A Christmas Match
The best Christmas possibleâthatâs what Lavinia Crowne intends to provide before taking her orphaned nieces and nephew home to Philadelphia. But carrying out her plan may be harder than she expects, with their handsome, stubborn uncle, Henry Hawthorn, insisting on raising the children in rough-and-tumble Sutter Creek, California. Lavinia canât bear to lose her late sisterâs children, though, or go against her fatherâs demand to bring them home.
Henry believes his nieces and nephew need affection and security more than a lavish lifestyle. But as the children conspire to bring their aunt and uncle together, a new vision fills his headâof future Christmases spent with sweet, determined Lavinia and their growing family. Can three little matchmakers, and the spirit of the season, bring the gift of a very happy beginning?
âIâd have been happy to help.â
Lavinia set the figurine down and pinned Henry with a steely gaze. âHas it occurred to you I might not want your help? This party is my undertaking, my opportunity to show you thatââ She clamped her lips together and turned away.
âTo show me what? That youâre determined to win the childrenâs affection? I know that. I just donât think youâre going about it the right way.â Ugh!
How tactless could he be? âWhat I mean isââ
âI know what you mean.â She whirled around, her dark eyes flashing. âYou think you can do a better job caring for them than I can, that because Iâve led a sheltered life I donât have the necessary skills. You think youâre going to show me that they belong here with you. But youâre mistaken. Iâm more capable than you give me credit for.â
âI think youâre more capable than you give yourself credit for.â
âI appreciate your kind words, but if you think plying me with compliments will make me give in, youâre mistaken.â
Dear Reader,
Iâm a December bride, so when my editor asked if Iâd like to write a Christmas story, I responded with an enthusiastic yes. This time of year thoughts turn to loveâof our families, our friends and, most important, our Lord, who came to earth as a baby. Creating a love story set during this wonderful season was special.
I enjoyed writing Henry and Laviniaâs story and hope youâve enjoyed reading it. This couple has experienced heartache, but they find solace in caring for their nephew and nieces. They also find a love of their own as they work together to make Christmas special for the children.
I strive to make my stories as historically accurate as possible. As I did my research, I learned a lot about Sutter Creek, a Gold Rush-era town not too far from where I live that has a rich history. I did take a bit of fictional license. The first church wasnât built until two years after the story takes place. There was a congregation in the late 1850s, but I donât know where they met. I chose to use the schoolhouse.
I love hearing from readers. You can contact me through my website at www.keligwyn.com or write to me at PO Box 1404, Placerville CA 95667.
Warmly,
Keli Gwyn
Award-winning author KELI GWYN, a native Californian, transports readers to the early days of the Golden State. She and her husband live in the heart of Californiaâs Gold Country. Her favorite places to visit are her fictional worlds, historical museums and other Gold Rushâera towns. Keli loves hearing from readers and invites you to visit her Victorian-style cyberhome at keligwyn.com, where youâll find her contact information.
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily,
as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
âColossians 3:23â24
To my bright, beautiful daughter, Adriana, who loves Christmas more than anyone else I know.
Chapter One
November 1860
Sutter Creek, California
The ominous crack of the large oak tree branch overhead sent a chill racing down Lavinia Crowneâs spine. Despite her mad scramble to get out of the way, she lost her footing on the slippery path and fell backward.
The jarring impact as she hit the ground was nothing compared to the thunderous roar as the limb came crashing down. She gasped, certain that her terror-laced breath would be her last.
To her surprise, she found herself trapped beneath a bend in the branch, staring at the stormy sky above. Her arms were pinned to her sides, but she was alive.
Thank You, Lord, for Your protection.
âHelp!â Surely someone would hear her.
Bitter cold seeped through Laviniaâs clothing. The swollen gray clouds that had gathered throughout the day had begun unleashing their burden only minutes ago, quickly turning the yard into a muddy mess. Raindrops fell fast and furious, running off her cheeks like a fountain of tears. If only sheâd attempted her dash to the shed earlier.