Christmas With You Read online

  About the authors

  Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs. In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl, which has been adapted into a film starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe. When writing isn’t occupying her time, you can find her sitting courtside at either of her daughters’ basketball games.

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a Southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries. She loves to write, but she also loves to play golf, go on mountain hikes and white-water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols. Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, but she has found a new passion in romantic comedy, especially involving sexy golfers. Who knew the sport could be so dirty and fun to write about.

  Cindi Madsen is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance and young adult novels. She sits at her computer every chance she gets, plotting, revising, and falling in love with her characters. Sometimes it makes her a crazy person. Without it, she’d be even crazier. She has way too many shoes but can always find a reason to buy a new pretty pair, especially if they’re sparkly, colorful, or super tall. She loves music, dancing, and wishes summer lasted all year long. She lives in Colorado (where summer is most definitely NOT all year long) with her husband and three children.

  USA Today bestselling author R. J. Prescott was born in Cardiff, South Wales, and studied law at the University of Bristol, England. Four weeks before graduation, she fell in love with a crazy firefighter and stayed in Bristol. Ten years later, she convinced her husband to move back to Cardiff, where they now live with their two sons. Juggling work, writing, and family doesn’t leave a lot of time, but curling up on the sofa with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate for family movie night is definitely the best part of her week.

  Amy Briggs is a Texas-based writer. Formerly a firefighter and EMT in New Jersey living next to a military base, Amy was initially drawn to creating stories around emergency services and the military and draws on her experiences to show the depth and emotional side of the lifestyle. Her love of fairy tales carries through each of her novels, and she hopes to inspire readers to fall in love with love.

  Copyright

  Published by Piatkus

  ISBN: 978-0-349-42290-9

  All characters and events in this publication, other than those clearly in the public domain, are fictitious and any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Anthology copyright © 2018 Hachette Book Group

  The moral right of the author has been asserted.

  Snowflake Lane Inn copyright © 2018 by L. P. Dover; Runaway Christmas Bride copyright © 2018 by Cindi Madsen; Christmas Lights copyright © 2018 by Amy Briggs; Christmas Encounter copyright © 2018 by R. J. Prescott; It’s a Wonderful Holiday copyright © 2018 by Heidi McLaughlin

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the prior permission in writing of the publisher.

  The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

  Piatkus

  Little, Brown Book Group

  Carmelite House

  50 Victoria Embankment

  London EC4Y 0DZ

  www.littlebrown.co.uk

  www.hachette.co.uk

  Contents

  About the Authors

  Copyright

  Snowflake Lane Inn by L. P. Dover

  Chapter One: Colin

  Chapter Two: Layla

  Chapter Three: Layla

  Chapter Four: Colin

  Chapter Five: Layla

  Chapter Six: Colin

  Chapter Seven: Layla

  Chapter Eight: Layla

  Chapter Nine: Colin

  Chapter Ten: Layla

  Chapter Eleven: Colin

  Chapter Twelve: Layla

  Chapter Thirteen: Layla

  Chapter Fourteen: Layla

  Runaway Christmas Bride by Cindi Madsen

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Christmas Lights by Amy Briggs

  Chapter One: Samantha

  Chapter Two: Jason

  Chapter Three: Samantha

  Chapter Four: Jason

  Chapter Five: Samantha

  Chapter Six: Jason

  Chapter Seven: Samantha

  Chapter Eight: Jason

  Chapter Nine: Samantha

  Chapter Ten: Jason

  Chapter Eleven: Samantha

  Chapter Twelve: Jason

  Chapter Thirteen: Samantha

  Chapter Fourteen: Jason

  Chapter Fifteen: Samantha

  Chapter Sixteen: Jason

  Christmas Encounter by R. J. Prescott

  Chapter One: Jensen

  Chapter Two: Lauren

  Chapter Three: Lauren

  Chapter Four: Jensen

  Chapter Five: Lauren

  Chapter Six: Jensen

  Chapter Seven: Lauren

  Chapter Eight: Lauren

  Chapter Nine: Lauren

  Chapter Ten: Jensen

  Chapter Eleven: Lauren

  Chapter Twelve: Jensen

  Chapter Thirteen: Lauren

  Chapter Fourteen: Jensen

  Chapter Fifteen: Lauren

  Chapter Sixteen: Jensen

  Chapter Seventeen: Lauren

  Chapter Eighteen: Jensen

  It’s a Wonderful Holiday by Heidi McLaughlin

  Chapter One: Rory

  Chapter Two: Gwen

  Chapter Three: Rory

  Chapter Four: Gwen

  Chapter Five: Rory

  Chapter Six: Gwen

  Chapter Seven: Rory

  Chapter Eight: Gwen

  Chapter Nine: Rory

  Snowflake Lane Inn

  L. P. DOVER

  This book is dedicated to everyone

  who loves Christmas just as

  much as I do.

