by Lee Kilraine
Hawk looked over at his daughter, his heart full at the smile on her face.
“No offense, Daddy, but there are some things we girls need to handle on our own.”
Nora lifted her head from his chest and winked over at Heather.
“Happy to step out of the way.” Neither of his girls were that girly, but, hell yes, Nora’s appearance in their lives had been a godsend. For all of them. For years he’d done his little girl’s hair, shopped in the pink section of stores, and comforted her when she cried. No problem. But puberty was like traveling to a foreign country and he was happy to have a tour guide along for the trip.
HL shrugged and moved on to his next point. “You go to all our games now that you’re here all the time. Jordy’s mom said the high school is hoping you’ll help coach volleyball by the time Heather gets there.”
Nora’s face looked doubtful, but Hawk was pretty sure it would happen. She loved kids and would make a great coach one day. Hawk also knew she wanted to wait until people thought of her as Nora Savage, Heather and HL’s mom and not Nora Joy, Olympic medal winner. Nope, not a bit of puffed up ego for his Nora.
His Nora. Damn, he loved the sound of that.
“Okay, you’ve convinced me.” Nora nodded, then leaned forward and kissed him. “I’m calling Georgie to order our cookies. Then I’ll be out to help with the Christmas lights. Wait until you see the new inflatable I bought.”
“Yes!” HL gave Nora a high five while Hawk and Heather laughed.
They never competed in the Light Up Climax competition or the Reindeer Games again, but they still went all out. Oh, yes, the Savage family did Christmas up big.
“Oh! I forgot to tell you guys…,” HL said. “I wrote a letter to Santa this year.”
Well, this was news. Henry Lee hadn’t written a letter to Santa since Nora arrived in their lives. Hawk figured it was because Jordy had convinced him Santa wasn’t real. Nora’s eyes met his and he got a bit sidetracked by the sexy heat in them.
Hawk knew magical things could happen at Christmas. What had happened three Christmases ago had defied logic and had required a leap of faith, but what else does a man do when all his dreams come true? All he could think was he sure hoped HL had asked Santa for something easy like the newest video game or a trip to the beach, because—
“I asked Santa for a baby brother. And a baby sister.”
“You did?” Heather’s face lit up. “So did I!”
“Twins? They both asked for twins?” Nora’s eyes went huge. “Our children really are savages.”
Hawk was beginning to think this might be the best Christmas of all.
About the Author
Credit: Season Moore
Lee Kilraine lives with her husband and children in the pine woods of North Carolina. When she isn’t typing away on her computer with her golden retriever, Harley, at her feet, you might find her on her front porch swing plotting her next book while guarding her hydrangea bushes from the local gang of deer. Lee is a 2014 Golden Heart Finalist. She loves writing and reading stories with a Happily Ever After and if they make her laugh...well, that’s perfect. Visit her at www.leekilraine.com
In the sleepy town of Climax, North Carolina, all five Cates brothers are known for being tall, dark, and delicious. But each has his own incomparable love story . . .
Quinn Cates has known Delaney Lyons forever. But after years away from home, Delaney’s a changed woman. A mysterious accident she refuses to talk about has left her hurting—in body and soul—and acting out in dangerous, and occasionally entertaining, ways.
Quinn’s on the local police force, so he’s used to dealing with troublemakers. This one’s pretty incorrigible—but he suspects her flippant exterior is hiding something softer and deeper inside. Every time he has to rescue Delaney from herself, his heart and his hormones both go into overdrive. But he owes it to Delaney’s sister to keep an eye on her. He’s got some experience with that after spending so much time at it back in high school . . .
Delaney just wants to fend off the gossips, fight off the pain of her past, and make her escape once again. But Officer Cates is ordering her not to leave town, and his interrogation techniques can be very persuasive . . .
