Table of Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Epilogue
About the Author
Find your Bliss with these great releases… Snowbound with Mr. Wrong
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The Doctor’s Fake Fiancee
The Rebel’s Return
The Rancher’s Second Chance
Rescued by the Rancher
Falling for the P.I.
Falling for Her Enemy
The Billionaire’s Christmas Baby
The Billionaire’s Christmas Proposal
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2016 by Victoria James. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.
Entangled Publishing, LLC
2614 South Timberline Road
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Fort Collins, CO 80525
Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.
Bliss is an imprint of Entangled Publishing, LLC. For more information on our titles, visit http://www.entangledpublishing.com/category/bliss
Edited by Alethea Spiridon
Cover design by Melody Pond
Cover art from iStock
ISBN 978-1-63375-782-0
Manufactured in the United States of America
First Edition November 2016
Prologue
Three days ago, Julia Bailey had ceased to exist.
She was no longer a mother, a wife, or anything that mattered.
Biting winds ripped the remaining copper and orange leaves from the looming Quaking Aspens, the rain trampling them, matting them to the soggy grass, plastering them to the tops of umbrellas. Her only shelter from the wind and rain was the large, black umbrella that had appeared over her the moment the service began.
Her mother-in-law touched her arm and Julia turned to look at her for the briefest of moments, before looking down the row at the rest of her in-laws. Michael’s family. They were all here, as they would be. Michael’s twin brother, Jack, head bent staring into the graves. He hadn’t looked at anyone today. The youngest Bailey sibling, Gwen, stood next to their father, softly crying into a white handkerchief. Her parents were on her left, silently offering comfort by their presence.
Julia turned from them, choosing to stare at the two dark boxes in the earth. Dignity and civility forced her to remain motionless. If she relaxed her muscles in the slightest, she’d dive right in beside her husband and son, and join them in their resting place.
The priest made the sign of the cross and his voice strained against the loud wind, his umbrella struggling to take flight. It was over. The mourners, comprised of family and friends, began a slow, careful walk across the muddy grounds of the cemetery to their cars. They would drive the short distance to the Bailey family home. Words like ‘tragedy’ and ‘horrible’ were plucked by the wind, floating and dancing their way back to her until the endless recital of adjectives made her want to cover her ears. They were the words that had followed her around the last three days. They were all weak words. Useless words. Hopeless words.
Her father took her arm. “Julia, let’s go to the car. It’s too cold to stay out here, sweetheart.”
She stared straight ahead. “Thank you, but no. You can leave. I’m not ready.”
There was a pause. Then a deluge of whispers.
“It’s all right, I’ll stay with her.” The deep voice, raspy and hoarse with pain belonged to Chase Donovan, Michael’s best friend. He was still holding the umbrella over her, and she knew no one would argue with him. Chase was as rugged and tough as Big Sky country.
She turned slightly, silent as she watched the family walk away. Only when they began opening car doors, far in the distance, did she walk forward.
Chase’s presence faded, even though the umbrella above her was a constant. Julia squeezed her eyes shut as she stood next to the open graves. She tried to suck in air. Instead, all the self-control she’d exuded during the funeral hissed out of her mouth and she collapsed like a deflating balloon, lifeless on the cold earth. The pain in her chest that had permanently entrenched itself inside her soul three days ago amplified until it erupted from her mouth in a heaving sob.
“Good-bye, my sweethearts,” she whispered, succumbing to the bitter knowledge that all her tomorrows would be without Michael or Matthew.
Rain battered the earth but not her body as the umbrella remained, hovering over her head like a dark halo. She rocked back and forth, her arms clutching her stomach, and prayer poured from her mouth. Prayer to be taken with them.
Her body leaned forward and she heaved, moaning like an old ship before it surrendered to the storm, before it broke under the pressure. But strong arms encircled her, saving her, lifting her up and away from the open earth and she wept with the knowledge that she would see tomorrow.
Chapter One
Five years later
Julia took a deep breath, shutting off her ignition and headlights as she stared at the red-brick Georgian home. Her mother-in-law had loved the Georgian architecture that she had grown up with from her childhood back east, and they’d had the home custom built years ago. Even though it wasn’t typical in their rural area of Montana, the home was lovely. It hadn’t changed at all. Stately, with black shutters and double-hung windows, and a matching black door, the house beckoned. A large, round boxwood wreath with a red ribbon adorned the front door. The front hall light glowed through the arched transom window, and Julia could still picture the delicate crystal chandelier inside. Towering ponderosa pines flanked the driveway, the tips of the branches almost forming an arch. Snow lined each limb, as though they had been meticulously painted on, one by one.
Five years. It had been five years since she had visited her in-laws. She owed them a visit much earlier. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She should have come when her father-in-law had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but she hadn’t. By that time she’d uncovered the disturbing truth about Michael and she couldn’t deal with coming back here and facing all of them. But Shadow Creek had also been her home, and these people were her family.
