Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 49385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49385 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
She did not plan on the tall, broody security guy with a dimpled smirk and arms built like he lifts Christmas trees for fun. But after one too many mugs of mulled wine and a shared blanket by the fire, Melanie finds herself unwrapping a lot more than presents.
Back home in Saint Pierce, she’s feeling merry and bright… until two pink lines on a stick change everything.
Now Melanie’s facing a very jingle-belly situation and trying to figure out how to tell Lucas. And he’s suddenly showing up everywhere, being way too sweet, and somehow looking even hotter in flannel. Did Santa put her on the naughty list… or the nice one?
With twinkle lights, mistletoe mishaps, and a surprise baby on the way, Melanie’s about to discover that the best Christmas gifts can’t be wrapped, and love might be the most unexpected stocking stuffer of all.
Perfect for fans of snowy cabin shenanigans, surprise pregnancies, and cinnamon roll heroes with protective streaks and secret feelings.
Get ready to laugh, swoon, and fa-la-la-fall in love!
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
1
Melanie
It’s supposed to be an easy drive.
Supposed to be being the operative phrase.
Charlotte and Asher invited me up to their new cabin in the mountains to help with the dog rescue this weekend—snap some photos for social, get these pups some exposure, and maybe escape the nonstop DM storm that’s been my life lately. Honestly, I need this break. Fresh air. Fuzzy faces. My best friend. It sounded perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
Until my tire decided it had other plans.
I’d been jamming out to a feel-good playlist, the pine trees blurring past my window, when the unmistakable whump, whump, whump hit like a hammer. The car wobbled. My heart stopped. I managed to pull over onto a skinny patch of gravel shoulder, the mountain road dipping sharply on one side, winding into green oblivion on the other.
I turn off the engine, sigh dramatically, and rest my forehead on the steering wheel. “Seriously? You had one job.”
My phone shows one lonely bar of service. Just enough to text Charlotte and hope for the best.
Me: Hey, got a flat. Of course. I’ll be late.
Charlotte: Oh no! You okay? Want me and Asher to come get you?
Me: I’m okay. Trying to figure out the tire situation. Will update.
Right. The tire situation.
I open the trunk and stare blankly at the sad excuse for an emergency kit, realizing two critical things:
1.I’ve never changed a tire in my life.
2.I don’t have a spare.
Cue another dramatic sigh. I lean against the side of the car, arms folded, debating whether to post a tragic “stranded” selfie when the rumble of a big engine draws my attention.
A truck—a gorgeous black pickup with a slight lift—slows as it approaches, window rolling down. A man leans out, framed by golden afternoon light. He appears tall, broad shoulders filling the cab, aviators perched on a ruggedly handsome face, dark stubble tracing his jawline.
“Well, you look like you could use a hand,” he says, voice deep and smooth as honey over gravel.
I blink. Why does this stuff never happen when I’m dressed to impress? I’m in yoga pants, an oversized sweatshirt, and a messy top knot that would make even a rescue pup cringe.
“Uh—yeah. Flat tire. No spare. Rookie mistake,” I say with a sheepish grin.
He pulls the truck fully onto the shoulder behind me and steps out. And wow, wow—he is tall. Six-three, maybe six-four. Dark hair shoved back. Fitted jeans, worn boots, and a plain gray tee that hugs every inch of a broad chest and lean waist.
I catch myself staring and snap into influencer mode. Friendly smile. Polite banter. “You wouldn’t happen to have a miracle in that truck, would you?”
He chuckles, the sound rich and easy. “I’ve got tools, but having no spare’s gonna be tricky.” His gaze flicks to my rental, then back at me. “You headed up the mountain?”
“Yeah. My best friend and her husband’s place. They run a dog rescue.”
His brow lifts. “Don’t suppose your friend’s husband is Asher Hawke?”
I blink again, caught off guard. “Uh—yeah. Why?”
The man grins, crossing his arms. “Because Asher’s my boss.”
My jaw drops. “You’re kidding.”
“Name’s Lucas.” He extends a hand, big and calloused but warm as I shake it. “I run with Dean’s security team. The Denver team.”
Of course he’s in security. That explains the whole I can probably lift this car if I wanted to vibe he’s giving off.
“Well, Lucas, it’s very nice to meet you,” I say, giving my best friendly smile. “I’m Melanie. The friend who was not prepared for mountain driving, clearly.”
He laughs again. “We’ve all been there. Tell you what—no point in sitting here waiting on the roadside. Hop in. I’ll take you the rest of the way. I know where the cabin is.”
I hesitate for half a second—then remind myself Dean’s team, Asher’s his boss, this man is vetted ten ways to Sunday. And honestly? The thought of sitting in my cold car for an hour waiting on a tow from the rental company is way less appealing than being driven through the mountains by a handsome security specialist.
“You’re sure? I don’t want to mess up your afternoon.”
He tips his head toward the passenger door. “Wouldn’t offer if I minded.”
Okay, then. “Let me grab my stuff.”
A few minutes later I’m settled into the passenger seat of his truck, duffel and camera bag at my feet, my two suitcases in the back, and the seatbelt clicks into place.
“Nice rig,” I say, eyeing the pristine dashboard and faint smell of leather.
He throws me a sidelong glance. “Don’t tell anyone—I spent more time picking out this truck than I did my last apartment.”
I laugh, tension sliding away. The engine hums to life, and we ease back onto the road, the windows cracked to let in the crisp mountain air.
“So you do security,” I say, curiosity getting the better of me.
“Yup. Background in military, then contract work, now with Dean’s firm full time. Denver branch is new—we’re still building out the team. Asher’s running point.”