by Laney Terra
CHRISTMAS
LOVE
CONNECTION
Luck in Love
BOOK 2
LANEY TERRA
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Copyright © Laney Terra & Aimi M. 2016, 2017
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any manner, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is a coincidence.
Previously published as Luck & Christmas
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 1
“Will anyone go with me?” I asked as we all gathered in Leslie’s stainless steel and mahogany kitchen over some holiday treats. It was Leslie’s idea to have a little pre-holiday treat gathering. Our assignment was to bring treats to have them preapproved for the Christmas party she decided to throw for us single folk. Bring additional cheer to our holiday. Find a great guy with a monster mother in law like she and Londyn did.
At least Leslie’s mother in law shredded her spikes and became nicer. But that was one out of two. Londyn’s future in law family was still full of sharp edges, all coming from the same woman.
“It’ll be just four hours of your time,” I pleaded, taking my seat in one of the leather, plush tall seats at the island.
“In the early morning,” Casey said, rolling her head towards me. “I don’t do early.”
“I don’t either,” Alyssa, Leslie’s sister, said. “Be there at six thirty am? That’s too much for me on a holiday. Maybe if our wake up time was at seven. I’ll make an exception for the Christmas Run and that’s it.”
The other girls agreed.
“But it’s one time,” I said. “Londyn…” I pursed my lips.
“Uhh,” Londyn said. I hated that I was going to try and force a very pregnant woman to come, but I didn’t want to be alone out there. “Alright. I’ll go Shauna.”
“Great!” I said, clasping my hands together. Michelle smiled like she had escaped her duty to serve. She tried to hide beside Alyssa, who sat next to me. I peeked around Alyssa. “Michelle,” I said. “Meet me at my apartment too. I’ll drive. Both of you can sleep.”
“Honey,” Michelle said. “I’m not going. I need my beauty rest for Thanksgiving Day.”
“You said you were going to your parents’ house late because,” I said. “That was your reasoning, ‘because.’ ”
“And I want to watch the parade,” Michelle said slowly, finding another excuse one word at a time. This amused our crowd of friends.
“You have a DVR,” I said. “A deluxe one that holds every single show that comes on.”
Michelle shrugged her shoulders. “I want to watch it live. And what about Leslie?” Michelle pointed Leslie out to me as if I forgot to see her. Leslie sat directly across the island. “She’s still fair game.”
“Don’t try and pull me in,” Leslie said. “I was the first one to let her know I couldn’t go.” She held up one finger and showed everyone. “The first.”
“Because of the in laws?” Michelle said, not believing one word of it, crossing her arms.
“This is our first Thanksgiving together and they’ll be here. In this house,” Leslie said. “Mother in law and my mother together. A little bit of her family and a little bit of mine. You know his mom will be at my door at nine am, sharp. And that reminds me. I need to make Jackson pick up that cake I had made at the coffee shop a few days earlier. It’s for Christmas dinner. We’ll be at his mother’s most likely and she’ll expect us to be on time.”
“A little bit of family?” Casey said and laughed. “This house is actually inadequate. You’ll need a whole jungle to fit both families. They’re still mad you had your wedding in Vegas, so they’ll all be coming for that free food alright.”
“I told her to book that community center,” Alyssa said, joking.
“Yeah, yeah. But we had a reception for them here, remember?” Leslie said. “Spent a lot on it.”
We had a good laugh for a moment. Some of Leslie’s and Jackson’s relatives did complement Leslie on the in town wedding reception. Twice. They made her feel so good that she volunteered to have them all over for Thanksgiving.
At the time, I pulled Leslie aside to warn her about that trick, the same scheme I used to gently nudge people into my desires, because Leslie wasn’t the one to throw parties. Alyssa claimed that title. But after Alyssa and Leslie put together that wedding, and with the confidence boost from family and friends, Leslie found a new hobby—planning everything including situations and events to find a man for Casey, Michelle, and me. Not to mention, finding a new guy for Alyssa. Leslie put all bets on Alyssa’s boyfriend not lasting. She was right about that one. He was simply a jerk as was Londyn’s ex.
“And that’s the very reason why they’ll all be here,” Casey said, referring back to Leslie’s Thanksgiving. “Looking for Keene’s deep pockets. How is he by the way?”
“Great,” Londyn said. “Everything’s great other than the mother situation. We’re still working that out. Keene says she’ll be cordial at Thanksgiving, due to their other relatives and all. That’s why I fought to spend Christmas with my family. Thanksgiving isn’t too long of a big break. And about four hours is all I have to survive.”
“Our prayers are with you,” Leslie said and we laughed.
“Be sure to add a prayer for me to finding a man,” Michelle said. “One that loves me the way Keene loves Londyn. I’m still jealous of you by the way.”
“Aren’t we all?” Casey said. “I think another trip to Vegas is in order.”
“I won’t protest that,” Michelle said.
