A Cross-Country Christmas(69)
While this story is light and fun and Christmasy, it does carry with it an important message—there’s grace for our mistakes, and every once in a while, we all need a second chance. What a gift that is, don’t you think?
As always, I LOVE to connect with my readers, so I invite you to find and follow me through my newsletter, on social media or in my Facebook Reader Room. I would absolutely love to see you there!
Drop me a line anytime—I love making new friends.
Courtney Walsh
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Acknowledgments
Adam—Without you, Will’s flirtatiousness would’ve come across as awkward and unbelievable (because, anyone who knows me knows flirting isn’t part of my personality.) Thank you also for being my first reader, my editor, my business partner, my constant cheerleader and one of the best human beings I’ve ever met.
Me + You.
My kids, Sophia, Ethan & Sam—Because you are some of my favorite people in the world, and because you don’t give me much grief for being a terrible cook and homemaker.
Becky Wade & Katie Ganshert—Friends who are more like family. For the brainstorming, the laughing, the crying, the dreaming, the learning…I am eternally thankful for you both.
Melissa Tagg—For always understanding the struggle of living (and loving) two very different lives. And for letting me ramble about my workouts. I adore you.
My Mom, Cindy Fassler—Thank you for always cheering me on so genuinely. You are the kind of mother I always hope I can be…but I think I’m a little too selfish to get there.
Our Studio Kids & Families—Do you have any idea how special you are? You make my “day job” nothing but pure joy. I’m so thankful for each one of you!
Denise Hershberger—Thank you for helping me with Rosa’s Spanish. And for being SUCH an encouragement to me.
My Brother, Chad Fassler—for having such cute friends in high school. ;)
About the Author
Courtney Walsh is the Carol award-winning author of fifteen novels and two novellas. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book best-seller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she co-owns a performing arts studio and youth theatre with the best business partner she could imagine—her husband.
Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com
Chapter One
Definitely Not a Kiss
It wasn’t a real kiss.
That’s what Prudence Sutton told herself as her best friend, Hayes McGuire, pulled away and studied her.
It wasn’t a real kiss.
It was a hello after months of not seeing each other kiss. Never mind that it landed dangerously close to her lips. Or that the smell of his aftershave lingered in the air. Or that she’d considered turning toward him at the last moment just for the chance to taste the lips of this beautiful man.
Pull it together, Pru.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” She smiled as he squeezed both of her arms, looking at her with that trademark lopsided grin, the one that had been melting women all across the globe since he first took his job as a travel writer. She fancied herself immune to it, and played the part of an eye-rolling, straight-talking best friend with an authentic flair no one could question.
But she’d been preparing for this face-to-face with Hayes for two weeks—ever since the day he texted to let her know he was coming.
“Are you kidding?” He smiled at her now. Had he had his teeth whitened? They practically gleamed. “I wasn’t going to miss seeing your work honored.” He slung a slouchy leather duffel over his shoulder and pushed a hand through the light brown hair that swooped sideways over his right eyebrow. He looked every bit the part of a world traveler, and that fact did nothing to calm her racing pulse.
“It’s not that big of a deal.” Prudence pulled her winter coat tighter around her, thankful she’d added the scarf—it was colder than she realized.
He waved her off, then draped his free arm over her shoulder and started walking away from the ferry dock.
“Nonsense,” he said. “It’s such a big deal the entire McGuire clan is coming in for the Festival of Trees.”
“Hayes.” She stopped. “You can’t be serious.”
He waggled his brows, and his hazel eyes sparkled with amusement. Her best friend fa?ade was quickly crumbling.
“You know how they are,” he said. “They heard about the tree, and they couldn’t be stopped.” He nudged her. “I don’t think you understand what an honor this is, Pru.”
She groaned. “Not enough of an honor that the entire family has to up and change their holiday plans to be here.”
She felt, rather than saw, his shrug as they were now back to walking away from the ferry that had brought him to Nantucket after months and months away.
Finally, Hayes was home. And all it took was a Christmas tree.
And yeah, she supposed it was a little bit of a big deal. After all, the Festival of Trees was a big deal, and she’d been chosen to decorate the 20-foot tree at the top of Main Street. A tree with magical Christmas powers—it talked.