A boom box blared out the Christmas song.
Neighbors opened doors, and began wandering this way, undoubtedly drawn by the music.
Or the chance to see her in her lovely terry cloth bathrobe. She pulled the belt tight and ran her fingers through her messy hair.
Kyle grinned and waggled an eyebrow.
Lexi counted five snowmen. She grinned mischievously at Kyle. “They all have heads. Obviously not your handiwork.”
Trista wrapped her arms around one of the shorter ones. “This is me and that one’s Steven.” She pointed to the other short one on the opposite side.
In between the short ones were three she recognized instantly. A snowman with a bow tie stood on the left and, on the right, a snow bride was adorned with a bride’s veil. Their branch arms were intertwined as though holding hands. Slightly behind them stood another snowman, with a bible in his twig hands.
Keefe stood beside that one. “This one is Parson Brown.”
Kyle said, “This one is me. See, he has a completed manuscript.” He took the pages and handed it to her. It was titled Jared Strong and the Mystery of the Snowman Killer. “I finished it last night. Thanks to your inspiration.”
“That’s wonderful,” she said and hugged it to her chest, a magical feeling of love surrounding her.
“And this one is you.”
As the Christmas music continued to play, Kyle took her hand and led her to the snow-bride.
The warmth grew in her chest. Amazed, she asked. “When did you do all this?”
“Early this morning. And lucky thing your kids got up early, too, and decided to help me. I think they agree it would be a good idea if we get married.”
She stared at him, uncertain. “Are you proposing?”
He laughed gently. “Set to Christmas music, of all unimaginable things.”
Trista said, “Mom, look at the nose.”
“You nose I love you,” Kyle said.
Lexi gasped. Around the carrot was a ring. An impressive diamond engagement ring. “When did you buy a ring?”
“Like I said, I have good connections. A jeweler friend named Franklin, who will be high on our wedding list.” Kyle dropped down on one knee and took her hand. “Will you be my wife, Alexis Anderson?”
Warmth filled her and she knew, in that instant, that he was the man for her--and her children. Without a doubt.
She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. She already knew her answer. She’d healed enough that she wasn’t being influenced by her need for family. He really was the man for her. “Yes.”
Trista and Steven joined the hug. The neighbors clapped. Kyle’s family cheered.
Kyle lifted a sprig of mistletoe. “Does this stuff really work?”
In answer, Lexi kissed him while the music played on.
It really was a winter wonderland.
“Geez, Mom,” Steven said. “Come up for air.”
Lexi and Kyle pulled apart, grinning and holding hands.
And, as Lexi took in the snowman scene before her again, it looked for one instant as though Parson Brown winked.
It must have been her imagination.
The End