Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge: New Holiday Romances to Benefit St. Jude Hospital

by Sabrina York

  She took one final glance at herself in the mirror and shrugged. Although she was working as a full-time instructor at camp this summer, she’d lost some weight and was a lot paler than usual because she hadn’t been dancing as often as she used to.

  Dad was taking her out for dinner tonight, with Monique of course, who was really getting on Mia’s nerves. Mia was pretty sure she was stealing things from the house, and when she’d looked inside her jewelry box to find one of the items that had belonged to her mother, Mia had realized that she hadn’t seen the necklace for months.

  Mia’s eyes fell upon the dragonfly necklace laying in the box. She’d taken it off after Christmas, when Noah had simply disappeared. His grandparents knew something, but they weren’t saying anything to Mia, and she couldn’t understand what she’d done to turn everyone against her.

  Nothing seemed to get Mia excited anymore. She was supposed to go to college in North Carolina this fall, but she had no desire to even do that.

  When Mia walked downstairs, she heard an argument going on between Amanda and her father. She couldn’t understand why Amanda hadn’t quit yet. Something strange was going on, so instead of walking into the kitchen, Mia stood inside the living room and listened.

  Amanda was furious, Mia could tell by the tone of her voice.

  “I knew you were behind Noah leaving town like that. I’ve never seen Mia as happy as she was with Noah. You don’t care about your daughter, you only care about yourself and your business. And money. Pretty soon, you’ll have your trophy wife, who, by the way, is stealing from you. I can’t believe you accused me, you son of a...” Amanda growled. “I’ve been working for you for years.”

  Mia peeked inside the kitchen at her dad, who looked stunned.

  “Blackmail me all you want. I quit. I’m giving my two weeks’ notice,” Amanda finished, stomping from the room. But then she turned back. “And, by the way, Mia told me your lovely fiancé came on to Noah when he was here one night. And if you want more proof, go visit the Riverbend Lodge and see how many times your precious fiancé has checked in there with another man. Everyone here in town knows what a slut she is except for you.”

  So dad had been responsible for Noah leaving? Somehow, that didn’t surprise her. What did upset her was the fact that Noah hadn’t fought for Mia and had caved in to her father’s demands.

  Mia walked into the kitchen, where Mia’s dad hadn’t budged an inch.

  “I don’t feel much like going out tonight, Dad.”

  Her father shook his head, looking numb. “Uh, that’s alright. I’ll just take Monique. There’s something I need to speak with her about.”

  She looked at her dad. “You haven’t seen that pretty diamond pendant necklace you gave me that belonged to Mom? I looked inside my jewelry box where I usually keep it and it wasn’t there.”

  Her dad just growled, stomping from the room.

  Mia smiled, for the first time in months.

  “You’re sure about this, Mia?” Amanda asked.

  “Surer than I’ve been about anything since Christmas,” she admitted. “But I’ll need your help to get out of here after camp has ended. Hopefully, Dad won’t notice for a while.”

  “I can’t believe that Marielle McKinnon is willing to pay you so much money.”

  Mia grinned. “Actually, it’s the going rate for a good choreographer, although I told her it was too much.”

  “I think it will be good for you. Especially since your father isn’t willing to let you study music in college.”

  Mia frowned. “I don’t know why I didn’t see that coming?”

  “Your dad isn’t the person he was. He’s even been refusing to give me a recommendation,” Amanda confessed.

  “What changed him so much, do you suppose?” Mia asked, puzzled.

  Amanda looked thoughtful. “I think it was your mother’s death. He loved her so much, he’s not willing to let anyone in, and in the wake of his grief, he’s destroying everyone surrounding him along with his own reputation, because of choosing someone like Monique.”

  “It’s so sad Amanda.” Tears filled Mia’s eyes. “Dad hasn’t cared about me or my feelings for so long, I feel like he died along with Mom.”

  Amanda wrapped her arms around her. “In a way he did, Mia. The only reason we became so close after your mom died was because your father was still grieving. Once he decided to focus on his business, that was all he cared about.”

