by Jean Oram
Sweet Joymaker
A Second Chance Seasoned Romance
Jean Oram
Oram Productions
Indigo Bay
What is the Indigo Bay Second Chance Romances series? It’s a continuation of the popular Indigo Bay Sweet Romance & Second Chances series with tons of fun for readers! But more specifically, it’s a set of books written by authors who love romance. Grab a mug of hot chocolate, drop into a comfy chair, and get ready to be swept away into this charming South Carolina beach town.
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The Indigo Bay world has been written so readers can dive in anywhere in the series without missing a beat. Read one or all—they’re all sweet, fun rides that you won’t soon forget. Also, as special treats, you just might find characters like Dallas, Caroline, Miss Lucille, and a few others mixing between the books! How many can you find?
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Indigo Bay Christmas Romances
Sweet Tidings (Book 1) by Jean C. Gordon
Sweet Noel (Book 2) by Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Joymaker (Book 3) by Jean Oram
Sweet Yuletide (Book 4) by Melissa McClone
Sweet Mistletoe (Book 5) by Elizabeth Bromke
Sweet Carol (Book 6) by Shanae Johnson
Indigo Bay Second Chance Romances
Sweet Troublemaker (Book 1) by Jean Oram
Sweet Do-Over (Book 2) by Melissa McClone
Sweet Horizons (Book 3) by Jean C. Gordon
Sweet Complications (Book 4) by Stacy Claflin
Sweet Whispers (Book 5) by Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Adventure (Book 6) by Tamie Dearen
Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series
Sweet Dreams (Book 1) by Stacy Claflin
Sweet Matchmaker (Book 2) by Jean Oram
Sweet Sunrise (Book 3) by Kay Correll
Sweet Illusions (Book 4) by Jeanette Lewis
Sweet Regrets (Book 5) by Jennifer Peel
Sweet Rendezvous (Book 6) by Danielle Stewart
Sweet Saturdays (Book 7) by Pamela Kelley
Sweet Beginnings (Book 8) by Melissa McClone
Sweet Starlight (Book 9) by Kay Correll
Sweet Forgiveness (Book 10) by Jean Oram
Sweet Reunion (Book 11) by Stacy Claflin
Sweet Entanglement (Book 12) by Jean C. Gordon
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Short holiday stories:
Sweet Holiday Surprise by Jean Oram
Sweet Holiday Memories by Kay Correll
Sweet Holiday Wishes by Melissa McClone
Sweet Holiday Traditions by Danielle Stewart
Click here to find out more!
Contents
From the Back Cover
A Note from the Author
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Epilogue
Indigo Bay Book List
Sneak Peek from The Cowboy’s Stolen Heart
More Books by Jean Oram
About the Author
From the Back Cover
Sweet Joymaker by Jean Oram
Maria Wylder is used to taking care of herself, the ranch, her five grown boys—and even coordinating what will surely be an awkward family Christmas that will include her ex-husband and his new wife.
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What she’s not used to is catching the eye of the local mechanic Clint Walker whose gaze lights up every time he sees her. Or the way he listens to her every word and brings her little gifts to brighten her day.
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When they both end up visiting the beach town of Indigo Bay to help with a Christmas fundraiser, will it become a chance for them to step outside their tired old roles and discover something new—together?
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And what will Maria do when Clint slowly begins to win her heart despite her best intentions not to fall in love again?
Sweet Joymaker
A Second Chance Seasoned Romance
Indigo Bay Christmas Romances (Book 3)
By Jean Oram
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© 2020 Jean Oram
First Edition
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Cover Designed by Najla Qamber Designs
Thank you for downloading this ebook. Although in electronic form, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and it cannot be reproduced, modified, copied and/or distributed by any means for commercial or non-commercial purposes whether the work is attributed or not, unless written permission has been granted by the author, with the exception of brief quotations for use in a review of this work. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite online vendor where they can also discover other works by this author. Thank you for your support. Keep reading!
All characters and events appearing in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to real people, alive or dead, as well as any resemblance to events is coincidental unless your name is Travis, in which case… you’re welcome. If your name rhymes with Donna… enjoy the laughs and sorry about the triplets. Thank goodness they’re fictional.
ISBN: 978-1-989359-19-8
1020
A Note from the Author
Maria’s story is one I started months and months before it was “her turn” in my production schedule. I poked at her story here and there, adding words and fussing and fretting that maybe she didn’t actually have a story after all.
It wasn’t until I was writing her son Ryan’s story, The Cowboy’s Second Chance, that Maria’s story began to truly take form. Their conversations began to crossover between the two books, and you may even recognize a scene in this book that you can also find in The Cowboy’s Second Chance (The Cowboys of Sweetheart Creek, Texas Book 3).
