Summary:
Harrisburg Railers #13
An injury threatens to end Stan’s career. Will he choose to fight for his beloved hockey, or put his family first?
Few goalies are as dedicated as Stan Lyamin, known for his resilience on the ice, talking to his pipes, and his love of Elvis. Add in his adoration of his family and his life has been filled with all the things that bring him joy. However, after a heart-wrenching game ends with a disastrous hip injury, Stan faces the most challenging obstacle of his career: surgery, an extensive recovery, and the looming threat of retirement. It’s now that he has to decide which path to take: the one that will lead him back to the game he adores or the one that will see his jersey lifted to the rafters.
Erik and Stan, once invincible with the Railers, have always skated through life's challenges hand in hand. Their love story, cemented by a shared passion for hockey and the joy of raising their children, has been their shield against the world. But when their son Noah’s life is changed forever by a medical diagnosis, this forever love is put to the test. Erik turns to his husband for support, but Stan is consumed with guilt, overwhelmed by decisions, and retreats into himself when his family needs him the most.
I'm going to start with saying Family First may not be as much Xmas as some of the other Christmas Railers novellas but that didn't make it any less enjoyable and it certainly has a sense of seasonal spirit throughout even if the holiday isn't happening. For me, if there is even only one scene of Christmas in a book/movie/tv episode than it goes on my holiday list so Family First is all kinds of holiday yummy for this reader.
When it comes to series with multiple pairings I always have a hard time ranking my favorites because I enjoy them all but the first we're introduced to is 99.999% always my favorite, after that it's darn near impossible to rank. I can't lie though, there has always been something about Stan and Erik that cemented their place right behind Ten and Jared in Scott & Locey's Hockey Universe. As I've said before I don't know which author writes which character but whoever brings Stan to life, I'll be honest I read not only his verbal dialogue but also his internal voice with a Russian accent in my head. Is that a testament to the writing style or just the pure awesomeness of the character? I don't know but Stan definitely has a way of making himself heard.
As to Family First, there isn't as much actual hockey play in this holiday entry but we get to see not only Stan deal with a season ending injury and the aftermath that goes with healing and recovery but we also get to see it from the spouse's side as well. Too often we think of health issues in terms of only the one injured and/or ill so I am always on the lookout for stories that show the loved ones' perspective, the "healthy" one who feels helpless. Now that said, as my mom's 24/7 caregiver I am also super critical of how the healthy are portrayed. Having read stories dealing with injuries and illness from these authors before I wasn't too worried going in but it's still refreshing and heartwarming to read Erik's side of the journey. So for that alone, I offer up an extra special Kudos and Thank You to RJ Scott and VL Locey.
I make it sound like Family First is bogged down in heartache and all other negative aspects of injuries and recovery but it's not. Oh no, Scott & Locey have combined realistic hurt/comfort/healing with humor and hockey in the way we would expect from the pair and Stan Lyamin is still Stan, perhaps a bit morose at times with fear of his hockey future but still the man we all know and love.
Not to spoil anything but there just might be a few hints of yet more 2nd generation hockey-ness in the Scott/Locey Hockey Universe.
RATING:
Summary:
Boys In . . . #2
A collection of Clare London stories full of sweet, sexy romance, and boys seeking friendship, fun and inspiration.
A GOOD YEAR
It’s Joe and Duncan’s first Christmas as a married couple, and there are bound to be tensions, right? Joe’s a man of few words, unlike Duncan, but he loves his guy and is happy to let Duncan talk as much as he needs. He’s even resigned to the occasional argument. But when Duncan wakes him in the middle of the night, Joe hopes he has something more interesting to share than what gifts to buy.
LUCKY DIP
Andy Jackson always knew that class 2C’s help in preparing for the annual Christmas Fair would be a mixed blessing. Then he’s paired up on the Lucky Dip with Greg, the man who dumped him but now can’t keep away, the pupils are either lecturing him on his lovelife or losing bladder control, and no one’s fixed the broken handle on the storage room. It may all be one whoopee cushion too far for him.
SECRET SANTA
Seb and Jamie argue over most things, even in the season of presumed good will. When a totally unsuitable "Secret Santa" present for each of them causes even more tension, the hostility threatens to ruin the pleasant Christmas meal they had planned with friends. But there are strange forces at work tonight and both of them seem to be acting out of character. They find they're working together in the kitchen, sharing confidences, and admitting to feelings they never dared before - and cooking up something rather more exciting than food!
BAH, HUMBUG!
Drew hates the Christmas season – the noise, the crowds, the commercialism, the enforced jollity. But on one notable bus journey, his friend Joe finally speaks out against Drew’s grumpiness and, for Drew, things will never be the same again!
FIRST FOOTING
Caleb and Owen are all but living together, but one couldn’t call it a harmonious time. Owen likes things to be his way, and Caleb just likes to argue. Two alphas, crazy for each other, but reluctant to give ground. When a silly challenge over how a late Christmas card is addressed turns into something more personal, passion is the only thing left to distract them.
IN THE WEE SMALL HOURS
In the small hours of the morning, on opposite sides of town, Jake and Matty each seek a shoulder to cry on after a fierce argument. But when their long-suffering listeners have had enough, it's time for the guys to realize where they've gone wrong.
Lucky Dip
Original Review December 2018:
Clare London's Lucky Dip is a lovely fun holiday rom-com that will make you smile. It may seem cliche but sometimes happiness is all about timing and second chances can be hard to give so will Andy give Greg another chance? You'll have to read this little gem for yourself to find out but you won't be sorry. Lucky Dip might be short on quantity but it more than makes up for it in quality. I loaded this one up on my kindle last Christmas but unfortunately it got buried under all the other holiday tales I added, I'm glad I found it this year because it is a win-win from beginning to end.
Secret Santa
Original Review December 2018:
Clare London's Secret Santa is an absolute delight! I don't know if I would tag it "holiday rom-com" because for much of this short there is quite a bit of anger, okay maybe not "anger" but certainly a lot of feisty stubbornness between Seb and Jamie. Sometimes we need that last push to get everything off our chest so we can move forward and that is what Clare London has done with Secret Santa. Clearing the air can be highly invigorating if we listen as well as telling. Luckily for them(and for us) Seb and Jamie do listen and that is where the fun takes over😉😉. Just like the author's Lucky Dip that I reviewed a couple of days ago, Secret Santa found its way on my kindle last Christmas but got lost in the shelves and I am so glad I went looking through my list because this is a definite winner. Short on quantity but long on holiday packed quality that I would not have wanted to miss.
Summary:
We met when you were just a child, but you’re a man now and need my protection.
With Christmas Eve approaching, I’ll watch over you.
Whether you know it or not.
Because no one is allowed to hurt you.
No one but me.
At 20K words, He Sees You When You’re Sleeping is a twisted take on Santa, featuring M/M romance, horror, and the holiday season.
Original Audiobook Review October 2023:
Can't believe it's been 2 years since I read this novella. I loved it then and loved the audio now. I know I should have saved it for my Xmas listening but there's just something special about a dark, paranormal take on the sweet holiday that makes it perfect for the spooky, creepy Halloween season too.
This is the first time I've listened to an audiobook narrated by Blake Lockheart which can be almost as scary and anxiety-inducing as a new author but there was no reason to be. The narration is spot on and somehow makes the author's words even edgier and darker when needed and full of heart and care when called for.
I didn't think I could pull for Kris and Jack more than I did with my original read but the combination of Lockheart's voice and Bauer's words made my heart desire nothing but goodness for the pair 150%. Now He Sees You When You're Sleeping truly can become an annual holiday staple in the York household just as Dickens' A Christmas Carol is.
HOLY HANNAH BATMAN!!! How did I miss this last year? This is my first read from Sara Dobie Bauer but it won't be my last!