She opened her eyes again and gave a little nod. Well, she was here now for Christmas. She wrapped her hands around the leather handle of her small tote and clutched her purse. The crisp, cold winter air greeted her as she stepped outside her car, cooling her flushed face. It smelled the same—fresh, pure. There was nowhere in the world that smelled like Montana. The driveway and walkway had been shoveled and salted, and her boots crunched against the large granules.
Warmth spread through her body as the front door opened even before she’d made it to the front porch. She clamped down hard on her back teeth in an attempt to rein in the tears as Cassandra and Edward appeared.
“My dear, you are here!” Cassandra Bai
ley called out, the break in her voice audible.
She dashed up the walkway and steps, outrunning the memories of all the times she’d been here with Michael and Matthew. She ran into the arms of the people that had treated her like their own from day one.
Comfort, the kind that could only be offered from a mother, enveloped her. She held on, squeezing Cassandra, restoring the bond they’d had between them. Edward folded her into his arms, and he kissed the top of her head gently before releasing her.
She had come home.
Edward Bailey gently ushered her through the doorway. “Come in, come in.”
Julia noticed the lines around their eyes had deepened, and creases that weren’t there years ago had claimed their residence. Edward was still tall with a slightly rounded stomach and maintained his aura of dignity. Cassandra, always thin, had now put on weight, making her seem even more maternal.
They each held on to one of her hands and she looked around the entryway. The deep sage colored walls with the crisp white wainscoting were exactly as she remembered; the grand staircase with its dark wood banister had been dressed for the season with fresh cedar roping and luxurious velvet ribbons.
“Cassy, you still have the nicest Christmas decorations I’ve ever seen,” Julia said, squeezing her hand.
“Julia, is that you?” Her sister-in-law Gwen walked down the corridor, drying her hands on a dishtowel. A brown, medium-sized dog bounded past her and up to Julia. Julia laughed as she looked down into the eager face.
Gwen nudged the dog aside gently by her pink collar. “This is Lola. Don’t even ask about that name,” she said with a frown before wrapping Julia up in a big hug.
Lola nudged Julia a few times until they broke off the hug and she patted the dog’s fluffy head. “You are so cute, Lola.” The dog, as if agreeing, tilted her head to the side before giving her hand a lick. “I had no idea you had a dog now.”
Edward chuckled. “She’s Gwen’s. We didn’t want a dog but she twisted our arm.”
Gwen frowned at him. “I read about dogs and how beneficial they are especially when people are sick.”
“Well, there are no sick people around here,” Edward said with a shake of his gray head. “Now enough of this standing in the hallway like some stranger. Come in the kitchen. You ladies can do all that hugging once we’ve had a piece of that pie.” He ushered them all down the hallway. Lola trotted dutifully along behind him.
Gwen whispered to Julia as they walked, “He says she’s my dog, but those two became the best of friends. She even went to each treatment Dad had at the hospital.”
“She watched over him every day when we’d come back too.” Cassy inhaled sharply and plunked her hands on her wide hips as they stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Edward had a knife in his hand and was ready to slice into the pie on the kitchen counter.
“Edward Bailey, put down the knife.”
Edward sighed and did exactly as his wife told him, though a few grumbles did escape his mouth.
Julia laughed. “I’m glad to see your appreciation for pie hasn’t changed.”
“It’s gotten worse,” Cassy said, marching over and snatching up the knife. “Dr. Hart says he needs to watch how many sweets he eats.”
“Well, it’s the holiday season and it’s not every day a man’s favorite daughter-in-law comes home,” he said with a wink. His weathered face crinkled slightly as he chuckled and settled himself at the head of the table. Lola rested at his feet. Edward patted the place setting beside him and waved Julia over.
“I can see how it would be hard to resist. It smells so good in here,” Julia said, settling in beside him. The long, black farmhouse table was set with quilted, holly and berry placemats and a bright red poinsettia sat in the middle. The country kitchen was toasty, the granite counters filled with canisters of flour and sugar and mixing bowls. They had all changed, but this house was exactly the same.
“I just pulled apple pie and cranberry muffins out of the oven,” Gwen said, flashing a smile as she arranged the muffins on a red Santa plate.
Cassandra poured coffee into matching Santa mugs and walked them over to the table.
“Can I help?” Julia asked, rising. Five years ago she would have been busy keeping Matthew away from the sweets until they were ready. She could think about that now without crying, if she didn’t think about it too long.
“Not at all. You’ve had a long drive, and we want you to sit and relax. You’re home, my dear, back in Shadow Creek,” Cassandra said, pausing in the middle of the kitchen. Her faded blue eyes shone with emotion and Julia swallowed past the lump in her throat as she smiled at her mother-in-law.
“We’ve missed you,” Edward said, leaning forward and patting her hand. She placed hers atop his, cherishing the warmth from his large, leathery hand. “Cassy couldn’t sleep all night. Kept tossing and turning, she was so excited.”
Cassandra handed them their mugs of coffee. “Oh I wasn’t the only one! How many times did you ask what time she was supposed to arrive today?”
