Mindy Obenhaus - The Deputy's Holiday Family

A Family for Christmas

Lacie Collier is determined to give her niece, Kenzie, the best Christmas! But Lacie’s got her work cut out for her when they spend the holidays at her Christmas-averse mother’s home. With his focus on keeping his own mother’s holiday traditions alive, sheriff’s deputy Matt Stephens is surprised to see his old friend Lacie back in Ouray. He’s always regretted that their friendship became strained after he started dating her sister in high school. But it’s pure shock he experiences when he sees Kenzie, whose uncanny resemblance to Matt is undeniable. This Christmas will bring new memories for Lacie and Matt...if they can open themselves to the possibility of love.

“I didn’t have a tree last year.”

He peered down at her. “Which is why we need to go buy one.”

“I see. How about over there—” she pointed toward the corner “—against the wall, beside the bookcase?”

“I like that look.”

His approval had her biting her lip. When did things get so easy between them? Like this was the way they were meant to be.

She quickly shook off the crazy notion.

Kenzie handed Matt a book. “Will you read this to me?”

“Sure.” He took a seat on the couch. “Hop on up here.”

Lacie watched as Kenzie snuggled against his broad chest. Definitely one of the sweetest things she’d seen in a long time.

It was obvious that Kenzie was growing attached to Matt, making Lacie feel bad about taking her away.

A job in Telluride would mean she and Kenzie could stay in Ouray. Though it would also mean spending a lot of time with Matt, fighting to keep her feelings in check.

And that was a risk Lacie wasn’t sure she was willing to take.

Dear Reader,

I have wanted to write a Christmas story set in Ouray for a very long time. Probably because it combines two of my favorite things—Christmas and Ouray.

There’s something extra special about the Christmas season that makes us want to believe that anything is possible. Then again, it is Jesus’s birthday. And with Him, all things really are possible.

Nothing is too big for God. Not our mistakes or our sins. Because of Jesus, we have been redeemed. That means God can forgive us, change us and even use what we would consider our biggest regrets for His glory, if we simply trust in Him.

When I first began this story, I knew Matt was a true hero. That despite an error in judgment and a rocky relationship with his father, he was a man of integrity who didn’t hesitate to help someone in need, whether they were a strange woman being taken advantage of by an inebriated guy or an independent elderly teacher suddenly unable to take care of herself.

And then we have Lacie, a woman who gave up everything for her niece—her job, her home and her dreams of finding love. But God had other plans.

These two giving people were perfect for each other. And I hope you enjoyed watching them fall in love as much as I did.

I’m looking forward to introducing you to the remaining Stephens brothers and spending some more time at Abundant Blessings Ranch. Until then, though, I’d love to hear from you. You can contact me via my website, mindyobenhaus.com, or you can snail mail me c/o Love Inspired Books, 195 Broadway, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10007.

See you next time,

Mindy

It took MINDY OBENHAUS forty years to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up. But once God called her to write, she never looked back. She’s passionate about touching readers with biblical truths in an entertaining, and sometimes adventurous, manner. Mindy lives in Texas with her husband and kids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys cooking and spending time with her grandchildren. Find more at mindyobenhaus.com.

The Deputy’s Holiday Family

Mindy Obenhaus

www.millsandboon.co.uk

For all have sinned and fall short

of the glory of God, and all are justified

freely by His grace through the redemption

that came by Christ Jesus.

—Romans 3:23–24

To my loving husband, Richard.

You are my hero.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to former Ouray County deputy

Betty Wolfe, and theater arts teacher

Alyssa Preston for all of your valuable input.

I couldn’t have done this without you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

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

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Coming home had never been so bittersweet.

Lacie Collier tapped her brakes at the Ouray city limit sign, observing the snowcapped mountains that closed in around her. Okay, so her trip home in February for her sister’s funeral ranked right up there, too. But this was different.

She glimpsed the brown-eyed little girl in her rearview mirror. The last nine months had been quite an adjustment period for both her and Kenzie. And while her niece seemed to finally be adapting to life without her mother, Lacie was still struggling to balance motherhood and work. Or was anyway, until her employer decided the addition of a child was too distracting and let Lacie go.

Her heart ached as she approached the hot springs pool. She’d wanted so badly to make this the best Christmas ever for Kenzie. Now they didn’t even have a home.

Still, God had a plan, of that she was certain. She just wished He’d give her some clue as to what lay ahead.

“Are we there yet?” Poor Kenzie. They’d spent the last five-plus hours driving across Colorado. A trip Lacie never relished, but throw a four-year-old into the mix and it became an even greater challenge.

“Almost, sweetie. We’ll be at Grandma’s in just a few more minutes.” She knew the kid was eager to break free of the booster seat that held her captive.

Past the park, Main Street greeted them with all of its intimate charm. To the unsuspecting traveler, Ouray was simply a slowdown on their journey along Highway 550, but to those who had taken the time to stop, it was a treasure trove of everything from arts to adventure, four-wheeling to hiking, ice climbing to hot springs.

She slowed the car to almost a crawl, taking in the Victorian-era buildings and the sidewalks bustling with activity. Though it was only the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the town was already decked out for Christmas. Giant lighted snowflakes and evergreen garlands adorned every light post, stores sparkled with holiday-themed window displays, and twinkling lights were everywhere you looked. Everywhere except Barbara Collier’s house. Because her mom didn’t do Christmas.

She let go a frustrated sigh. How was she ever going to make this Christmas special for Kenzie?

A squeal erupted from the back seat.

Lacie’s gaze instantly jerked to her niece and the toy-filled back seat. “What’s wrong?”

“My drink,” Kenzie whined, her light-up shoes flickering with each and every kick of her suddenly wet legging-clad legs.

“Oh, no.” Lacie grabbed the wad of fast-food napkins from the passenger seat. “Did you spill?” With one hand still on the steering wheel, she tried in vain to blot the little girl’s legs.

Kenzie merely nodded, her bottom lip pooched out.