I won't say too much about He Sees You When You're Sleeping so not to spoil this short novella. I will say that I don't think I've ever read or seen such a unique and intriguing take on Santa Claus before which probably made me love it even more. He Sees You may not be the family oriented, animated classic, Hallmark brand of the man in the red suit that has dominated our Christmas memories but Sara Dobie Bauer's Kris will forever live on in my future holidays.
Despite the darker take on a holiday staple, you can't help but cheer for Kris and Jack, wanting them to have that Hallmark HEA but whether they do is something you will have to read for yourself. Trust me if you enjoy a little dark mixed with holiday light than He Sees You When You're Sleeping is definitely up your Christmas chimney.
Summary:
Single Dads #7
An abandoned baby, a poignant note from his long-lost twin, and unexpectedly, Jax’s world is turned upside down.
Despite being adopted by a loving family when he was a child, Jax feels part of his life is missing, and driven by dreams of his brother being in danger, Jax is consumed by his search for his biological twin. Shocked to find a surprise delivery on his doorstep, Jax discovers that not only is he an uncle, but apparently, he’s a legal guardian to baby Charlie. He calls on the unwavering support of his friends and family to solve the mystery surrounding the new arrival, but also finds help from an unexpected source—Arlo, the enigmatic bear of a man who works for him.
Arlo is no stranger to caring. When his parents passed, he dropped out of college to care for his siblings, working construction to pay the bills. With his brothers grown and having left home, it’s Arlo’s turn to live, but when the next stage of his life means owning up to his love for Jax, he can’t find the words to be honest about how he feels. The problem for Arlo is that he’s been in unrequited love with his boss for three years and can’t bear to not be part of his life. Is it too much to wish for a miracle to make Jax fall for him too?
Since it's Christmas I will keep this review a little shorter than usually, short, sweet, and to the point . . . nothing wrong with that😉.
As I've said with every entry in this amazing RJ Scott series, I find nothing sexier than men who care for kids, be it their own, a nIece/nephew, sibling, or any number of found family scenarios. Once again, Miss Scott did not disappoint.
In Miracle we see not only a single dad but also a man who stepped up and raised his siblings after losing their parents in a plane crash, and to complete the trifecta, the single dad also finds a package on his doorstep in the form of his long-lost twin's little boy, Charlie. I seriously think my heart exploded with all the yummy feels.
As much as I adored all the caring-for-kids feels in Miracle what really stood out was the fact that one of the men was a "bit soft in the middle". Arlo is an active man who just doesn't happen to have the too-often-used-in-fiction six pack. For me it's that "average-ness" of the character that pushes this series entry from great to brilliant.
Another thing about Arlo that really spoke to me was how his brothers see what he did as sacrificing his happiness and future to fill their parents shoes after their passing but to Arlo it was never about sacrificing or duty. He wanted to keep them together, would he have given anything to not be in that position with their parents untimely death? Of course, but he never saw it as giving anything up. As an only child and my mom's 24/7 caregiver, I've had people think I sacrificed my wants and needs but I have never felt that way, not once in the 30 years since I stepped into the caregiver role, I never felt it was a duty either, it was and still is where I want to be and like Arlo I'd give anything for my mom not to need me but knowing what I do keeps my parents together in their own home is more than enough to know I am where I need to be and RJ Scott does a wonderful job showing both sides of those thoughts through Arlo and his brothers interactions with Jax. A small moment in the men's journey in terms of page time but a huge factor for this reader. So for that, another huge Kudos and Thank You to RJ Scott.
There is just so much love in this story, from family to friends, to finding the courage to open your heart, Miracle really is all about the love.
The Kings: Treemendous Christmas #4
Life for Leopold de Loughrey is anything but ordinary. His meticulous and logical mind is both a gift and a curse, especially when it comes to finding a heartfelt present for his beloved fiancé, Ward Kingston. As Christmas and their first milestone anniversary draw near, Leo is eager to find the ideal gift that will perfectly capture their deep love and devotion.
When Colton surprises their family with an unforgettable Christmas vacation to Winterhaven, the possibilities that await in this enchanting holiday town stir Leo’s imagination, and with a few keystrokes, he discovers the town's mayor—a man who remarkably resembles Santa Claus himself.
Join Leo, King, and their Four Kings Security family as they embark on a shenanigan-fueled adventure filled with unyielding determination and boundless love to rescue the holiday season for Winterhaven, where Santa Claus may just hold the key to delivering the perfect Christmas.
Rebel Without a Claus brings Charlie Cochet's The Kings: Treemendous Christmas novella series to a close and as much as I was not ready for the end, I can't think of a better way to send off their first family holiday destination vacation. The Kings and the Boyfriend Collective not only helped Winterhaven have the Christmas their town is known for but they also each found a bit holiday joy they probably never knew was lacking. Seriously, what better way to bring a bit of ending and beginning to their journeys(a bit cryptic on my part but I don't want to spoil anything😉)?
In Rebel, we finally see what Leo has been sneaking off to Santa preparing all this time that has kept the rest of his family perplexed, even his beloved Kingston. I won't ruin any surprises so that's all I'll say on that front. I had an inkling that might be where all his Santa subterfuge was headed but with Leo you just never knew for sure where his mind was running to.
I will say that Rebel starts from the beginning about where Colton originally made plans for their trip to Winterhaven seen through Leo and King's eyes, which means a few elements are "rehashed" but never in so much detail you feel the author might be scrimping on pages to Leo and Kings story. Mostly this is all about them with some earlier points of reference so we can see just where Leo's mind is at the time of the first 3 entries.
As for the men? Leo and King are just as enjoyable as they were when I first read their beginnings back in Four Kings Security #4: Diamond in the Rough. If you had any doubts that these truly opposites attract would last, let me reassure you: there was no need. They are just as much an inseparable pair of gooeyness as they were then.
If you're looking for a holiday story that brings romance, friendship, heart, love, and humor than Cochet's The Kings: Treemendous Christmas is right up your alley. If you haven't read Four Kings Security or The Kings: Wild Cards I can safely say you won't be lost as I have not yet read Wild Cards and 2 of the couples here is from that series. I'm sure knowing the full journeys a couple of mentions and feels would have made a few scenes easier to connect to emotionally but I was never lost, I was never left saying "WTF?" I highly rec the original journeys(and yes Wild Cards is on my 2024 TBR Bucket List) as they are so much fun but not having read them yet will not lessen the entertaining value of this holiday collection.
Family First by RJ Scott & VL Locey
Prologue
“It’s always a thrill for us up here in the rafters to get a new member of the broadcast team, especially when that newbie employee is one of our Railers alumni. This man really needs no introduction to all the hometown fans watching us at home or streaming us on the Railers app, but I’m giving him one anyway. Let’s give a hearty Railers welcome to Max van Hellren.”
“Thanks, Dusky, it’s great to be able to be a part of the broadcast team. And congrats to you too on moving up from between the benches to being our new play-by-play man.”
“Aw, thanks, Max. While we were all saddened to see Chippy move on after his two-year stint here in the broadcast booth, we’re wishing him all the best of luck as he takes the reins as associate coach down in Washington. You played for a few years in D.C., Max, what do you think of this rebuild team that the Railers are going up against tonight?”
“Well, they’re young and fast, perhaps too young, Dusky? They’re boasting to one and all that they have the youngest roster in the league, which is wonderful in some regards but there is no contest for age and wisdom, especially when entering the first round of the playoffs as we are tonight.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Max. And to that point let’s sneak in our goalie comparison after one period while maintenance works on a lighting issue at the Railers end of the ice.”
“Yeah, I see tonight’s match-up in net as something that will prove my earlier point about experience in high stakes games. Rob Ralston is only twenty-four years old, and while he has done a great job helping his team get to this first round of the playoffs, he has zero postseason knowledge, and in warm-ups I could see his nerves. They were really evident in the first period, but he did settle down after facing some sound shots from the Railers offense. Now, on the other end of the ice, we have the veteran Stan Lyamin. Stan has been down this road more than a few times. Heck, he’s been there and bought the T-shirt.”