  Chapter One

  Colin

  “Looks like everything’s ready to go,” I said, walking through the house one last time. The place was spotless. But was it good enough for a diva like Layla Aberdeen? Let’s hope so because she has rented it for the next year.

  My sister, Brianna, walked in with a basket full of goodies and set it on the table. She was thirteen years younger than me. Sometimes it felt like I was her father instead of her brother. For the past ten years, I guess you could say I was. Our father died of lung cancer, and I was the one who had to help take care of her.

  Her dark brown hair was in curls down her back, and she was dressed up as if she was going to a dance club. I looked at her like she’d lost her mind. “What are you doing?”

  Grinning sheepishly, she rearranged the chocolates and the bottle of wine. “It’s a basket for Layla.” Brianna was a twenty-three-year-old
college student who loved anything about fashion, even though she was going to school to be a nurse. Guess it didn’t really surprise me that she wanted to make an impression on Layla Aberdeen.

  “Since when do we do that?” I asked.

  She waved me off. “Since now. One of the top designers in the world is coming to stay here. I can’t wait to meet her. What time did she say she was coming into town?”

  I hadn’t personally spoken to Layla, but my real estate agent had. “Jane told me two o’clock. She’s going to meet Ms. Aberdeen then. Is that why you’re all dressed like …” I waved my hand down her body. “Like that?” She had on a silver sparkly top that hung off her shoulders along with a pair of jeans and heels. Not exactly something you see a lot of people wearing in the winter.

  Brianna looked down at her clothes and then glared at me. “Seriously? You’re so clueless. These are Layla’s designs.” She bounced on her feet. “I wish I could be here to welcome her. Think I can maybe hang around and casually stop by when she shows up?”

  Grabbing the keys off the counter, I nodded toward the door. “That’s a bad idea. You’re bound to see her around town. Just don’t get your hopes up. She looks like she’d be a …”

  “Colin,” she shrieked, “you don’t know her.”

  I shrugged and followed her out the door, walking close so I could catch her if she slipped on the snow. The air was cold and crisp, a perfect December day with clear blue skies. It wouldn’t be that way for long. We had a snowstorm brewing that’d hit us by the end of the night. “She’s probably like every other Hollywood celebrity. Full of herself and obsessed with money.”

  Brianna shook her head. “I don’t think Layla’s like that. She was devastated when her last line didn’t do well. Honestly, I think it’s a good idea she’s coming here. She has to be under a lot of pressure.”

  We got in my truck and headed down the road. “Maybe so, but I don’t want you bothering her, Bri.”

  She huffed and focused her attention at the window. “Fine. But you’re shattering my dreams, brother.”

  I burst out laughing. “You’ll get over it. I’m going to go ahead and drop you off at the inn. Mom’s waiting for you. I have some things I need to pick up in town.”

  “Okay.”

  The Snowflake Lane Inn was one of the top-rated inns in all of Friendship. After my grandmother died, she left it to me in her will. It was supposed to go to my father, but since he died before she did, she passed it down to me. I intended to keep her legacy alive by keeping it the way she always wanted it. We turned onto Snowflake Lane, the gravel kicking up underneath my truck. The road was lined with magnolia trees, all decked out in soft white lights, and the white fence was draped in garland. It was exactly how it’d been decorated for decades at Christmastime.

  Our mother was on the front porch with the town mayor, George Lingerfelt, when we pulled up. Brianna hopped out of the truck and said hello to George as he made his way down to me. I lowered my window and held out my hand. “Mayor Lingerfelt,” I said as he shook my hand, “what brings you by this morning?”

  “I came to see you. Is everything ready for the tree lighting tomorrow?” George was in his late forties, short and a little plump in the middle, with salt and pepper hair.

  I nodded. “I wired everything up first thing this morning. You should be good to go.”

  His smile widened. “Excellent. Will I see you there?”

  “Of course, I wouldn’t miss it. But right now, I need to run into town. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I waved at my mother and headed back down the road. Everywhere you looked, everything was decorated for Christmas. We had tourists who came up here just to experience the lights. It was what kept Snowflake Inn one of the best places to stay during the holidays. We get booked a year in advance.

  Once I reached Main Street, I parked behind the general store and walked around to the front. The best coffee shop in town was right beside it, and sitting on the bench out front was a man I’d never seen before. By the old, filthy clothes and skin, I’d almost say he was homeless, not exactly something that was common in our little town. We all knew each other, but I didn’t recognize him at all.

  “Good morning,” I called out, approaching him slowly. The man looked up at me and smiled, his face slightly wrinkled and smudged with dirt. His dark brown hair was hidden underneath a black cap and he had crystal blue eyes. He stood, and I shook his hand. “It’s a little chilly this morning, don’t you think?”

  He blew out a breath and rubbed his hands together. “It is. I smell snow too. I think we’re going to get some tonight.”

