“This almost makes up for all the grime,” she sighed and rested her head back, closing her eyes. “Heavenly.”
For a few minutes, Melanie let her mind be blank and simply relaxed. The hot water and the salts were doing wonders for her tired body and it was glorious. Then, unable to help herself, her mind went back into work mode. A running list of supplies she was going to need was first and she cursed not having a pad and pen handy to start writing things down. Next came the necessities of going into town and maybe meeting her neighbors.
And then there was the book.
The groan that came out this time had nothing to do with relaxation and everything to do with dread. “Damn Christmas story. Why can’t I write what I want to write?” It was something she’d been asking her editor for months and the only response she got was how all of the other in-house authors were contributing to building their holiday line, and she would be no exception. “Stupid rule.”
And then something came to her.
Melanie sat up straight in the tub and only mildly minded the water that sloshed over the side of the tub. “All I need to do is write a story that takes place around Christmas. It doesn’t have to necessarily be about Christmas!” Her heart began to beat frantically. “I’ve been focusing on the wrong thing!” Relief swamped her and she forced herself to relax again. Sinking back into the water, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander to all of the possibilities that had suddenly opened up.
“A romance at Christmas time,” she said quietly. “Major emphasis on romance, minor on Christmas. Technically, I’m meeting my obligations.” She smiled. “Hmm…a heroine alone—maybe stranded—in a winter storm and a sexy hero who storms in and rescues her.”
Melanie purred. “Yeah. That could definitely work.” Sinking further down into the water, an image of the hero came to mind. Tall. That was a given. Muscular, but not overly so. Maybe lean would be a better way to describe him. And dark hair. She was a sucker for the dark hair. “Sex on a stick,” she said quietly, enjoying the image that was playing in her mind.
The bathroom door swung open and Melanie’s eyes flew open as she screamed. The man standing in the doorway seemed to have stepped almost completely from her imagination. If she wasn’t so freaking scared at the moment, she would appreciate it.
“I wouldn’t count on sex on a stick or anyplace else if I were you. You’re trespassing and you’re under arrest.”
* * *
Get caught up on your Silver Bell Falls reading here!
https://www.chasing-romance.com/silver-bell-falls-series
Also by Samantha Chase
The Enchanted Bridal Series:
* * *
The Wedding Season
Friday Night Brides
The Bridal Squad
Glam Squad & Groomsmen
* * *
The Magnolia Sound Series
* * *
Sunkissed Days
Remind Me
A Girl Like You
In Case You Didn’t Know
The Montgomery Brothers Series:
* * *
Wait for Me
Trust in Me
Stay with Me
More of Me
Return to You
Meant for You
I’ll Be There
Until There Was Us
Suddenly Mine
A Dash of Christmas
The Shaughnessy Brothers Series:
* * *
Made for Us
Love Walks In
Always My Girl
This is Our Song
Sky Full of Stars
Holiday Spice
Tangled Up in You
Band on the Run Series:
One More Kiss
One More Promise
One More Moment
* * *
The Christmas Cottage Series:
The Christmas Cottage
Ever After
Silver Bell Falls Series:
* * *
Christmas in Silver Bell Falls
Christmas On Pointe
A Very Married Christmas
A Christmas Rescue
* * *
Life, Love & Babies Series:
* * *
The Baby Arrangement
Baby, Be Mine
Baby, I’m Yours
Preston’s Mill Series:
* * *
Roommating
Speed Dating
Complicating
* * *
The Protectors Series:
* * *
Protecting His Best Friend’s Sister
Protecting the Enemy
Protecting the Girl Next Door
Protecting the Movie Star
7 Brides for 7 Soldiers
* * *
Ford
7 Brides for 7 Blackthornes
Logan
* * *
Standalone Novels
* * *
Jordan’s Return
Catering to the CEO
In the Eye of the Storm
A Touch of Heaven
Moonlight in Winter Park
Waiting for Midnight
Mistletoe Between Friends
Snowflake Inn
Wildest Dreams (currently unavailable)
Going My Way (currently unavailable)
Going to Be Yours (currently unavailable)
Seeking Forever (currently unavailable)
A Christmas Rescue Page 13
