by Debbie Mason
“I’m sorry, too, about earlier, with Sawyer. It’s just seeing the two of you…” Jill held the door to the bar open with her shoulder. “Jack’s coming home, Grace. You still believe that, don’t you?”
I wish I did. “Of course I do,” she said, smiling in response to the greetings their friends called out. It seemed like half the town had crowded into the rustic-looking bar with its exposed log walls and wood-planked floors. Jack Junior reached for one of the hundred yellow balloons that were tied to the chairs and bar stools.
Gage McBride, Christmas’s sheriff, came over. “Hey, Grace, Jill.” He kissed both their cheeks and took the cake from Grace, setting it on a nearby table. His wife, Madison, who was not only Grace’s partner and friend but also the town’s mayor, took Jack Junior from Jill and untied a balloon from the back of a chair. “Here you go, sugar.”
Madison smiled at Grace then rolled her eyes when Nell McBride, Gage’s great-aunt, sauntered over with her best friends, Ted and Fred, in tow. “Here we go.” Madison sighed.
Gage, standing behind his wife, grinned. “You’d better give me Jack Junior.”
Madison handed him off to her husband and took a seat, rubbing the barely noticeable baby bump beneath her floral sundress. “I’m sitting, okay?”
Ted pulled out a chair, and Fred plunked Madison’s pink-sandaled feet on it. “Now, you stay put, girlie,” Nell ordered.
The three of them shared a couple of their memories of Jack before moving off to join their friends at a large table near the jukebox.
“Gage, you have to talk to them. I can’t take five more months of this,” Madison complained.
Her husband leaned over and kissed her. “I’ll give it my best shot, honey. But the three of them are almost as stubborn as you are when you set your mind on something.”
“Hey, I’m not stubborn.”
Gage snorted. “Come on, buddy,” he said to Jack Junior, “let’s go play some air hockey.”
Grace felt a sharp twinge of longing. In the beginning, she and Jack had been as head over heels in love as Gage and Madison. She wondered if she’d ever have that again. The thought made her feel horribly disloyal. But who was she trying to kid? The citizens of Christmas, especially Jill, would never forgive her if she moved on with someone else. And it wasn’t as if she’d leave town. Her father’s military career had taken them all over the world, and Christmas was the only place that had ever felt like home.
“I’ll be right back,” Jill said.
Madison pulled out a chair. “Come sit with me.”
“How are you feeling?” Grace asked as she took a seat.
“Not you, too. I’m fine.” Madison looked at her closely. “But you’re not. Do you wanna talk about it?”
“We had a minicatastrophe at the bakery. There was a leak in the apartment and part of the ceiling came down. Sawyer’s… What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
Grace arched a brow.
Madison grimaced. “It’s Gage. He’s worried Sawyer—”
She was right. They’d never allow her to move on. “We’re friends, that’s all.”
“Forget I said anything. And don’t worry about the leak. Your insurance will cover the damage. Plus, I have an idea that’s going to make us rich.” Grace’s skepticism must’ve shown, because Madison said, “I’m serious. I’ve been thinking about all those letters. We’re going to create a story about a Sugar Plum Fairy being the one who granted their wishes. We’ll sell T-shirts, and books, and wands… Anything we can think of, we can sell.”
Grace could almost see the dollar signs flashing in her business partner’s blue eyes. She didn’t want to be a downer, but she had to ask, “Umm, won’t there be an issue with copyright? There’s a Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker.”
“The Sugar Plum Cake Fairy, then. My friend Vivi can write the stories. Can you do the illustrations?”
Grace nodded. As a little girl, she’d loved to draw, but had stopped the day her sister died. It wasn’t until Grace started working on the designs for her cakes that she rediscovered the joy, the deep sense of satisfaction she got from drawing.
“Fantastic. I’m so excited about this, aren’t you?”
“Yes, it’s a great idea.” Anything that had the potential to increase the bottom line was welcome news to Grace. She just didn’t know where she’d find the time to do everything, but it was exactly what she needed right now. The perfect way for her to move on with her life.
Madison glanced at the door and reached for her hand. “Okay, just breathe.”
“What…” She followed Madison’s gaze and swallowed, hard.
Jill followed behind their friends—the twins Holly and Hailey and Sophia and her sister-in-law Autumn—with a life-size cutout of Jack tucked beneath her arm.
A warm hand gently squeezed Grace’s shoulder. Brandi, one of Sawyer’s waitresses and another of Grace’s friends, set a drink in front of her. “This’ll help. It’s a Hero. Sawyer named it after Jack.”
“Thanks, Brandi,” Grace murmured, wrapping her fingers around the cold, frosted glass.
