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A Riverwalk Christmas: Four-in-One Collection
A Riverwalk Christmas: Four-in-One Collection Read online
INTRODUCTION
Riverside Serenade by Elizabeth Goddard
A man on a mission, Joshua Sheppard tries to discover who his mother’s fiancé is sneaking around with. When a chance encounter on the Riverwalk dumps Joshua into the river, it’s love at first sight until he finds out who Ecko Lewis really is. Can Ecko overcome Joshua’s suspicions and accusations? Will Christmas on the Riverwalk bring them to embrace love?
Key to Her Heart by Martha Rogers
Valerie Murray is in the process of saving her business on the Riverwalk when Colt Jamison returns to San Antonio. He offers to help her with publicity, but Val doesn’t trust him. When Valerie realizes he is her only hope for getting the store out of the red, she reluctantly accepts. Despite Colt’s success, she still hesitates to open her heart out of fear he will leave her once again.
Lights of Love by Lynette Sowell
When her mother catches the flu, Gabriela Hernandez is stuck at home during her family’s kitchen renovation. If only her father would let her run their Riverwalk restaurant. Seeing contractor Miguel Rivera every day makes Gabriela remember why she once loved him. Miguel has overcome many regrets, except for breaking Gabriela’s heart. Will Miguel and Gabriela discover a future together, even when the past won’t stay dead at Christmastime?
Remember the Alamo by Kathleen Y’Barbo
When the role of a lifetime—in a remake of The Alamo—comes his way, Joe Ramirez calls it an answered prayer. To keep her job, Sienna Montalvo, aspiring filmmaker and assistant to the director, must entertain the star during the holiday hiatus. Will Christmas with the Montalvos be a losing battle, or will Joe forever Remember the Alamo and the love he finds at Christmas in San Antonio?
©2010 Riverside Serenade by Elizabeth Goddard
©2010 Key to Her Heart by Martha Rogers
©2010 Lights of Love by Lynette Sowell
©2010 Remember the Alamo by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Print ISBN 978-1-60260-967-9
eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-60742-890-9
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-60742-891-6
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.
Cover design: Kirk DouPonce, DogEared Design
Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683, www.barbourbooks.com
Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.
Printed in the United States of America.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Riverside Serenade by Elizabeth Goddard
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Key to Her Heart by Martha Rogers
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Lights of Love by Lynette Sowell
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Remember the Alamo by Kathleen Y’Barbo
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
RIVERSIDE SERENADE
by Elizabeth Goddard
Dedication
For my husband, Dan—one look in your eyes and I knew.
Chapter 1
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”
LUKE 2:13–14 NIV
My flight was delayed, Daddy.” Holding her cell against her ear, Ecko Lewis rolled her carry-on luggage behind her through the San Antonio International Airport. “I missed my appointment.” She didn’t want to tell Daddy it was an interview. Not yet.
“Oh, baby. I’m sorry to hear that. Are we still on for lunch?”
“That’s what I’m calling about.” Ecko stepped onto the down escalator and tugged her luggage to an upright position on the step behind her. “The person my appointment was with had a full schedule and could only make time for me at lunch.”
And if she didn’t hurry, she’d be late for that, as well. She’d taken an early-morning flight that should easily have gotten her from Kansas City to San Antonio in time for her ten-thirty appointment.
“I had hoped to see you. You’re heading back to Kansas today, I presume?”
When she stepped from the escalator, Ecko caught a glimpse of her reflection and tugged the top of her short-cropped blond hair. “I’m here for a few days on assignment.”
And that was true—she’d assigned herself the task of finding a job that would allow her to live near her father. Her college years followed by working to establish her career hadn’t provided much in the way of family time. Since Mom’s death over a year ago, Ecko regretted not having spent more time with her. And, after Ecko broke off her engagement six months ago, Daddy was all she had left.
God, please let me get this job.
“That’s great. Why didn’t you tell me? I could have cleaned the place for you,” Daddy laughed.
“Oh, no. That’s all right. I’ll be working. A friend agreed to let me stay in her apartment while she’s out of town.” Ecko winced. The truth? The newspaper she’d worked for in Kansas City canceled her gossip column.
Still, she considered it a blessing. Now she had more time to search for a serious job in journalism like she’d wanted all along, and hopefully she’d find it in San Antonio. If she wanted to surprise Daddy, staying with him wouldn’t work.
“I understand. You probably don’t need any distractions.”
“I want to focus on this and get it right. But don’t worry, Daddy, I plan to make time for you, too.” She hoped Daddy would be happy when he heard the news that she’d gotten a job in San Antonio. Her heart raced a little. It scared her to think how much she had riding on this interview. Ecko rounded a corner and spotted the rental-car booths.
