Unforgettable Christmas Dreams: Gifts of Joy

by Rebecca York

  The last couple of weeks had been the best of her life. She and Levi were more than good together, and not just in bed.

  But in business.

  That said, they both knew they needed to dial it back and focus on Castaways on the Inlet and Castaways Marina. It had been Levi that had reminded her of the marina and the money that she could bring in if she did it right. She didn’t know a single thing about managing a marina, so she gave total control of that to Levi, and he hadn’t disappointed.

  She couldn’t imagine Levi being anything but loving and supportive.

  And that proved to be a problem because in the last week, she’d fallen head over heels in love with him, but he didn’t return those feelings. He’d made that clear when he’d gotten out of bed last night after making love and went home.

  She couldn’t fault him because they had both agreed.

  Business before pleasure.

  “Well, hello there.” Stephanie’s voice scratched across the air like fingernails on a chalkboard. “Where’s Levi?”

  “He’s out on a charter. Why?”

  Stephanie cocked her head and smiled. “He didn’t tell you?”

  “Tell me what?”

  “We were together last night at Bravo’s, and he asked me to meet him here today. We’ve got a date. He’s finally working through his issues and realizing he and I are made for each other.”

  Eliana swallowed her breath. How could Levi leave her and go out and meet another woman? It didn’t matter that they had an agreement; that was just plain rude. “I’m happy for you.” Eliana gathered up all her paperwork. “I suspect he should be back soon. Feel free to wait here. I’ve got things I need to do.”

  “Don’t go running off because of me.”

  “I’m not.” Eliana did her best to keep her composure. Levi wasn’t responsible for her broken heart, and she wouldn’t put it on him, but she didn’t want to be around to watch him go carve out the next notch in his belt.

  She had gained too much self-respect for that.

  Levi literally had no room in his heart for love, and she knew that about him, so she had no right to be upset.

  Yet she was devastated.

  She was going to have to get over it and quick because he was now a twenty percent owner in her business and also her head bouncer.

  Needing help doesn’t mean you are weak. It means you are smart. She held on to her mother’s words as she got into her car. She glanced toward the water. Levi pulled his boat into his slip while Stephanie practically ran down the dock.

  Eliana hoped she tripped on her damn high heels and fell headfirst into the water.

  Wine. That’s what Eliana needed. A nice big bottle of white wine and cheese. Lots of cheese and not a normal amount of cheese. The way she felt right now, she could eat an entire block of cheese.

  Before she stopped at the grocery store, she decided a little retail therapy was in order, so she stopped at a local clothing store and spent two hundred dollars she didn’t really have.

  By the time she got home, it was well into the dinner hour. Levi had called twice and texted four times.

  She ignored the voice messages but responded to the last text message.

  Eliana: Sorry. Just really tired. I’ll see you tomorrow in the morning for the grand opening. Thanks again for all your help.

  No reason to be a bitch since this wouldn’t have happened if it hadn’t been for him.

  Her phone rang.

  Levi.

  Nope. Not going to answer.

  Two minutes later, her doorbell rang.

  Shit.

  Levi stood on the catwalk with a bouquet of flowers. Why the hell had she left the door open? More importantly, why had she given him a key?

  “What are you doing here?”

  “I’ve been trying to reach you all afternoon, but you’ve been avoiding me. Why?”

  “I didn’t want to interrupt your date with Stephanie,” she said with a sarcastic tone.

  “What the hell are you talking about?” He took a step forward.

  She blocked the entryway. Her blood boiled in her veins, and even though she wanted to contain it, she couldn’t. “You left here last night and met her, and then you made a date with her tonight. It’s okay. It’s time for you to move on. I’m just shocked it’s with that witch.”

  His eyes grew wide. “Have you lost your mind? Why would you think I would want anything to do with that woman?”

  “Are you going to deny that you slipped out of my bed and went to her?”

  He nodded wildly. “Hell yes, I’m going to deny it. I told you I was meeting Liam out.”

  Shit. He had mentioned that.

  “But she was there, and you asked her to meet you today for a date.” Eliana hated she sounded like a jealous girlfriend, especially when she wasn’t anything to Levi other than a business partner.

  “Yes, but no.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a long breath. “Liam’s PI found Scott. We found out that her client paid him to take off with everyone’s money. We set up a sting to bring them all down, including Stephanie. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t find out all the details until late last night, and the FBI agent involved in the case swore us all to secrecy. Had you stayed, you would have seen her being taken away in handcuffs.”

  Eliana’s jaw dropped open. She couldn’t form words if she tried.

  “Oh, before I forget, you should be getting all your money back, but it might take some time. I wanted to tell you all this, I really did, but you left before I got back, so I didn’t get the chance, and I guess Stephanie filled your head with crazy ideas.” He reached past her and set the flowers on the island. “I wish you had trusted me enough not to listen to her lies.” He turned and headed toward the elevator.

  It was now or never and what did she have to lose? “Levi, wait.”

  He paused and glanced over his shoulder. Hurt filled his almond eyes.