“Right you are, Heller, if you don’t mind me using your nickname?”
“Nope, call me what you want just don’t call me late for dinner. That’s a jokey thing my husband Ben and I have. I like to eat.”
“Ha! Well, you look well-fed and happy, Heller. It’s going to be an exciting game if we see Stan come into the series in good health. So far he’s looked good, and the word from the Railers goaltending coach, Pat Yannerman, who joined the team just this past fall, is that Stan is at one hundred percent. While he didn’t really have to do too much in that first period, he did look solid on his skates. But the past few years have taken their toll on the thirty-nine-year-old goalie. He’s suffered through some groin issues, as well as several undisclosed injuries that many are whispering might be hip problems. If Lyamin is feeling up to par I do not foresee this young Washington defense being able to shake him at all. But if he’s feeling his age, and you and I both know how that feels, Heller, he might be an easier mark for the sharpshooters Washington has brought to Harrisburg.”
“Ha, yeah, I can attest to that. I have the heart of a teenager and the body of an octogenarian. Ah good, we now have all the lights on so the second period can commence. Looks like the Railers are sending Tennant Rowe in to take the face-off, Dusky. A good move. Rowe has led the team in face-off wins all season, and tonight he’s already gone ten to one against the usually highly competent Pierre LaVou.”
“It’s always a joy to watch Rowe play. Second period underway. Washington starts with LaVou, Markson, and Kingcade with Bowman and Lyle on defense. Line-ups are flowing across the top of your screen courtesy of Truman Paint and Lumber, your premier paint supplier in the greater Harrisburg area. Lockhart picks up the puck and carries it down to the Washington end.”
“Lockhart has looked much better the second half of this season. Coming back from that shoulder surgery was a long haul but his play has improved tremendously. He’s now second in goals and assists on the Railers, right behind Tennant Rowe.”
“It’s hard for anyone to get past Tennant Rowe on those stat sheets, Heller. A solid shot on the Washington net sees the shot go up and out of play.”
“Man alive, did he ever wind that baby up. He just got a little tight on his skate there as he took the shot.”
“Both teams are quick on making substitutions tonight as some line juggling takes place to try to counter the strengths on the other team as play is about to resume.”
“I’m not sure Washington has a strong enough roster to counter the Railers first line, Dusky.”
“I guess we’ll see as the game goes on. Washington wins that faceoff, and they carry it down into the Railers end with speed. Maybe their coach lit a fire under them during intermission, Heller.”
“Hey, could be, I know my backside was charbroiled many a time when I was playing.”
“Williams dishes off to Prescott as they break into the Railers zone. Fetcher moves in for a scorching shot that Lyamin has to stretch to block, the shot going up into the netting to stop play yet again.”
“Lyamin is not getting up, Dusky. He’s still face down on the ice. That didn’t look like that hard of a move for the Railers goalie to make. Play is called as the Railers trainer heads onto the ice. Dang, you hate to see this. Lyamin is still down on the ice, his teammates gathered close to the crease as Paul Iman, the Railers head trainer for the past few years, tends to the net minder.”
“Let’s see a replay of that shot from Prescott and maybe we can see…Oh, oh, okay, see that extension Lyamin makes to move from the left of his crease to the right? I’m wondering if he didn’t pull another groin muscle on that move, Heller.”
“Hmm, could be, Dusky. The butterfly technique that so many of today’s goalies use transfers some big pressure to the hip joints. Hopefully it’s just a tweak and—”
“Looks like Bryan Delaney is gearing up. That is not good news for the Railers. I’d personally like to see Lyamin get to his skates and leave the ice on his own volition but he’s still not moving much other than his head, which is now free of his famed Elvis mask, and his hands. He seems to be in some real pain.”
“Yeah, they’re calling for the stretcher for him. Lyamin is the spirit of this team while Rowe is the heart. Let’s hope the problem is a minor one for our beloved goalie…”
Boys in Seasons by Clare London
Lucky Dip
“We’re not moving.”
I didn’t mean it to sound so aggressive. Really, I didn’t. Poppy and Benedict from 2C, plus Poppy’s little brother Tommy were working on the school hall floor at my feet, sitting cross-legged in a tangle of white crepe paper that was meant to be the basis of a snowy, Pyrenean mountain range but, at the moment, looked more like bandage supplies at the battle of the Somme. The rest of my team were working on the other side of our display table, bickering or giggling in turns. I’d only been allocated half a dozen of the younger pupils to help me out: the challenge had been in keeping them gainfully employed in creating separate scenes for Foods of the World.
Mrs Warren cleared her throat. “Mr Jackson, I welcome the full participation of all teachers, especially the newer members of staff, but as Head, I’m in charge of the Christmas Fair. It’s our major fundraiser every year, and as such, it’s important that tomorrow runs smoothly.”
“Of course it is.” I wished I didn’t blush every time she peered at me like that, like I was still one of her pupils.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Tommy’s big, round blue eyes flickering between us. I knew how it must look: two teachers, face to face over the top of his head. Our voices were raised and one of my fists had clenched with the tension. And Tommy hadn’t even started school yet.
“Mr Jackson, we need this area for the Lucky Dip barrel.”
“I’ve been setting up the display here all morning,” I said. “With 2C’s help. It’s their turn to be on duty for this display. They told me it’s always in this corner of the hall. Every year.”
Out of the corner of the other eye, I saw Amy nod her head quite firmly, as if she were part of the adults’ discussion. Poppy frowned, and the Sophies A and W both sniggered nervously. I suppose my tone may have sounded a little hysterical. It had been a very long Friday and it wasn’t even lunch time yet. Tommy stared at the girls around him, but then turned swiftly back to his task of peeling his fingers off the safety scissors. It looked like they’d been dipped in the pot of glue. I had no idea if that had been an accident or otherwise. I didn’t even remember agreeing to babysit Tommy for Poppy’s mother while she worked on Arts and Crafts, though between her and the Head, it seemed to be a done deal.
Elvira Warren’s gaze drifted to the crown of my head. She reached up and took a long strip of shredded paper out of my hair.
“Weeping willow, Chinese culture. Recreation of,” I said. I wasn’t making much sense, but 2C and I had been working on the papier-mâché backdrop of the world in miniature since early morning.
“They eat chicken’s feet in China, you know.” Amy brandished a garishly-pink plastic chicken and groped for the scissors. In the confusion of transferring them from Tommy’s sticky hands to Amy’s, Sophie A somehow stabbed her thumb and started up a wail.
Mrs Warren glanced down and grimaced. “I think the children need direction.”
“I think,” I said, not thinking first, “they need reassurance.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Thank you for your input, Andy. I’m not sure you should always take what 2C says as entirely accurate.”
“But sometimes, I should.” I winced. God. How to impress the boss in two clumsy lessons. “Sorry. I mean, if I sounded…”
But Mrs Warren smiled. “It’s all right, I take your point. 2C may keep this corner for the Fair. But you’ll have to share it with the Lucky Dip.”
I was sure I heard a whispered “yay” from Tommy, though hard to say over the level of background noise in the school hall. “I’m sure we can manage it as well…”
“Which will be run by Mr Canbury, like last year.”
I swallowed hard. “He’s not exactly a parent.”
“He’s in loco parentis, Mr Jackson. An uncle, and a volunteer. And we’re very grateful for them, aren’t we?”
“Of course. But I’d rather not…” I took an awkward step backwards, knocking against the box of plastic fruit and vegetables on our display table. Helplessly, I watched as it toppled off the edge and tipped over on to Poppy’s head. A bunch of neon green grapes landed on her shoulder and a baguette the colour of a pumpkin thumped into her lap. She and Sophie W, inseparable at the best of times, started up a joint wail this time, hopefully more from shock than injury. Tommy started giggling.
