"The people I have in mind are used to it."

"If you're thinking who I'm thinking, I approve."

"Mom and Dad love him. He's crazy about them. They're starting the paperwork and foster-care classes, but I think I can pull a few strings so he can live with them now while his mom is in treatment."

"Miss Carano, I love you. Even if you are a social worker."

With a relieved and happy heart, he leaned across the metal rail and kissed her. When she didn't protest, he kissed her again. This time she kissed him back.

Epilogue.

The halls were decked with tinsel and garland and rows and rows of white lights. Christmas carols played softly, and the stockings really were hung by the chimney with care.

The Carano Christmas was in full swing. Mia had managed to spirit Collin away from the prying eyes and teasing brothers to give him her gift in private.

"Open your present."

"I don't need presents. I have you, your awesome family and an even more awesome relationship with Christ. What more could a man want?"

He was different since accepting the Lord into his life. Not that his quiet personality had changed, but he was less tense, warmer, freer.

She pressed a small box, wrapped in shiny blue paper and topped with silver ribbon, into his hands. "Don't argue with me, mister. You know I'll win."

Mia watched him, her heart in her throat. He took his time sliding the ribbon over the corners. Turning the box over and over, he slowly caressed the slick, smooth foil with his fingertips.

Mia bubbled with impatience, but she didn't interfere. He grinned up at her. "I haven't done this many times. Let me enjoy the moment."

The notion that his Christmases weren't filled with good memories stabbed at her. She was determined to make up for lost time, and her family felt the same. They'd finally managed to draw him into the fold and he had begun giving back the banter, though his was still far more reserved than Nic's or Adam's.

Finally, when Mia thought she'd have to rip the gift from his hands and open the box herself, he pulled away the last bit of tape. Tissue paper crinkled as he lifted out the blue-and-white Christmas ornament.

The fragile bulb, held gently in his palm, glimmered beneath the bright light. The old black-and-white photo of three small boys was perfectly centered amidst a snowy Christmas scene. Collin, Drew and Ian in a photo she'd found stuck in a file.

"How did you-?"

The expression on his face was one she would never forget. The cop who hid his feelings couldn't hide them now.

Awe. Yearning. Joy.

With exquisite care, he replaced the bulb and set the box aside to wrap his arms around Mia.

She knew him. Knew he would struggle with the right words to express his feelings. His heart thundered against her ear. She heard him swallow once. Twice.

"I knew you'd love it."

"Yeah." His chest rose and fell as he continued to press back a tide of emotion. This was one of the things she'd learned to love the most about him. He was so deeply emotional. He felt things so intensely, but all his life he'd stuffed them deeper to avoid hurt.

Finally, he sighed and then with the same sweet tenderness kissed the top of her head. "It's the best present I've ever had."

"Want to hang it on the tree?"

He cast a sideways glance toward the noisy living room. "Dare we go back in there?"

"Actually, I'd rather stay right here with you forever."

"But your brothers would never allow that to happen."

As if on cue, Adam's voice yelled down the hallway. "What's taking you two so long? We got a party going on in here."

"Yeah," Nic hollered. "And I wanna open my presents."

Mia giggled and took Collin's hand. "Be brave."

Such a silly thing to say to a man who had never been anything else in his entire life.

As they entered the living room, everyone quieted. Mitchell stood by the enormous Christmas tree with Nic, Adam and Gabe. Each male wore a Cheshire grin.

"Now you've corrupted Mitchell," she said to them. "What are you up to?"

They all looked at Collin. He, in turn, flicked at glance at her dad who gave a slight nod. Her mother and grandmother, each holding one of Gabe's kids, beamed from the couch. Her very pregnant sister, Anna Maria, waddled across the room and handed Collin a beautiful maroon velvet box topped with a gold plaid bow.

He cleared his throat. "Your present," he said.

Mia got a fluttery feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her gaze ran around the room, saw the intense, excited faces of all the people who loved her best. Gabe aimed the video camera in her direction.

They knew something she didn't.

She lifted the lid and frowned in puzzlement. Lavender rose petals sprang out of the box and fluttered to the floor. She plunged her hands into the velvety petals, releasing the rich spicy scent as she pulled out yet another box. A velvet jeweler's box.

She gasped and looked up at Collin, her mouth open in surprise.

