he was there. As soon as he left, it creeped in again with a quiet ferocity. Gwen knew it was because she had finally found the man she was supposed to be with. She could feel it in her soul every time they were together.

  The door opened, and Pierre smiled at them. “Good evening, Miss Gwen and friend. Please come inside and join the festivities.” He stepped back to allow them entrance, and Gwen gasped.

  The room had been transformed into a magical wonderland. Christmas lights hung from the ceilings, tinsel draped across every surface, and at least three trees sat around the room.

  “It’s beautiful,” she said in a hushed voice.

  “Not nearly as beautiful as you.” Drew had come up behind her and his arm circled her waist. His voice was quiet in her ear. He spun her around and stared into her eyes. “I’m afraid, Miss Gwen, that you are standing under mistletoe and that I am forced to supply you with a kiss.”

  Gwen giggled and glanced up to see Drew holding a sprig over their heads. “Well, we don’t want to mess with tradition, now do we?”

  “We do not,” he said as his lips found hers.

  Now this was home. In Drew’s arms, in a warm house, with Christmas music playing in the background. This was the relationship Gwen had hoped for.

  “All right, you two love birds,” Carrie said breaking into the kiss. “You can resume that later. I, for one, would love some eggnog.”

  With a smile, Drew laced his fingers through Gwen’s and led her into the kitchen. Jacqueline stood at the island icing cookies.

  “Oh good, you made it. I just finished this batch. What do you think?” She turned the plate around and Gwen bit her lip to keep from smiling. The santas looked more like clouds and the colors on the trees clumped together, but she knew Jacqueline had worked hard on them.

  “They look beautiful, and I’m sure they taste just as good.”

  “They better,” Ernesto said stepping into the kitchen. “I worked hard on them all day.” His eyes fell to the iced disasters. “Oh, no, what have you done to my cookies?”

  “Come on,” Drew tugged on Gwen’s hand. “I have something for you.” He pulled her out of the kitchen and over to one of the trees where he picked up a small gift and handed it to her.

  “It’s not present time yet,” she said.

  “Think of it as a gift to enhance your outfit,” he said with a smile.

  Gwen glanced down at her outfit. It was a hunter green dress with a red sash. She wasn’t sure what else it needed, but she humored him and took the small package. As she lifted the lid, her lips parted, and emotion welled up in her throat. Inside was a dainty gold locket.

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love it,” Gwen answered. She flicked the clasp and tears flooded her eyes. Somehow Drew had found a picture of her mother and father and they stared back at her now.

  “This way you can always have them close to your heart.” Drew picked the locket up and fastened it around her neck. Gwen stared at it one more time. She had never had a more thoughtful gift.

  “Thank you, Drew Devonshire. This means the world to me.”

  His hands slid to her shoulders. “You mean the world to me, Gwen Rodgers. You’ve turned my world completely upside down in the short time that I’ve known you, but in a good way. You brought my mother and I closer together. You’ve pushed me to follow my dreams, and you’ve made me a better man. You are my Christmas miracle, and I love you.”

  “I love you too.” Gwen wrapped her arms around his neck and let herself melt in his embrace. This would be a Christmas she would remember for a long time to come.

  The End!

  If you want to follow Carrie’s story, be sure to check out The Billionaire’s Cowboy Groom.

  If you liked this story and would like to know when the next book will be out, then please join my newsletter. I’m offering a free sample of my next book Free Sample!

  It’s not quite the end!

  * * *

  Thank you so much for reading The Billionaire’s Christmas Miracle. The Billionaire’s Christmas Miracle was a fun book to write. I loved the idea of Drew, a wealthy good guy looking for something real, and Gwen, being the down-to-earth teacher (not unlike myself).

  It was fun to do a Cinderella take. Perhaps I’ll dabble in some more fairy tales in the future, but before I could even do that, readers wanted Gwen’s and Drew’s wedding, so of course I had to do that and decided giving Carrie her own book would be the perfect way. Keep reading for a sneak peek.

  I hope you enjoyed the story as well. If you did, would you do me a favor? If you did, please leave a review. It really helps. It doesn’t have to be long - just a few words to help other readers know what they’re getting.

  I’d love to hear from you, not only about this story, but about the characters or stories you’d like read in the future. I’m always looking for new ideas and if I use one of your characters or stories, I’ll send you a free ebook and paperback of the book with a special dedication. Write to me at [email protected]. And if you’d like to see what’s coming next, be sure to stop by authorloranahoopes.com

  I also have a weekly newsletter that contains many wonderful things like pictures of my adorable children, chances to win awesome prizes, new releases and sales I might be holding, great books from other authors, and anything else that strikes my fancy and that I think you would enjoy. I’ll even send you the first chapter of my newest (maybe not even released yet) book if you’d like to sign up.

