Unforgettable Christmas Dreams: Gifts of Joy

by Rebecca York

  Patrice became a flight attendant for seventeen years and traveled the world. At the age of forty she sat down to write her first book—in longhand! Her interests include tennis, golf, and writing stories for women of all ages.

  She has more than forty books published on Amazon, and is best known as a popular romance author. She is especially proud of her best selling contemporary romance series, Paradise Cove, and Heavenly Christmas and the Wounded Warriors. Co-writing with Traci Hall, they have assumed the name Traci Wilton for the Salem B&B mystery series published with Kensington. Mrs. Morris and the Ghost hits the stores on July 30/19.

  SECRET SANTA BY THE SEA

  Secret Santa by the Sea

  Traci Hall

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Copyrights

  Copyright © 2019 by Traci Hall

  All Rights Reserved.

  Cover Design ©Christopher Hawke - CommunityAuthors.com

  Book Description

  Now back in her small town, Serenity faces the man who’d broken her heart. She finds out the truth behind why he’d once set her free.

  True love is meant to last forever, at least that’s what Serenity thought. But after her high school sweetheart, Ryker, broke up with her, she was no longer a believer. Ten years later, they meet again in their small town and Serenity discovers the truth behind why he’d once set her free.

  By the Sea Series:

  AMBROSIA by the Sea

  KARMA by the Sea

  PUPPY LOVE by the Sea

  MASQUERADE by the Sea

  HOLIDAY by the Sea

  FESTIVAL by the Sea

  DANCING by the Sea

  FOREVER by the Sea

  BLUE CHRISTMAS by the Sea

  RETURNING HOME by the Sea

  BLOSSOMS by the Sea

  BILLIONAIRE by the Sea

  SANTA BABY by the Sea

  SANDY KISSES by the Sea

  BILLIONAIRE’S BROTHER by the Sea

  Praise for Traci Hall

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Traci Hall has hit the Amazon bestseller lists, and is also a USA Today bestselling author. She’s been on Fox and Friends and in Southern Living magazine, but what she loves best is hearing back from readers.

  A sampling of reviews for the By the Sea series

  “…I’m a longtime fan of Traci’s By the Sea series!”~ Kindle Reviewer

  “I really enjoy reading the By the Series by Traci Hall but I have to say that this is probably the best book in that series. I can describe the book with two words. Wow and Awesome.” ~ Phylis Carpenter

  “A Perfect take you to the beach and love it kind of book . Thanks for the fun Traci!” ~ Misti Robin

  “…worth the book hangover I have at work today!”~ Julie Ouest

  “…If you want an easy read for a lazy afternoon, this is it.” Reader of the Pack

  “…Traci Hall knows how to set the scene for romance and develop her characters. It was difficult to put this book down until I finished it. I really enjoyed it, and I think you will also.”~ Gail

  “…Great book! Really enjoyed reading! Wish it had gone on! Very easy to follow along! Anyone can read it! Enjoy!” ~ Maine

  “… Great story, great characters, great scenes. I loved it.”~ Carole

  “…This is my first book in the By the Sea series, I will definitely be reading the others.” ~ Amazon Reviewer

  Chapter One

  Serenity Perez had made it a point to spend as little time as possible in Lauderdale by the Sea since she’d left for college in LA ten years ago. Hard to remember why on this gorgeous, aqua blue-skied, salty ocean breezy morning—ten days before Christmas.

  She walked four dogs of various sizes…well, that wasn’t the right word for what they were doing—sniffing individual grains of sand, peeing on each blade of grass, barking at lizards the size of her pinky, each pup dragging her a different direction down Ocean Boulevard.

  On the way back from the dog park, they passed a line of hotels with glimpses of the turquoise Atlantic between them like a tantalizing peek at paradise. So much bluer than the Pacific Ocean where she lived in Malibu. Was that an inflatable Santa riding a dolphin at the side yard of the Pelican hotel? She itched to take a picture, but her hands were filled with dog leashes, her phone in her bra.

