For My Own: A Contemporary Christmas Anthology

by Alison Packard, Shari Mikels, Kinley Baker

  He shook his head. She’d lost him. “I give up. I can’t follow this conversation and I can’t remember the difference between infer and imply.”

  She let out a small snort. “Let’s put it this way—the facts were not in your favor in any way, shape or form.”

  “Okay, I’ll give you that. But you could’ve hung around just a few minutes longer for an explanation.”

  “Eh, maybe.” She played with the hem of her shirt. “I guess we both have areas we can work on.”

  He leaned down and put his mouth by her ear. “You have several areas I’ll be happy to work on.”

  Her face turned beet-red. “Oh, hush. Quit causing problems.”

  “Problems? I’m not causing problems. I’m offering to work on several of your areas.”

  Rolling her eyes, she said, “I just bet you are.”

  “You have to know how much I love you.”

  Her eyes widened and the biggest smile he’d seen on her lit up her entire face. The smile was even bigger than the one she’d had when she’d beaten him at air hockey. “I think I do know. Probably about the same amount as I love you.”

  He hadn’t realized how much those words would affect him. Everything fell into place and his world felt right for the first time in a long time. “I never meant to hurt you and I’m sorry that I did.”

  She elbowed him in his side. “No more secrets.”

  “None.”

  She glared at him, one eyebrow raised. “Anything else you need to come clean about?”

  “I’m not going to just start confessing all my sins, woman. Anytime a mom or wife wants her man to confess before she’s even accused him, there’s nothing but pain as the outcome. If I do end up thinking of something, I’ll do my best to let you know before it comes back to bite me in the ass.”

  “Okay, fine.” She mock scowled at him.

  “I think you know everything now. No more secrets between us. Period.”

  She started messing with her shirt hem again and he knew she needed to say something more. “I need to apologize too.”

  He was confused. That wasn’t what he’d expected. “You?”

  “Yes, me. I’m sorry I had such a hard time believing you instead of the press and gossip and rumors about you.”

  “You had every reason to not trust me. Everything in your experience told you not to trust me. But here’s the thing. If you and I have no secrets between us, and I’m telling you everything that comes up, then you’re going to have to trust me. You’re going to have to believe what I say and not second guess everything. Otherwise, we’re setting ourselves up for trouble.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “My brain knows this. It’s going to take some time for my heart to learn it and believe it.”

  “I’ve already told you I know I’m going to screw up, and I expect you to be there for me, showing me what I did wrong and helping me learn to do right by you.”

  “I...might have...brief moments of doubt.” She shrugged one shoulder, playing off the seriousness of her admission. “There...may be times when I’ll make some—” she held her fingers together, just barely not touching, “—very small mistakes.”

  “Really? Small ones?” He pressed his fingers between hers and spread them open as wide as hers would go. “We’re both going to screw up.”

  Kevin reached out and tugged her against his body. “We need to be there for each other, always, and I’ll be happy to remind your heart how much I love you. How much you mean to me.”

  “I love you just the way you are, especially since I now know the truth. I’m so sorry I didn’t trust you before.”

  “Enough. We’ve said our apologies. Time to move on.” He placed his finger under her chin and lifted her face so she was looking straight at him. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “You’re my everything, and I know it’s too soon for me to ask you to marry me, but I wanted to get you something symbolic anyway.” He pulled the box with the earrings out of his shirt pocket. “I bought this for you yesterday and was planning on giving it to you tomorrow night after we opened presents at your parents’ house. But I want to give it to you now, so you know you’re everything to me.”

  Kevin handed her the box and she slowly opened it.

  “Oh, they’re beautiful,” she breathed. Her hands shook as she tried to pull the earrings out.

  “Here, let me.” He loosened them from their packaging and placed them in the palm of her outstretched hand.

  “I’ll be right back.” She jumped up and ran to the bathroom. In less than a minute, she returned, the earrings picking up the blue of her eyes, everything sparkling.

  She ran to him and he barely had time to stand before she threw herself in his arms. He grunted with the effort.

  “Oh, God, I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?”

  “Of course not, lightweight.”

  “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

  He laughed as she kissed his face all over. “You’re welcome. I take it this means we’re...what? Dating? Promised? Engaged?”

  “I don’t care what you call it. You’re mine and I’m yours.”

  “Yes, ma’am, you are, and I am.” He let her slide down to the floor.

  “Come on.” She yanked on his arm, leading him to her bedroom. “Let’s go celebrate.”

  * * * * *

  About the Author

  Shari Mikels grew up wanting to be an astronaut and went to school for aerospace engineering. That is, until she found out the realities of being an AE. She switched to computer science, much to her mom’s satisfaction. After the birth of her son, she was ready to be a stay-at-home mom, spending her time reading to him and teaching him to read.

  A lifetime love of reading had been pushed to the background until a writers’ strike in Hollywood had her picking up books to get her fix of vampires and happily-ever-afters. Her voracious appetite for books came back full force, and she found not just paranormal romances, but romantic suspense and contemporary romances as well. She began proofreading for some of her favorite authors when her brain wouldn’t let her skip over the typos. What they didn’t know was that they were teaching Shari how to write the stories that lived in her head. Her second submission became her first industry-published book.