By the time I’d scooped up the box, Mrs Warren was on her way across the hall to the Fancy Dress stall. She called back over her shoulder. “You and Mr Canbury have worked events together many times, haven’t you? I remember last summer’s Jamboree, then Firework Night, although you unfortunately had to leave early when you singed your hair. And that Quiz Night when you…” She paused.
I groaned inwardly. “I just gave the tea urn a little knock. The tap seemed to be stuck. And no one was burned that badly.”
Mrs Warren was distracted by another member of staff, beckoning her over. “You and Greg Canbury work well together. You make a good couple. I’m sure I can leave it all in your capable hands.” She paused again and glanced back at me. A small frown line appeared between her brows. “Well, Mr Canbury will be over soon, I hope.”
“Mr Jackson?” Amy tugged at my jacket. “Benedict’s got his finger stuck in one of the onions. Are you in trouble with Mrs Warren?”
“No, Amy, there’s no trouble.”
Her little nose wrinkled. She looked older than her almost-seven years and decidedly unconvinced. “Tommy says he has to pee.”
“That’s fine, Poppy can take him –”
“Now,” she interrupted. “He says he has to pee now. He’s going to do it in the top of your model of the Eyefully Tower.”
“What? Tell him to stop that right n–”
“Too late,” said a low, male, and very adult voice at my ear, a flicker of amusement in its tone. “But I’m on my way to save France’s national treasure.”
I turned my head to see Greg Canbury smiling at me, his expensive designer, I’m-a-city-trader shirt tight across his chest, his skin smelling faintly of expensive aftershave, and – rather incongruously – a large dishcloth and bucket in his left hand. He stuck the right hand out in front of me, demanding I shake it.
“Good to see you again, Andy.” He gripped my palm and leaned in closer. “And sharing such close quarters.”
God knows why it made me shiver: the hall was far from cold. “Look, Greg…”
“On our Christmas stalls, I meant.” His laugh sounded nervous. He didn’t let go of my hand.
“Sir,” Amy cried in the background. “Tommy says he’ll do the Targy Marl next.”
Greg looked puzzled.
“The Taj Mahal,” I explained. “Took me three evenings’ work and a month’s worth of empty cereal boxes to create.”
“Sir, Mr Jackson, sir!” Amy shrieked.
Both Greg and I leapt into action, me grabbing Tommy who was just pushing down his school shorts, and Greg waving the cloth, ready to clean up any spillages. For the next few minutes we were kept busy either scolding or scouring, no time for any other conversation. After all, my only concern was in guaranteeing tomorrow’s smooth-running school event, wasn’t it?
I sneaked more than a few sideways looks at Greg Canbury as we brought things back under control. Trouble was, I suspected if I had to share a stall with him, even for a couple of hours, this corner of the hall would need more than crepe paper bandages to deal with the wounded.
Yours for the Holiday by DJ Jamison
Jason Hendricks threw his duffel bag on the neatly made bed and looked around the small bedroom that would be home over his Thanksgiving break. He’d joined the Wells family at their cabin — a structure so quaint it could be an advertisement for Lincoln Logs with its thick timber beams and huge stone fireplace.
Jason wasn’t in a guest room, but the small space that had long ago been designated for Remy Wells, his best friend’s younger brother. He was kind of like Jason’s little brother too. They’d all grown up together in Chicago, and Jason had spent more time with the Wells than his own family down the block.
Remy must be missing another holiday, or Jason wouldn’t have been given his room. Usually, he crashed with Derek — they’d been best friends since third grade — but Remy’s older brother had brought a girlfriend home for the holidays for the first time.
The room was tidy, with only a dresser and a few tasteful landscapes that Jason assumed were chosen by Remy’s parents years ago. The small patch of floor next to the bed would be Jason’s for the foreseeable future. At least it was covered in a thick, shaggy throw rug that would keep him from freezing too badly.
He examined a framed picture of Remy perched on the dresser. He hadn’t seen the younger Wells brother in three years. Between Jason’s obligations as a firefighter — which often required working shifts on holidays — and drama with his own family, hot mess that they were, he couldn’t make every Wells family function. And he knew Remy didn’t make every holiday either, between road trips with friends and meeting the relatives of boyfriends.
Boyfriends like the blond, shaggy-haired fool in the photograph with Remy. Jason studied Remy’s likeness: dark hair, dark eyes, delicate features set in an elegant face. He was gorgeous, and most likely too good for that schmuck beside him in the picture. Jason would have to ask some questions about this boyfriend. Do his duty as a pseudo big brother.
The door opened, and as if his thoughts had been rendered into life, Remy walked in, rolling a giant suitcase behind him.
“Ugh, can you believe we have to share a room? Crazy that Derek finally got serious about someone. I never thought I’d see the day.”
Jason normally would have chimed in with a joke here, but he was too busy gaping at Remy in stunned amazement. When Marjory Wells told him to take Remy’s room, he’d assumed the younger brother wasn’t coming for Thanksgiving. Now, he was face-to-face with Remy for the first time since the guy was nineteen years old.
Remy had been gorgeous at nineteen too, of course. Jason’s eyes had been drawn to Remy’s face since he hit puberty. But now? He’d matured in the past three years. Remy was still slender, still a good three inches shorter than Jason at five feet ten inches tall. But his shoulders were broader, his biceps defined enough to be visible through his long-sleeved Henley, and he’d finally grown a layer of stubble that was sexy as hell.
Remy flopped onto the bed with a tired groan. He turned his head, eyeing Jason’s duffel next to him. “I hope you don’t think you’re sleeping in my bed.”
Jason’s body flushed with heat at the idea. If only …
“Bad enough I have to share a room with you,” Remy continued. “I’m not sleeping on the floor. That’s all you, JJ. If you don’t like it, you can fight one of the cousins for a couch.”
Jason’s chest warmed to hear his nickname after so many years. When they were kids, Remy had learned Jason’s middle name was Jeremiah — and how much he hated it because it sounded like a “Bible name” — and started calling him JJ as a taunt. No one else took it up; somehow it became Remy’s special name for him, and Jason secretly loved it. He also loved that he ranked above the cousins in the Wells’ family social strata, because in his opinion, rooming with Remy was worlds above sleeping on a sofa in the family room of the little three-bedroom cabin two hours’ drive from Chicago.
“Aw, I missed you, too,” he cooed.
Remy looked up in alarm, probably hearing the note of mischief in Jason’s voice. But he was too slow to escape. Jason dragged him up from the bed and into a bear hug. He squeezed him tight, growling obnoxiously. His own well-muscled frame, enhanced by the rigorous duties of a firefighter, allowed him to manhandle Remy with ease. Lugging people around wasn’t usually this much fun, but it was essential in rescue situations.
“Jason!” he yelled, squirming to break free.
Heck yeah, Remy could rub all over him any day of the week. He’d have to find a few more reasons to wrestle with his favorite “little brother.” Then again, given how his cock was taking interest in Remy, maybe he should stop thinking of him as a little brother.
“Put me down,” Remy demanded. “I’m not a kid anymore!”
Jason released him with another growl and a quiet murmur in his ear. “You’re definitely not a kid, Remy.” He drew back and shook out his arms. “Damn, how much weight have you put on?”
Remy punched him in the shoulder. He was stronger than he looked, and the hit had some force behind it. Damn. Jason wasn’t about to let on that it hurt, so he laughed. “Nice to see you too.”
“You’re always such an asshole.”
Jason shrugged. “Just being myself.”
