by Nancy Naigle
Maryanne swept in. “I need four hot chocolates,” she said cheerfully.
Liz poured four and handed them to her. Matt and Dan stood there staring at each other.
“Sorry. Where are my manners? Dan, this is Matt. He’s my … contractor.”
“Oh, so you’re the guy working on the place.” Dan shoved his hand out. “I’m her best friend, and I was her go-to guy before she up and left me for this place.”
Matt didn’t look amused, and didn’t shake his hand, either.
“That’s not exactly how it was. Dan and I are good friends.” She turned to Dan. “Can you help Maryanne with the hot chocolate for a minute, please?”
“This is cashmere,” he said, referring to his coat.
“So don’t be a slob, and it won’t be a problem.” She pushed a stack of cups into his stomach.
“Your Realtor?” Matt clucked his tongue. “How could you give this up so easy?”
“This?”
“George Junior heard your real estate guy say he sold it. I can’t believe you’d sell it before we even got finished. I thought you loved this place.”
“I do.” She grabbed Matt by the arm and limped off to the side on her scooter to get out of earshot of Dan and anyone else, like George Junior, who might misconstrue something else.
“You sure had me fooled.” His words were short.
Matt was upset, and she could see why. “Settle down. It’s not what you think, and I don’t appreciate you jumping to conclusions. Give me a chance here.”
“Don’t tell me your buddy Dan didn’t come up here to tell you he sold the place. George Junior saw him with the papers.”
“Yes. He did.”
Matt’s fists balled. He looked away. “And what about Joe and Maryanne. Why would you get their hopes up like that? Or mine? If George Junior hadn’t told me, when would I have found out?”
She touched his arm, and his biceps tensed. “Matt, Dan didn’t sell this place. He has an offer on my house in Charlotte. He’s not the listing agent. Missy couldn’t get through on my phone, so they drove up together to tell me that there’s an offer on the table. A good one.”
Matt’s lips pulled together. “Oh.”
“Yeah. And if I take that offer then I have no choice but to see this project through to the end. Which is what I thought we both wanted.”
“I—”
“Look. I don’t know what’s going on with you. I appreciate everything you’ve done. This place. The work you’ve already done is amazing. But it’s not only your work that’s exceeding my expectations. It’s you. You’ve made this feel real for me.”
His jaw quit pulsing. “I knew from the time I saw your name on that ad that I wanted you to come back and stay in Antler Creek,” he said. “I don’t want you to leave.”
“It was my dream. I’ve always thought I belonged here.”
“What do you think now?”
“I’m happier than I’ve ever been. Even with a broken ankle. I can barely stand, and I’m less financially stable than I’ve ever been before, but everything I ever wanted is here in Antler Creek.”
“Angel’s Rest?”
“And you. And the possibilities.”
“I’m so sorry I jumped to conclusions. I think I owe your friend an apology too.”
“I understand. I feel vulnerable too. When I saw you holding Holly you were so good with her. Things that I’d never dreamed of started dancing in my imagination.”
“Children?”
“Yes. Family, and so many little things. Snow angels by the pond. Traditions. Old and new.”
“I know what you mean.”
“I didn’t have the least bit of Christmas spirit a few weeks ago.” She held out her arms and looked around. Every light. Every decoration. Perfect. “This feels like Christmas.” She reached for his hand, and he laced his fingers through hers. “Matt, thank you for bringing Christmas back into my heart. I wanted this place so badly that I’d lost sight of what is happening right now. This. All of it … matters as much as anything else.”
Elvis trotted up with an angel in his mouth and laid it at her feet.
She looked down and laughed. Her priorities had completely changed, and the dream of running the lodge had a whole new meaning to her now. She picked up the angel and held it close to her heart. “It’s not about a career change. It’s a life change.”
Elvis barked and ran to the front door and pawed at it. Matt and Liz walked over to get him. Elvis jumped and barked again. Matt laughed. “My wingman,” he said to Liz, then pointed above the door.
