Romancing the Holidays: Twelve Christmas Romances - Benefits Breast Cancer Research

by Crista McHugh

  “No. I’ve decided. It’s time for you to make some dreams come true. No more waiting. You’re talented. And those brides are getting engaged as we speak. You’re going to be capturing the best day of their lives by this summer.” He sat next to her on the couch and took her hand. “I’ll help you get started. Some of my guys can build you a website, and we can put a marketing plan together. You’ll be so busy by this time next year, you’ll be swimming in the bucks.”

  “I don’t know. What if I can’t do it?”

  Morgan sat on the other side of her and rested her cheek on Rena’s shoulder. “You can do it, Rena. I promise. And we’ll be here to help. Right, Daddy?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Okay, Daddy, now open the one from Rena.”

  Morgan slipped from the couch and brought a square, flat package to him. He tore off the wrapping. It was a drawing of the snapshot from the night they’d picked out the tree. In simple, delicate strokes she had captured the moment. Morgan’s upturned face looked at him with adoration as he grinned at the camera. “It’s beautiful, Rena. I love it.”

  Morgan was jumping up and down once again. “I had to hide it for two whole days!”

  “You did a good job,” Rena said. “And now I think it’s time for you to open some of your presents.”

  Morgan threw her arms around him. “Santa is good,” she whispered.

  “Santa is good,” he said.

  Part Five

  One year later…

  Rena woke on Christmas morning to an empty bed. She reached her foot over to Ryan’s side, but it was cold. He must have been up for a while. It was just after seven in the morning. How had Morgan let them sleep this long? She yawned as she grabbed her warm bathrobe and wandered out into the hallway. Morgan’s bed was also empty. She called out to them as she headed downstairs, but no one answered. The room smelled of cinnamon and butter.

  As she entered the living room, Morgan and Ryan came out of the kitchen carrying coffee mugs. “Good morning, sleepyhead.” Morgan grinned and handed her the coffee. “We let you sleep in as part of your present.”

  She hugged the little girl to her side. “That was a good gift. I’m still worn out from yesterday.”

  “I’m so proud of you, baby,” Ryan said as he kissed the top of her head. “The shots look amazing.”

  “Did you sneak a peek?” she asked.

  He grinned. “I couldn’t help it. I’m starting to love weddings too.”

  Yesterday afternoon, she’d shot her first Christmas wedding. It was a small wedding held in a suite at the Sheraton downtown for a “second chance” couple in their forties. Their combined four children were the only guests present, so it was a short shoot, but moving nonetheless. This was only her seventh wedding and they’d all been small, but six were already on the books for the coming months. Ryan had even suggested that it might be time to give up her day job. She wasn’t so sure. There was still rent to pay, even though she stayed over at his house most nights. Well, every night. The three of them had become so cozy and comfortable that Rena couldn’t imagine her life without them. This, she sometimes worried, was dangerous. What if something went wrong? Well, she wouldn’t think of it today. Not on Christmas.

  Morgan took her by the hand over to the easy chair nearest the fire where the two of them often sat together. “You sit in our chair,” Morgan said. “Daddy wants to give you his gift first.”

  “Goodie,” she said, making room for Morgan. “Scooch in here.”

  Morgan shook her head. “Not yet.”

  She didn’t have time to contemplate because Ryan reached into his pajama pocket and pulled out a small box. Before she could comprehend what was happening, he was down on his knees in front of her. Oh my God. What is this?

  “Rena, since the first time I witnessed your beautiful soul across the courtroom, I’ve been in love with you. You’re the most genuine, loving woman I’ve ever known. You’ve made me come alive in a way I didn’t know was possible. The way you are with Morgan, your talent, your kind, kind heart, the way you love weddings and romance novels and Christmas, all have touched my heart and made me fall more in love with you with each day that goes by. I can’t imagine my life without you. I want you by my side for the rest of my life.” He opened the box and presented it to her. A diamond engagement ring sparkled brighter than the lights of any Christmas tree ever. “Will you be my wife?”

  So surprised, she couldn’t speak. She nodded, tears streaming from her eyes.

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “It’s all I’ve wanted since the first time I saw you in line at Starbucks.”

  “Your pretend boyfriend is now going to be your real husband,” he said as he slipped the ring onto her finger.

  “It’s the most beautiful ring in the world,” she said.

  “For the most beautiful woman in the world.” He leaned forward and kissed her.

  Morgan approached with a shy expression. She held a rectangular box in her hands. “I have something to ask too.” Her little face was white, and her hands trembled as she opened the box and pulled out a silver necklace with two flat, round charms attached. “Daddy helped me find the perfect way to ask you if you would be my forever mom.” She placed the necklace in Rena’s outstretched hand. Rena examined the charms. One charm said Mommy. The other said Morgan. “Would you be my mommy?” Morgan asked. “I can’t promise to always be perfect, but I promise to try my hardest.”

  Rena took the little girl’s quivering hands in her own. “You never have to try to be perfect. All you must do is be yourself because you’re perfect to me. I love you. Just as you are. I promise to love you like you’re my own little girl. My forever daughter.”

