âDo you know what I see when I look at you?â
Myka shook her head and waited, almost holding her breath.
âI see a woman whoâs done her best for everyone, and who never hesitates to lend a helping hand.â
She smiled. âI appreciate you saying that, but thatâs not what Iâm going to see until I find Bear.â
âI wouldnât expect anything less from you,â he said, then kissed her on the forehead. âMy dad was very lucky to have a friend like you.â
As she looked up, the tenderness in Joshuaâs gaze took her breath away. Her heart ached to feel his arms around her, to feel safe and protected again.
Almost as if heâd read her mind, he pulled her to him. She didnât resist. It was too tempting, and even if it was only for a moment, she needed to feel loved for who she wasâ¦.
Dear Reader,
Many years ago, my grandmother taught me how to crochet and knit. At the time, Iâm sure it was simply a way of keeping me busy while she worked on her projects, but her passion became my own. In her way, she inspired this book.
I was crocheting and watching a football game with my husband when I saw a commercial about the plight of small company towns all over the U.S. Due to the recession, many were at a crossroadsâhaving to reinvent themselves or face extinction. Thatâs when the idea for Homespun Christmas was born. Itâs a story about the strength our country shows when the chips are down and a community that comes together to survive, finding blessings far beyond economic relief.
Myka Solis and Joshua Nez saw their dreams fall by the wayside, yet they work to rebuild their lives, finding strength in each other and daring to dream again. Christmas is a time filled with traditions large and small. In this season of love and renewal, come and join us in celebrating a true New Mexico style Christmas.
Aimée
AIMÃE THURLO Aimée Thurlo is an internationally known bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense novels. Sheâs the winner of a Career Achievement Award from RT Book Reviews, a New Mexico Book Award in contemporary fiction and a Willa Cather Award in the same category.
Aimée was born in Havana, Cuba, and lives with her husband of forty-three years in Corrales, New Mexico, in a rural neighborhood filled with horses, alpacas, camels and other assorted livestock. Her husband, David, was raised on the Navajo Indian Nation. His background and cultural knowledge inspire many of her stories.
Dedication
With special thanks to Sydney Abernathy for her help. Youâre a terrific assistant!
Acknowledgments
To Michele Kiser, who helped me by sharing her knowledge of Churro Sheep. Also to State Senator Steve Komadina, M.D., who allowed me to get to know his camels and learn about their wool. You guys were terrific!
CHAPTER ONE
INDEPENDENCE, NEW MEXICO, was buzzing with the news. The bad boy was back in town.
Joshua Nez had captured the hearts of half the girls in high school. She hadnât been immune, even though theyâd run in different circles. Myka Solis smiled, thinking of those carefree days. Sheâd been head cheerleader, the quarterbackâs girlfriend, and a straight-A student. Joshua had been trouble with a capital T.
Although her parents hadnât approved of Joshua, living next door to each other had made avoiding him almost impossible. Sheâd soon learned that just being around Joshua added a high voltage charge to everything. Heâd followed no oneâs rules except his own.
Sophie Boyer, her neighbor from across the street, called out to her as she hurried up the driveway.
âI understand heâs coming in with a rental van,â she said, catching her breath.
No need to ask who she meant.
Like Myka, Sophie was dark haired, petite and twenty-eight years old.
âMakes sense,â Myka said. âHeâll have to sort through his dadâs things and pack up everything he doesnât want to keep. Considering Adam had a lot of stuff, thatâs going to be a tough job. I thought Iâd offer to help.â
Sophie smiled.
âNo, donât go there, Sophie. Itâs just the right thing to do. From what Iâve heard, Navajos donât like being around the personal possessions of someone who has passed on. I figured I could help him box the stuff he doesnât want and give it to the church.â
âYeah, a number of people around here could use the donations,â Sophie said, nodding somberly. âYou and I are the lucky ones, despite the fact that my only job is nursing Mom. At least you have your online business while you take care of your parentsâ home.â
Sophieâs mother, Millie Boyer, had just turned sixty-seven. Sheâd broken her hip after a fall last winter and Sophie came home from Albuquerque. As her momâs primary caregiver, Sophie was paid a small sum by the state, and between that and her motherâs social security, they got by.