Remy smiled reluctantly, and Jason couldn’t get over how much he’d changed. Remy had always had good bones, but the full force of his attractiveness didn’t come out until he was older. He’d been gangly and awkward in his early teen years, but he’d grown into his body around seventeen and Jason suddenly had trouble looking at anyone else in the room. He’d been sideswiped by his interest in Remy, having dated only girls. He didn’t go to college, so he missed out on the typical drunk college experimentation, but eventually he’d come to terms with being bisexual. As usual, he was slow to catch on.
Unfortunately for Remy, those confusing years had led Jason to act in a less than mature manner. He tended to turn into an asshole anytime someone called attention to Remy as a way of deflecting. As his attraction grew, Jason put all his energy into treating Remy like a kid brother. He teased him to the point of tears, pulled pranks that made Remy crazy angry, and behaved like an all-around butthead. In turn, Remy had given him the cold shoulder — which only made Jason tease him more to get his attention — and matched Jason prank for prank.
Clothes were sabotaged; embarrassing photos were taken; shoelaces were tied together; and water was splashed over sheets to create the illusion of wetting the bed, and the list went on and on. It had turned into a rivalry between them. One full of animosity, but on Jason’s part at least, also admiration. He loved Remy like family — he loved all the Wells — and he always would.
Remy lugged his huge suitcase onto the bed and unzipped it. “Well, fun as this reunion has been, I’m going to hit the shower.”
“Holy hell, are you moving in, Remy?” Jason joked. It looked like Remy had enough clothes for a three-week stay, rather than a three-day one.
“Very funny.”
Remy flung open the suitcase, and Jason watched him pull out a T-shirt and sweats. But his attention stalled on the underwear. Holy fuck, those briefs were tiny.
He reached out and picked up a scrap of red silk and held it outstretched on each finger.
“Are you a stripper now?”
Remy would make a fucking fantastic stripper. Jason was willing to bet he was a good dancer. He probably hit the gay clubs and gave those guys a show that would be the stuff of Jason’s fantasies.
Remy snatched the underwear from his hand. “Give me that!”
He kept the briefs with his pile of clothes to change into and zipped the suitcase closed.
“Don’t even think of going through my stuff while I’m gone. If I find out you’ve paraded my underwear all over the house …”
“What, Remy?” Jason asked. “What are you going to do about it?”
Yeah, that’ll impress him. Good one, Jason.
The two of them had operated in adversarial roles for so long that antagonizing each other came naturally. But Jason wasn’t a teenager threatened by his own sexuality anymore. He was no longer interested in the immature warring of boys. He hoped this visit could change their dynamics to something friendly.
Just friendly, though.
As hot as Remy was, he was still off-limits, seeing that guy in the photo with the dumb hair and the smug smile. And even if he wasn’t, he was Derek’s little brother. Totally forbidden fruit. His gaze skimmed over Remy’s body once more, lingering on the fit of his jeans.
But tasty, I bet.
Remy shook his head with a weary sigh, completely unaware of Jason’s inner lust monologue. He seemed almost sad, though Jason couldn’t put his finger on what made him think that. Maybe the tightness around his mouth or the shadows in his eyes.
“Nothing, JJ. Have a blast. I’m not going to let you bother me anymore.”
Remy started toward the door, the red briefs still in his stack of clothes. Jason’s stomach clenched at the idea of Remy wearing that sexy underwear under his sweats.
“I wouldn’t mess with your underwear,” he blurted.
Remy glanced back over his shoulder. His lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. “No?”
“Like you said, we’re not kids anymore.”
Remy nodded, eyes still a bit wary.
“And that underwear is no joke,” he added, watching Remy’s expression. “It’s crazy sexy. I look forward to watching you in those sweats, knowing you’re wearing those tiny red briefs underneath.”
Remy’s mouth dropped open.
“Have a good shower,” Jason added with a grin.
Remy huffed and whirled back to open the door. He disappeared into the hall, muttering under his breath about straight men and their mocking. He was wrong on two counts. Jason wasn’t straight, and he wasn’t mocking. He was 100 percent turned on.
Remy might be forbidden fruit, but that didn’t mean Jason couldn’t rattle him without a single touch. In fact, it was better that way. He could release some of his pent-up attraction without the fallout of sleeping with his best friend’s little brother.
He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Sara Dobie Bauer
He went by Kris, although little children knew him by another name. When December 24 arrived, so did the woman in black, her face always hidden by a hood. Together, they would spend a night of toil that felt much longer than only one night. They had spent Christmas Eve together for decades, maybe more. Kris wasn’t clear on time. The only thing clear was his annual duty: walk the world every Christmas Eve, protect children, and leave gifts for the ones who believed.
There weren’t as many believers anymore; several houses didn’t glow as Kris walked a poor street on the outskirts of New York City. Sadly, most of the small houses were dark, which meant the children who lived there no longer awaited the entity known as “Father Christmas.” That meant Kris could pass by those homes. He and the woman in black had no time for unbelievers.
They stopped in front of one house, though, and Kris tilted his head to the side, curious. The house was ramshackle, probably built in the 1970s or early 80s. Bright white snow sat heavily on the roof—at least six inches—and Kris wouldn’t have been surprised if the roof caved in. He was impressed the house still stood at all with its decrepit, cracked siding; one broken window, covered in thick paper and tape; and not a single Christmas light.
Yet, the house …
It didn’t glow, per se. It flickered. Kris couldn’t remember seeing anything like it, and although his ageless memory was vast, he knew it couldn’t be trusted. There was a big, empty space in his life before he became “Kris.” He remembered nothing before that one Christmas Eve when he woke up and started walking with the woman in black, visiting all the houses that glowed—so many back then. So few now.
Why did this house flicker, like an aged light bulb about to go out?
He didn’t bother asking his companion for answers. In all their time together, the woman in black never spoke. When Kris approached the front door, made of scraped and weatherworn wood, she followed. Kris took them to The Other Place where they couldn’t be seen. Then, they walked through the front door.
As soon as they entered the cramped foyer, Kris smelled cigarettes and heard shouting. A child cried, “Run! Go!” followed by the sound of furniture being knocked over.
An adult voice joined the hubbub: “You little shit.”
Kris actually startled at the vicious smack of flesh hitting flesh. Then, the echo of a body hitting the floor. The misleading quiet swish of bodies in an altercation. The child cried out again just as Kris turned a corner, and the woman in black lingered behind, as usual.
Kris entered a living room with a threadbare couch, cheap TV, and dark fireplace. An overflowing ashtray was knocked over, spilled beside a three-legged coffee table held up by a stack of phone books.
Invisible to all present, Kris ground his teeth at the scene as a father knelt above his son, who couldn’t have been older than ten, and smacked him repeatedly, while the child flailed his skinny arms to no avail.
The father kept cussing, mumbling to himself, and Kris smelled alcohol from where he stood. A soft whimper caught his attention. In the back corner, beneath a kitchen table, two children—smaller than the one being attacked—stared in horror but remained hiding. Apparently, this was a usual occurrence, their bigger brother defending them by accepting the brunt of their father’s ire.
Kris’s heart ached.
After one more solid whack, the drunken dad pointed in the boy’s face.
The boy bled from his mouth but didn’t shed a tear.
“That’s what you get for asking for a goddamn fire because it’s Christmas.” The word came as a taunt. “Christmas ain’t even real, you fucking halfwit. It’s just another useless day.” Then, the father pushed to his feet and wove across the room unsteadily before disappearing down a dark hall.
It took a moment for the child on the floor to sit up, but he did eventually, dark hair a mess. He wiped his bleeding face on the sleeve of an oversized flannel shirt with a hole in the elbow. Kris recognized the boy, although on previous Christmas Eves, he had never looked so malnourished, so sick.
After a silent moment, the two other children exited their hiding spot and joined their brother in the center of the room.
The little girl, hair in a messy ponytail, said, “Told you,” and poked her brother in the knee.
He didn’t acknowledge her, just stared into the empty fireplace.