  Shari lives in North Carolina with her husband and son.

  Kissing Her Scrooge

  By Kinley Cade

  Every Christmas, Hannah Jones makes it her mission to give her hometown the perfect pageant. Even malfunctioning inflatable Santas and lost students can’t stop the self-proclaimed Miss Holiday. But the teacher may have met her mismatch in sexy but antisocial tree farmer Griff Green. Hannah’s been lusting after her new neighbor for months—and she’s determined to melt his heart by being naughty as well as nice...

  He may sell trees, but Griff doesn’t do Christmas. He’s known as the town humbug—and he likes it that way. Which is why he’s been avoiding Hannah, despite the sexy visions of her that have been dancing through his head. When a surprise visit leads to a passionate kiss, he can’t deny the attraction any longer.

  When Hannah discovers Griff isn’t the Scrooge he pretends to be—and she exposes his secret to the whole town—it may take a holiday miracle for their budding relationship to survive into the new year.

  31,000 words

  Dedication

  To my husband, who inspired this whole story with one three sentence conversation. Few of words, big of heart.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to my mom, who always offers insightful feedback on my books and life. Your love of romance is why I write.

  To my dad, who always thought being an author was a good idea. My humor is probably your fault but I wouldn’t change anything.

  To my family and friends, who continue to be a little scandalized by my books, even when I tell them they don’t have to read them. They read them anyway because they rock.

  To Angela James and Carina Press for giving me
this opportunity and a great experience.

  And to anyone who smiles at least once while reading this. You’re what keeps me going when the characters in my head revolt. Your support means the world.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Wrestling with a gigantic inflatable Santa Claus was so not how Hannah wanted to start this holiday season. She jerked to the side, trying to place the display piece on his feet. Her elf slipper slid.

  Bang. She slammed down on the icy pavement, full-on tangled with Claus. A hot, burning sensation sliced up her calf. The damn weapon jingled.

  “Santa’s metal bells!” She twisted to examine her leg. Sure enough, her bright red tights were ripped up the seam. A trickle of blood stained her skin.

  “Santa is plugged in and ready to rock,” her sister shouted from a distance, on the other side of the square.

  “Nooo.” Before Hannah could get anything more out, Santa attacked. His big fist began to move toward his fake guitar in a strumming movement, which was more a sharp jab to her face. Rock n’ Roll Santa had been such a mistake.

  “I’m your elf.” She ducked another one of his attempted chords. “JANEY.”

  Janey scrambled over into sight. “What happened?”

  “Turn the damn thing off.” This small city brawl was going to make the news. Or worse, the internet. She’d be infamous before the day was over. “Please hurry!”

  “Shit.” Janey sprinted back toward the building a few hundred feet away, where they’d threaded electrical wires to power the display.

  Mercifully, and probably thanks to a Christmas miracle, the Santa stopped trying to deck her. She shoved Santa away, revenge a steady beat in her blood. She fisted her hands, never before wanting to strike out against a little holiday cheer.

  “If a kid sees you beating up Santa, you’re going to make them cry,” a male voice interjected. “Especially if it’s a student from your class.”

  She whipped around. A huge man with broad shoulders and a familiar frown loomed over her. The guy she’d always thought of as Scrooge peered down at her, judging her.

  Nice.

  “He attacked first.” Pushing herself up, she stumbled when she tried to place weight on her injured leg. Pressure increased the pain. “Ouch.”

  “You’re bleeding.” A warm body pressed against hers, propping her up. His woodsy scent invaded her senses. “Let me help you.”

  “Thanks.” She had no glib comment for the attraction toward him she’d been fighting for months. She always had to go for the loners, even though they were the worst fit for someone people jokingly called Miss Holiday.

  Usually, she didn’t mind the title. This year the season was revolting against her.

  Scrooge assisted her over to a park bench. Cold wrapped around them. He took his gloves off and brushed her leg with his toasty fingers. She blamed her shiver on the chilly weather.

  “You might need stitches.” Was his voice deeper?

  “I’ll be fine.” As long as he stopped touching her.

  His dark gaze flashed up to hers. “Stubborn, are you?”

  Maybe a little. “Mostly embarrassed.” Heat blossomed over her cheeks. Hopefully her darker complexion hid the worst of the mortifying evidence.

  “I’m sure everyone goes a round with Santa every now and again.”

  “I was actually thinking these pointed elf slippers look even more ridiculous without the distraction of the tights.”

  One leg of her costume was shredded, and the guilty part of her felt bad she was relieved. Filling in for a sick volunteer was her duty as the head coordinator of the holiday pageant, but it wasn’t her first choice.

  “Eh. It’s kind of cute.”

  Only kind of? She was freaking adorable in this ridiculous getup. Six elderly women had already said so today. “Thanks?”

  He held out a hand. “I’m Griff.” She already knew that, despite never before being officially introduced. Small-town syndrome.

