Holiday Heat: The Men of Starlight Bend

by Ashley Jennifer

  He crossed the room in three steps and pulled her into his arms. Kari gave a small cry of joy and wrapped herself around him. She took his face in her hands and kissed him with all the indescribable, terrifying, wonderful emotions inside her. While his Christmas tree twinkled in the corner and Buttercup wagged her tail and danced at their feet, Kari gave all of herself to this man who’d peeled back the layers and been tender with the vulnerable woman inside.

  They’d started with sex, but today, while winter cloaked the small town of Starlight Bend and froze the stars in the sky, they made love. The kind that bound a man and woman together for all of forever. The kind that unified and defined. There were no chains needed in this love. No locks that couldn’t be broken. There was only the promise of tomorrow.

  As they came together, Kari whispered, “I love you, Ty Timberlake.”

  He lifted his head and stared into her eyes. Gentle hands smoothed back her hair. He kissed the tip of her nose. “I love you, too, Kari with a K. You’re what I wished for this Christmas.”

  She beamed at him. “My wish was granted, too. This is what I’ve always wanted, it just took me awhile to figure it out.”

  And with that heartbreaker smile she’d fallen in love with from the start, Ty lifted her off her feet and kissed her again. Kari kissed him back, letting him know that his long, gone girl had come home to stay.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The storm kept them housebound for all of the next day. Kari was glad for it. She and Ty spent it in bed, being in love. It was the greatest Christmas gift ever. They talked between kisses, laughed between warm caresses, and made love between meals. Each moment was one to be treasured and Kari soaked it in, lapped it up. This was the first day of forever and she wouldn’t have changed a moment of it.

  She called Simone later that morning and told her that after the deal was finalized, she planned to move on—or rather stay. Here. Simone wasn’t the least bit surprised.

  “You know, I wish you only the best, right? I think you’re crazy, but Ty seems like a good guy.”

  “He is. He makes me happy.”

  Well, enough said, then.”

  “Actually, there’s one more thing. I’d like to buy the hardware store.”

  “Sure. You want all of them?”

  “No. Just the one in Starlight Bend.”

  “Really? What in the world are you going to do with it?”

  “Great things, Simone. Great things.”

  Simone laughed. “Be sure to let me know if your stock goes public.”

  Christmas Eve dawned bright and crisp the next day, filled with a glimmer of sunshine that hinted at a clearing of the storm. Ty called around and by that afternoon, the doorbell began to ring. Friends in snowshoes and parkas came by with food and drink and laughter.

  Kari recognized so many of them and felt warmed by their smiles and their greetings. They were willing to accept her. All she’d ever needed to do was open herself up. Even Marianne gave her a hug. “Good for you. He’s worth fighting for,” she whispered in Kari’s ear. At her side was her fiancé, who was also one of the young fireman who’d responded to the fire alarm. Stan was there, too.

  “I was talking to my Chief about that little gadget you have. He wants to see it,” he said.

  “Funny you should mention that. It just so happens, I own a hardware store and I have a storage locker back home that’s filled with little gadgets I’m going to find a way to share. The Pocket Alarm will be the first on the list.”

  Ty’s father was the last to arrive. On his arm was Becky Smith, who looked beautifully bright-eyed and rosy-cheeked. Henry smiled and blushed every time he glanced her way.

  “Looking mighty fine in those jeans, Henry,” Kari teased. And because it was Christmas she gave him a big hug. “Good catch,” she whispered in his ear.

  Becky laughed. “Yeah, he chased me so hard I finally caught him.”

  “I know exactly what you mean,” Ty said, grinning at Kari.

  Her heart was full and her life suddenly stretched out like a summer day, filled with sunshine, love and friends. Not a train track was in sight, and yet she still had plans. Still had goals. They simply complimented the scenery now, instead of cutting through it and marring everything they left behind. Never again would she be the long gone girl, laying tracks and moving on. She was here to stay.