Everyone in Climax, North Carolina, knows the Cates brothers. But Sijan Cates is famous far beyond his quaint hometown—and when he comes back, he brings trouble with him…
Avery Danford urgently needs to get back in touch with her estranged family. If only she could get her picture in the papers, maybe they’d track her down…and what better way to accomplish that than to squeeze into the world’s tightest dress and cozy up to the world’s hottest actor, Sijan Cates? It’s a crazy idea, but it just might work. And though the former actress has sworn off Hollywood hunks, she’s got to admit this desperate measure might be a pleasure…
Scandal-plagued Sijan has come home for some peace and quiet—and to stay out of the tabloids. Then a woman claiming to be his number-one fan plants a hot kiss on him—in front of a pack of paparazzi. There’s only one way to protect his reputation: tell the world they’re engaged. It’s all just a show, as they use each other to get what they need. But in this sleepy Southern town, love stories have a way of coming true…
Tynan Cates’s military days are over. He’s home among family, friends, and his three-legged rescue dog in Climax, North Carolina—but his new employee is stirring up feelings he thought he’d left behind . . .
Pint-size Lulubelle Swan is not Ty’s—or anyone’s—idea of a construction worker. But she’s so eager to join his crew for the Climax library renovation that he gives her a shot . . . and she totally lives down to his expectations. Aside from her fear of ladders, she’s a hazard every time she picks up a hammer. He’d toss her out on her tight little tush, but he gets the feeling she needs the job—or at least, needs something . . .
Lu’s trying her hardest, but she’s no handywoman. She’s sought out Ty because he served in Afghanistan with the man she loved—and nearly three years after losing Joe, she still can’t move on. Hiding her true intentions, she spends hours with Ty, trying to get him to talk about the past—and in the process, learn how to face the future on her own. But when her quest for closure gets complicated, she may have to open her heart in unexpected ways . . .
Elvis has been spotted in the little town of Climax, North Carolina. Or at least, a shapely female Elvis impersonator—who’s got Kaz Cates all shook up . . .
Kaz is having one of those days. Cyber criminals, federal agents . . . and now, Elvis. In reality, the King is Mirabel Diaz, earning money by delivering singing telegrams. But Mira’s got another reason for being here: she knows Kaz Cates is secretly a master hacker with the skills to help people disappear, and that’s exactly what she needs to do. Still, Kaz can’t help wishing she’d stay awhile . . .
This isn’t Mira’s preferred career—her singing voice isn’t even that great—but her ex-boyfriend, a powerful Russian gangster, hasn’t left her a choice. No matter where she runs, he seems to find a way to pull strings and get her fired. If she doesn’t get off the grid, his vengeful acts may only get worse. Kaz reluctantly agrees to help, and insists on teaching her self-defense. Though she’s afraid to trust any man, she feels safe with Kaz . . . and welcomed by his family. But if they don’t stop the danger that’s chasing her, she may have to go on the road again instead of finding a haven in his arms . . .
In Climax, North Carolina, climbing the professional ladder means making the right connections. And Paxton Cates is about to form a partnership he never expected . . .
While his brothers have found their true loves, Paxton remains stubbornly single, and it’s not helping his career. Sure, he’s a successful lawyer, but to become a judge you’ve got to mingle with the right crowds—and without a partner at his side, he’s not getting enough invitations. He needs someone, and soon. Someone like Jolene Joyner
. . .
Jolene, a local high school English teacher, has a history of driving Paxton crazy. She’s just too perfect—and she’s never let him forget it. But now Ms. Goody Two-Shoes is in trouble for the first time in her life, and she needs a lawyer. He’ll take her case—if she’ll play by his rules. Six months of socializing should do the trick—if they can convince everyone they’ve put aside their animosity and fallen madly in love. Then they can go their separate ways.
The only problem is that Jolene seems to have developed a taste for bad behavior . . . especially where Paxton is concerned. And instead of just a pretty partner in deception, he’s got himself a new client who’s anything but innocent . . .
