This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or deceased, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Overall cover design: Nicole Highland – NH Designs
Cover image/models courtesy of:
123RFwww.123rf.com
Copyright © 2020 Nicole Highland
All rights reserved.
www.nicolehighlandwrites.com
ISBN: 979-863263 -002-3 (Paperback edition)
For you…
No matter what season,
there’s always a reason
to have love and joy
in your heart.
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I have to say, of all my releases, this this will go down as one of the most interesting ones.
Originally, this story was slated for publication in December of 2020, but life has a funny way of telling you what you need to do, and not the other way around. And thus, the decision was made for me. I knew I needed to send my book baby out in the world.
A global pandemic is certainly not something we experience every day, and there’s a lot of uncertainty. And, like a lot of people, when I’m facing uncertainty, I look for an escape, if for no other reason than to protect my mental health. That’s how I started my writing journey in the first place.
I know tens of thousands of people around the world are seeking refuge and escape in the comfort of a good book, and what better way to escape than between the pages of a sweet romance read?
So, while I’m longing for the days where all of this will be a distant memory, I’m all too aware that reality is only one thought away. But for now, let’s escape together…
After all, isn’t Christmastime the most wonderful time of the year?
A few things to note before you begin:
This is a clean romance, with no steam. If you’d like some steam, consider checking out One Very Merry Night, my other Christmas novella.
While satisfying and sweet, this book is approximately an hour-long read on average, so if you’re into short reads, you’re in luck.
Let’s enjoy the magic of Christmas together.
XOX
The first errant snowflakes had begun to blow around in the cold winter air as Maddie Barnes settled into her car from a long day at work. Tiring hours of standing on her feet had left them in desperate need of a break, not to mention a massage. Unfortunately for Maddie, her massaging footbath had stopped working some time ago and hadn’t ranked high enough on the priority list for a replacement.
She heaved a heavy sigh, then turned the key in the ignition. The old Ford Taurus roared to life despite the frigid cold; a fact she was most thankful for, indeed. Another winter like the one before, and the battery would need to be changed for sure, and even in an older car, batteries weren’t exactly the cheapest thing to replace.
The day had flown by in a blur. For most people, Sundays in Thornbriar were a day of rest and relaxation.
For Maddie, those words held no value this time of year. Hampshire Flowers thrummed every day of the week, and for a small town, they sure did love their flowers.
The phone never seemed to stop ringing, and during the few isolated moments where Maddie could finally catch her breath, more guests would breeze in, and the phone would begin ringing off the hook once more.
Of course, it shouldn’t have come to her as a surprise. She was in the thick of one of their busiest seasons, after all. Christmastime in Thornbriar had a way of turning everyone into blissful, joy-filled people.
Everyone except Maddie this year. This year would mark the end of an era for her, and come New Year, the clock would turn, and she would no longer be a woman of her twenties.
Yes, it shouldn’t have preyed on her the way it did, but by God, it stung a little to know that over a quarter of her life—provided she lived to be one hundred, anyway—was over.
And that was a scary notion to process.
Age being but a number, she still wondered what her life would’ve been like had she chosen a different path. It was true; she adored her job. As the lead florist at Hampshire Flowers, bringing joyful smiles to her customers’ faces when they picked up their arrangements gave her a sense of satisfaction. She loved being able to take nature’s best and brightest and work her own magic with the blooms.
But even with all the joy she helped spread, a searing loneliness zipped through her heart from time to time, making her crave something more from this life than working nine to five and coming home to an empty apartment, save her cat, Lilo.
Then again, she could play the ‘what if’ game until she was blue in the face, and it wouldn’t really matter.
At least it was a Friday, and she could go home, throw some leftovers into the microwave, and settle in to watch a Hallmark movie or two before bed.
Lilo was waiting for her patiently at the backdoor when she arrived. Plunking her keys down on the counter, she shrugged out of her scarf and coat, tossing them haphazardly down on a chair.
“At least I’m home for the weekend,” she said, rubbing Lilo’s head. She purred happily, rubbing her head against the palm of Maddie’s hand.
Maddie’s phone buzzed in her purse, and she rolled her eyes as she looked at the screen. David again. The message was the third one he’d sent in the last hour on the dating app, but apparently, he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. Something always seemed off about every person she met on there, and after three long months, it was safe to say she was over it.
Thoroughly over it.
Maybe I just need to delete this stupid app once and for all, she thought. It wasn’t as though it was doing her any good, anyway. Flipping open the app, she pulled open the cancelation screen, pausing for a moment before she hit the button to close the account. I think it’s for the best. Without another moment’s thought, she pushed the button and didn’t look back. She’d had more than enough of the dating scene, and enough was enough, at least for now.
Plus, she already had the perfect snuggling partner, anyway.
