Myra Johnson - Their Christmas Prayer

A Texas pastor has a million reasons to go...

and just one to stay: her

Searching for a new start, Pastor Shaun O’Grady can’t wait for his next foreign missionary assignment…until he begins working with Brooke Willoughby on the church’s Christmas outreach program. Even as they clash over program specifics, Shaun and Brooke are drawn to each other. Now Shaun’s not sure where he belongs: overseas for his ministry, or at home by Brooke’s side...

Award-winning author MYRA JOHNSONwrites emotionally gripping stories about love, life and faith. She is a two-time finalist for the ACFW Carol Award and winner of the 2005 RWA Golden Heart® Award. Married since 1972, Myra and her husband have two married daughters and seven grandchildren. Although Myra is a native Texan, she and her husband now reside in North Carolina, sharing their home with two pampered rescue dogs.

Also By Myra Johnson

Rancher for the Holidays

Her Hill Country Cowboy

Hill Country Reunion

The Rancher’s Redemption

Their Christmas Prayer

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk

Their Christmas Prayer

Myra Johnson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-1-474-09753-6

THEIR CHRISTMAS PRAYER

© 2019 Myra Johnson

Published in Great Bri tain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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“Oh, but you’d look so handsome in a—”

Face reddening, Brooke pulled her lips between her teeth.

Heat infused Shaun’s face, too, even as his chest swelled at the compliment. Before he realized he was going to ask, he blurted, “Any chance you’d save me from going stag?”

Her eyelids fluttered. “Wow. Wasn’t expecting that.”

“Just thought it would be more fun to attend with a friend, especially since we’re both fairly new to town and probably won’t…” He let the thought fade away.

“Yeah.” The word came out on a sigh. She tucked her fingertips into her jeans pockets.

“I’d love to attend the wedding with you. Thanks. Now I really must go shopping.”

He thought she looked beautiful just as she was, paint-soaked jeans and all, and was about to tell her so before he abruptly came to his senses. Had he really been about to resort to shameless flirting? Because, seriously, this could go nowhere.

Nowhere.

Dear Reader,

As human beings, we naturally want to be in control, to make our plans and see them through. This was certainly the struggle Brooke and Shaun faced. Each in their own way, they had to learn how to let go of their own agendas and turn everything over to God.

Releasing control can be a struggle for me, too. I think I know what’s best for me, and my tendency is to push ahead until I make it happen...or make the situation worse. The problem is, I’m not God. He sees the whole picture—past, present and future—while all I can see is my own little part of it. I really don’t know what’s best for me, after all.

Yes, letting go can be scary. But as Shaun understood, all God asks of us is that we take each step in faith. If we’re trusting in Him, He won’t let us stray. The path won’t always be easy, and we may face periods of discouragement, but God’s best is always worth waiting for, no matter how long it takes.

Thank you so much for joining me in this return to Juniper Bluff for Brooke and Shaun’s story. The Texas Hill Country is very special to me, and I’m delighted to call it home once again.

I love to hear from readers, so please contact me through my website, www.MyraJohnson.com, or write to me c/o Love Inspired Books, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.

Keeping all my readers in my prayers,

Myra

For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

—Isaiah 64:4

For my family of pastors, pastors’ wives and missionaries, all faithful servants of our awesome God: Peter and Johanna, Ben and Julena, Jim and Judy; and in memory of my late father-in-law, Reverend Lester Johnson.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Introduction

Dear Reader

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Epilogue

Extract

About the Publisher

After nearly fifteen years of overseas missionary service, Shaun O’Grady had picked up many handy skills. Ranching wasn’t one of them. But since moving in a few weeks ago with Kent Ritter, the Texas cowboy soon to become his new brother-in-law, he was learning.

He’d just left the farm supply store with a bundle of push-in plastic fence posts and a roll of poly wire. On this chilly October morning, a steaming mug of coffee from Diana’s Donuts sure seemed like a good idea. Being Saturday, the place was packed, and Shaun had to wait several minutes in line before he made it to the counter.

“Morning, Diana. One large black coffee, please.” He tugged out his wallet. “Got any scones left?”