Jill Kemerer - Yuletide Redemption

A Mother’s Christmas Wish

After an accident leaves Celeste Monroe to raise her baby nephew, all she wants is to provide one-year-old Parker with a happy life. She hopes taking a job caring for injured Sam Sheffield will help fulfill that goal. But Sam’s determination to avoid the world throws a wrench in her plans. Despite his best efforts, Sam can’t take his eyes off the pretty caretaker. Her strength and her loving nature has him falling for her—and her baby. But he refuses to burden them with a man who’s not whole. Can Celeste convince Sam he’s daddy—and husband—material in time for them to celebrate Christmas together?

“What am I going to do with all this?”

Sam leaned against the kitchen counter and shook his head in amazement at the plastic bins full of sugar cookies, bowls of frosting in pastel colors and every type of sprinkle imaginable.

As much as he wanted to spend the day decorating cookies with Celeste and Parker, he knew it wasn’t wise. He had to stop thinking about himself and start thinking about what was best for her. Which wasn’t him. She needed a guy who could be there for her in ways he couldn’t. He would not be another burden on her.

“Why don’t you change, and I’ll get everything ready?” Her clear brown eyes held no questions or concerns. Just anticipation.

When he’d changed, he paused a moment in the doorway. Celeste had laid the cookies out on wax paper. Parker was strapped into his portable booster seat. He nibbled on one cookie and banged another against the table. She was spooning the icing into those plastic bags. The Christmas tree twinkled beside them.

What had been an empty cottage had become a warm, inviting home.

What would it hurt if he simply enjoyed being with them today?

Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page 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 Epilogue Extract ,

When I started writing the Lake Endwell series, Sam Sheffield was a charming guy who embraced a challenge and loved his family. But a boating accident in Her Small-Town Romance changed him. His near-death experience and ongoing physical pain and disabilities robbed him of his joy and hope. Spending time with Celeste and Parker showed him he can have a full life again, one with the blessings of a wife and family. Best of all, he finally came to terms with the fact that God loves him and has been with him all this time.

I don’t know if I would be as resilient as Sam or Celeste after what they’d been through in their accidents, but I hope I would cling to my faith. God will see us through our hard times. He loves us with a love so big it can’t be contained. No matter what problems we face, we have a God who cares. This Christmas season, I encourage you to reflect on one of my favorite Bible passages, Philippians 4:7 (NIV): “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I love connecting with readers. Please stop by my website, www.jillkemerer.com, and email me at jill@jillkemerer.com.

God bless you!

Jill Kemerer

JILL KEMERER rites novels with love, humor and faith. Besides spoiling her mini dachshund and keeping up with her busy kids, Jill reads stacks of books, lives for her morning coffee and gushes over fluffy animals. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com, or contact her at PO Box 2802, Whitehouse, OH 43571.

Yuletide Redemption

Jill Kemerer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

—2 Corinthians 12:9

To my dad, Ron Devereaux.

You always make me smile.

To my mom, Jean Devereaux.

I want to be just like you when I grow up.

To my father-in-law, Leo Kernstock.

You always treat me like your daughter.

To my mother-in-law, Sharon Kernstock.

You bless me in a million ways.

To all those with scars inside or out—

you’re loved. Merry Christmas!

Special thanks to Rachel Kent and Shana Asaro

for making this book shine.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Mother’s Christmas Wish After an accident leaves Celeste Monroe to raise her baby nephew, all she wants is to provide one-year-old Parker with a happy life. She hopes taking a job caring for injured Sam Sheffield will help fulfill that goal. But Sam’s determination to avoid the world throws a wrench in her plans. Despite his best efforts, Sam can’t take his eyes off the pretty caretaker. Her strength and her loving nature has him falling for her—and her baby. But he refuses to burden them with a man who’s not whole. Can Celeste convince Sam he’s daddy—and husband—material in time for them to celebrate Christmas together?

Introduction “What am I going to do with all this?” Sam leaned against the kitchen counter and shook his head in amazement at the plastic bins full of sugar cookies, bowls of frosting in pastel colors and every type of sprinkle imaginable. As much as he wanted to spend the day decorating cookies with Celeste and Parker, he knew it wasn’t wise. He had to stop thinking about himself and start thinking about what was best for her. Which wasn’t him. She needed a guy who could be there for her in ways he couldn’t. He would not be another burden on her. “Why don’t you change, and I’ll get everything ready?” Her clear brown eyes held no questions or concerns. Just anticipation. When he’d changed, he paused a moment in the doorway. Celeste had laid the cookies out on wax paper. Parker was strapped into his portable booster seat. He nibbled on one cookie and banged another against the table. She was spooning the icing into those plastic bags. The Christmas tree twinkled beside them. What had been an empty cottage had become a warm, inviting home. What would it hurt if he simply enjoyed being with them today?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction Dear Reader About the Author Title Page 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 Epilogue Extract , When I started writing the Lake Endwell series, Sam Sheffield was a charming guy who embraced a challenge and loved his family. But a boating accident in Her Small-Town Romance changed him. His near-death experience and ongoing physical pain and disabilities robbed him of his joy and hope. Spending time with Celeste and Parker showed him he can have a full life again, one with the blessings of a wife and family. Best of all, he finally came to terms with the fact that God loves him and has been with him all this time. I don’t know if I would be as resilient as Sam or Celeste after what they’d been through in their accidents, but I hope I would cling to my faith. God will see us through our hard times. He loves us with a love so big it can’t be contained. No matter what problems we face, we have a God who cares. This Christmas season, I encourage you to reflect on one of my favorite Bible passages, Philippians 4:7 (NIV): “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I love connecting with readers. Please stop by my website, www.jillkemerer.com , and email me at jill@jillkemerer.com. God bless you! Jill Kemerer