  28

  Six years later

  After being injured in Iraq during his last tour, Lieutenant Noah Erikson couldn’t believe he was going to have the best of both worlds. He’d be working as a fundraiser for the Crystal Rock Wounded Warrior Home, and Crystal Rock would once again become home base.

  Currently, his grandparents were on vacation in Florida, because Noah was having their cabin at the lake remodeled.

  It scared him to think he’d been willing to let Derrick Michaels intimidate him for nearly two years before he’d decided to confess what had been happening to Emily Richardson, when Noah was home on leave.

  Emily had spoken with Jake Loughlin, the owner of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn, who happened to be one of Derrick Michaels biggest clients, imagine that, and Jake had purchased the mortgage from Mia’s father.

  Noah had been making regular payments, and his grandparents had actually been doing pretty well. That probably had a lot to do with the advancement that had been made with medical issues associated with missing limbs and prosthetics, and Gramps had only been in the hospital twice during the last six years.

  But he’d lost Mia, and it was hard for him to live with that. He still missed her. At the time he’d been forced to follow her father’s directives, he’d still been plotting a way he could make it up to her.

  The last thing Noah had expected to hear was that she’d disappeared after working the following year at camp. She hadn’t returned since. He had a feeling that a few people here in town knew where she was, but they weren’t telling him, believing that he’d intentionally broken her heart.

  While the cabin at Pebble Lake was being remodeled, Noah was staying at Emily Richardson’s estate in one of the cabins used for the students. The camp had become so popular, they were holding two sessions a year instead of one. Not only had the older cabins been winterized, there’d been another half dozen two-bedroom structures built further along the shore.

  It was a week before Christmas, and Noah couldn’t help thinking about the dreams he’d had about their future when he’d dated Mia. For all he knew, she could be married now, and Noah couldn’t stand the idea. Every time he had anything to do with another woman, he’d felt like he was cheating, and it was starting to drive him a little nuts. He had to see her again, just to have closure because he couldn’t move on otherwise.

  Everything in Crystal Rock reminded him of Mia, and Noah grabbed a parka, deciding he needed to go outside and get some fresh air.

  He walked with a limp now. Noah’s injuries weren’t as severe as his grandfather’s, but there was pain and stiffness nonetheless.

  Noah was walking along the shore when he saw a big brown floppy-eared dog, attempting to lap some water from the frozen lake.

  “Hey, there,” he called out. The dog wasn’t wearing a collar, but he sure looked friendly.

  And thin.

  “I wonder if you belong to anyone?”

  The dog apparently thought he belonged to Noah, because he followed him along the shore.

  By the time Noah returned to the cabin, the dog was walking beside him.

  “What the heck am I going to do with you?” he asked.

  The dog wagged his tail.

  “Who do you remind me of?” Noah muttered, and it suddenly came to mind. “Sammy.”

  As if he agreed, the dog held his head high and barked.

  “Hey,” someone called out from further down the beach.

  “Hi, Tim,” Noah answered.

  While approaching, Emily’s husband asked, “Wh
o have you got there?”

  Noah pursed his lips. “I thought he might be one of yours from the shelter?”

  “Nope. Never seen him before,” Tim answered. “Want me to take him and try and find him a home?”

  “That might be a good idea,” Noah answered, dryly. “I’d actually consider having a dog if I wasn’t going to travel so much for my job, and he would probably be too much for my grandparents now.”

  Tim nodded, grinning when the dog rushed up to him after pulling a treat from his pocket.

  “I named him Sammy,” Noah said.

  Tim slipped a rope he had in his pocket over the dog’s head and around his neck.

  “Sammy it is. Come by and walk him tomorrow. I’ll check for a sensor to see if he belongs to anyone, but my guess is no. This isn’t the first time I’ve just happened to come upon an animal walking along the beach,” Tim said wryly.

  Noah grinned. “Ah, hah. They’ve all got your number, huh? Everyone knows you’ll take him in?”

  Tim rolled his eyes. “Yep. I always do.”

  Later that night, there was a knock on the cabin door, and puzzled, Noah looked up from the computer screen.

