Christmas in Magnolia Glen

She wants nothing to do with the past...until he shows her his.

On Christmas Eve, the most unexpected of guests shows up. He’s devastatingly suave, all kinds of good-looking, and he claims to be Christmas Past, here to remind her of the real meaning of Christmas.

Pepper is unprepared for the experience, especially because he doesn't just show her pieces of her past—he reveals details about his as well.

And the two of them are more connected than Pepper ever imagined.

Before the night ends, she wants more than for him to be her travel guide. But that kind of Christmas Future can only happen if she accepts Christmas again.

And she's not sure that's something she can do.

Strap in for a night of magnetism, flirtation, and heart-felt connection between two unlikely leads. A Christmas Carol meets It's a Wonderful Life in this festive romp supercharged with spicy kisses and witty banter.

Chapter One

Saying no is not always an option. I often found myself agreeing to things I’d rather not do for the sake of another person’s feelings, to keep a relationship alive, you name the resultant guilt trip.

When the opportunity presented itself, though, I’d no all the nos I’ve bottled up from other times I wasn’t able to say them, and this was one of those times.

“No,” I said with rhapsodic freedom.

“Seriously, you never come,” Ingrid said from her side of the desk. “It’s Christmas Eve.”

“Which is exactly why I’m declining,” I told her.

“Christmas Eve is a time for gathering and celebrating, and my favorite way to celebrate is doing it alone.”

This concept was hard for extroverts like Ingrid to understand. She loved to mingle and chatter and rub elbows in scenarios where I found myself checking the time to see how soon I could politely excuse myself.

Then again, I was sure even she could appreciate the splendid wonder of an evening with zero expectations aside from those I had in mind for myself.

I had a space all my own. That space was normally filled with demands, which were often interrupted by emails or phone calls that were packed with complaints or problems I needed to deal with. But tonight was all mine, and I intended to keep it that way.

Even if that space was my office.

Another concept Ingrid didn’t understand. She gave me a look, one that questioned the healthiness of my mental state. “You want to be alone? Is everything okay? What about your family, I thought your sister lived close.”

My sister, Mia, lived in Magnolia Glen, which was about an hour away from Spokane. I shot a glance at my phone. Mia had sent out a little reminder text about coming to her Christmas Eve party tonight, but I hadn’t responded yet.

“She gets it,” I lied. “I’m okay, really. It’s just a personal preference.”

Ingrid’s mouth twisted. “Well, you know where we are if you change your mind.” She adjusted her purse over her shoulder and gave a smile I could tell she didn’t mean. I knew she didn’t understand. Christmas Eve was hard for some people, but I wasn’t about to go into the reasons—plural—it was choking for me.

I walked Ingrid to my office door and faced the typical, day-end bustle, though there was a bit more energy coursing through the ninth floor tonight than usual. Jenny, the receptionist, was blasting Kelly Clarkson from her phone, dancing in front of her computer as she shut it down.

A couple of the guys jettisoned bulbs from the tree Kendall put up near the reception desk, playing catch with the possibly breakable decorations in time to the music.

“You’d better put that back before Kendall sees,” Jenny said, pushing in her chair.

“I already saw,” Kendall called from within her office.
The guys laughed and tossed the baubles up in the air.

“Christmas is almost over anyway,” one said.

“I’d like them in one piece,” Kendall said exiting her office and turning to approach my open door.

She wore a smart, navy-blue suit with a cream blouse, and her black hair was pulled tight to give her mature but lovely features their best chance of being seen.

“Hey, Pepper,” she said, her smile slipping. I backed to make room for her to enter, and she gestured to the paperwork scattered across my desk and the bag stuffed with my blanket and slippers, telltale signs I was planning on working late. “Doesn’t look like you’re heading out.”

I squirmed just a little. Kendall was the best manager a girl could ask for. She kept order in our department and settled disputes and misunderstandings with class.

She was circumspect but kind, kept the standard high while somehow maintaining rapport with everyone here.

I scratched a spot behind my ear. “Yeah, I’m not packing up just yet. Thought I’d get a head start on this new branding line.”

“Pepper,” she said in her chastising boss tone.

I inhaled. So much for hoping she’d leave well enough alone. Well enough was never enough for Kendall.

“Yes?”

“It’s Christmas Eve,” she said.

Back to the computer I go.

I sat at my desk, placed a hand on the mouse and stared at the screen. “So it is.”

Kendall gestured to the others out in the main area. The bulbs had been returned, and lights were being turned off while Christmas greetings made a chorus around the room. One by one, voices died away until only the two of us were left in the office.