A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Gideon was in a lousy mood, but when Verity called out to him, he couldn't just sulk and ignore her. His pride wouldn't let him. So, he walked over, put on his best face, and joined the group.

Verity, Calliope, and Gideon sat down together. Verity glanced at Silas, who was lingering by Calliope's side. "Silas, aren't you joining the game?"

Silas shook his head and grinned, "Nah, I'll just hang out with my wife tonight." He slid into the seat next to Calliope, looking positively smitten.

Verity rolled her eyes playfully. "Alright, then who else? Dahlia, you in?"

"Absolutely!" Dahlia called out, immediately scooting over to join them.

So, the four of them started the game, Texas Hold'em, the unofficial family tradition whenever a holiday rolled around. Silas never took his eyes off Calliope, showering her with compliments every chance he got.

"Look at her, could she be any more gorgeous?" he'd say, then, "And smart as a whip, too. I got lucky, folks."

Verity laughed and nudged Dahlia. "Silas, if you keep bragging, you're going to make us all jealous. Is Callie really that amazing?"

Silas grinned, utterly sincere. "She's the best. The best there ever was."

best thing that ever happened to me," he

with that. Callie's brilliant and beautiful, what's

let on. He kept his face

at Calliope. She'd slipped off her coat, revealing a stunning red cocktail dress that fit her perfectly-chic, striking, and so very her. Her skin glowed with health, her hair pinned up elegantly, and she had

Yvette, his wife, was expecting a baby. He'd made sure she had everything she needed, good food, rest,

caring and thoughtful. But now, sitting across from Calliope, he realized what real warmth looked like. Yvette's kindness had always felt a bit forced, a performance. Calliope was the real deal-genuine,

out of his thoughts.

point

Calliope smiled. "I'm game."

too!" Dahlia chimed in. "I got some sweet Christmas

turned to

hesitated, He hadn't

the family finances were stretched thin. His dad wasn't exact rolling in it, and his mom had never been good with money He really couldn't

everyone staring, especially Calliope, he couldn't back down. Admitting

a smile.