Monday Morning
Shrouded in a mess of blankets, Cole sat up and wiped the sleep from his weary eyes. Hints of daylight peeked through the gap the curtains, indicating yet another gray and gloomy December day.
Nothing new there, he supposed.
It wasn’t often that he had dreams, and on the rare occasion he would have one, by the time he woke in the morning, many of the details had deteriorated. Fragments of dreams would remain, but much of the thread work would be long forgotten.
But not today. This dream had been the exception to the rule and would stay in his mind forever. And perhaps it needed to, if for no other reason than to remind him to keep looking forward because happiness could be on the horizon.
I want you to be happy. I don’t want you to close your heart to love.
Heather’s words echoed in his mind. It had been three years since she’d been gone. Some days it felt like a lifetime. But on others, it felt like it had just happened yesterday.
But this dream was a first of its kind. She was giving him permission to let go; to let go of the pain he’d been holding in, and the fear that had been holding him back from fully enjoying life.
But could he?
Of that, he wasn’t sure. His phone rang on the nightstand, jolting him from his reverie. Of course, his mother would be up at this hour. Even as a retired woman, she still insisted on getting up at the crack of dawn.
“Mother? I’m a little surprised to hear from you this early.”
“Cole, this is your father. I’m sorry it’s so early, but your mo
ther’s in the hospital right now. I’m here with her. She fell and we think she might’ve broken her hip.”
Cole leaned back in bed and closed his eyes. What a crappy way for her to start her morning, he thought.
“How is she doing? Can you put her on the phone?”
Voices murmured in the background, but Cole couldn’t hear what they were saying.
“I’m sorry, Cole, but they’re taking her in for an x-ray now. I’ll have her call you when she can, okay?”
“Thanks, Dad. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
Despite the two-ton weight of anxiety settling on his chest, Cole sprang up from the bed and bumbled his way to the closet to throw on a sweatshirt and jeans. Even though the situation could’ve been far worse, a sense of urgency threaded through him, begging and pleading for his feet to move quicker.
At nearly thirty, the realization of his parents aging shouldn’t have hit him as hard as it did, but at moments like these, it was a painful reminder of the fact that none of them were getting any younger. The years were speeding by, yet there were still so many things Cole had hoped to have achieved by now.
But now wasn’t the time to get sentimental.
Now was the time to thank his lucky stars and be grateful for all he had, even if there were a few speed bumps along the way.
After a quick phone call to let his boss know he wouldn't be in, Cole set out to visit his mother. Despite the calm demeanor his father had over the phone, dread still settled in Cole’s stomach as he pulled into Parkhill Hospital’s lot. He’d been there a few times—thankfully, not any time recently—but even with all the signage around the complex, he wasn’t entirely sure he was in the right place.
Sparkling, gleaming floors greeted visitors entering the lobby, and the strong scent of fresh coffee filled the air. It was precisely the welcoming atmosphere needed in such a place where tensions were usually high.
And tensions were certainly high for Cole.
He glanced around the lobby, watching as an endless parade of people slipped in and out of the entrance. He hated to be here, hated the memories that came to his mind every time he thought about hospitals. The very mention of the word made him feel on edge, and there were still times where he woke to nightmares of being back in the hospital, watching the life drain from Heather’s face. It was a nightmare he wished he could escape. Forever.
But he needed to be here now. His mother needed him.
A young woman behind the large reception desk lifted her gaze as Cole approached. Even at such an early hour, her eyes were alert and cheerful. Must be nice to be a morning person, he thought. If only he could feel that same sort of zeal.
“I’m here to see Mrs. Melinda Phillips,” he said, his voice dry and raspy as though he hadn’t spoken in ages.
The receptionist smiled warmly, taking a sip of coffee from her mug. “One moment, please. Let me call up there and let them know you’re here.”
Taking a deep breath, he pushed his nagging thoughts of his past aside and made his way to the elevator. Now wasn’t the time for delving back into his memories of being there before. He took a deep breath, then pressed the button for the fifth floor. The ride up was incredibly fast, the momentum sending his stomach into a whirling tizzy. So much for staying calm, he thought.
Despite the dizzy feeling clouding his brain, he regained his footing and zoomed to his mother’s room. A wave of relief washed over Melinda’s face as she looked up to find her son standing in the doorway.
“Hi, honey.”
He rushed to her side, willing his anxiety to go away. “How are you feeling, Mom? How did the x-ray go?”
“Well, the doctor says it’s broken in two different places.”
“What were you doing when it happened?”
“Oh, I was coming down the ladder bringing some more of the Christmas decorations down and I lost my footing.”
Cole shook his head in bewilderment. “Mom, Christmas is practically here. I don’t think you needed any more decorations down.”
“I tried to tell her that before she went up there, but you know how your mother is,” his father, Edward, chimed in.
