She was always beautiful, but in this moment, lit up from within by righteous indignation, she was breathtaking.

And God help him, if he’d kissed her then, he wouldn’t have pulled away.
He would’ve kissed her slowly, deeply, long enough to feel her melt against him, long enough to forget every reason he shouldn’t want her.

Her eyes found his, and he felt a bolt move through his entire body. It took him aback, and for a moment, he simply stood there in shock at what he had just realized.

I’m falling in love with you.

He shouldn’t be able to care for someone like this. To be drawn to her. To want in the core of his body to bring her closer, even as he pushed her away.

“I prayed for that,” he rasped, growing bold enough to caress her cheek. “Gosh, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as beautiful as your smile.” 

“He could breathe easier now that she was here.”

“He was in love. Head over heels, couldn’t think straight, couldn’t breathe right unless he was around her kind of love.”

“It’s you, you know,” he said quietly, his gruff voice growing deeper.

“You’re the one who’s been bringing me joy.”

God had sent him Daisy.

God had brought them together.

And Alexander knew that God had forgiven him.

“I like talking to you. You make me feel… safe. Even with my secrets.”

“You are safe with me,” he answered, his tone solemn.

“I’m afraid… afraid to trust again,” she admitted.

“And I’m afraid of losing you,” he confessed softly.

“What if I told you I’m not the city girl you think?” she said.

“What if I told you I’m not the man you’re expecting?” his gaze intense.

“Maybe that’s exactly what God wants us to be.” she whispered.

“I’m not sure I deserve a second chance,” Reid said, his voice low.

“None of us deserve it,” Annalise replied. “That’s why it’s called grace.”

He calls it chance.

I call it faith.

Either way, this Christmas, it brought us together.

She came to teach; he never expected her to heal his heart.

A ranch, a child, and a holiday wish—a Christmas love they never expected.