  “I’m sorry. I let my past rule my present. Please, forgive me.”

  He nodded. “It’s all good.”

  Just say it. Take the risk. What’s the worst thing that could happen? “I love you, Levi. I know I promised my heart was protected, but I couldn’t stop it if I tried. I understand if you still want to take the elevator to the parking lot and drive away. I’ll be okay, but I had to tell you. It’s because I love you that I reacted so negatively, and I think I was trying to—”

  He held up his hand. “Stop talking.”

  Her heart tumbled to her stomach. “I’m not asking for anything, and I don’t want this to affect our working relationship. I’m a big girl, and I can handle it.”

  “I know you can, but that’s not why I wanted you to be quiet.” He closed the gap and cupped her face. “I tried like hell not to love you, but it’s impossible. I came here tonight to tell you how I feel and that I was hoping you’d spend Christmas with me in the sand. I want to start living my dream again, and it begins with you.”

  Epilogue

  Christmas morning a year later…

  Levi finished the final touches on the Christmas tree he’d placed on the beach in front of his townhouse. The ocean waves lapped at the sand while the morning sun kissed the blue sky.

  “Good morning,” Eliana called from the front porch. She stood there in her bikini, a cute cover-up that didn’t cover anything, and a Santa hat. “Looks good.”

  “Glad you like.” He jogged toward the house. “Any coffee left?”

  “I just made a fresh pot.” She stepped to the side, showing off a big box wrapped in snowman paper. “But first, I want you to open your present.”

  “How can I say no to that?” He kissed her cheek. Never in a million years did he think he would want to be in a committed relationship again, especially when marriage and adopting kids seemed to be a topic of conversation. “But that means you have to open mine now too.” He dug deep into his shorts pocket and pulled out the small jewelry box. They had been living together for the last six
months. His charter business was doing better than ever, and Castaways actually turned a profit for the first time.

  Dreams do come true, and he was living his.

  He dropped to one knee and flipped open the lid. “I love you, Eliana. I can’t imagine going through life without you in it. Will you marry me?”

  “That’s your Christmas present?”

  “I’m down on one knee, and you’re asking me that? I was expecting an answer, not a question, so can you put this man out of his misery one way or the other?”

  She sat in front of him, taking the ring from the box and slipping it on her finger. “Yes. I will marry you, but on one condition.”

  He laughed. “What’s that?”

  “You change the name of your boat.”

  He rolled his eyes. “And what do you suggest?”

  “How about Christmas in the Sand?”

  The End

  Thank you for taking the time to read Christmas in the Sand. Please feel free to leave an HONEST review on Amazon, Goodreads, and/or Bookbub.

  Other Books from Jen Talty

  BRAND NEW SERIES!

  It’s all in the Whiskey

  JOHNNIE WALKER

  GEORGIA MOON

  NY State Trooper Series

  IN TWO WEEKS

  DARK WATER

  DEADLY SECRETS

  MURDER IN PARADISE BAY

  TO PROTECT HIS OWN

  DEADLY SEDUCTION

  WHEN A STRANGER CALLS

  NY State Trooper Novella

  HIS DEADLY PAST

  Brand New Novella for the First Responders series

  A spin off from the NY State Troopers series

  PLAYING WITH FIRE

  PRIVATE CONVERSATION

  The Men of Thief Lake

  REKINDLED

  DESTINY’S DREAM

  Other novels

  JANE DOE’S RETURN

  THE BUTTERFLY MURDERS

  The Aegis Network

  THE LIGHTHOUSE

  HER LAST HOPE

  THE LAST FLIGHT

  THE RETURN HOME

  Coming soon!

  THE MATRIARCH

  The Collective Order

  THE LOST SISTER

  THE LOST SOLDIER

  THE LOST SOUL

  Coming soon!

  THE LOST CONNECTION

  Special Forces Operation Alpha

  BURNING DESIRE

  BURNING KISS

  BURNING SKIES

  BURNING LIES

  BURNING HEART

  BURNING BED

  REMEMBER ME ALWAYS

  The Brotherhood Protectors

  ROUGH JUSTICE

  ROUGH AROUND THE EDGES

  ROUGH RIDE

  ROUGH EDGE

  The Twilight Crossing Series

  THE BLIND DATE

  SPRING FLING

  SUMMER’S GONE

  WINTER WEDDING

  Witches and Werewolves

  LADY SASS

  ALL THAT SASS

  Coming soon!

  NEON SASS

  PAINTING SASS

  Boxsets

  LOVE CHRISTMAS, MOVIES

  UNFORGETABLE PASSION

  UNFORGETABLE CHARMERS

  A NIGHT SHE’LL REMEMBER

  SWEET AND SASSY IN THE SNOW

  SWEET AND SASSY PRINCE CHARMING

  FINDERS KEEPERS: THE PURSE

  PROTECT AND DESIRE

  SWEET AND SASSY BABY LOVE

  CHRISTMAS AT MISTLETOE LODGE

  THE PLAYERS: OVERCOMING THE ODDS

  Novellas

  NIGHTSHADE

  A CHRISTMAS GETAWAY

  TAKING A RISK

  WHISPERS

  About Jen Talty

  Welcome to my World! I’m a USA Today Bestseller of Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, and Paranormal Romance.