Melinda playfully rolled her eyes. “I know, what a shame to want to spread some more Christmas cheer.”
“I think we have any more cheer in our house, it’s going to explode,” Edward laughed.
“We’re hopefully going to have more information this afternoon,” Melinda added.
“Good, because we need to get you back on the road to recovery as soon as possible,” Cole said, squeezing his mother’s hand.
“Don’t worry, honey. I’m fairly certain I’m in good hands.”
After missing the first day of the workweek, getting back into the saddle proved harder than Cole had thought it would be. The first three hours of work had been consumed with playing catch-up with emails and phone calls and checking things off his never-ending to-do list.
The rest of the day had been flown by in a dizzying blur, and though Cole didn’t feel thoroughly exhausted, he was glad to see five o’clock roll around.
A knock at the door stole Cole’s attention, and he looked up to find Michael looming in the doorway.
“Cole, I need you to do one more thing for me, and I need it to be done before you leave today.”
Great. Yet another thing to add to my million-mile long list. Cole pasted on a fake smile. “Sure. What can I do to help?”
“I need you to swing by Hampshire Flowers this evening and pick up the floral arrangements for the party tomorrow.”
Cole blinked, wondering if he heard him correctly. “You want me to go pick up flowers?”
Well, that certainly hadn’t been what he’d been expecting.
Michael nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. “I would normally have Karen do it since she always takes care of odds and ends like that, but since she’s still out with the flu, I need someone else to do it.”
“And you thought I would be the best candidate for that, huh?” he asked, leaning back in his chair.
“Oh for God’s sake, Cole, it’s a quick trip to pick up flowers. I don’t need you to give me a bunch of grief about it.”
Cole ran a hand through his hair. “I guess I can handle it.”
“Good. By the way, I will see you there tomorrow, right?”
Cole shook his head. “I doubt it. You know these events aren’t really my thing.”
“Yeah, well, it would be nice for you to come out of your shell a little, even if it’s only for a little bit.”
Cole sagged in his chair, knowing that Michael would give him hell if he didn’t at least make an appearance. “All right, fine. I’ll stay for an hour or so. But that’s it. I’m not gonna stay out all night. And don’t give me a hard time about it tomorrow, either. Deal?”
“Deal. Now go get those flowers.”
♥ ♥ ♥
Cole hadn’t always kept his car in the most organized fashion. But considering it was about to be filled with an onslaught of floral blooms, now was just as good a time as any to do a quick de-cluttering before heading to the florist. He would need all the space he could get. Heaven only knew how many he’d be picking up, and he could’ve kicked himself for not asking more questions of Michael before he left.
It had been quite some time since he’d stepped foot in Hampshire Flowers, and he was fairly certain after picking them up, it would be a long time before he returned. Still, he felt as though he knew some of the people there, considering how often his mother raved and praised the little shop.
And how much she raved and praised Maddie Barnes.
He’d never met Maddie, not even once. Something about the way his mother talked about her made Cole feel like he’d known Maddie his entire life, and he wondered if he would finally get to meet the elusive woman tonight.
Not that it mattered, really.
Still, it didn’t stop his mind from wondering what Maddie was like. Was she tall? Was she short? Would she have a b
eautiful smile? Would she have a laugh that could cheer up a room? There were so many unanswered questions, and he couldn’t help but wonder.
Cole parked the car, then headed up to the front door. Through the window, a young, blonde woman stood, watering a poinsettia plant. She was oblivious to the outside world, tending to each plant with the utmost of care. Her lips, red as the flowers before her, were quirked in a slight smile.
At least someone was happy, Cole noted.
He turned the knob on the door, but the door was stuck, and he looked up only to find the closed sign on the door. He looked down at his watch. 5:30 right on the dot.
Then why in the world was the door locked when they still had a half-hour left in the day? He pounded on the glass, hoping to get her attention.
The woman looked up, nearly sprinting to the door.
“Hi, I am so sorry about that,” she said, flipping the sign around. She stood motionless for a moment, her gaze finally registering the handsome stranger before her. Tiny snowflakes speckled his thick, dark hair, and his eyes were a rich shade of brown. He smiled at her, sending a wave of warmth rushing from her head to her toes, and suddenly the need to dive into an ice cold bath was almost too much to bear.
“What can I help you with?” she asked, almost breathlessly.
For a few fleeting moments, he was at a loss for words. She was so beautiful. Could this be Maddie?
Dear God, he could only hope.
“Uh, I’m here to pick up an order for Slateman Steel, and I’d also like to pick up one of your pre-made arrangements, if I can.”
“Sure, I can help you with that. Wait right here.” He watched as she scurried off to the back room and began hauling the floral arrangements back up to the counter.
“Do you need any help?” he called after her.
Her Christmas Wish Page 1