  She pulled Morgan into her lap. Scrawny arms encircled Rena’s neck. “I knew Santa wouldn’t let me down,” Morgan whispered into her neck. “I just knew it.”

  Rena and Ryan smiled at each other through their tears. This was their beautiful story. The story of their love, of their family. It would survive the passage of time. The tale would be told by Morgan and Morgan’s children and so forth. A little girl had asked for the most important gift of all—love. And God had delivered. He had brought them together. There are miracles. Look at us. We are proof. When one asks for the wish of their heart, God hears. Sometimes He’s dressed up in a red suit. Sometimes he’s on trial for burglary. But He hears.

  “We are blessed,” Rena said. “We must never forget.”

  “We must always be thankful,” Ryan said.

  “I won’t ever forget,” Morgan said. “Because I know it, right here.” She tapped her chest with her fingers.

  “I think it’s time you open some of your gifts,” Rena said. “And if I’m not mistaken, I think I saw something in your daddy’s office that Santa left you.”

  Morgan pulled back and looked into Rena’s eyes. “I know you and daddy got it for me. The real Santa has to worry about adults this time of year.”

  “What did you just say?” Rena asked. How did Morgan know already? She was only eight. That was too young to not believe anymore. Wasn’t it?

  Ryan laughed. “Morgan and I have a little story to tell you over breakfast. But first, let’s open some presents.”

  And so they did.

  ~ The End ~

  Find More Tess Thompson books here!

  www.TessThompson.com

  Reader: If you enjoyed this story, please leave a review, no matter how brief, on the site where you bought this book.

  We are attempting to sell thousands of books to benefit CANCER AWARENESS and your review helps more than you can imagine, even if you only read one or two of the books.

  Thank you and Happy Holidays!

  ~The 13 Authors of Romancing the Holidays~

  BOOK 9

  Picture Perfect Holiday

  A Wilson’s Hollow Novella

  By

  Savanna Grey

  Lindsay McKay travels the world, bringing the sights, s
ounds and people to life through her photography. She has an apartment in New York, but she hasn’t slept in her own bed in three months. She was due for a break, and thanks to an old college friend, she was going to get some needed rest and relaxation.

  Taking a gig to photograph a bed and breakfast marketing brochure wasn’t her norm, but for Sara she would do just about anything. Plus, free room and board and all the brownies she could eat was an added bonus. What she hadn’t counted on was the force of nature that was Luke Davis, sexy as sin handyman extraordinaire.

  Being a free spirit, Lindsay had a standing rule of no strings attached relationships with the opposite sex. Luke didn’t agree with her philosophy and was determined to prove her wrong, because when he set his mind to wanting something, he didn’t give up.

  A new job offer threatens to cut her visit short. Will Luke convince Lindsay that falling in love doesn’t mean you lose your own identity in the process or will she be afraid to take the chance?

  Note from the Author:

  Returning to Wilson’s Hollow to give you Luke’s story was special to me. I fell in love with Luke in Country Christmas and couldn’t wait to write his story. Catching up with everyone in Wilson’s Hollow was entertaining as well. I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I did writing it.

  Thank you to Margie and Elizabeth for sticking with me through challenging times.

  To my husband, you are my Luke.

  Hugs,

  Savanna

  Copyright ©2017 Savanna Grey

  All rights reserved. Excerpt as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior permission of the publisher.

  Savanna Grey

  Cover Design by Cover Gurl Designs

  Photo by Bigstock.com

  Editing by Elizabeth Editing Services

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious.

  Names, characters, places and plots are a product of the author’s imagination. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.

  Chapter 1

  “Are you kidding? It’s you who is doing me the favor. I’m still pinching myself you could take a break and fit this little task into your schedule. I’m about to bust at the seams. This is going to be an adventure. Just like old times.”

  Luke Davis sat at the breakfast bar sipping his third cup of coffee watching his best friend practically dance around the kitchen with excitement. He sipped his coffee, a grin spreading across his bearded face.

  “Luke will pick you up at the airport. Just look for the big burly bearded guy in red checkered flannel in luggage claim. You can’t miss him.”

  Sara Daniels disconnected the call and turned to Luke, her eyes lit with excitement.

  ‘It feels like Christmas already! I can’t believe Lindsay is coming to shoot our new brochure. I mean, this is certainly beneath her as an artist. I guess it really is about who you know, isn’t it?” she poured herself a cup of coffee and leaned against the counter across from Luke.

  “She lands at four o’clock this afternoon. You don’t mind picking her up, do you? With the two-hour drive to the airport, I wouldn’t be back in time for the social hour set-up.”

  “Would it matter if I did mind?” he asked gruffly, his lip curling upward.

  She swatted at him with the dishtowel lying beside her.

  “Don’t sass me. You know what happens when you do that. Your brownie supply is cut off.” She pursed her lips, knowing the right button to push.

  “I was just asking a simple question, and there you go threatening me already this morning. I think you are creating a hostile work environment.” The sparkle in his eyes gave his teasing away.