  I first started writing while carting my kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. My first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 I helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where I ran the technical side of the business through 2016.

  I’m currently enjoying the next phase of my life...the empty NESTER! My husband and I spend our winters in Jupiter, Florida and our summers in Rochester, NY. We have three amazing children who have all gone off to carve out their places in the world, while I continue to craft stories that I hope will make you readers feel good and put a smile on your face.

  Sign up for my Newsletter (https://dl.bookfunnel.com/6atcf7g1be) where I often give away free books before publication.

  Join my private Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/191706547909047/) where I post exclusive excerpts and discuss all things murder and love!

  Never miss a new release. Follow me on Amazon:amazon.com/author/jentalty

  And on Bookbub: bookbub.com/authors/jen-talty

  LOST AND FOUND FAMILY

  Lost And Found Family

  Dani Haviland

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2019 Dani Haviland and Chill Out!

  All rights reserved

  Cover by Michele Hauf

  Book Description

  Sometimes it takes decades to find your true family…but only a moment to lose them.

  Separated at birth, these twins find they have more than genetics in common: they’re both the target of killers who are willing to risk everything to take them out.

  Dedication

  This book is dedicated to people who have discovered that true family isn’t necessarily the one you were born into. Celebrate adoption and voluntary inclusion, forgiveness and moving forward in life. Always looking back can give you a pain in the neck!

  Praise and Awards

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Kindle Top 100 Bestselling Author

  Amazon Top 100 Historical fiction authors

  “There wasn’t a heartstring this one didn’t pull at! And, no spoilers, but that’s one of the nicest endings I could have imagined – all round, proving redemption’s possible, some things will last forever, and …. Karma. This isn’t just a story of Jose and Loren; it’s so much more.” Amazon reader on Too Fast for You (part of The Players Box Set).

  “From the picturesque descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness, to weaving a beautiful love story, the author’s writing style is both serious and quirky. A perfect, relaxing read!” Amazon review of One Arctic Summer

  Chapter 1: A New Contract

  “Hey, did you see that Z posted another contract?” Hugo asked. “Looks like The Killer Queen ripped her off. Claimed she’d taken out that Van der Cleft heir when she really hadn’t. Z’s contract on her own son is still open, but now she’s posting one for a million bucks for that bitch KQ. If both targets are in the same neighborhood, we could make some big bucks fast.”

  “The boy’s worth checking into,” Vinny said. “But if you’ve ever dealt with Zelda Van der Cleft, you’ll know you’d better get at least fifty percent upfront. She’s a slippery snake when it comes to paying off: ready to bite if you handle her wrong, but also quick to disappear. I don’t doubt that there’ll be a job out for her one of these days. As far as the other, I wouldn’t go up against KQ unless I had a death wish!”

  “Still,” Hugo said, pulling on the edge of his thick black mustache, “there’s an island out in the Bahamas that I’ve had my eye on. If we joined forces, we’d have the bucks to buy it and enough left over for a nice boat to run around in. How about it? I’ll let you have the west side and I’ll take the east.”

  “Dummy!” Vinny replied harshly, then snorted.

  “Who you callin’ a dummy, you peach-faced imbecile!”

  “If we’re gonna buy an island together,” Vinny said in a soothing, gentle tone, immediately trying to calm down the easily excitable assassin, “you take the west side. If a hurricane comes rumbl
ing through, you’ll get hit first, not me. A little breeze never seemed to bother you. Don’t you ever watch the weather channels?”

  “Not if my phone still has a charge. I got a thing going on with that new strip version of solitaire. You wouldn’t believe…”

  “Hush!” Vinny cut off his protégé’s babbling, his hand up to cover Hugo’s mouth as he focused on the activity at the store’s entrance.

  Hugo the Huge didn’t have much sense, but he did know not to cross the short-tempered, short-statured assassin. Stepping aside, he clenched his jaws in suppressed rage and looked over his mentor’s shoulder.

  “Looks like him to me,” Hugo whispered. “How’d you know to look out here in the middle of Nowhere, Oregon for Z’s kid?”

  “While you were playing those dumb games on your phone, I’ve been scouting local news stories and obituaries. You’d be surprised how many folks we know who wound up as a John Doe.”

  Hugo chuckled. “I only know the ones I put on that party list.”

  “Party list?” Vinny shook his head but didn’t comment on the nonsense answer. Hugo was big, mean, and dumb but he was also controllable. He spoke English, but not very well. Still, his hands gripped like a hydraulic vise and — the real bonus — he was born without a conscience. This voice-activated killing machine was just what Vinny needed to get what he wanted in life.

  “Are you sure that’s him? I thought Van was a skinny crack head. This guy looks like the poster boy for eating organic foods.”

  Vinny looked down at his phone, opened up to the image of his target. Hugo was right. “Damn! I could have sworn this was the area I tracked Killer Queen’s phone signal to.”