“Mistletoe?” She shook her head. “The last time I went running after mistletoe I broke my ankle. Please don’t break my heart.”
“I’d never.” He kissed her under the mistletoe. A slow, gentle kiss. “This is the merriest Christmas I’ve ever had. Please spend Christmas with me.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
“I have something for you.”
“What about the hot chocolate?”
Matt looked over at Dan and snickered.
Liz had to admit that Dan looked very awkward filling the hot-chocolate cups.
Matt said, “I think your buddy could use more practice. This will just take a minute.”
He helped her inside. Over on the mantel he retrieved a red package. It looked like the one he’d taken from off the top step of the ladder tree.
“This is for you,” he said.
The package was wrapped in pretty red paper decorated with small trumpeting angels and snowflakes, and a shiny gold ribbon and glittery bow.
She slid her finger under the paper one side at a time, careful to not rip it, then slipped off the top of the box to see inside. “Matt. This is a picture of Angel’s Rest back when we were kids.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“I love it!” She looked closer. “You used this picture to duplicate the scenes just like Pop had done them. This is amazing.”
“I told you this place was special to me too. I have a lot of great memories here. And pictures to help me remember them.” He leaned in closer. “You’re always looking for signs. Look closely at that picture. What do you see?”
She stared at the picture for a long moment, then looked up. “You’re right there.” She pointed to a young boy off to the side in the photo. “I’d know your smile anywhere.”
“What else?”
She looked again, moving to where the light was better. “That’s Pop standing just behind Gram and me.” She ran her finger across the glass. “The way the lights are glowing behind him makes him almost look like an angel.”
“If anyone should be an angel, it’s him. I’ve never forgotten that night,” he said.
“I remember it too. It was a magical night. All of them were good, but that night has always stood out to me. Do you remember the snowflakes falling that night? They were different. Dry powdery snow. We couldn’t even make a snowball.”
“I do remember. Liz, we can make so many more nights like that happen and share that kind of joy with others.”
“I’d like that. I could never thank you enough for all you’ve done.”
“Well, you could teach me to cast a fly rod as good as you.”
“I haven’t done that in years.” She laughed. “I’m being serious here. You really touched my heart with all of this. You somehow brought all these people together to make all this happen.” She placed her hand against her cheek. “I feel like I’m surrounded by Christmas angels.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. Follow me.” Matt started walking toward the back of the house.
Where is he going? She caught up with him. “Matt? What are—” He stepped to the side. It took a moment for it to register that it was her mother and father standing there in front of her. “Mom? Dad!”
“Hey, Liz,” Dad said, holding his arms out to her.
“Dad? What are y’all doing here? Mom? I can’t believe this.”
“Matt called us.�
��
She spun around and looked at him. “It’s so good to see you. Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad. I told Matt if you saw Angel’s Rest all lit up again you’d change your mind about it.”
“Liz, the lights don’t have anything to do with it. We just want you to be happy, and the sheer joy on your face is enough to let us know that something pretty special is going on here.”
“It is, Mom. Dad. I’ve never felt like this.”
Mom walked over and hugged her. She whispered into her ear, “Matt is a very special man. Don’t you let him get away.” She squeezed her tight. “I didn’t believe this place could ever be the same without your grandparents here.” Mom’s eyes glistened. “You’re so much like her.”
“I couldn’t have done it without Matt. He even let me stay at his house after the fall, and he stayed here in the little cabin.”
“Do you live far from here?” Dad asked Matt.
“Not far at all. My property actually backs up to Angel’s Rest. Just down and around the ridge.”
“Wait a minute. The Hardys owned that property.”
“Yes. That’s right. I’m their son.”
“Your dad and I did some hunting together.” Dad shook a finger toward Matt as he looked at her. “Liz, this is a good kid. His dad is a great guy.”