  Humming along with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Kari decided she would have herself a Merry Little Life as well. Right here, in Starlight Bend with the most amazing man in the entire world.

  Epilogue

  Sara, age fourteen—average size, average weight, average everything—didn’t believe in Santa Claus. She didn’t believe in much of anything, anymore. Christmas had no magic and tomorrow, a doubtful outcome. But her little brother and sister still believed and that was important. In a few weeks, their mom would be out of rehab for the second time, and their lives would either take a turn for the better or a hard left for a chaotic worse. Again.

  She couldn’t think of that now, though. All she could do was put on a happy face for her siblings and try not to worry herself into an early grave.

  The Santa delivering gifts this year looked very real. His white hair and beard had a natural fluff and sheen. No elastic bands holding them in place. When he bent over, his hat even fell off—and the hair stayed in place—except for the shiny bald spot in the back. Ha. As close to a Christmas miracle as Sara ever hoped to see.

  He knew their names, too. That alone was startling. One year, the Santa had called her, “Eleven-year-old girl.” Yeah. That had been a Christmas moment to remember. At least he hadn’t called her an eleven-year-old indigent.

  Max got his gift first and waited patiently for Alyssa to take hers, thank Santa, and sit down. They’d been taught to wait before opening them—just in case the kind giver had bought them the same thing, regardless of the fact that they had different genders and ages. It happened, they all knew. But this Santa ho-ho-ho’ed and told them to go ahead.

  When Max yanked the enormous Wookie out of the wrapping paper, Sara smiled for reals. Fingers crossed, she watched Alyssa go to town on her wrapped package and lo-and-behold . . . out came the deluxe version of a Loopdedoo Kit.

  Sara almost cried at the excitement on their faces. She said a silent thank you to the powers that be and knelt down to admire their gifts. She didn’t hear Santa call her name until Max nudged her.

  “Sara, he’s got one for you.”

  Surprised, Sara looked up as Santa handed her a big package. Big and square, shifty in the middle, like maybe there were two boxes stacked together and held by the wrapping paper and ribbon.

  Too surprised to say anything but a mumbled, “Thanks,” Sara took the package and opened it.

  She’d been right: two boxes. Someone had written on the lids of each one in sparkly red and green marker. “What you asked for” on the first, and “What you really want,” on the second.

  She hadn’t asked for anything, though.

  Intrigued, Sara opened the first one first—what she’d asked for. Inside, she found jeans, a top, even new underclothes, all from Abercrombie kids—a store she’d only heard about. She’d never be able to afford it, so she’d never tried to go to one. But of course other kids at school wore their clothes. Cool kids, which Sara was not.

  Her fingers trailed over the fabric as she pictured herself wearing the outfit to school. Kids who always whispered about her second-hand clothes would have to shut up for once.

  “Just clothes,” Max said, looking over her shoulder with disappointment as he waved his Wookie around.

  “But pretty,” Alyssa said, though she was obviously equally unimpressed by the brand name attire some stranger had picked out just for Sara.

  Nervous excitement bunched up in her stomach as she reached for the second box. What You Want.

  Tissue paper with stars and unicorns hid the contents inside the box. On top, attached by a bright green seal, was a card with h
er name on it.

  Dear Sara, it read. This was made by a high school student not much older than you. I found it on Etsy and I just knew you’d love it. I hope I’m right. Your note on the Wish Tree touched me, Sara, and I’d like to help you and your family. When your mom gets on her feet again, tell her to call me at the number below. I have a job offer for her.

  A job? Seriously? Her mother had a record now and Sara had spent many sleepless nights wondering how they would live, eat. You know, little things like that.

  In a daze, she read the last lines of the card. Merry Christmas. Never stop believing. Kari.

  Never stop? Sara had never had the chance to start believing. But as she pulled out the long dress with its wild pattern and intricate lace work, she felt a little of that Christmas magic swirling inside her. The dress was beautiful, funky, so unique and colorful that it shouted, look at me. I don’t care what you think. It was perfect in every way. The box held shoes, too. Low boots with an elfin cuff in a pearly peach color.