“What do you think?” Jill asked, setting up the cardboard likeness beside Grace as the other women took their seats around the table. They placed their orders with Brandi while commenting on the lifelike Jack in his desert camouflage fatigues and Kevlar vest, a helmet tucked under his arm, his sexy grin flashing perfect white teeth in his deeply tanned face.
“There’s nothing hotter than a man in uniform. And Jack Flaherty was—” Autumn, the owner of Sugar and Spice, the woman who made Grace’s chocolate sugar plums, quickly corrected herself. “—is hands down the hottest man I’ve ever seen.”
He was. And looking at him now, Grace felt the same heart-stopping punch of attraction she did on the night he strode into the Washington ballroom to receive his Medal of Honor.
Sophia, owner of the high-end clothing store Naughty and Nice, pointed at Jack and in her heavily accented voice said, “Yes, and he is coming home with me tonight.”
“Grace?” Jill said, looking hurt.
She took her sister-in-law’s hand “It was a great idea, Jill. It’s like he’s here with us.”
Jill smiled, her eyes bright. Brandi came back with their drinks, and they lifted their glasses. “To Jack.”
Everyone in the bar followed suit, and then, one after another, they stood to share their stories about Jack and their prayers for his safe return. By the time they were finished, Grace had downed two Heroes.
Jill clapped her hands. “Okay, time for cake.”
They cleared the table and placed the cake in front of Grace. She stood, relieved that her emotional torture would soon be over. Gage, with Jack Junior in his arms, took his place beside Madison.
Sawyer came up behind Grace and whispered, “Hang in there. Not much longer.”
Before she could turn to ask how it went at the apartment, Jack Junior yelled, “Da, Da.” And put his arms out.
Grace’s breath seized in her chest.
Several people said, “Aw,” while her friends quietly sniffed. “He’ll be home soon, buddy,” Jill said, swiping at her eyes.
Grace wheezed out a relieved breath. Thank God, no one seemed to realize he’d meant Sawyer.
But Sawyer did. “How about that root beer float I promised you, buddy?” He went to take Jack Junior from Gage, who gave him a hard look before passing him over. Of course Gage would notice, Grace thought miserably.
“Me want beer.”
Everyone laughed as Sawyer carried her son to the bar. After they sang “Happy Birthday” to Jack, Grace cut the cake while Jill handed out the pieces.
She reached across Grace, bumping into her. “Sorry,” she said when Grace stumbled.
The knife jerked and hit the house, toppling it over, revealing the chocolate sugar plum underneath.
“Hey, no fair, it’s supposed to be hidden in the cake,” someone grumbled.
Grace sucked in a panicked breath and do
ve for the sugar plum. Jill beat her to it.
Her sister-in-law laughed. “Finally, I got a sugar plum.”
As Jill opened it, Grace wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Jill’s laughter ended on a choked sob. “How could you? How could you give up on him?” she said, her voice a strangled whisper.
“Jill, let me explain,” Grace called after her sister-in-law, who strode for the door.
From behind the bar came a shrill whistle. “Everyone quiet,” Sawyer yelled, directing their attention to the flat screen behind the bar where a newscaster announced breaking news. Sawyer turned up the volume. “We have just received unconfirmed reports that the four crew members of the Black Hawk that went down in the mountains of Afghanistan seventeen months ago have been recovered… alive.”
Also by Debbie Mason
The Trouble with Christmas
Christmas in July
It Happened at Christmas
Wedding Bells in Christmas
Snowbound at Christmas
Kiss Me at Christmas
ACCLAIM FOR THE CHRISTMAS, COLORADO SERIES
SNOWBOUND AT CHRISTMAS
“Heartfelt…a laugh-out-loud treat. Readers will chortle over the Christmastime antics of the spoiled sister, overprotective mother, meddling grandmother, loyal friends, and jealous castmates.”
—Publishers Weekly
“4½ Stars! Mason’s brisk pacing and inventive plot define this first-rate entry in her Christmas, Colorado series.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Filled with mystery, family drama, quirky characters, and romance. This was my first time reading anything by Debbie Mason, but I definitely will be going back to read the rest of the series.”
—HarlequinJunkie.com
WEDDING BELLS IN CHRISTMAS
“Romance readers will absolutely love this story of matchmaking and passion rekindled. Wedding Bells in Christmas is the very definition of a well-fought-for HEA.”
—RT Book Reviews
“I loved this book. For me, it was the perfect example of small-town contemporary done right. It’s definitely going on my Top Ten Books of 2015 list.”