"Look guys," Nic muttered. "Mia's speechless."

She was too stunned and thrilled to react to the titter of amusement circling the warm, festive room.

"Mia." Collin took the final box from her shaking fingers and went down on one knee in front of her. "I'm not too good with words." He cleared his throat again.

One of the brothers guffawed. Collin slanted him a look. "Give me a break, Nic."

"Want me to ask her for you?"

"Shut up, Adam," Mia said good-naturedly. She touched a trembling palm to Collin's cheek. "You were saying?"

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

"All my life I've distrusted other people. I've kept them on the outside. But you wouldn't let me do that. You forced me to open up, to feel. And I'm so glad you did. To love and know that I'm loved back is an awesome thing."

Mia's heart was about to burst with love. She knew how hard this was for him. For a man of few words, he'd just said a mouthful.

In the background came the soft strains of "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

"Mia." A quiver ran from Collin's hand into hers. He bent his head and placed a whisper of a kiss upon her hand, then slid the ring onto her finger. "Will you marry me?"

Tears sprang into her eyes.

"Yes, I will," was all she could manage as she collapsed against him. Sure and strong, he absorbed the impact and rocked her back and forth, laughing and laughing while she sobbed into his shoulder.

Much later, after Mia's brothers and dad had pounded his back in congratulations and the ladies had kissed his cheek declaring this the most romantic proposal they'd ever witnessed, Collin finally stopped shaking. He'd known how important Mia's family was to her and proposing this way would make her happy. He just hadn't known how nervous he'd be.

Then as if to overwhelm him to the point of no return, Mia's brothers had pledged their time and talents along with that of their church-now his church, too-to help rebuild and expand his animal rehab facility. Their Christmas gift to him and the animals, they'd said. And he was too moved to speak.

"Spiced cider, anyone?" Rosalie manned the large urn that emitted the rich scents of cinnamon and apple.

Standing with his back against the cold patio doors, his new fiancee leaning into him, the fragrance of her perfume embracing him, Collin felt more content than he could remember. He didn't need or want anything else.

Well, perhaps one other thing. "Could I tell you something?" he murmured against Mia's hair.

"Anything." She twisted around to smile at him and he couldn't resist another kiss.

"I followed up on that information Mitchell found."

She was quiet for a moment and he hoped he hadn't rekindled her anger over the unfortunate incident. "I'm glad."

"You are?"

"God turned Mitchell's mistake into something good. How could I be upset about that?"

He should have known she'd say that. "I have a phone number and a name. Someone who may be Ian."

She whirled around, sliding her arms around his waist, her expression joyous. "Collin, that's wonderful! Have you called? What did he say? When are you going to meet him?"

He swallowed a laugh. "Whoa, Miss Bulldog. I have the name and number but I haven't called yet."

"Why not?" But being Mia, she answered her own question. "You're nervous."

"Scared spitless. What if it isn't him?"

"What if it is?" She grabbed his arms and shook him a little. "Collin, you may have found Ian. Come on. Let's call right now. Where is that number?"

He took the slip of paper from his shirt pocket and shared the bits of information. "Ian Carpenter. The dates match. The age matches. I think it's him, but I've had hope before."

"This time, my love, you have something else. You have a family who will always love you and stand with you no matter what. And best of all you have the Lord. He'll-"

"Never leave me nor forsake me," Collin finished with a smile, feeling the truth of her words. He was full to the brim with the kind of love he'd craved all his life. Finding Ian would be icing on his very sweet cake.

He reached into his pocket and took out the small fish keychain, now polished to a pewter gleam.

Mia smiled gently, her face full of love, and stretched out a palm. Instead of handing her the keychain, he took her hand. "I love you, Mia."

"I love you, Collin."

"Good." He drew in a breath, feeling the strength of his faith urging him on. "Let's go make that call."

eISBN-13: 978-1-4603-4736-2.

A Child's Christmas Boxed Set.

Copyright 2014 by Harlequin Books S.A.

The publisher acknowledges the copyright holder of the individual works as follows:.

Sugarplum Homecoming.

Copyright 2013 by Linda Goodnight.

The Christmas Child.

Copyright 2011 by Linda Goodnight.

A Season for Grace.

Copyright 2006 by Linda Goodnight.

end.