  She held the dress up to her and knew it would fit like a dream.

  Santa was watching her with a smile on his face. “Hold your head high, Sara. Life has big plans for you.”

  And with a booming, Ho Ho Ho, Santa left to make his next stop. As Sara, Max, and Alyssa stared at one another with wide eyes and opened mouths, they heard sleigh bells ringing and Santa’s jolly, “Merry Christmas,” echoing behind him.

  And for the first time in her very young life, Sara, age fourteen, felt better than average. In fact, she felt like maybe, just maybe, this Merry Christmas might lead to a very Happy New Year.

  The End

  Keep reading for the next installment of Holiday Heat: The Men of Starlight Bend!

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading The Long Gone Girl of Starlight Bend. I hope you enjoyed Kari and Ty’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you liked this tale, you might want to check out Kissing Kris Kringle, another Christmas story set in the small town of North Pole, Maine.

  For more information about that book and all of my others which include Time Travel set in Ireland, dark paranormal, set in Arizona (think Supernatural meets Joe Black), and historical set in the United States, please visit www.ErinQuinnBooks.com where you can sign up for my newsletter and contests!

  You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram @ErinQuinnAuthor.

  Whatever your beliefs and traditions, I wish you the happiest of holidays and the best New Year ever!

  Erin Quinn

  PS: If you’re a whiskey drinker and wondering at my use of “whiskey” instead of “whisky,” rest assured I did my homework and chose whiskey with an “e” because Kari and Ty are drinking Jameson Irish Whiskey, which is spelled with an “e.” Had they instead been drinking Scotch whisky, Glenfiddich malt whisky for example, the “e” would have been banished. #nowyouknow

  Author Bio

  New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Erin Quinn writes dark paranormal romance for the thinking reader and light romantic comedy for the reader who just wants to have fun. Her books have been called “riveting,” “brilliantly plotted” and “beautifully written” and have won, placed or showed in numerous awards including the prestigious RWA RITA award. Go to www.erinquinnbooks.com. Look for the third book in the Beyond Series, The Seven Sins of Ruby Love in 2017. The Mists of Ireland will be re-released in digital and print early 2017.

  Books by Erin Quinn

  The Beyond Series: Paranormal Romance

  The Seven Sins of Ruby Love, (Book 3, coming April 2017)

  The Resurrection of Sam Sloan (Novella 2.5, RITA Finalist)

  The Three Fates of Ryan Love (Book 2)

  The Forbidden Life of Alex Moore (Novella 1.5)

  The Five Deaths of Roxanne Love (Book 1)

  The Mists of Ireland Series: Time Travel

  Coming soon in digital and print

  Haunting Beauty (Book 1)

  Haunting Warrior (Book 2)

  Haunting Desire (Book 3)

  Haunting Embrace (Book 4)

  Stand Alone Titles

  Diablo Springs (Paranormal Romance)

  Echoes (coming soon, Paranormal Romance)

  Holiday Stories

  Kissing Kris Kringle (part of the Sexy Secret Santa Collection)

  Shaking It Up (part of the With a Twist Valentine’s Collection)

  A Little Bit of Sugar (Part of the Snowed In and Snuggled Up Thanksgiving Collection)

  His Angel of Starlight Bend

  By Calista Fox

  Chapter One

  The universe is fucking with me.

  Anna Voss stared at the large snowflake-shaped tag in her hand, the first one she’d reached for on the decorated Wish Tree in the center of Big Sky Living, a log-and-river-rock-accented outdoor apparel and big-game sporting shop. It was the closest thing to a department store within a fifty-mile radius of the mountain town of Starlight Bend, Montana, and hosted the gift tree every year.

  Anna never scanned the tags to pick a boy’s or a girl’s name or search for specific toys the underprivileged children hoped for; she always left her choice up to fate.

  And this year, fate was playing a painful trick on her.

  The first line on the sparkling snowflake read, “My Name Is: Zander.”