“He passed away last year. Meeting your daughter really helped me pull my bootstraps up after that. It’s been a rough year.”
“I’m sorry, son,” her dad said. “I hadn’t heard.”
Liz’s mom said, “My father-in-law always said the right things would happen in their own right time. You can’t rush it or force it. Matt, we can’t thank you enough for contacting us so that we could be a small part of tonight. This is really special, what you two have done. Clearly this was meant to happen. I’m sorry I wasn’t more excited for you when you first called us, Liz. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“Stop it, Mom. I know you were just trying to help, and ultimately it was my decision.”
Matt stepped closer to Liz and put his arm around her waist. She turned and looked at this man who truly put everyone before himself. She had no idea how he kept her so off balance, but she sure hoped she got to spend a lifetime figuring it out.
Dad came over and hugged her. “Your mom and I are going to head on out. We’re staying in Boone. You keep us posted, and let us know how we can help with getting Angel’s Rest ready. We don’t head back to California until Thursday. Let’s spend some time together.”
“I’d like that,” said Liz. She slipped her hand under Matt’s arm as she watched her parents leave. “Thank you, Matt. That was so thoughtful of you. I can’t believe you got them to come. They haven’t been back in years.”
“They love you. I think a part of them died when Angel’s Rest closed too. You were just the only one that was willing to do something about it.”
“You’re the best thing that has ever happened to me, Matt Hardy.”
“I don’t know about that, but I do know that I’d like to spend every Christmas with you … forever … if you’ll let me.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“And you’ll always be safe to spread your wings and fly under the mistletoe with me.”
“You’ll spot my landing, won’t you?” She looked into his eyes.
“Always and forever.” He reached into his pocket and took out a small velvet bag. Not big enough to hold even a quarter.
“What’s that?”
He fumbled with the small bag, then tipped it over, the contents falling into his hand. “I know that sand dollar is special to you, but I thought maybe a trumpeting angel like the one on the new sign might be too.” He placed the pendant in the palm of her hand.
“I love it, and I love you, Matt.”
“I’ve been in love with you for so long.” He kissed her forehead. “Merry Christmas, my special angel.”
ALSO BY NANCY NAIGLE
Christmas Joy
Hope at Christmas
Dear Santa
The Christmas Shop
Visit www.NancyNaigle.com for a list of all of Nancy’s novels.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author NANCY NAIGLE whips up small-town love stories with a dash of suspense and a whole lot of heart. Now happily retired, she devotes her time to writing, antiquing, and the occasional spa day with friends. A native of Virginia Beach, she currently calls North Carolina home. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-one
Chapter Twenty-two
Chapter Twenty-three
Chapter Twenty-four
Chapter Twenty-five
Chapter Twenty-six
Chapter Twenty-seven
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chapter Twenty-nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-one
Chapter Thirty-two
Chapter Thirty-three
Chapter Thirty-four
Chapter Thirty-five
Also by Nancy Naigle
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
First published in the United States by St. Martin’s Griffin, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group
CHRISTMAS ANGELS. Copyright © 2019 by Nancy Naigle. All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Kerri Resnick
Cover photographs: present © Pixel Stories/Stocksy; angel © AgataCreate/Shutterstock.com; decoration © Anastasiia Malinich/Shutterstock.com; snow © pathdoc/Shutterstock.com
The Library of Congress has catalogued the print edition as follows:
Names: Naigle, Nancy, author.
Title: Christmas angels / Nancy Naigle.
Description: First edition. | New York: St. Martin’s Griffin, 2019. |
Identifiers: LCCN 2019027834 | ISBN 9781250312624 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9781250312631 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Christmas stories. | GSAFD: Love stories.
Classification: LCC PS3614.A545 C46 2019 | DDC 813/.6—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019027834
eISBN 9781250312631
Our ebooks may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at 1-800-221-7945, extension 5442, or by email at [email protected].
First Edition: October 2019
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