Edward chuckled and Julia basked in their company. She was ready for this now.
“You have all been on my mind and there hasn’t been a day where I haven’t thought of you. Edward, I owe you an apology for not being here this past year.”
“Nonsense. We all did what we had to. We mourn in our own way and none of us begrudge you that. We’re happy you’re here now. I’m fine. I’m a tough old goat. It’s going to take a hell of a lot more than cancer to kick my old butt.”
Julia smiled at him. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“And how are your parents doing, dear?”
“They’re doing really well. Off to visit my mom’s sister on the East Coast. They haven’t been out there, since…since I went back to live in the city. But when I told them I was coming here this year, I twisted their arms to go.” The last few years her parents had been by her side constantly. Julia insisted that this year they get their lives back and do all the things they’d put on hold for five years. She knew they’d agree when they heard she was going back to Shadow Creek.
Cassandra smiled, sitting down. “Oh, that’s good. I’m glad your mom is going to see her sister. It looks like we might have another Christmas visitor.”
“Who?”
Cassandra smiled. “Jack.”
Julia gasped and tears filled her eyes automatically. Jack. Michael’s twin brother. She hadn’t been the only one who’d run from Shadow Creek after the accident. Jack had taken off, without warning, leaving only a note saying good-bye. He called and he wrote, but he hadn’t been home since.
Edward stared out the French doors into the back yard. White twinkling lights were wrapped around the deck railing. “About time that boy came home.”
Gwen groaned, sitting down at the table across from her. “I didn’t say he was coming home for sure. All I said was that I tried.”
Edward reached down to pat Lola’s head. “He will. I feel it.”
Julia watched as he took a sip of his coffee. Jack and Michael had been connected in a way that none of them could truly understand. They were different and the same. Twins. Best friends. Michael’s death had ripped him apart. As it had all of them. She would never tell them about Michael. It would only add new wounds.
Cassandra smiled, Julia giving her smile extra vivacity. “We can only pray, Julia. Now, why don’t we dig into some of this delicious pie and then you can get all settled in the guest room, dear.”
“Thanks, Cassandra,” she whispered, taking a long sip of the velvety coffee. She wrapped her hands around the mug and settled into the black ladder-back chair, trying to look at ease.
“Tell me what you think of that pie. No holding back, I can take it,” Gwen said, leaning forward.
Julia sliced through the flaky crust with her fork and lifted the pie to her lips. “You always were the best baker.” She closed her eyes for a moment and was greeted with a jolt of warm apples and cinnamon. “Omigod, good.”
>
Gwen tucked a shiny strand of brown hair behind her ear and then smiled, leaning forward. “Lily and I are finally ready to open our chocolate shop.”
Julia sucked in a breath. “Oh, I’m so happy for you!”
“We’re very proud of Gwen. She’s been saving and working like crazy to make this a reality,” Edward said, winking at his daughter. “Lily too. The two of them deserve it.”
Julia clutched the mug of coffee closer to her as she thought of Lily. When Jack had skipped town, it wasn’t just his family he’d abandoned. Lily had been his fiancée, the woman they all knew he would one day marry. “How’s Lily doing?”
Gwen frowned, stabbing her piece of pie a little too forcefully, apples oozing out of the sides. “She’s okay. Now. But it took her a while. And if my big brother does come home this Christmas, he’ll have a hell of a lot of apologizing to do.”
“I don’t want to hear any of that,” Cassy whispered, clutching her hands to the side of the table and leaning forward. “If my boy comes home this Christmas, we are all going to welcome him, hug him and—”
“I know, Mom. I want him home too. I can still be hurt for him leaving us and for ditching Lily. But, of course I want Jack home,” Gwen said, resting her fork on the table, the pie never reaching her lips.
“Hello,” a deep voice, an unmistakeable voice, boomed from the entrance and barrelled into her memories. The voice was followed by fast little footsteps. Lola stood and ran toward the guests. Julia looked first at the little girl she had only seen in pictures for the last five years. Then she looked up at the man that had remained in her thoughts every day since she left Shadow Creek.
Chase Donovan filled the kitchen doorway and every square inch of her mind.
A familiar, comforting, hot-chocolatey warmth billowed over her as his gaze landed on her. Waves of memories lapped in, one by one until her mind was flooded with Chase. He had saved her, repeatedly in the month following Michael and Matthew’s death. Chase, with his inky black hair and midnight blue eyes was even more handsome than when she’d first met him. All soft lines were replaced with beautiful angles and hollows. His features were clearly defined; the planes of his strong jaw contrasting with a surprisingly sensual mouth. It was almost unexpected, the only soft spot on his otherwise masculine face. The long, thin scar below his ear and down his jaw was the only flaw on an otherwise impossibly beautiful face. He was tall, and built like a man who knew how to fight. But Chase had only ever shown her tenderness. He’d always been a man who had the ability to make women’s pulses beat faster and their hearts swell with hope.
Christmas with the Sheriff Page 1