  “The news this morning said we have a storm coming in, at least six inches of snow.” Which, obviously, wouldn’t do him any good if he had nowhere to go. “I’m Colin Jennings,” I said, keeping the conversation going. “Are you new in town? I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”

  His lips pulled back into a kind smile. “Yes, I’m new to this quaint town. The name’s Gabe. I rode a bus in from Boston. I didn’t know where it was going to drop me off at, but I like this place.”

  The thought of him being alone in the impending snow didn’t sit well with me. “Do you have a place to stay tonight?” I asked him. Gabe focused back on me, almost like he was studying me curiously. Clearing my throat quickly, I held up a hand. “Not that I’m assuming you have nowhere to go, but if you don’t, I know a place where you can stay.”

  His lips pulled back into a smile. “That’s very kind of you. I haven’t run into too many people willing to help an old man like me.”

  “It’s no trouble at all,” I said. “I have an extra room at the Snowflake Lane Inn that I always keep open.” It was a small room with a twin bed, but it’d give him a warm place to stay.

  Gabe placed a hand on my shoulder. “Thank you for your generosity, but I’ll be fine. I appreciate the offer.”

  “Are you sure? You could always help me around the inn. There’s always something needing fixing.”

  He chuckled, and it sounded so carefree. His hand slipped off my shoulder, and he waved me off. “I’m sure. Thank you again. I know where to find you if things change.”

  I held out my hand, and he shook it again. “Sounds good, Gabe. You take care of yourself.” I nodded at the door to the café. “Want anything to eat? They have awesome blueberry muffins in there.”

  Gabe shook his head. “Don’t trouble yourself with that. You’ve already done enough for me as it is by offering me a place to stay.”

  I patted his shoulder. “Just trying to help.”

  He smiled again. “I appreciate that.”

  A part of me wondered if he was just being polite in not accepting my hospitality. Pride was a huge thing for me, and I could see myself doing the same thing if the situation were reversed. Then again, maybe he did have somewhere to go, and I shouldn’t assume he was homeless by the way he looked. There were days I was covered in dirt after doing the landscaping at the inn.

  The bell jingled on the door as I walked into the café. It was warm, a definite contrast from the chilly air outside. I was accustomed to the cold, especially since I’d been living in crazy winter weather my whole life.

  Jill waved from behind the counter and placed a cup of coffee and a blueberry muffin onto the counter. “You know me well,” I said, laughing.

  She shrugged. “It’s what you’ve ordered for the past two years. When I saw you outside with that man, I figured I’d get it ready for you.”

  I gave her the money and smiled. “Thanks. You’re the best.”

  “Anytime.”

  Peering out the window, I saw that Gabe was still there, watching people walk by with a smile on his face. Not many people acknowledged him, and others hurried to get away. It was obvious the people of Friendship weren’t accustomed to seeing a strange man dressed in shabby clothes and roaming the streets.

  “Jill,” I called out. I glanced at her over my shoulder and nodded at Gabe. “Do you mind fixing another coff
ee and grabbing another muffin for me?”

  A sad smile spread across her face. “Of course.”

  Grabbing the extra coffee and muffin, I took it all outside. Gabe was still sitting on the bench, so I set his coffee and muffin down beside him. With a heavy sigh, he looked at it and then up at me. “You are a miracle, son.”

  Chapter Two

  Layla

  When I decided to rent the house in Friendship, I knew it was going to be in the middle of nowhere, but I didn’t realize how far away it was from the main town. There was a dusting of snow on the ground, and it terrified me to drive on it. As long as I was in my house before the snowstorm hit tonight, I’d be fine. It wasn’t that I was scared of how people would drive around me, it was the fact that I was afraid for them given the way I drove in the snow. I’d end up in a ditch somewhere, stranded in the freezing cold.

  I was used to the bustling streets of big cities. I’d lived in New York for a while during college and then moved back to my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina. I already missed the smell of the ocean and the feeling of the warm breeze dancing around me. Moving to a place as desolate as Friendship really put in perspective how sad my life had become. Luckily, in a small town, there was a ninety-nine percent chance no one would know who I was.

  I pulled into the driveway and looked up at the house. The place was small, just three bedrooms and two baths, with dark blue siding and a burgundy front door. It wasn’t what I was used to, but it was quaint and by the river with not a neighbor in sight. All I wanted was some peace and quiet to rejuvenate my mind. My career depended on it.

  A woman walked out of the house, dressed in a navy pantsuit with her brown hair in a bun. She waved as I got out of the car. “Good afternoon, Ms. Aberdeen. I’m so glad you made it safely.”

  “Me too,” I said with a laugh. I walked toward her and held out my hand. “You must be Jane?”

  She nodded and shook my hand. “I am. I wanted to welcome you to Friendship and make sure you got settled before I leave. My husband and I are spending the holidays in Bermuda. We wanted a change of scenery this year.”

  “Nice. It’s amazing down there. You’ll love it.” I’d been a couple of times over the years.