—SimplyAngelaRenee.blogspot.com
“I completely enjoyed visiting Christmas again. This novel is full of rich, full-flavored characters with a story line that never lets up and keeps you turning page after page to discover what happens next. I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who wants an intense, involved story that brings in the entire town for the celebration of two people falling in love.”
—KeeperBookshelf.com
IT HAPPENED AT CHRISTMAS
“Debbie Mason gives the reader an excellent love story that can be read all year long…You must pick up It Happened at Christmas.”
—NightOwlRomance.com
“A passionate, liberal environmental activist and a straight-arrow conservative lawyer looking to the senate set the sparks flying in this nonstop, beautifully crafted adventure that skillfully unwraps a multilayered plot, adds an abundance of colorful characters and a familiar setting, and proves in no uncertain terms that opposites do attract.”
—Library Journal
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
“A heartwarming, feel-good story. I have not read anything written by Debbie Mason before, but now I have to read more of her books because I enjoyed Christmas in July so much.”
—HarlequinJunkie.com
“Debbie Mason’s books are the type of books that leave you with a warm and fuzzy feeling…Christmas in July is a great read.”
—FreshFiction.com
“4 Stars! A quintessential romance with everything readers love: familiar and likable characters, clever dialogue, and a juicy plot.”
—RT Book Reviews
THE TROUBLE WITH CHRISTMAS
“A fun and festive tale, flush with small-town warmth and tongue-in-cheek charm. The main characters are well worth rooting for, their conflicts solid and riveting.”
—USA Today’s Happy Ever After blog
“4 Stars! This is a wonderful story to read this holiday season, and the romance is timeless…This is one of those novels readers will enjoy each and every page of and tell friends about.”
—RT Book Reviews
“The lovers are sympathetic and well drawn… Mason will please fans of zippy small-town stories.”
—Publishers Weekly
“I’m very impressed by [Mason’s] character development, sense of humor, and plotting…Ms. Mason wraps this book up as if it were a very prettily wrapped package. Why not open the pages and have a Christmas present early?”
—LongandShortReviews.com
“Debbie Mason has created a humorous, heartwarming tale that tugged at my heartstrings while tickling my funny bone . . . a community that I enjoyed visiting and hope to visit again.”
—TheRomanceDish.com
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
NACHO FIGUERAS PRESENTS: WILD ONE
Ralph Lauren model and world-renowned polo player Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras dives into scandal and seduction in the glamorous, treacherous, jet-setting world of high-stakes polo competition. Sebastian Del Campo is a tabloid regular as polo’s biggest bad boy, but with an injury sidelining him, he’s forced to figure out what really matters…including how to win the heart of the first woman who’s ever truly understood him.
HAPPY EVER AFTER IN CHRISTMAS
By Debbie Mason
USA Today bestselling author Debbie Mason brings us back to Christmas, Colorado, where no one in town suspects that playboy Sawyer Anderson has been yearning to settle down and have a family. But when his best friend finds out the bride Sawyer has in mind is his off-limits baby sister, it might be a hot summer in Christmas in more ways than one…
THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR
By Jessica Lemmon
Bad boy billionaire Reese Crane needs a wife to convince the board of Crane Hotel that he’s settled enough to handle being CEO. And beautiful Merina Van Heusen needs money to save the boutique hotel she runs. But what will they do when love intrudes into their sham marriage? Fans of Jessica Clare and Samantha Young will love this new series from Jessica Lemmon.
A SUMMER TO REMEMBER
By Marilyn Pappano
In the tradition of RaeAnne Thayne and Emily March comes the sixth book in Marilyn Pappano’s Tallgrass series. Can Elliot Ross teach the widow Fia Thomas to love again? Or will the secret she’s hiding destroy her second chance at forever?
FOREVERMORE
By Kristen Callihan
Sin Evernight is one of the most powerful supernatural creatures in heaven and on earth, and when his long-lost friend Layla Starling needs him, he vows to become her protector. Desperate to avoid losing her a second time, Sin will face a test of all his powers to defeat an unstoppable foe—and to win an eternity with the woman he loves. Don’t miss the stunning conclusion to USA Today bestselling author Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series!
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Welcome
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-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
An Excerpt from CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Also by Debbie Mason
Acclaim for the Christmas, Colorado Series
Fall in Love with Forever Romance
Newsletters
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Debbie Mazzuca
Teaser from Christmas in July ©2014 by Debbie Mazzuca
Cover illustration by Tom Hallman
Cover design by Elizabeth Turner
Cover copyright ©2016 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
All rights reserved. In accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, the scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher constitute unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
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First Ebook Edition: June 2016