  Even better, I solemnly swear to only send out one newsletter a week (usually on Tuesday unless life gets in the way which with three kids it usually does). I will not spam you, sell your email address to solicitor
s or anyone else, or any of those other terrible things.

  And if you’re interested in meeting the rest of the billionaires in the series, be sure to check out The Billionaire’s Cowboy Groom. Turn the page for a sneak peek.

  Not ready to say Goodbye yet?

  * * *

  Fallen in love with Drew and Gwen? I did too along with designer Carrie Bliss, so I figured she needed her own story. Of course, Carrie is complicated, so her story had to be too. Bet you won’t be expecting this….

  The Billionaire’s Cowboy Groom

  She’s finally found the man she wants to marry…

  There’s just one problem. She married a man years ago in Vegas and never got divorced. Now, she must travel to Texas to get him to sign the papers.

  He knew she was the one for him…

  Though she disappeared after the wedding, Cal has never given up hope that she will come back into his life, but when she does, can he convince her to stay?

  What if it was meant to be….

  Read on for a taste of The Billionaire’s Cowboy Groom….

  The Billionaire’s Cowboy Groom preview

  Carrie zipped up the back of her best friend’s dress and stepped back to admire it.

  “Oh my goodness, Carrie, this is more beautiful than I even imagined.” Gwen fingered the white satin, her hand trailing across the lace and bead detail. She turned and studied the image in the full-length mirror. With her red hair pulled up, her slender shoulders were even more defined in the strapless dress.

  “Well, you deserve it. Besides, if you are going to marry Drew Devonshire and become a Devonshire, then you must dress like one.” Carrie smiled at the vision that was Gwen. The white pearls and lace accentuated her creamy skin, and her green eyes sparkled. Happiness filled Carrie that she was able to make Gwen feel so good about herself.

  “You are the best friend a girl could ask for.” Gwen turned from the mirror and enveloped Carrie in a hug. “Now, let’s get you dressed. Alyssa should be back soon.”

  Gwen had met Alyssa a few months after Drew proposed. Evidently, Drew had gone to college with Maxwell Banks, and they had reconnected when Drew searched for friends to make his groomsmen. It hadn’t been too hard to find him considering they were both billionaires.

  Max and Alyssa had visited, and Gwen and Alyssa had hit it off. They became close enough friends that Gwen had asked her to be a bridesmaid. Carrie didn’t mind. Gwen needed more friends, and she liked Alyssa too. And of course, Peyton was a doll.

  The door opened then and Alyssa and Peyton rushed in. Well, Peyton rushed in, Alyssa’s entry was more of a waddle seeing as how she was eight and a half months pregnant. “Sorry, Gwen, when you gotta go, you gotta go.”

  “Wow, Miss Gwen, you look so pretty,” Peyton stared up at Gwen with wide eyes. “Almost as pretty as Mommy looked when she married Daddy.” Peyton looked back to Alyssa, her eyes full of admiration.

  The girls all laughed. “Well, I wouldn’t expect to look prettier than your mommy.” Gwen smiled at Alyssa over Peyton’s head. “And don’t worry about the time. Your dress is here. Carrie was just about to get dressed as well.”

  “I realize it’s not my wedding, but I feel like a chicken with its head cut off.” Alyssa patted her pregnant belly. “How do you two keep up here?”

  “I hire help.” Carrie laughed as she slipped out of her clothes and into her bridesmaid dress. The emerald green satin hugged her figure like a second skin. She was glad she had been so strict with her diet lately, or the dress might not have fit her. “I’ve had to hire another designer to help me.”

  “It’s because you are so amazing,” Gwen said. “I mean this dress is stunning.” She twirled in front of the mirror again.

  “I’d say she’s a fan.” Alyssa chuckled as she stepped into her own emerald green dress. Gwen had chosen emerald green because she thought both Carrie and Alyssa would look good in it. Alyssa’s hair was a dark brown unlike Carrie’s red locks, but the emerald green was a color that brought out the best in both of them. “I wish I had known you when I got married. I would have loved to have worn a dress you designed.”

  Carrie stepped over to the mirror to check her reflection. “I saw your wedding picture. Your dress was beautiful.”

  “Did you see my dress at Mommy’s wedding too?” Peyton asked. She was already in her flower girl dress and practicing throwing fake petals from her basket.

  Carrie turned, smiled, and squatted down to the little girl’s level. “As a matter of fact, I did. You looked just as pretty then as you do now.” She tapped the end of the girl’s nose earning a giggle in reply.