  “I can help you pack your bags anytime, Davis. Just say the word.” Nate, Sara’s husband entered the great room of the inn.

  Nate rounded the counter into the kitchen and pulled Sara into his embrace.

  “How’s the most beautiful woman in the world this morning?”

  “Better now that you are home for a few months.” She stood on tiptoe and placed her lips to his.

  “Tell me again when the honeymoon phase will be over with? I might want to start eating breakfast in my room until then. I mean, it’s been three months already since the wedding. Hasn’t the newness worn off yet?” Luke grumbled.

  Nate grinned over the top of Sara’s head.

  “How about never? Something this good never gets old.” He kissed Sara again.

  “You have definitely earned a double batch of brownies,” Sara promised her husband.

  Luke rolled his eyes.

  “I just got off the phone with Lindsay. Everything is on schedule. Luke will pick her up at the airport this afternoon. We have so much planned. I don’t know how we are going to squeeze it into three weeks’ time. She’s staying until just before Christmas. We haven’t spent time together since college graduation. We’ve stayed in touch via email and phone calls, but this will be the first time I’ve seen her in years. It was perfect timing.”

  “Why is that?” Luke asked.

  “She has just come home from a three-month assignment in Africa. She was doing a photo shoot for a wild kingdom series for some big magazine. Her life seems so amazing. She travels to exotic locations, photographs the people and the culture and anything else that interests her. She has a huge following. I knew in college she would succeed. She was always so driven. Her artistic eye is unmatched as far as I’m concerned. Critics agree. She’s won several awards for her work.”

  “Terrific. Just what we need under this roof. Another celebrity ego.” Luke looked at Nate with an accusatory frown.

  Nate threw a muffin he was holding in Luke’s direction. Luke caught it and popped it into his mouth.

  “Thanks. I was still hungry,” he mumbled through a mouthful.

  “What am I going to do with the two of you?” Sara looked back and forth between her two favorite men, one the love of her life and the other her best friend since childhood.

  “I have a few recommendations.” Nate offered, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

  “And there’s my cue to leave.” Luke tipped his mug back, draining the contents. “Anything new on the to-do list today?” he asked Sara.

  “There’s a leaky faucet in cabin eight. Sofia left a note yesterday after she cleaned it. We have a big group coming in tomorrow for an anniversary celebration. They will be here for the weekend.”

  “Which room are you putting snapshot queen in?”

  “She’s staying in Hilltop cabin. That way she has privacy and isn’t exposed to the morning chaos of the inn but is still just a few steps away for convenience.”

  “Needs her beauty sleep, does she?”

  “Now, Luke. You must promise to be nice. Don’t go scaring her off on the first day. Promise me you will behave yourself. She’s my friend and an honored guest.” Sara’s pleading eyes melted him.

  “Yes, Mom. I promise to be nice to the lady. What? I’m not a Neanderthal,” he grumbled.

  “We haven’t verified that yet. Ancestry.com hasn’t gotten back with the results, so it’s still questionable.” Nate couldn’t resist.

  Sara elbowed Nate. “That includes you too. I want to enjoy your time home while you are off tour. I don’t want to have to referee between the two of you the entire time. The Inn is booked leading up to Christmas. It’s going to be crazy as well as setting up for the various photo shoots. It’s all hands-on-deck, boys.”

  “I’m going out to chop some more wood to stack out back. Snow is forecasted in the next couple of days. Doesn’t hurt to be prepared.”

  “Thanks, Luke. You’re the best, even if you are a pain sometimes.”

  “Ditto, Half-pint.” He winked as he left the kitchen.

  “I swear that guy still hates me for marrying you,” Nate said as he refilled his mug
.

  “No, he doesn’t. Just like you don’t really dislike him. You’re both protective of me, and I love you both for it. I just wish Luke would find someone to be with that would make him as happy as I am. He deserves that.”

  “What women in their right mind could deal with that?” Nate scrunched up his nose.

  “As much as you profess to dislike him, I know otherwise. Luke’s a good man. Any woman would be lucky to have him.”

  “Are you trying to make me jealous, sweetheart, because it just might be working.”

  She grabbed the openings of his button-down flannel shirt. “Does my baby need some reassuring? You’re the one who has been on the road with the band surrounded by screaming females throwing their underwear on stage. If anyone is jealous, it should be me.”

  He swung her up into his arms and walked toward their bedroom. “Maybe we should reassure each other.” He kicked the bedroom door closed behind him.

  Chapter 2

  Luke hated crowds. He stood inside the airport waiting for the infamous Lindsay McKay, watching the multitude of travelers’ filter through baggage claim. The monitor overhead said her flight had landed five minutes ago. She should be making an appearance shortly if she didn’t take her sweet time.

  Something bumped into Luke’s legs from behind, causing him to stumble. Turning, he looked down into a set of big round green eyes of a blond-headed toddler. The little boy was attempting to pull his own pint-sized suitcase.

  “Trevor, no. Come over here with Mommy.”

  Luke looked over at a frazzled looking woman carrying a baby and attempting to load suitcases onto a cart.