“But Michelle, we hooked you up with Trent,” Londyn said.
“Who?” Michelle said.
“You remember him,” Londyn said. “The engineer. Gave you the attention, affection, and some of those wish list items you had. He was perfect for you.”
Michelle sighed, picked up a cookie, and took a bite only to scrunch up her face. “Who made this horrid thing?”
“Uh, you,” Casey said, chuckling.
“Right,” Michelle said, putting it back down onto her saucer. She rested her cheek in her hand. Elbow on the table. Funny because she was breaking the proper rules she got on us about. “Ah yes, Trent. He was boring. I need some excitement in my life.”
“Be careful with those words,” Alyssa said. “I wished for excitement too. And got it. Brandon is a handful.”
“And not worth it,” Leslie added.
“He just needs a little work,” Alyssa said. “You’ll see.”
“Mhum,” Casey said. “Now back to you, Michelle. You’ll end up with the classic bad boy. But I strangely think you’ll love it. Love trying to tame a guy who can’t be tamed.”
“And I know where you can start,” I said, raising my hand. “At the Turkey Race. There will be plenty of
men there. Athletic too. And not a lot of competition, Michelle. Most of the volunteers are families—mothers, children, and the occasional husband. You’ll have fun. It’s a lot of fun.”
“Fun handing out water?” Michelle said and smiled. “It’s not like Ren is going to show up out of nowhere. Now that would be fun.”
The group chuckled at my expense. Ren was a guy I had a crush on since high school. Fate had us attend the same college, and he still never saw me. Not at least like I wanted him to.
“You’d be surprised,” I said, “about the water,” I added, ignoring her little jab. “The guys would see you wouldn’t they? And come back to talk after the race. Thousands participate you know.”
“That is a good point,” Michelle said.
“Makes me want to go,” Casey said and paused. “I might go now, Shauna. Don’t call me though.”
“Great! So it will be the four of us.” I dropped the issue, satisfied. “I’m so excited.”
“As excited as you were about Ren in high school?” Leslie said and laughed with the group.
“You don’t have to go all the way back there,” Casey said. “What about last week?”
“I don’t recall talking about him last week,” I said. “And why don’t we start the tasting party.”
“When you had that strawberry martini, you started spilling,” Casey said, focusing us back onto the subject of Ren. “Said you wished he stuck around. He was Aunt Geraldine approved and would get her off your back.”
“She’s telling the truth,” Londyn said. “Ren was the topic for at least twenty minutes. I think your subconscious is speaking to you. Leslie, perhaps you should invite him to our get together.”
“Oh, sweet Aunt Geraldine,” Leslie said and laughed. “Love her. Shauna, give me his number. At least you can tell her he may be a possibility.”
“No and no,” I said. “How did we even get on this subject?”
“Talking about finding men,” Alyssa said, coming to my rescue. “Speaking of, how is your list for the party coming Leslie?”
“I’m thrilled,” Leslie said, “eager to continue to curate the list and excited dig into these treats. Well, except for Michelle’s. Girl, you’re exempt from making your own.”
“Thank you!” Michelle said. “I was trying to tell you.”
We laughed and began to sort through the treats.
Chapter 2
Early Thanksgiving morning Londyn called. She wasn’t feeling that well, which was understandable. We chatted for a little bit and she wished me well, continuing with the joke about seeing Ren. I laughed as I put my phone on the dresser.
Seconds later, a text arrived from Michelle, saying she’d make it up by forcing me to hang out at one of the places she loved. At the end of the text, her reminder was for me to try and speak to at least five guys at the event. It would help to break my “fear of flirting.”
I sighed, and put my phone into my pocket. Didn’t want to go alone, but volunteering at the race was my little tradition. I already signed up. I had to carry it on. I’d make friends there I guessed.
In my closet, I found a green chunky cable knit sweater, which I slipped my arms into then grabbed a favorite, lighter jacket to put on top of it. Layers were my best bet. The outfit would be a little bit of overkill during the middle of the day when the sun rose.
Almost to the door, I remembered to rush back into my bedroom to grab my watch. Finally, I was out of my home. Wow. It was cold. The wind blew thirty degrees around like it was nothing. Striding back into my apartment, I snatched a black scarf and coiled my neck and face a bit.
The frosty air and dark morning sky made the roads clear and peaceful to drive on. After taking the exit, I had to circle around downtown a bit. No one knew exactly where the volunteers were supposed to go. I ended up following everyone else to park in a garage and strode past them to the registration tent. There, I was given the assignment of handing out shirts.
Shirts. My uneasiness about going alone lessened. Handing out shirts keeps you busy. I was glad about the assignment and a teensy bit glad the girls didn’t come. I never would have heard the end of it from Michelle or Casey.
I made my way to the area, inside another parking garage that had been blocked off, and met a couple of other people working with me—Trisha and Allison. Several batches of boxes were sitting behind two sets of double wide, strong folding tables. A couple pairs of folding chairs sat by the boxes.