  Her momentary lapse of paying attention meant that Cyrus, a hundred-pound German shepherd canine bulldozer, yanked her forward a good two feet; her designer sandals were not meant for this kind of terrain.

  “Stop!” she called, sliding across a slick sandy patch of sidewalk in fear she would take a nose-dive and skin her knees. She pulled back on his leash. Cyrus plopped to his haunches guiltily and she blew out a relieved breath. “Good boy.”

  Her sister Tiffany, eight months preggo, owned a dog-walking business and her out-of-work husband had been invited to interview in China for a job that could change their lives. She loved Tiff, so when her sis had called in desperate need of assistance, of course Serenity had hopped on the next plane, arriving last night.

  Champ, a male Yorkshire terrier, sniffed at the silver sparkle on her toes then growled. She curled them away from his wet nose before he took a bite.

  “Come on, pups, let’s try to walk in sync. ‘Kay?” Only half a block before she reached the hotel where she would drop off Sweet Pea, a sixty-pound pit bull mix with shoulders as wide as Serenity’s.

  When Tiff had mentioned the dogs that Serenity would be walking twice a day for her until Jonas returned, she’d told her about Champ, a seven-pound cutie with salt and pepper fringe, and the beige Chihuahua, Lucky—easy—but she’d neglected to share dog breed or size for Cyrus and Sweet Pea. Not to mention her sister’s Dalmatians, Glitz and Glamour. She liked dogs, in theory, but she’d never had one—this was canine overload.

  Cyrus pulled to the left, intent on gaining ground. Her slip dress in pale blue silk was about to reveal her matching panties with the next mad dash forward.

  Serenity’s own fault. She’d assumed this would be more like a stroll for some absurd reason. Sure, she’d said, I’ll do it twice a day, Tiff. No problem.

  Lucky snapped at a brown lizard on the edge of the sidewalk and it darted away, tail curled. For tonight’s outing, she’d wear her Joie platform sneakers and try not to smudge the thin white leather. Or maybe she’d go shopping for the month she planned to be here. It wasn’t like she could borrow anything from her sister. Tiff had gotten all of the petite genes, while Serenity was tall and had size-nine boat-feet compared to her sister’s size six.

  “Cyrus!” The German shepherd lunged ahead on a mission to mark his territory. Lucky and Champ followed behind and did their best to pee behind him. “Give it up, guys,” Serenity suggested as Champ about broke a furry little hip, hiking his leg with nothing to show for the effort.

  At last she reached the Opal Condominiums where Sweet Pea lived with an elderly woman unable to walk her pup. Christmas and Hanukkah were represented by an Evergreen wreath with red ribbons on one door, and a blue menorah on the other. She’d make sure to take a picture later to share with her Instagram followers—diversity alive and well in this seaside town.

  All she had to do was hand the dog (who obviously needed the exercise if that waddle was anything to judge by) off with the doorman, before delivering Lucky and Champ to separate owners in the Sea Grape Bay condos, then Cyrus, who’s owners worked twelve-hour days, would be last on her route before walking six blocks west to her sister’s place on the Intracoastal.

  The doorman, ninety if he was a day, saw her and waved—Cyrus strained one direction, while Champ and Lucky, each in chest harnesses, pulled the other way, and Sweet Pea plonked, panting, on Serenity’s left foot. Serenity stifled the urge to shout and gently moved the dog off her aching toes.

  Cyrus leapt around her with a renewed burst of energy, tangling her legs in the leashes. Before she smashed her face against the sidewalk a strong pair of arms caught her around the middle—not the e
lderly doorman, that was a good bet.

  She immediately felt safe, as if she recognized the hands holding her up.

  The man straightened her, his fingers lingering on her waist. “Serenity?”

  Oh, that voice, those fingers—she couldn’t catch her breath. “Ryker Nelson?” Now she recalled the reason that she’d avoided her hometown like the plague. It was the man who’d stomped her dreams of love flat.

  Cyrus jumped again, barking with deep woofs, and she was forced against Ryker’s chest. He was tall enough that, for an instant, her cheek rested perfectly above his heart—if he had one. Ryker’s muscled arm anchored her in place. He smelled like the beach and sunshine. His sage green t-shirt was soft as cotton.

