Christmas Shorts 2020 Page 7

  “He opened a lot of doors for me,” he said as we climbed the steps to the covered porch. “Without him, I would never have met you, moved to Serenity, or found the part of myself I’d always known was missing. I’m so grateful to him, but I’m also sorry that I never had the chance to meet the man. I really think I would have liked him.”

  “You would have, and he would have loved you,” I assured him.

  “I’m sorry he didn’t have children, other than my father, of course, who never even knew he was a Collins. I guess that after me, the Collins’ bloodline, at least the Jeremiah Collins’ bloodline, will die out.”

  “Actually,” I said, pausing at the front door. “Before we head into town, I need to talk to you about something.” I wasn’t sure this was the right time, but I knew I was never going to be able to keep this secret until we got home from town tonight.

  “Is something wrong?” His expression changed to concern.

  “No. Not wrong.” I took his hand and led him to the swing under the covered porch. “I had a doctor’s appointment today.”

  “Something is wrong,” he insisted.

  “No. Nothing is wrong. In fact, everything is actually pretty perfect.” I put my hands on his cheeks, so I was looking him directly in the eyes. “Jeremiah Collins’ bloodline isn’t going to die out because, Kyle Donovan, you’re going to be a father.”

  The End

  USA Today best-selling author Kathi Daley lives in beautiful Lake Tahoe with her husband Ken. When she isn’t writing, she likes spending time hiking the miles of desolate trails surrounding her home. She has authored more than a hundred and fifty books in thirteen series. Find out more about her books at www.kathidaley.com

  Read the full series here:

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  Tj Jensen Paradise Lake Mystery: https://amzn.to/3jMqnXd

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