  “Yes, it was beautiful,” Alyssa said picking up the original thread of conversation again, “but there’s something about having a friend make your dress that makes it extra special. I mean if you hadn’t made this one, I doubt I would have found one that fit. I am as big as a house.”

  “You’re welcome and you still look radiant,” Carrie said. “When is the baby due?”

  “A month. Can you believe that? It’s a good thing you didn’t plan this wedding any later, Gwen or they might not have let me fly.”

  “I’m sure Max would have found a way to get you here,” Carrie said with a laugh. “I don’t know him well, but he seems like a take charge kind of guy.”

  “Oh, he is that all right.” Alyssa smoothed her dress and turned in front of the mirror. “What about you, Carrie? When are you going to marry that handsome French man I met? What was his name?”

  “Philippe.” Carrie shrugged her shoulders. “I’m not sure. He hasn’t asked yet, but we’ve only been dating a few months.” Of course, that was forever in Carrie’s dating history. For as long as memory served her, she had flitted from one man to the next. Obviously, she was looking for something, but she wasn’t sure what yet. She hoped she it would smack her in the face when she found it so she didn‘t miss it.

  “Well, I’m sure it will be beautiful whenever it happens.” Alyssa rubbed her belly again.

  “And I’m sure this baby will be beautiful,” Gwen said. “You better send pictures.”

  “Of course I will. Chances are he’ll resemble this one though.” She hugged Peyton to her. “Max’s genes seem to run strong. Thank you, Gwen, for letting her be your flower girl.”

  “Yes, thank you, Miss Gwen. I promise to do a good job.” Peyton’s innocent face held the sincerest expression Carrie had ever seen on a person so young.

  “I know you will, sweetie. Your mom said you are a natural at throwing flowers. And I have no younger sisters or nieces, so you are doing me the big favor.” Gwen picked up the bag of flower petals and filled Peyton’s basket.

  Suddenly music carried into the room. “I think that might be our cue,” Carrie said. “Everybody ready?”

  “I can’t believe it’s finally time.” Gwen’s voice dripped with happiness and awe. Her face shone, and her smile stretched from one ear to the other.

  As Carrie opened the door and led the way to the sanctuary, she wondered if she would ever have the same expression on her face. When would it be her turn?

  * * *

  Cal Roper looked down into the basket of baked goods as he tried to come up with the right words. Though everything looked and probably was delicious, he needed to find some way to make Ginny understand he wasn’t interested in her romantically. She was as sweet as cherry pie, but he preferred apple.

  “Thanks, Ginny, this was real nice of you,” Cal said as he looked back up at the perky blond.

  “Oh, you know me, Cal, always baking more than I need.” She dropped her eyes to the ground and her toe dug a circle in the soft dirt. “So, I thought to myself - who could use some homemade goodies? And you popped right into my head.” She glanced up and flashed him a megawatt smile revealing nearly every one of her teeth as she batted her eyes at him.

  Cal supposed she was waiting for more than a thank-you. An invitation to dinner maybe or a ride on the mares, but he couldn’t do it. He wouldn’t
lead the poor girl on.

  “Well, I do appreciate it, and I’m sure Stacy will as well, right, sis?” He flashed his sister a help-me-out-will-you glance as he spoke.

  Stacy opened her mouth to reply, but Ginny beat her to it. “Not that I’m sure you’re not a good cook, Stacy,” she added as if just realizing how insulting her words might have sounded to his sister.

  Stacy held up her hands. “I take no offense. Cal does his own cooking. I just work here, but I’m sure we both will enjoy these muffins. It was real sweet of you to think of Cal.”

  Ginny smiled again and turned her eyes back to Cal. Her smile faltered when she realized he wasn’t going to extend any sort of invitation. “All right, well I better be getting my own dinner going, so I guess I’ll see you both at church on Sunday.”

  “We’ll be there,” Cal said, “and thanks again.” He lifted the basket and forced a small smile.

  “She likes you,” Stacy said as Ginny walked away.

  Cal sighed and dropped the basket onto the porch. “I suspected.” Ginny was a nice girl. Cute with a bubbly personality and a believer, but his heart belonged to someone else.

  “But?” Stacy pressed.

  Cal shrugged. “But I’m not interested.”

  “You haven’t been interested in the last three women who have shown an interest in you. You didn’t have enough in common with Gabriella, you had too much in common with Heather, and Sophie lived too far away.”

  “Well, she did,” Cal said. “I don’t want a long-distance relationship.”

  Stacy fixed her steely gray eyes on him. She might be a year younger than him, but she could turn a heart to ice with her fierce expression. He would want her watching his back in a fight any day. “Cal, it’s been six years. When are you going to let that woman go?”