  Her heart wrenched.

  Zander.

  What were the odds, especially in these remote parts?

  Starlight Bend had a miniscule population sooo… Pretty damn slim, she guessed.

  Anna sighed and deliberated over selecting another kid to play Christmas angel to—probably the smartest course of action. And there were still dozens of tags in various holiday-related shapes and sizes for her to swap with this one, since the charitable outreach spanned a number of rural communities in the county.

  Yet she’d felt compelled to pluck this particular piece of paper from the tree.

  Although she was now haunted by the boy’s name, Anna tucked the snowflake into her tote bag and turned to leave. Before she changed her mind.

  “Thank you for your kindness—your wish has been granted!”

  Anna jumped at the unexpected, booming voice, taken aback. She blinked at a man she’d never seen before. Well, the white-trimmed, scarlet-colored hat and suit, the full downy beard (that looked all too real) and the rosy cheeks and round belly were familiar. But this wasn’t Starlight Bend’s usual seasonal Jolly One. And Anna didn’t recognize him as a local.

  Composing herself, she congenially said to the stranger, “Thanks, but I don’t make wishes. Merry Christmas to you.”

  “And to you, Dr. Voss.” He smiled mischievously, a twinkle in his eye.

  Perhaps she’d treated one of his horses or cattle and that was how he knew her. Anna was a renowned large-animal vet in Northwestern Montana, but also traveled extensively throughout the state to give aid.

  Stepping around Santa, she continued on her way to the door and her red Dodge Ram truck in the lot. Along the outskirts of Starlight Bend, Anna carefully navigated the winding road up to her ranch. The snow had started falling again, adding a fresh layer of powder to the banks edging either side, the glittery spray from the drifts swirling in a light breeze.

  She turned into the long drive on her property and parked along the south side of the stables, out of the way of anyone bringing in a horse trailer for an emergency.

  Anna’s ranch housed medical and recovery/rehab facilities, all set against a breathtaking backdrop of white-capped and tree-covered peaks. Her land was dotted with Ponderosa pines, Aspens and Douglas-firs as well, their branches laden with a few inches of snow. She had two ponds on her vast acreage, frozen over this far into winter. Less than a week before Christmas.

  With her mind on anything other than the wish tag in her tote, she climbed out of the truck and rounded the corner of the building to the front entrance.

  And abruptly drew up short.

  Anna gasped.

  Now things were getting downright b
izarre.

  A boy, perhaps ten or eleven, with windblown pale-blond hair, all bundled up in an expensive-looking ski jacket, scarf and boots sat on the tree stump he’d cleaned off outside the oversized stable doors. He appeared to be chilled to the bone, his hands stuffed into his pockets and a shiver visibly running through him.

  Anna took a few steps forward and said, “Hi. Who are you?”

  And for God’s sake, please do not say Zander.

  The boy stood. “I’m Jake.”

  Oh, thank the heavens.

  She could only take so much jolting in one day.

  “Are you the veterinarian?” he asked.

  “I am. You can call me Anna.”

  He thrust his hand toward her and very politely said, “It’s nice to meet you, Anna.”

  She smiled, despite the apprehension that had not abated since she’d been at the store—no matter how much effort she’d put into convincing herself it was merely a coincidence not some mystical entity beyond her comprehension that suddenly had her acting as Secret Santa to a child with the same name as her son.

  Who would have been about Jake’s age this year.

  She shook hands with the boy and asked, “Where are your gloves, Jake?”

  “I left them in the SUV.”

  Anna scanned the immediate area, where several familiar vehicles were parked. She didn’t note anything out of the ordinary. “Are you a superhero who drives an invisible car?”

  Jake laughed good-naturedly. “No. I’m too young to drive.”

  “Glad to see you’re not a law breaker. Why don’t you come inside and get warm?”

  She unlocked the doors and slid one open. Jake followed her in.

  “Wow!” He eyed the extensive, well-appointed facilities and gushed, “This place is as big as my dad’s airplane hangar.”