Trisha and Allison had already claimed their side. I took the other. We began taking the shirts out of the boxes and arranging them on the table by each size. The shirts were to be given to the runners who took part in the Turkey Race.
During my conversation with Trisha and Allison, in between organizing the shirts, I spilled the reason why I had been there alone. All morning I had been worried about being the only volunteer to show up by themselves, but when Trisha asked, it was a relief to tell my story.
“Don’t worry too much about it,” Trisha said. “I’m sure you’ll be paired with a great partner or group of people.”
“I hope so,” I said. “It makes me a little self-conscious.”
“Focus on the positive,” Allison said. “You’re here, donating your time for a worthy cause—more money for medical research. It’ll be worth it in the end.”
“Y’all are right,” I said and smiled.
We continued to break into the cardboard boxes and divide the shirts. I made it to the last section of boxes, which all lie on the pavement. Reaching for that section, I squatted down to pick up a box. When I stood seconds later, I knew I was crazy. Was what Trisha said manifesting illusions in my mind? It couldn’t be true. Couldn’t be his voice. Ren’s voice?
“Hi ladies,” the man said. “How are you all?”
I froze. There was no mistaking his voice for someone else’s. That deep bass was something no one would ever forget. Smooth and calming and… I had to get a grip.
Trisha said something about being surprised that he and his wife were separated into different tasks. The volunteer coordinators tended to keep family together.
The man laughed. No! No! No! His laugh was the same laugh that made me all warm inside years ago. That effect didn’t change. It was the same that day.
I needed to sit down. Fan myself. Get some water. But I stood up, clutching to the box that remained in my hands. My thighs couldn’t take squatting that long. I shouldn’t have canceled my gym membership.
“Miss, I’m afraid I’m not married,” he said.
“Your girlfriend,” Allison said.
“Haven’t found the right woman for that position either,” he said. “Ran into a false positive once. Glad that woman showed her ugly side before I got tied down. Well, more like nailed down. She superglued herself to me. Had to move just to get away from her.”
“You’re single?” Trisha said, lingering on the word ‘single.’ “And the marrying type. Didn’t know someone like you could exist.”
“Trisha, you are very married,” Allison said and laughed.
“I’m watching out for a friend,” Trisha said. “What do you think of blind dates?”
“Trisha, the man just got here,” Allison said. “You’re scaring him off already.”
“I don’t mind, Allison,” the man said. “It’s fine. This happens more often than not.”
“So that’s a ‘yes’ on the blind dates?” Trisha said.
“I’m open to new experiences,” he said. The man had to smile then. His voice certainly sounded as though he smiled. I bet it was similar to Ren’s smile. But Ren learned the smile and manipulated women with it. I breathed in some air as Trisha and Allison formally introduced themselves.
“Nice to meet you ladies. My name is Ben.” Or was that Ren?
Stop being so silly, Shauna. It isn’t him. It can’t be Ren. Volunteering definitely was the last thing he’d ever do.
True.
And I realized I was staring at a cement pillar. If he saw me,
he’d probably think his ex and I were twins. I’d have to turn to see him eventually to get rid of that stigma. Just needed to turn and confirm that I’d lost my mind and everything would be fine again. Apart from my slight obsession with Ren. He was such a good companion though—listened, or at least pretended to, when he was forced to work with me. Comforted—maybe to his benefit, to get the other girls’ attention.
Okay maybe our relationship wasn’t healthy or even a relationship at all, but he was good for the moment. Could be good for the next 40 days of moments through the holidays… Ren loved the holidays. Loved baking. None of the men I met loved baking. He could make my desert for the holiday party.
“They said I’d be working with a ‘Shauna,’ ” his comforting voice said. “Is this…”
“Yes, this is Shauna,” Trisha said.
Oh no they must have been pointing to me. If I could turn red from flushing, I would have been as bright as Rudolph’s nose. “Shauna,” she said louder as if I couldn’t hear them.
I spun as if Trisha pushed a button, activating me on demand. “Hi,” I said with tons of energy. It was so fake, the amount of happy energy that word had. When my vision became clear, I was feeling—I didn’t know what I was feeling. Happy, sad, joy, dread. I was right. The voice belonged to the man who had that smile whose name was Ren.
I had no idea how many moments passed.
“Shauna, this is quite the coincidence,” Ren said. “I just was thinking about you the other day. How lucky am I? How are you?”
He was thinking about me?
My mouth opened wide. I closed it, swallowed, then shook my head and closed my eyes for a few seconds. When I reopened them, I put on that confidence. “Great!” I said.
“Great,” he said and flashed his teeth. “This should be fun.”
“You two know each other?” Allison said. “Trisha, you need to give me those winning lottery numbers, now.”
Ren slid across the gap between our tables and took the box that I remained in my death grip.