  Who could that be? He wasn’t expecting anyone.

  When Noah opened the door, he simply stood there in shock.

  “Can I come in?” Derrick Michaels asked.

  “That depends on what you’re here for,” Noah growled.

  “Amends,” Mia’s father answered.

  Noah sighed. Was he a sucker or what?

  And rolling his eyes, Noah swept an arm inward.

  Mr. Michaels sat at the kitchen table where Noah had been working at his computer. “I see you’ve been checking out the assets of potential investors?”

  Noah halted, before sitting down. “How would you know that?”

  Mr. Michaels shrugged.

  Noah smacked himself in the forehead, moaning, “Oh, no. Let me guess? You’re the one who created this position?”

  He gave Noah a toothy smile. “I am.”

  “But why?”

  “Like I said—amends. And I miss my daughter desperately. I know where she is, because I have someone keeping an eye on her. But she’s very unhappy, Noah.”

  Noah stared at him in disbelief.

  Mr. Michaels actually looked humble. “I thought, maybe, I could make it up to her? But I need to get her here, where she was happy. You made her happy. I happen to know that you haven’t moved on since dating Mia either.”

  Noah muttered, “I take it she never found out about the crappy position you put me in?”

  “No, I don’t think so. Although, I know she knew I had something to do with it.”

  Noah growled, “Then she probably thought I wouldn’t stand up for her and didn’t realize you’d actually stoop to blackmail.”

  Mr. Michaels sighed heavily. “We need a plan.”

  “Alright,” Noah answered, sitting down. “I’m in.”

  At least he’d have closure. But he wasn’t going to get his hopes up about the possibility of Mia still having feelings for him.

  29

  Mia was weary.

  So when Emily Richardson had called and asked if she would consider coming back to Crystal Rock as an instructor in their new year-round music program, she’d said yes. Mia was tired of traveling, even though it had been exciting during the first few years.

  And now that Marielle had reunited with Drew, who’d been off the radar because he’d been injured in Iraq, Mia was feeling incredibly lonesome.

  Mia was still thinking about Noah, despite her best efforts to put the past behind her. She’d thought time could heal all wounds, which was proving not to be the case when it came to her connection with Noah. She’d never had a relationship even close to what she’d had with him. Where was he and what was he doing? Was he alright? When Mia finally had the courage to ask Emily, she’d told Mia she hadn’t heard from him in a long time.

  Mia knew her dad had found out where she was, and for whatever strange reason, he hadn’t interfered with her life. So she’d done some research, discovering he’d never remarried and was sinking his money into several worthwhile projects, including the Crystal Rock Wounded Warrior Home.

  Maybe it was time to test the waters again and pay him a visit.

  But that could wait until after Christmas.

  Emily had offered Mia one of the cabins on the estate to live in temporarily, in case Mia decided she didn’t want to remain in Crystal Rock when the winter camp session was finished.

  But Mia made up her mind as soon as she drove through Crystal Rock and saw the streets decorated for Christmas. It was the only place that had ever truly felt like home, and she was ready to stay put.

  As she approached Crystal Rock Lake and Emily Richardson’s home, she was becoming more excited now that she’d come to a decision. She might even be able to afford her own house.

  And she could have a dog—she’d always wanted one.

  Mia pulled up to the gate, pressing the buzzer, so someone would let her in.

  Emily responded, “Hi, Mia. Drive on up to the house and I’ll give you the keys.”

  “Hi, Emily. Alright,” she answered, as the gate swung open.

  When Mia pulled into the driveway, the garage door opened.

  Stepping out from the car with the motor running, Mia walked through the garage, opening the kitchen door and strolling inside.

  Emily gave her a long hug, patting her on the back. “God, it’s so good to see you.”

  “Same, here,” Mia answered, swiping tears from her eyes. “I’ve decided I’m going to stay put. I’ve missed Crystal Rock.”

  “I’m so glad,” Emily answered, sounding unusually excited.