“Yeah,” the other child said. Although probably no older than six or seven, he had a rough appearance as though he’d spent several years living on the street.
The smaller children recovered fast and left, probably off to their bedrooms to play. Kris hated how fast they recovered, because it meant this third child—the elder child who had protected them—received beatings often. And no one cared.
Kris observed as the bleeding boy continued staring into the fire with his arms wrapped around his bent knees. That was when he noticed.
It was this boy who flickered. This boy had called Kris into the house.
With a snap, Kris produced a fire in the fireplace, and the child skidded backwards across the warped wooden floor. Then, Kris wrapped the boy safely in The Other Place and sat at his side. Kris might have expected some kind of reaction—a scream, perhaps, which was why he’d wrapped them in the place where no one could see or hear them until Kris allowed.
But the child didn’t scream. He looked at Kris, at the fire, and glanced over his shoulder down the hall.
“No one will bother us,” Kris said quietly.
The kid wrinkled his nose. “Shit, he must have hit me really hard this time.” The profanity sounded extra ugly coming from the mouth of someone so young.
“Does your father hit you a lot?” Kris asked. He felt huge next to someone so small and frail. He wondered when the child had last eaten.
The boy winced. “That’s not my father.” He shrugged. “I don’t know my father. Frank is just my foster asshole.” He wiped a drop of blood from the side of his mouth with his thumb. “Who are you anyway?” Reflected flames danced in his wide eyes, green as a freshly cut pine tree.
“Father Christmas.”
The child’s head whipped toward him. “What? Like, Santa?”
“Yes.” Kris nodded. “And you believe in me.”
Miracle by RJ Scott
“No… mumble…” he cursed again.
This time, I tugged on his leg to get him out of the cupboard. “Out!”
He unfolded himself from where he’d been lying and propped himself up on his elbows. There was a smudge of paint over his left eyebrow, the same snowy white as the streaks in his steel gray hair. He was only thirty, but like his dad, his dark hair had lightened to salt and pepper when he hit puberty. His gray was as much part of him as his gorgeous eyes, and yes, I stared at him a lot.
When he wasn’t looking of course.
“What were you trying to say in there? Did you find something?”
“No.”
I sighed with relief. “So, what was all the mumbling about?”
“I can’t come over tonight,” he admitted, and couldn’t quite meet my gaze.
“What? Why?”
Wait, could I even ask that question? That wasn’t the kind of thing a boss asks the man who works for him, right? Arlo was under no obligation to spend time with me, but on the weekends when I didn’t have my girls staying, he would always come to my place on a Friday. We’d have beer, and he’d stay over in my spare room after we’d talked until late.
It was our thing.
“Are you okay?” I placed a hand on his knee to let him know I was there for him. He moved his knee, shrugged my touch away, and I wasn’t stupid, there was something off about all of this. “Are you ill? Shit, is something wrong with one of your brothers?”
“No, and no.” Arlo shimmied up, then leaned against the sink cupboard. “It’s just, I have this thing.”
“What thing?”
He stared at me and seemed to be steeling himself to give me bad news, so I sat my ass on the floor and crossed my legs. It couldn’t be too awful because, yes, he seemed distracted, but not completely miserable, so my first guess was it had something to do with his brothers—they were the only reason he’d skip what had become our regular thing. Although, why would any of that affect our standing date-slash-non-date, I didn’t know.
“What thing?” I repeated and poked him to encourage a smile.
He wouldn’t quite meet my gaze, and again, he moved away from my touch. That never happened—Arlo was a big cuddle monster, a soft bear of a man who was tactile and open with his feelings. His heart was so pure, so freaking full of love that sometimes, he couldn’t even contain it and would hug me so hard I couldn’t breathe.
He bit his lip, a typical Arlo habit when he was stressed. This was at odds with him saying everything was okay.
“Ihaveadate,” he blurted in one long run-on sentence, then dipped his gaze, and I swear his face was scarlet.
I slowed down the words to parse their meaning.
I. Have. A. Date.
“You’ve got a what now?” I asked after a pause; not sure I was hearing right.
He cleared his throat and, at last, held my gaze. For a moment, I was lost in watching him tug at his gray hair and seeing the uncertainty and nerves in his intriguing gray eyes. “A date,” he repeated in a softer almost apologetic tone.
Of all the things he could tell me, why was it something that was going to make me spin out?
Since when did Arlo date? He’d told me point-blank that being responsible for his two younger brothers, plus working for me, was enough without contemplating dating. I’d taken that at face value and almost settled into that sweet spot where we could be friends and I could lust from afar, ignoring the unrequited everything I had going on.
The last thing he needed, or should expect, was for me to ask why he was going on a date. Don’t ask. Don’t freaking ask.
“Why?” Shit. I couldn’t help myself.
He shot me one of his affectionate, patient smiles. One of the cute ones that made his eyes sparkle with mischief. Or something.
“Just because…” He sighed. “Sutton left for college, and now… I’m ready to move on. I need to date.” He stared at me.
I tried to read his expression and the determination in his tone. “Date,” I repeated.
A familiar smile teased his lips. “Trace downloaded this app thing, and I swished or swiped or whatever, and then, someone matched me, so I’m meeting this guy called Wilton tonight.” In one sentence, he threw open all my tightly checked emotions and ripped apart my ordered world.
Apparently, he was ready to date.
Date other people.
Rebel Without a Claus by Charlie Cochet
Chapter One
Why was life filled with so many difficult decisions? What if he made the wrong choice and immediately regretted it? It would be too late to undo what he’d done. He could never go back and make the right choice. Was there a right choice?
When Red had told him he had a surprise waiting for him at Colton and Ace’s house, Leo never expected this. So much hung in the balance!
King wrapped his arms around Leo and rested his head on Leo’s shoulders. “Sweetheart, do you need help?”
Leo frowned. “I’m at an impasse, King. I’ve weighed the pros and cons, and can’t guarantee I won’t regret the decision I make, and then what? I know it’s not as if the fabric of the universe itself will unravel should I choose poorly, but I’ll have regrets, King. Serious regrets that could haunt me for the rest of time!”
The rumbling of King’s laugh against his back told Leo that perhaps he was overthinking.
“Yeah, okay. Do I want to eat the Goldfish cracker-shaped Christmas cookie with the Santa hat and scarf? Or the one with the red nose and reindeer antlers?”
“Well, the Santa one is cute,” King said. “But you chuckle every time you see the reindeer one, so maybe eat the Santa one and save the reindeer one for later?”
Leo turned his head and kissed King’s cheek. “That’s a logical decision. Thanks.”
“My pleasure.” King stood and kissed Leo’s cheek, then eyed him. “How many of those have you had?”
Leo slipped the reindeer cookie into his cardigan’s front breast pocket. He blinked at King as he took a bite of the other cookie. “Um….”
“Leo.” King arched an eyebrow at him.
Uh oh. The eyebrow was up. It was a very sexy eyebrow, but when it was up, King meant business. Still.... Leo glanced at the cookie plate on the counter filled with Goldfish cracker-shaped Christmas sugar cookies. “But King, Red baked these just for me, and then Laz painstakingly decorated each one, just for me. I can’t let their hard work go to waste. Think of the children!”
“What?”
“Oh, the humanity!” Leo gasped and pointed behind King. “Is that Ace rappelling down the side of the house?”
“What?” King turned, and Leo swiped a couple more cookies before darting off. “Hey!”
Dang! He should have known he wouldn’t make it far. He’d just made it to the hall when King grabbed him around the waist and lifted him off his feet. Leo flailed. Why did his boyfriend have to be so big and strong? Mm, big and strong. No! Focus! Cookies are at stake!
“But it’s Christmas,” Leo said. “It’s a time when you get to eat all the things, and there are no consequences! It’s science!”