  Cyrus excitedly twirled around.

  Ryker turned and commanded, “Sit.”

  Cyrus, the traitor, did. She couldn’t look at Ryker fully yet—she needed a minute or ten to gather her emotions. Serenity was acutely aware when Ryker slid his hand sensually off her waist and edged her off his chest. She hadn’t wanted to move.

  The doorman joined them, his wrinkled face red with suppressed laughter. He unwrapped Sweat Pea’s leash from Champ’s. “Are you all right?” he wheezed. Sweet Pea watched them with concerned eyes, her pinkish tongue to the side.

  “Yes, thank you.” Serenity tugged the short hem of her dress down to make sure it was covering all her parts. Seeing Ryker again was her worst nightmare—tangled in leashes with her dress around her ears? Mortifying.

  The doorman shuffled Sweet Pea inside the building. “See you at six? Tell your sister hello from David.”

  “I will.” She glanced at Ryker through a fall of her hair then away, pulse humming. Holy shit, Ryker. He’d been her first boyfriend, they’d learned how to kiss together, how to make love under the stars on the sandy beach, how to hold hands and pass notes and…God, she’d thought they’d save the world—which needed saving, though she’d since realized that it would take far more than two people to do it.

  Then he’d convinced her to accept her full ride to college in LA, and promptly broken up with her.

  At twenty-eight, he was in perfect physical condition, going from thin and lanky in high school to the hard muscles of a man in his prime. His hair was a touch darker blond, but still shaggy around the ears. His blue eyes were the color of the ocean nearest the Keys where they used to take his boat and spend the day, content in each other—not needing another soul.

  “Ryker—thanks.”

  Serenity noticed his broad, tan hands as he held Cyrus’s leash. The giant dog sat at Ryker’s side, leaning against Ryker’s calf. She leaned down to pick up the Chihuahua while the Yorkie snuffled her toes.

  “What are you doing here?” Ryker’s sharp question showed that he was caught off guard just as she was. Her stomach clenched and she snuck a peek at his tan, cleanly-shaven jaw. He wore cargo shorts, a Henley, and flip flops—regular clothes, when Ryker was not a regular guy.

  He was studying her, too. His eyes narrowed and he reached to pet the wiggling Chihuahua in her arms. She flinched, thinking he might touch her.

  “Visiting Tiffany.” Her sister hadn’t said a word about Ryker—not one. Why not?

  Then she could have been prepared. No, nothing could have prepared her for seeing him again.

  He nodded without giving a smile. “How’s she feeling?”

  “You know she’s having a baby?” She put Lucky down on the sidewalk and he and Champ raced around her legs.

  “Yeah. I see her around,” Ryker said. “She’s so tiny it’s hard not to notice. At first it was like she’d swallowed an orange, then a cantaloupe, and now…”

  “The entire produce department,” she said with a head-shake of commiseration. She was going to have a serious talk with Tiffany when she got back to her sister’s house.

  Ryker chuckled. “So you’re taking over dog-walking?”

  “Just until Jonas comes back.” There was no way that her sis could do all of this dog-wrestling so close to her due date. “He’s supposed to be back by Christmas.”

  “When was the last time you were home?” He shifted his weight from one lean hip to the other and absently patted Cyrus’s head.

  Home. The word brought a pang of longing. Her home now was in Malibu, where she had an apartment overlooking a fake lake. She made decent money as a social influencer, but not enough to live right on the beach—yet. Instead of a home, she’d built a career in marketing beauty products on Instagram. A home could come later someday. Maybe.

  “I’ve been back a few times.” And always avoided anywhere she and Ryker used to hang out, especially the pier where they’d cuddle at night and watch the stars.

  Holidays hadn’t been a big deal growing up, and she supposed she still felt that way—but Tiff? Her sister had turned into Martha Stewart on gingerbread crack—green and red decorations covered every possible surface of her home, and she had two Christmas trees—as if one wasn’t enough. The dogs had stockings hanging from an electric fireplace mantel Tiff had bought just for the flame effect as they didn’t need a heater in the subtropics.

