“I’ll be right back,” Lessa said to Rick.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked her aunt as she sat beside her on the sand.

“I’m just thinking about that mistletoe. See? Aren’t you glad you didn’t throw it out or stick it in the closet?”

“You think this is all due to mistletoe?”

“Well, I certainly got my wish,” Gran said. “And so did you.”

Lessa caught the eyes of the man she loved, and smiled. “And then some. I can’t wait to see what you ask for next year.”

Her aunt nodded toward the beach at the children playing. “It might be nice to have some children around.”

Lessa just laughed. As it turned out, she had been thinking the exact same thing.

After the wedding, she and Rick retired to the private bungalow they had built for their home. The French doors were open and a warm breeze blew the silk sheers. Lessa stepped outside, followed by Rick.

“Gran asked me to give you this,” he said, holding out a small brown paper bag.

Lessa opened the bag and peeked inside. She laughed as she pulled out a sprig of mistletoe. She held it up to the moonlight and said, “My aunt swears that mistletoe is associated with miracles. You simply hold it and make a wish.”

“Should we test it out?” he asked.

She put a hand on her belly. “I should warn you that I have a feeling I know what she’s wishing for next Christmas.”

“Next Christmas?” he asked, flashing her a devilish smile. “Let’s see, April, May, June…” He counted out the remaining months. “Nine months exactly. We better start working on this miracle right away.”

And holding the mistletoe over their heads, he gave her a long, passionate kiss.

MARGARET ALLISON

was raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, and received a B.A. in political science from the University of Michigan. A former marketing executive, she has also worked as a model and actress. The author of several novels, Margaret currently divides her time between her computer, the washing machine and the grocery store. She loves to hear from readers. Please write to her c/o Silhouette Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279.


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