  “I’m Hannah.” He probably already knew that too.

  She shook his hand and told herself she wasn’t completely gone over his roughened skin. But she was imagining his touch in more intimate places.

  “Let’s get this fabric away from the wound.” He bent down and peeled away the fake silk in a move that was more than a little illicit.

  Her throat dried. She opened her mouth to speak, to say something to get herself out of this situation. Glancing up, she caught Janey pulling up short, twenty feet back.

  Her sister waggled her brows and began to tiptoe away again, unnoticed by Scrooge. Or Hannah guessed she should start referring to him as Griff now that they’d been formally introduced.

  Janey would be no help. She was always encouraging Hannah to go out with more men. Who had time for men when she had to help the children? Great, now she was a nonprofit slogan. She cringed at the mental slip. She had to get better at being normal. Normal people did not think in nonprofit slogans.

  Griff freed her leg. “You should have Dr. Blair take a look at this.”

  Surprise distracted her from her usual chastising thoughts. “You know Dr. Blair?”

  He smiled. Almost. “He is the only doctor in town.”

  “Yes, but, well—” How did she say this without being offensive? “—I don’t see you around much.”

  “Good to know you’re always looking for me.”

  The damn heat entered her face again. “I didn’t say—”

  A slow, handsome grin stopped her next words. She could count on one hand how many times she’d seen the man smile, mostly, because, well, she did tend to watch him. Not that she’d ever admit that out loud.

  “I’ll help you limp over to his office. It’s only about a block from here, right?”

  “Right.”

  He pulled her into his hold, his touch unbearably tender for such a big man.

  Each step upped her tension. Dangerous need coiled low in her stomach. This man was trouble.

  Her muscles burned as she limped and he aided her down the street. Griff was a constant presence and heat at her side. He wasn’t even breathing heavily. Her short puffs of air argued she needed to go on more frequent jogs.

  “Here we go. I’ll stay until the doctor clears you.”

  She wanted him to let go and liberate her from this disastrous attraction. “That’s not necessary.” She moved away and limped haphazardly.

  “I’ve got her.” Janey bounded up, coming out of nowhere, which meant she’d been following the whole time. Her sister slipped an arm around her waist. Janey flashed a huge smile at Griff. “I’m sure you have more important things to do than hang with my klutzy sister.”

  Hannah wanted to smack her. But she’d also had her fill of Scrooge. She tried not to grimace. “This is my sister Janey,” she added, even though they looked identical and it was completely obvious they were sisters. “Really, I’m fine.”

  “Okay. Later.”

  “He didn’t even say nice to meet me.” Janey snorted when he was out of hearing. “I’m all about you getting action, but honestly that interaction was painful to witness.”

  “It wasn’t that bad.”

  Janey supported Hannah’s weight the few feet over to the doorway. “Puh-leeze. Lie to someone who can’t read you like an eBook. I guess what everyone says about him is true.”

  “What do they say?”

  “That he’s a rude stick-in-the-mud. Doesn’t even want to participate in the town functions even though he’s lived here for years.”

  “That can’t be true. Maybe no one has invited him.” She raised her voice. “Hey, Griff.”

  “Don’t call him back over here,” Janey muttered.

  Griff stopped
and turned. He strode closer so they didn’t have to yell.

  “Thanks.”

  He nodded, and almost left again.

  “Wait.” Irritation shot through her. He certainly wasn’t friendly. “I’ve got a front-row seat for you at the holiday pageant. Your name’s on it. To make up for the help.”

  “I don’t celebrate.”

  “We represent all the winter holidays. I make sure because I run the event. If you celebrate something not on the list, we can add it.” Could she sound any more eager to please? Pathetic. And another thing she needed to work on.

  “I don’t celebrate anything.” With that, he tipped his head and walked away.

  His blunt refusal offended her on every level. Forget self-improvement. Of all the nerve.

  Janey laughed. “See? Won’t even accept an invitation from the pageant president.”

  “Shut it.”

  Had that guy really just turned down her appreciation gift? She’d given many a gift and none had ever been received this poorly. She was a champion real-life elf. Or at least she tried to be, usually without the costume. Just another overachieving quality that validated the childhood nickname she despised and had never left her: Haughty Hannah.

  “It’s a good thing I came into the picture and stopped you from drooling all over him.” Janey maneuvered her toward the door, but her words rang with mockery.

  Embarrassment was her middle name today. “I certainly wasn’t drooling.”

  “You’ve been lusting after loner man for months.”

  Hannah opened her mouth, but nothing escaped.

  Janey swung open the door to the clinic, and it jingled. Damn enemy bells.

  “What happened?” Nurse Rose Marie jumped up toward the entrance. “My dear. Find yourself in a spot of trouble?”

  “You would have been in trouble with that man,” Janey murmured. “If I hadn’t intervened.”

  “Just a silly accident.” Hannah feared the eventful afternoon was much more than that. She owed Scrooge for helping, and her self-suppressed naughty imagination was not keeping the return of favor PG.

  * * *