  Most disconcerting, though, was the Santa toilet seat cover that said ho, ho, ho when you lifted it. It had been a surprise at eleven last night before bed.

  Lucky pawed at her shin, wanting up again. Cyrus gave Champ a warning growl to get off his tail. “I should go,” she said.

  “Can I buy you a cup of coffee, after you take the pups back?”

  That would not be a good idea. But she was curious about him, to see what he was doing now. Of course she’d stalked him on Facebook, but the last post had been years ago from his college graduation. Him, with his younger brother Toby, surrounded by a bunch of laughing girls.

  Ten years had passed in a flash, but he’d never been far from her thoughts. He’d not just broken her heart, but eviscerated it. He was both the standard of what love should be, and what it shouldn’t.

  If she was going to be here for the next month, she couldn’t avoid him forever. Time to prove that he doesn’t matter anymore.

  “Sure.” It was only nine in the morning and she’d planned on getting pictures of the ocean to see if her followers could guess where she was at, and what she was doing. She could still do that, after coffee. Maybe she and Ryker could be friends after all this time. From the way her heart thumped and her mouth dried just standing next to him, she wasn’t sure but it was worth a try.

  She held her hand out for Cyrus’s leash.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, his tone sincere. “I can help you finish up.”

  “No, no. I’ll do it. Thanks.” She didn’t want him thinking that she wasn’t capable—she and her pack might not be graceful, but they’d be fine. Jonas would return by Christmas. Her voice was too high as she asked, “Where should I meet you?”

  “Fresh Brew? It’s on the corner of the Publix shopping center.” He pointed north, and west.

  She turned from him and pulled her phone from her bra, then tapped the information in her notes. “Got it. Give me twenty minutes?” He’d been her first love, her only love—and he’d dumped her.

  Ryker ambled off and she was free to look her fill as he strode away, shoulders broad, his calves a bulk of muscle. She moistened her mouth and swallowed. Heaven help her. He didn’t glance back. Was she so easily forgotten?

  She delivered the dogs without further mishap, then texted Tiffany from the shade of a palm tree outside Cyrus’s house. Why didn’t you tell me about Ryker?

  Her answering text was a grinning emoji. You know he lives here—didn’t he turn out hot? Be nice—he’s a big part of this community.

  He should be the nice one.

  Not over him, sis?

  Over. Very. Getting a cup of coffee. Would Ryker want to rehash old times? Would he apologize? She used to fantasize that he’d call her up and admit that he’d been wrong, and they’d make up. After a few years of that, she’d fantasize that he’d call, admit that he was wrong, and she’d tell
him to take a long hike off a short pier.

  Ten years. Time to let that old grudge go. What would you say to your fans? Tiff went for the jugular.

  Serenity was tempted to not meet him after all. But, then again, the past was the past, and you shouldn’t live there. Didn’t she tell that to her followers daily? They looked to her for messages of love, light, and beauty in the world, and she owed it to them to reveal the truth in these situations.

  She left the shady tree and walked to the coffee shop, doing a search on Ryker’s name. He had zero social media listings besides his old Facebook. Even in high school, he’d been shy and anti-spotlight.

  One cup of coffee, two pictures for her fans, and then to Tiff’s in under an hour to make sure her sister was relaxing on the couch watching holiday movies. She’d share her mortifying almost-fall and have a good laugh over Ryker catching her, of all people. She wouldn’t share how she’d known on some level that it was him before ever seeing his face.

  Chapter Two

  Ryker waited at a table for two near the back of Fresh Brew, where it was quietest. The boutique coffee shop smelled like dark-roast, vanilla and cinnamon. He hadn’t ordered yet so he could buy Serenity’s, too. He’d impulsively invited Serenity to have a cup of coffee, and now he was nervous as a kid. The few times Tiff had mentioned her sister was around, he’d gone to their old haunts to see if she would be there. One night he’d slept on the beach by the pier but of course she hadn’t shown.