“Good,” he said. “Because—Ecko, I’ve got some news for you. I’d planned to share it at lunch.”
Ecko had never heard this much enthusiasm in his voice. Puzzled, she got in line at the rental counter and absently stared at the large red letters. “What is it?” Don’t tell me he got a job somewhere else.
“I
wanted to tell you in person,” he said, then covered the mouthpiece of his phone as he spoke to someone.
“Please, tell me now. What if we don’t connect?” Doubtful, but Ecko wanted to know what Daddy was so anxious to tell her.
He released a sigh. “All right. We can always celebrate later.”
Celebrate? Though she should be excited Daddy had news worth celebrating, panic swelled inside. She was almost to the counter and would need to end her call. People who conducted business while talking on a cell phone with someone else annoyed her.
“What’s the news?” she asked.
“I’m engaged to be married.”
Engaged? The man in front of her finished his business and stepped away from the counter, leaving room for Ecko. Frozen, she squeezed the phone, allowing Daddy’s words to sink in. They reverberated through her head as she stepped to the counter. A young woman with long dark hair stared at her, waiting, but Ecko’s mind had gone blank with Daddy’s news.
“Can I help you?” the employee asked.
Ecko tugged her credit card from the slot in her wallet and slid it forward. “I reserved a car.”
“Baby, did you hear what I said?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’ll call you right back.” She flipped the phone shut.
“I don’t trust him.” Feet anchored wide apart, Joshua Sheppard stood in the opulent living room of his mother’s mansion.
“Watch your mouth, Joshua. I’ll not have you ruin this for me.” Arranging a vase of crimson roses, his mother gave him a warning glance. In her late fifties, she still bore some of the youthful beauty that had generated her career as the famous top model, Giselle Honors. When she retired, she’d changed her name to dodge the media hounds and fortune seekers, but the ruse hadn’t lasted long.
“You’ve known him less than a month. What makes you think he’s different from the others?” Joshua continued to press the matter, knowing he would hurt her, but better Joshua now, than a wayward husband later. The last two prospective husbands were not in love with her, but wanted their hands on her fortune. Joshua had proven that to her, at least.
Why couldn’t she see Tom Lewis was no different?
Appearing to consider his words, his mother tucked one last rose into the vase then peered at the arrangement from different angles. Finally, she walked around the table and took Joshua’s hands in hers. “I’m in love with him, Joshua. I can’t explain it other than to say it was love at first sight.”
“Love at first sight? There’s no such thing.” Joshua held back his scoffing tone, but a person needed time to know if someone was right for them.
“I appreciate that you saved me from marrying the wrong man before. But this time, I want you to back off. You might not trust Tom, but I’m asking you to trust me.”
As Joshua looked into his mother’s eyes, he saw the love she had for Tom there. Truthfully, he’d not seen that before. He wished this man returned her affection. But the information he’d overheard Tom saying to a woman not his mother burned in his pocket. He’d written down the exact words. What should he do? Showing his mother wouldn’t be enough proof. She’d simply state he was misinterpreting the words. No, he’d have to prove without a doubt that Tom was cheating on her before he’d even married her.
“I don’t want to see you hurt, or your reputation smeared through the media again.” Silently, he vowed to discover the truth about Tom.
“I understand, but if you interfere, this time you will be the one to hurt me.”
Under her stern gaze, Joshua felt himself shrink as if he were a small child. Memories flooded his thoughts—his mother sitting on the edge of the bed in tears because of his father’s indiscretions. Thankfully, the man had disappeared from their lives years ago.
No, he would never allow that to happen again. He would do what was necessary to stop the approaching nuptials.
Slow, shallow breaths. Ecko wished she had a paper bag to keep her from hyperventilating. She’d decided to find a parking spot near the Riverwalk before she called Daddy back. But how was she supposed to arrange her jumbled thoughts for an interview when all she could think about were her father’s words?
Sitting in her parked rental car, she tugged the cell from her purse and dialed.
“Baby,” Daddy answered. “I was beginning to worry about you.”
She heard the pain in his voice. “Sorry, I had to get to the Riverwalk where my lunch appointment is. I don’t want to be late again.” Deep breath. “I want to congratulate you, Daddy, but—”
“I know. It’s a bit of a shock, isn’t it?”
To say the least. “You know I want you to be happy. But who are you engaged to? Is it that woman you told me about over Thanksgiving? You met her a few weeks ago.” Ecko grabbed her briefcase and stepped from the car.
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that fast? You’ve only known her a month.” And Mom had only been gone a year—a pang squeezed Ecko’s heart.
