Christmas Trio B. Debbie Macomber

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      To our dear friends

      Rhett Palmer and

      Claudia Faye Johnson

      plus Beni

      The cutest dog in the universe

       Prologue

      “I can’t believe Grace is willing to do this on Christmas Eve,” Mary Jo said, slipping the frilly red dress over Noelle’s head. The one-year-old fussed, objecting to the fact that her face was momentarily covered.

      “It’s Noelle’s birthday,” Mack reminded her.

      Not that Mary Jo needed reminding …

      “A year ago today you stepped off the foot ferry to Cedar Cove …”

      “And met you,” she finished for him.

      “At the library …”

      “Because Grace thought I needed medical attention.”

      “Which you did,” Mac continued, smiling at their exchange, “because you were about to give birth.”

      “Only I didn’t know that at the time.”

      “No one did.”

      Noelle squealed.

      “Except Noelle,” Mary Jo said. “Right, sweetie?” She nuzzled her daughter’s face. “Happy birthday, baby girl.”

      “Ma Ma.”

      “That’s right, sweetie. That’s me.”

      “Ma Ma,” Noelle repeated and gleefully clapped her hands.

      “Are my two girls ready to party?” Mack asked. He had his coat on and a big collection of birthday and Christmas gifts tied up in a large bag that made Mary Jo think of something Santa would haul around. “We don’t want to keep everyone waiting.”

      Grace had invited half of Cedar Cove—or so it seemed to Mary Jo—to her Christmas Eve bash, which was also Noelle’s birthday party. All three of Mary Jo’s brothers planned to attend, which was only fitting since they’d lost out on the chance to welcome their niece into the world a year ago. Mary Jo still had to grin whenever she thought about her brothers racing around the county like Keystone Kops frantically searching for their missing sister.

      Grace’s two daughters and their families would be at the ranch as well, along with Grace’s dear friend Olivia and Olivia’s husband, Jack. And Charlotte and Ben Rhodes were on the invitation list, too, as well they should be.

      Then, of course, there were Mack’s parents, Roy and Corrie McAfee. His oldest sister, Gloria, had sent her regrets. She was a sheriff’s deputy and unfortunately she’d pulled the Christmas Eve shift. His other sister, Linnette, who lived in North Dakota, was a new mom herself and had mailed a gift Noelle had cheerfully ripped open that morning. It was a pull toy that made popping sounds with every step. Mack had laughed and promised revenge. Mary Jo could see a toy drum СКАЧАТЬ