  “I have a question. I might be looking for a house, but meanwhile, I’ve always wanted a dog, and for some reason, I’ve really got it set in my mind that I want one now, before Christmas—kind of like a gift for myself. Would it be alright if I adopted one, and kept him with me in the cabin?”

  Walking over to the basement door and opening it up, Emily rolled her eyes as three dogs came barreling into the room. “Does that answer your question? Of course it’s alright for you to have a dog.”

  Mia grinned. “Alright. I’m going to go unload my stuff and drive over to the shelter right now.”

  Emily grinned back at her, handing over the cabin keys. “I’ll let Tim know you’re coming.”

  “Good,” Mia answered.

  When Mia walked into the shelter an hour later, Tim was sitting at the desk, obviously waiting just for her.

  Standing up, he gave her a big smile, shaking her hand. “It’s good to see you again, Mia. I’m glad you’re going to be sticking around. Tell me what kind of dog you’re looking for?”

  “Just someone who’s friendly and doesn’t bark all the time. That would kind of drive me nuts.”

  Tim motioned for her to come along with him. “No preference for male or female?”

  “No. That doesn’t matter much for me,” she answered, following Tim through the hallway and into a large room the size of a gymnasium. “I can’t believe I’ve never been inside here before.”

  “Actually, there are a lot of people here in town who never have.” Tim seemed to have a destination in mind, and he led her along the edge of the room.

  Mia frowned. Geez there were a lot of dogs needing to be adopted, but at least this was a no kill shelter.

  “These guys have all been fixed,” Tim said, waving his hand.

  But Mia already had her eyes on one particular dog.

  “He’s a male,” Tim murmured.

  Why did he seem so familiar?

  And then she remembered. Sammy. He looked exactly like the stuffed dog Noah had won for her at the carnival so many years ago.

  She still had that dog, and it had been traveling along with her in her luggage ever since she’d left Crystal Rock.

  “He already has a name,” Tim said. “It’s…”

  “I t
hought I’d name him Sammy,” Mia said, in unison with Tim.

  Mia blinked. “You’re kidding me, right? He’s already been named Sammy?”

  Tim was looking at her strangely, and suddenly, he grinned. “Nope. I’m not kidding.”

  “That’s just plain weird,” she muttered.

  “Not as weird as you might think,” Tim said softly, unhooking the door of Sammy’s cage.

  Sammy wriggled from the cage, rushing up to Mia, licking and jumping and yipping his excitement.

  “I don’t think he likes that cage. Do you think I need one?” Mia asked, bending down for Sammy’s kiss, rubbing his head until his ears were flopping.

  “It’s hard to say, since we’ve only had him for a few days. Someone found him running around at the beach, and he didn’t have a chip. He appeared to be in good health, despite being slightly malnourished, so I went ahead and neutered him and gave him shots. You can keep an eye on him for a day or two, and if it doesn’t work out, you can always come back and pick up a cage. He’s pretty good when he’s caged in. And he’s not a puppy anymore. It all depends on whether he gets destructive when you’re not around.”

  Mia nodded. “Alright. That sounds like a good plan to me.”

  A few hours later, Mia was bundled up tightly, taking Sammy for a walk along the beach before following the nature walk toward Dragonfly Pointe. She was dying to see the Christmas decorations, because it was a yearly tradition for the area florists to work together and transform Dragonfly Pointe into a winter wonderland.

  Apparently, several of the guests had the same idea she had, so Mia walked along the edge of the path near the lakefront with Sammy, since she was unsure how he would behave around others.

  It was a beautiful night, and this year the lights even extended onto the canopy of the gazebo overlooking the lake. Mia walked Sammy across the bridge since no one appeared to be venturing past the grounds surrounding the inn.

  This was going to be a lot more difficult than she thought it would be, Mia realized staring upward at the moon. Everywhere she went brought back memories of Noah. Tonight she was remembering the pain that she felt waiting for Noah the night after the charity event. The sad part about it was, she’d already decided they should wait before taking the next step. She’d known how uncomfortable Noah was about it, and after thinking deeply, she’d realized he was right, and sneaking around behind her father’s back would have probably tainted the magic between them.