But like in life, every conversation has two sides, and so do Maria and Ryan’s scenes. They both get different things from that one conversation. And while it is shown in both books, they are two very different scenes, and both characters take different lessons from each other.
One conversation, two scenes, two completely different takes and outcomes. But don’t worry, they both find the courage to reclaim the love they’re in the process of losing due to their fears.
Because that’s what it’s all really about, isn’t it? Finding love. Overcoming our fears. Living our best life with hearts full of joy.
That’s what Maria’s story is about, and I hope as you read it, it fills your heart with hope and warmth.
Happy reading.
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Jean Oram
Canada, October 2020
Acknowledgments
Thank you to the authors of Indigo Bay, past and present, and in particular to Kay Correll for allowing me to join, then coordinate this world. I’ve discovered so many new characters, made many new author friends along the way, as well as found so many delightful new readers that I cherish dearly.
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A special thank you also goes to the team who help me attack the swings and misses from my dear editor Margaret C. to my error finding team. You’re the best!
For everyone who’s had the courage to love again.
Chapter 1
Maria Wylder sat in the Longhorn Diner in Sweetheart Creek, Texas, and let the hubbub swirl around her. Everyone wanted to chat about her sons Myles and Ryan, and their high school football team. Since they’d begun coaching a few years ago, they’d taken several runs at the state championship, and this year was no different. It was exciting, but the way the playoffs extended their season so close to Christmas left everyone exhausted. Or was that only her?
Christmas carols played on the local radio station, creating a seasonal backdrop to the diner’s usual sounds of clattering dishes and neighbors chatting about their cattle.
Maria’s friend Fiona Fisher hoisted a full pot of coffee from her spot behind the back counter. “Top up, hon?” She poked at her teased, bleached hair with her free hand.
“I’m good for now, thanks.”
“Muffin?”
Maria shook her head and Fiona watched her for a second before moving along. The waitress was good at picking up on her moods, the two of them having served as each other’s rock since elementary school. Maria didn’t want to count the years. She winced as her mind completed the mental math despite her wishes at avoidance. Close to a half century.
Half a century.
Could she feel any older?
“Did you hear he got a clean bill of health?” Fiona asked a few moments later as she hurried past with the empty coffeepot and a dirty plate. There was no doubt in Maria’s mind why her friend stayed so slim. She probably logged twenty thousand steps as she served tables each day.
“Who got a clean bill of health?”
“Clint.”
At the mechanic’s name, Maria’s heart picked up its pace. Clint Walker was a sweetheart. One of the few good ones. He’d gone out of his way since her somewhat recent divorce to make her feel special, beautiful and wanted. If they were younger, she’d consider dating again.
But they were well past the age where idealistic hopes and dreams for the future had a place in their lives. There were ranches and businesses to tend to, and families to care for. After Roy, her husband of thirty-seven years, had asked for a divorce a year ago, Maria had moved off the family ranch and focused on herself, like everyone said she was supposed to.
She’d been bored, and after Roy had moved into town as well, their sons had struggled with running the family ranch while keeping up with things such as meals. Her boys had needed her there, supporting, helping, guiding. And since she’d moved back a few months ago, they’d been doing better and she’d been happier, full of purpose. She didn’t have time to date.
“I didn’t realize he was having health issues,” she said to Fiona.
“Just a scare. We’re getting to that age.”
Seriously? How had she become this old without noticing? Maybe if she had grandkids it would feel okay to be staring down fifty-nine, knowing the big six-O was waiting right behind it.
“Well, I’m glad he’s okay.” Maria ran her fingers over one of her long feather earrings and shivered. She didn’t spend much time with Clint, but would have missed him had his health scare been more than that.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” said a rich, deep voice as a man took a seat two down from Maria. Garfield Goodwin smiled at her, his dentures big and white. The smile warmed, reaching his eyes, when Fiona turned to look at him.
“Hello, Garfield,” she said, fussing with her hair again as color brightened her cheeks. “The usual?”
“Yes, my dear.”
She thrust out a hip. “What have I said about using terms of endearment?”
“Come on, Fiona,” he said, his tone low and coaxing. “They make you feel young.”
The waitress rolled her eyes and set about preparing his muffin and coffee.
Every day Garfield came in, flirted with Fiona and left a tip so big she always protested. Garfield was single. Fiona was married—not quite happily—but Maria worried Garfield wasn’t entirely harmless. She often found herself wishing he would take a hint and leave her friend alone.
A man with flyaway hair sat down on Maria’s other side, and she groaned internally. It was her ex-husband’s uncle, the town grump, Henry Wylder. Why couldn’t she have lost him in the divorce?