King put Leo on his feet, turning him so he could slip his arms around Leo. He nodded, his blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “Oh, really? Science, huh? And what did science do the last time you had too much sugar?”
Double dang. “Betrayed by science,” Leo grumbled, his eyes narrowed. He huffed. “I might have gotten a little hyperactive. Only a tiny bit, barely noticeable.”
“Hm. Barely noticeable. I’m pretty sure when you ran through the park with your shirt off screaming, ‘Murderous snails! Run for your life!’ people noticed.”
Not his proudest moment. “But was I wrong? Freshwater snails have caused more deaths than sharks, lions, and bears combined, King. Two hundred thousand a year!” He narrowed his eyes. “They’re silent, tiny killers.” A terrifying thought occurred to him. “What if the government decides to weaponize them?”
King held out his hand. “The cookies.”
“Eight.”
King barked out a laugh. “No way. Four.”
“Six,” Leo countered.
“Four.”
“Five and a tail?”
“Four.”
“I don’t think you understand how negotiation works,” Leo grumbled, handing over the extra cookies. “Fine. But I was doing those families a favor. Not my fault some of them couldn’t handle the truth.”
“You mean the children?” King’s smile was wicked. “Oh, the humanity.”
Leo gasped, and King laughed on his way back to the kitchen to return the fishy cookies to whence they came. And that’s why he was going to marry that man. He had no idea when or how, but he’d figure it out.
The rest of the guys arrived, and Leo smiled when Fitz hurried over to hug him. Fitz gave the best hugs. After King, anyway. Once he’d hugged Fitz, he gave Duchess lots of pets and ear scratches. When she decided she’d had an appropriate amount of pets, she trotted off to greet everyone else.
“Where are they?” Jack asked, sitting on the couch and pulling his laptop out of his backpack.
“Joker and Gio are in the garage with Ace, Colton, and the dogs,” Leo replied, leaning over the back of the couch. “I don’t think Ace’s logic is sound.”
Lucky snorted as he walked to the kitchen. “This is Ace we’re talking about. Logic happens very rarely.”
“Who else would cancel the team of professional decorators and decide to decorate his mansion himself?” Fitz asked, as he settled on the couch next to Jack. He drew up his legs, and Duchess bounded over. She hopped up and snuggled against Fitz.
The sliding door opened, and Gio stepped inside with Cookie. He closed the door behind them and greeted everyone before taking a seat on the couch opposite Jack and Fitz.
King sat next to Gio and gave him a knowing look. “How’s the decorating going?”
Gio huffed out a laugh. “I’m not sure how Ace and Sacha manage to turn something like untangling Christmas lights into a competitive sport, but there you go.”
“Sounds about right,” Jack muttered.
Red and Laz sang along to Christmas songs in the kitchen while Lucky told Mason about the evils of tinsel. A short time later, Ace, Colton, and Joker came inside.
Chip saw Leo and lost his furry mind. He ran straight for Leo, and Leo scratched him all over before starting their game of tag. Joker joined in, and then Cookie and Duchess. Good thing there was plenty of room! Leo had just tagged Chip when Ace called out across the room.
“Everyone shut your pie holes!”
Well, that was certainly one way to get everyone’s attention. Leo snickered and walked back to the couch, standing to one side, and leaning against it.
Colton sighed. “Not what I had in mind, love, but thank you. I wanted to let you all know how thankful I am to have you in my life. You’ve been more of a family to me than my own blood, but you already knew that. I love you all so much.”
Aw, that gave Leo warm and fuzzy feelings all over.
“We love you too, Colt,” Fitz called out.
Leo nodded his agreement.
“Okay, so I’ve been thinking about having a white Christmas for the longest time.”
Wouldn’t that be something? Leo had never had a white Christmas. Had he? Not that he could remember. Did frost on the lawn count as snow? Probably not. Pay attention. Right. Colton was talking.
“Something Ace said gave me an idea. I thought having a special holiday season might be nice for our new family. With that in mind, I have a surprise for everyone.” Colton tapped at his phone, and everyone’s phone pinged. “Check your emails.”
Leo took his phone out of his pocket and checked his email. He tapped on what looked like a reservation confirmation for a luxury family cabin in…Winterhaven? Where was that?
“What’s Winterhaven?” Lucky asked.
Leo pulled up his browser and did a quick search. Loads of information popped up on the picturesque mountain town. So many photos. That was a lot of nature. Leo wasn’t very outdoorsy. Mostly because he questioned his survival skills. Unlike King, who could probably build a raft out of twigs and dental floss.
“We’re going to have a white Christmas!” Colton said excitedly.
Then again, the cabin looked fancy. And huge! He went back to his search, and all kinds of information came up about the town’s yearly festivities, the biggest and best being their Christmas holiday season. Clicking on one of the websites, he smiled. It was so pretty! So many lights and decorations and all that snow. The market square looked amazing.
King frowned. “This schedule says from tomorrow until the end of December. Colton, we can’t take that much time off.”
While King and Ace discussed whether they could take the time off, Leo did some quick research on Winterhaven. Leo wasn’t great at coming up with gift ideas, and usually, he turned to the guys to help him. But this year was different. He wanted to give King something really special.
In a few weeks, it would be five years since they started dating. Maybe Leo could find what he was looking for in Winterhaven? He clicked on a link about the town’s mayor.
Leo gasped. “Santa’s there.” He lifted his gaze to King. “I want to go.”
Everyone looked to King, who smiled warmly. “Sweetheart, he’s not—”
“Actually, Santa,” Leo said. “I know that. He’s the mayor. But he looks like Santa, and according to my online search results, Winterhaven is the perfect small-townChristmas destination. It’s famous for its holiday festivities.” If anyone could help him come up with the perfect Christmas gift for King, it was Santa! Or, at the very least, the mayor of a town known for its Christmas celebrations.
Joker snorted. “Damn. The mayor does look like Santa. That’s an impressive beard.”
“So beautiful,” Laz said.
Leo continued to click around several websites. The more he saw of the town, the more excited he got. This was perfect!
“What do you guys say?”
At Ace’s words, Leo lifted his gaze. The guys had never been away from the office for any length of time. Not all of them at once, anyway. But it wasn’t like they didn’t have anyone who could run the place.
“How about it, big guy?” Ace asked King. “Ready for the perfect Christmas?”
King looked at Leo, who smiled brightly.
Please, please, please, Ward!
As if reading his thoughts, King let out a sigh and smiled. “You’re right. We have a great team. They’ll be okay without us for a few weeks.”
Leo cheered and ran to King, throwing his arms around him and kissing him. With a chuckle, King returned his kiss.
“You’re really excited about this, huh?” King asked.
Leo nodded fervently. “This is going to be awesome.”
As soon as he was able, he’d find Santa and figure out the perfect Christmas present for King, something that showed him a glimpse of how much Leo loved him. Time to launch Operation King’s Christmas! All he had to do now was get packed for an extended Christmas vacation, and tomorrow, they’d be on their way to Winterhaven! Easy peasy.
At least that’s what he thought before boarding the jet, and Colton told them how long the flight was. Almost four hours? What was he supposed to do on a flight that long? He’d been so focused on everything else that he hadn’t given any thought to the flight itself.
Ace was, of course, being Ace, and Joker was threatening Ace for being Ace. Maybe if Leo kept his mind occupied…. Hmm.
Fitz’s faux fur coat reminded Leo of Chewbacca. That thought promptly led him to thoughts of Star Wars, which led him to thoughts of TheMandalorian, which led to Pedro Pascal—who Leo had a little crush on—which led to that weird Nicholas Cage movie he’d watched with Ace, which led to—
“Sweetheart?”
Leo blinked at King. “Yeah?”
“We’re here.”
“Huh?” Leo noticed everyone getting up and putting on their coats. Wait, what? “How…?”
“You were kinda lost in your head, but since you were smiling, I figured you’d jumped on one of your thought trains.”