“Baby …” Daddy sighed. “I know what it looks like, but I’m a grown man. I’m capable of making a decision like this.”
With or without your approval. Though Daddy didn’t say it, she could hear it in his voice. And yet, she knew he wanted her approval. How could she convince him to wait? “I know what it’s like to rush into an engagement and discover later that you made the wrong decision. I’m just thankful I didn’t find out too late.”
“You can’t compare this to what you had with Brennan.” He sighed, again. “Listen, this is why I wanted to tell you in person.”
He wanted to gauge her reaction, she knew, but Ecko didn’t think it would have made a difference. Oh, how she hated being at odds with Daddy.
Rushing through the hotel decorated for the Christmas holidays, she headed across the lobby where she found an exit that led to the Riverwalk. Stepping out into the open air, Ecko was wrapped in the aroma of Tex-Mex wafting from nearby restaurants. Her stomach growled.
“Okay, Daddy. Congratulations. I couldn’t be happier that you’re engaged. What’s the date? June or July? It’ll be a summer wedding, right?” Six months would give him time to change his mind.
“That’s just it, Ecko. I’m hoping you can take an extended holiday. We’re getting married the day after Christmas. With our busy schedules, it was the only time.”
Ecko stopped mid-stride, causing a woman behind her to shove her forward. The woman apologized and moved around Ecko, who barely noticed. Breathe, just breathe.
With a well-paying stable job as an industrial engineer, Daddy was a good catch. All the more reason to be concerned. “Daddy, I’m sorry I have to say this, but I think your fiancée is pressuring you to move too fast.”
Daddy didn’t answer. A glance at Ecko’s watch told her she had five minutes to find the restaurant for her interview and compose herself.
Had Ecko lost the connection? “Daddy, you still there?”
“Yes, I’m still here.” He released another heavy sigh. “Ecko, this was my idea.”
Joshua hurried through the crowded sidewalk, thankful the weather wasn’t inclement. Sometimes, he’d give anything to have the snowy white Christmas scene on Christmas cards and in movies here in San Antonio. But then again, he wouldn’t be able to shovel his way through traffic quickly enough, and he had to hurry if he were to catch Tom and his girlfriend eating at the Paloma Riverwalk restaurant. He imagined them sitting together at the riverside, though chilly, under a large magnolia tree. Anger nearly blinded him.
A crowd gathered around a group of schoolchildren, singing Christmas carols. They blocked his way. Excusing himself, he squeezed in front of proud mothers, fathers, and tourists to the other side while the children’s choir sang “The First Noel,” then “Feliz Navidad.”
Finally, Joshua shoved free, ending up at the edge of the river. He shook his head. There should be another venue for such activities. He heard someone behind him, making the same excuses. For some reason, he turned to glance behind before moving on. Blond hair
flashed in his vision as a body surged from the crowd and slammed into him.
His feet on the edge of the sidewalk, Joshua teetered backward, hovering inches from the river.
Chapter 2
The blond woman stared at him, her silver-gray eyes widening as her mouth dropped open. She reached toward Joshua.
He could feel himself falling back—just out of her reach—powerless against the invisible force that pulled him toward the river. Still, he fought to regain his balance, waving his arms to build momentum in the opposite direction, if possible.
The woman took another step and offered her hand in a desperate attempt to stop his fall. Her reach wasn’t enough, and he plunged backward into the murky water of the San Antonio River. At forty-five degrees, the river was cold. Blurred by the water, faces appeared in his line of vision. Holding his breath, he began to right himself to drive his body to the surface, but his feet hit bottom.
Idiot. The river was only three to four feet deep. When he straightened his legs, he stood up and out of the water, which hugged his waist. Gasping for breath as he gathered his bearings, he searched the crowd, ready to unleash his anger. Where was she? Finally, incredulity fueled his lunge back to the sidewalk’s edge.
How could a woman have the strength to knock him into the river? Or had it been his clumsiness? Whatever the cause, his humiliation grew with the crowd on both sides of the river.
There. Short blond hair wreathed her beautiful face, and striking eyes stared back. Water lapping around him, Joshua gripped the sidewalk’s edge, expecting her to extend a hand again, this time helping him from the water. Although, he wouldn’t need her assistance, of course. As he stared at her angelic face, all the frustration seemed to wash away with the cold river’s current.
Suddenly, the desire to know this woman flooded him. He wanted to learn everything about her.
“Oh, sir. I’m so sorry! Please, accept my apology,” she said as she backed away, the crowd parting for her.
An odd sense that she was the woman of his dreams gripped him. I might never see her again. But already he was losing her. “What? Where are you going? Wait!”