“I’m having a Christmas party, and y’all are welcome,” Henry announced, his words coming out more like a challenge than an invitation anyone might jump to accept.
“That’s nice,” Maria said, reminding herself to be pleasant. Always be pleasant. In a small town you never knew when you might need to rely on your enemy, so it was best not to have any.
“Good for you, getting into the spirit of things,” Garfield said. “Only took you about ninety years.”
“I’m only sixty-nine,” Henry grumbled. “You’re welcome to attend,” he said to Maria, his tone still gruff.
She shifted uncomfortably on her stool. “Thank you.”
She’d heard he was planning a party, and had hoped to avoid receiving an invitation, since she was fairly certain Roy would be there. Along with his new wife, Sophia.
“It’s this Saturday.”
“Day after the semifinals game. Go Torpedoes!” Garfield said, and nearby diners let out a whoop for her boys’ football team.
“I invited Roy, too.” Henry continued as though he hadn’t been interrupted.
“That’s nice,” she said mildly. She caught Fiona’s eye and pushed her empty coffee cup away so she could collect it. “Can I get a peppermint tea, please?”
Her friend frowned, but went to fetch her hot water.
“So?” Henry asked. “Are you coming?”
“I’m not sure.”
“What aren’t you sure about?”
Maria had nothing against Sophia, but she wasn’t prepared to go to Henry’s party and pretend to be happy about it. Especially with her ex-husband and his new wife kissing in the corner. It just felt… wrong. Too soon. She’d spent far too many years being the one Roy kissed at parties, and to see him kiss someone else still took her breath away, the feeling of betrayal too far ingrained to shrug off even though he was within his rights.
It was probably time for her to get used to the idea, since the divorce had been finalized last February and Roy had remarried in June. He’d stayed on the ranch until the wedding, then moved into Sweetheart Creek, population 4,123.
As far as she was concerned, that was too small for the two of them. It felt as though Roy and Sophia had taken over every corner of town. Back when Maria was still living in an apartment a few blocks from their new home and not having sunrise chores, it had all been too much. Luckily, the boys had welcomed her back on the ranch even though it had sent Roy into a tizzy he still hadn’t quite gotten over.
“Well?” Henry demanded, waiting for her decision.
If she went to his party, she’d be alone. Awkwardly alone.
But she didn’t want someone new. It took too much energy to face men coming and going, and ultimately leaving. And Henry’s Christmas party invitation wasn’t the only one coming up in the following week. There were several. And Roy would be at all of them, since his retired butt had nothing better to do.
“I was thinking I might visit a friend,” Maria said, hoping the fib wasn’t too obvious.
“I invited the boys,” Henry said, referring to her sons. “But Levi said he’s going to be out of town with that model of his.”
Darn her firstborn and his quick thinking. She’d bet he hadn’t had plans before the invitation.
“Her name is Laura,” Maria said, referring to Levi’s girlfriend. Her boys were getting to the age where, as her father-in-law had said, they were pairing up like there was an ark parked on Main Street and the rain had started. Levi and Myles were both in new, committed relationships, and she had a feeling that Ryan, her youngest, was getting pretty cozy with the ranch’s new neighbor, Carly Clarke.
She hoped her boys stayed the course and didn’t break any hearts, like men on both sides of the family had a tendency to do. Both Roy and her father had been heartbreakers, and she hoped that wherever her second-born son, Cole, was at the moment, he was being good to women’s hearts.
Maria shook her head, trying to find a happier mood. This would be the first Christmas where she’d be sharing her boys not only with their girlfriends and their families, but with Sophia, too.
How was any of that supposed to work?
“So? Are you coming?” Henry demanded. “I need to know how many people
to expect and I don’t have time for wishy-washy replies. The party’s in three days.”
“No, I’m not, thank you,” Maria said, her tone more brusque than she’d intended.
Henry stilled, then turned to face her. “After all I’ve done for your library, and you can’t even come to my Christmas party?”
Maria inhaled slowly, struggling for calm. Henry hadn’t done much for the town library last month. It had been her son Myles and his girlfriend, Karen, who had done the heavy lifting to save the building. Meanwhile, Henry had practically thrown a barricade in front of their plans.
“I’m sorry. I’ll be away,” she told him, as a plan formed in her mind. An old friend, Kittim Lane, had been trying to convince her to visit her in Indigo Bay, South Carolina. She was busy helping with an upcoming fundraiser for the coastal town’s animal shelter, and had suggested Maria come let her hair down at the gala. She’d said no, due to the timing of the gala, as her boys’ team would be playing in the Texas football state championship game the day prior, but maybe Kittim needed some help leading up to the fundraiser.
Either way, getting away might be exactly what she needed right now. And not just because she’d avoid facing Roy at a million Christmas parties they used to attend together.