“Thought train” was the term Leo had come up with to best describe what happened to him when he got lost in his thoughts. It was like hopping on a train and moving from one train car to the next to the next until someone or something snapped him out of it.
King stood and helped Leo get into his puffy coat. It was weird wearing a scarf, hat, and mittens. The most he got to wear in the winter back home was a sweater and a light jacket. Outside, an Airbus helicopter waited for them. The helicopter ride to Winterhaven was thankfully much quicker.
As soon as they landed and the blades stopped, the doors opened. Chip shot out, plopping into the snow, which made Leo laugh. He got out as the dogs lost their furry minds, bouncing, hopping, jumping, rolling around, and chomping at the falling snow. They were too darn cute.
They stood in front of the cabin, and Leo gasped. Holy cow, it was huge! And so beautiful. He turned to King, his smile wide. “It looks like it’s from a Christmas movie.”
King wrapped his arms around Leo and kissed the top of his head. “It does.”
Colton thought it would be a good idea to check out the town before they got settled for the night, and Leo wondered if they’d bump into Santa. He’d have to figure out a way to talk to him without King. Hmm, probably without the others as well. If he was going to surprise King, no one else could know what he was up to. He loved his family, but they kinda sucked at keeping secrets.
After a short car ride and a weird discussion about jaw-breaking candy, they reached the town and parked. Leo got out, and he couldn’t help his huge smile. It was so cold, but he didn’t care. This place was amazing! Like one of those little European villages from one of his fantasy movies.
All down the main street, the shops were decorated, though Leo noticed it looked different from the photos of previous years. It was pretty, but…there were decorations missing. Also, the stalls lining the street weren’t supposed to be there, they were supposed to be in the market square. Maybe he’d ask Santa about it.
Jack gasped. “Holy Hallmark movies, Batman.”
That’s what it reminded Leo of. Those small-town Christmas movies that Colton loved. He made Ace watch them with him every year. Leo didn’t mind them, though he often ended up with lots of unanswered questions.
“Oh my Chanel, look at those sweaters!” Fitz squealed. “I need them!”
Leo was about to follow Fitz when something sparkly caught his eye in the stall across from the sweaters. He gasped. “That stall has a Goldfish cracker ornament!” It had a little Santa hat on it! He ran to the stall and stared at it in awe. It was the most amazing ornament he’d ever seen in his life!
Very carefully, he removed the ornament from the display hook and held it in his mittened hands. “You’re coming home with me, little buddy. Look at you and your little smiley fishy face.”
“I have to admit, that’s pretty cute,” King said. “What are the odds?”
“Right? It’s like Winterhaven knew I would be here.” Leo handed the ornament over to the lovely lady, thankful it had a secure, foam-padded box to protect it from breaking. He’d just taken the little gift bag from her and thanked her when he heard Colton.
Something was wrong.
Everyone seemed to sense the same thing and joined Colton, Ace, and Gio at the hot cocoa stand.
“Oh no,” Colton said. “The Ice Castle is closed?”
What? That’s where Santa and his reindeer would be. Leo lifted his gaze to Colton. “No Santa?” But…he had to find Santa. He needed help with Operation King’s Christmas.
Fitz wrapped his arm around Leo’s shoulder, his expression troubled. The other woman told Colton to find Clara at the Ice Castle, so they headed in that direction. When they arrived, it looked…dark. The doors weren’t locked, so they all went in and almost immediately found the hospitality manager, Clara. She looked just like her online photo.
After introductions, Clara explained what had happened, how a terrible snowstorm had blown through, damaging the Ice Castle’s roof and electrical panel. If that wasn’t bad enough, the vendors had canceled the town’s deliveries.
“Poor Santa.” Leo shook his head. “I mean, the mayor, obviously, but this sounds bad.” He cocked his head to one side. There had to be something they could do. Wait! He jumped, and everyone else did the same. Oops.
“Every time,” Joker grumbled. “Why do you have to scare the life out of us every time you get a bright idea?”
“Sorry. It’s just my brain and body coming to the same conclusion.” Leo turned to King. “We need to help Santa.”
King blinked at him. “Help Santa?”
“The mayor. And the town,” Leo replied. “We’re kind of the best people equipped for the job. Jack can work on the electrical issues, and Lucky and Mason on the roof.”
“I can’t fix it without new panels,” Jack said. “Something that specialized will take longer to ship than we have time for.”
“Not to mention the town’s entire Christmas shipment is non-existent,” Fitz added.
Leo blinked at them, then turned to Colton. “You own a shipping company. It’s more of a shipping empire,” he corrected. “I mean, if anyone can get the town what they need in no time, it’s you. Right?”
Clara shook her head. “As much as I appreciate the thought, our town simply doesn’t have the connections or the funds to take on a shipment of that magnitude.”
But Colton does.
With Ace’s encouragement, Colton offered to help under the guise of giving his family the perfect Christmas. Though Leo was certain a part of that was true, Colton also loved to help people. Clara seemed uncertain, which was understandable. They were a bunch of strangers offering to spend loads of money and time helping a town they’d only just arrived in.
Clara looked at Leo, who smiled brightly, and her face softened.
“I would love to help you give your family the perfect Christmas.” She turned back to face Colton. “If it isn’t too much, I would love the help. I’m sure the mayor will be thrilled as well.”
“Wonderful! My family and I will return to our cabin, and as soon as we receive all the information, we’ll get started on a plan.”
“It all sounds too good to be true,” Clara said before throwing her arms around Colton and squeezing him tight.
They said their goodbyes and headed out. The guys discussed the magnitude of the project ahead, but Leo didn’t doubt his family could do it. He would do his part as well, and at the same time, find Santa and the perfect gift for his amazing fiancé.
Time to activate stealth mode. Operation King’s Christmas was back on!
RJ ScottWriting love stories with a happy ever after – cowboys, heroes, family, hockey, single dads, bodyguards
USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott has written over one hundred romance books. Emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, single dads, hockey players, millionaires, princes, bodyguards, Navy SEALs, soldiers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, cops, and the men who get mixed up in their lives, always with a happy ever after.
She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing. The last time she had a week’s break from writing, she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a box of chocolates she couldn’t defeat.
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee.
(Not necessarily in that order.)
She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and two Jersey steers.
When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand.
Clare London took her pen name from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant.
She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic, and sexy characters.
Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter-three stage and plenty of other projects in mind… she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.
Clare loves to hear from readers, and you can contact her on all her social media.
Bestselling romance author.
Bisexual witch.
Feminist. Pro-choice. Anti-censorship.
Timothee Chalamet freak.
Horror movie aficionado.
Vampire mermaid in a past life.
Sara Dobie Bauer somehow survived her party-hard college years at Ohio University to earn a creative writing degree. She lives with her precious Pit Bull in Northeast Ohio, although she’d really like to live in a Tim Burton film.
Charlie Cochet is the international bestselling author of the THIRDS series. Born in Cuba and raised in the US, Charlie enjoys the best of both worlds, from her daily Cuban latte to her passion for classic rock.
Currently residing in Central Florida, Charlie is at the beck and call of a rascally Doxiepoo bent on world domination. When she isn’t writing, she can usually be found devouring a book, releasing her creativity through art, or binge watching a new TV series. She runs on coffee, thrives on music, and loves to hear from readers.
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RJ Scott
VL Locey
EMAIL: vicki@vllocey.com
Clare London
EMAIL: clarelondon11@yahoo.co.uk
Sara Dobie Bauer
Blake Lockheart(Narrator)
Charlie Cochet
EMAIL: charlie@charliecochet.com
He Sees You When You're Sleeping by Sara Dobie Bauer
Miracle by RJ Scott
KOBO / iTUNES / GOOGLE PLAY
Rebel Without a Claus by Charlie Cochet
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