Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20786 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 69(@300wpm)
“So are you going to the Christmas party?” Sanders asks.
“No.” They all know I hate these things, but they insist. I have someone drop off the desserts and leave before the party even starts.
“Why not?” Heath asks.
“I don’t want to go.”
“You’re the prettiest girl in town. You have to go.”
“Thanks. Maybe I’ll consider it.” He smiles, gives me a wink, and then gets back to work.
I close my eyes because yes, Heath’s handsome and twenty-four, but he’s not ready to grow up. I’m only twenty-three, but I bought the old bakery from Mrs. Green four years ago with the remainder of my parents’ life insurance money and my savings from working two jobs. One of my jobs had included working at the bakery with Mrs. Green. So, I need someone with ambition, with plans to keep us afloat even if he isn’t wealthy.
My father was a screwup. The only smart thing he ever did was get life insurance, so when they went out to a party and got into a car accident, I wasn’t left completely hopeless.
We get it all done in three hours, and my house looks like Christmas threw up all over. It’s beautiful: four trees decorated in my home as well as my entire porch.
Chapter Two
James
Snow comes cascading in billowy puffs as I drive toward my new cottage from my home in the city. According to my GPS, it’s only another ten minutes to my destination, which is a breath of fresh air after sitting for two hours in traffic. I take the exit off the expressway leading into Holly Hills, and I’m immediately greeted with holiday lights and wreaths every few feet.
How the hell did I end up in Christmas Town, USA? I could kill my assistant as I drive through the throng of children with their parents, playing in the freshly fallen snow as they cross the street like this isn’t the main road. I scrub my hand over my face as they cross the street in slow fucking motion. A couple of the women wave at me, and I politely give a short wrist flick wave even though I’d rather not draw any attention to myself.
I press the video call button, dialing her number. “Sarah, what were you thinking?”
“You wanted a quiet place away from the city.”
“Quiet? This is like I stepped into the North Pole in full swing.” I flip on my camera and turn my phone around so she can see the bullshit she got me in.
“Aw, that’s so beautiful,” she gushes.
“Damn it, I didn’t ask for beauty. I asked for privacy.” I turn off the camera and anchor the phone back on its stand as the crowds finally move and I can drive by.
“That’s what the cottage you bought said you’d get. You’re just passing through town, right?”
“Yes,” I grumble.
“You should go to the place and relax. Leave the happy townspeople to their own devices, and you can be grumpy all by yourself.”
“Fine. I want you to find another place tomorrow. I have to finish this book by the new year.”
“Most people take the Christmas holiday off.”
“I’m not most people.” Why would I take it off? I don’t have any family. All of my friends are married, including Brett, who married my assistant. The damn jerk took her away from her duties for too long.
“Well, on that note, I have more Christmas shopping to do, so enjoy your getaway. Who knows? You might actually meet someone.” She ends the call, and I want to fire her but I know I can’t because I’d be completely useless without her.
I pulled up to the house, which is larger than I expected. There is a home next door to me, another unexpected sight. It’s not as large, but it’s well-kept and fully decorated for Christmas.
I roll my eyes because that probably means there’s a houseful of kids living there that will be making noise all day while I’m trying to work. I don’t need the sounds of laughter and fighting in the snow before the tears come and disrupt my busy schedule. It’s the reason I left the overly crowded city. The noise can be deafening.
I quickly usher myself inside before someone sees me and stops to say hello. It’s almost four o’clock, and I’m sure they’ll all be rushing home from work. With the sun setting at four, it’s almost completely pitch-black in the house, so I reach for the light switch next to the door and illuminate the entire living room area.
The place is well furnished, as advertised, which I’m pleased about. The home has been remodeled to a more modern feel, with whites and grays lining all the walls and trim, although my biggest interest is the office; it had been one hell of a selling point and the reason I agreed with Sarah to make the purchase. I slide my computer bag off my shoulder and set it on the nice mahogany desk.