A Splash of
Christmas
Blurb:
When
Faith O' Fallon’s best friend ropes her into attending a popular reality show
audition, the last thing she expects to find at the studio is the love of her
life.
Ben
Ward resents his family for coercing him into holding auditions to snag a date
for the holiday episode of their reality show, Poolside Oasis. But when a
studio mishap accidentally matches him with the lovely, rambunctious Faith
O'Fallon, he finds that sometimes family knows best.
This
holiday season is filled with the perfect blend of heartwarming surprises
splashed with a dose of sweet romance.
Excerpt:
I should
have worn flat heels, Faith thought as she
neared the antique shop. She’d walked a good five minutes with Ben at her side,
and still she felt wobbly from his kiss. He had a habit of doing
that—surprising her with unexpected kisses. She should mind…but she didn’t.
She
wanted more.
Faith
chastised herself. The very thought was ridiculous. Remember, this is Ben Ward, the same fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants guy
who blew off you—and the kids.
Trusting him once again
could prove dangerous.
Not trusting him would prove worse.
Faith turned, wondering
who had spoken. The voice rang clear, steady. No one lurked behind here, simply
Ben at her left side.
“Did you
hear that?”
“Hear
what?”
“I
thought there was a voice. You didn’t hear it?”
One
eyebrow arched as Ben slowly shook his head. “I didn’t hear it, and
ventriloquism certainly isn’t one of my talents. Maybe it was the wind.”
“Maybe…”
But it wasn’t, Faith was sure of that.
Soft
lights welcomed them into the shop. The scent of cedar mingled with vanilla
from coffee service counter in a cozy corner. Faith drew in the scent, sighing
as her equilibrium found its footing once again.
The
clerk—a woman in her sixties or so, dressed in pressed navy slacks and a white
silk blouse complimented by tasteful costume jewelry—stepped forward to greet
Faith.
“Hello,
dear. How may I help you this evening?”
“I’d
like to see that music box in the window display, please.”
“Of
course.” She nodded slightly. “Make yourself comfortable. Pour a cup of coffee
and I’ll fetch it right away.”
“Thank
you.”
The
slight rustling at Faith’s heels caused the woman to glance up and over Faith’s
shoulder. She paused slightly before exclaiming, “Ben!”
“Hello,
Mrs. Parker.” He stepped forward to enfold her in a bear hug. “I didn’t expect
to see you here tonight. How are you?”
“Back up
on the horse, so to speak, and doing much better now. It helps to keep busy.”
“You
look good. I’m glad.”
“You always did have a knack for flattery.”
Mrs. Parker fanned herself with one hand. “I couldn’t have done it—done this—without your help last March. You
helped me in my greatest time of need. You’re an angel, son.”
An angel…son?
Faith waited with all the
patience she could muster as Ben and Mrs. Parker caught up with one another.
Questions whizzed like runaway tennis balls through her head.
What does March have to do with it? What
help? Could this be the reason Ben backed out of the fundraiser?
No. Faith shook her head. Her
imagination was running away once again.
“And who
is this lovely young woman?” Mrs. Parker’s voice drew Faith back in.
“Faith
O’Fallon. She’s going to guest with me on the Christmas episode of Poolside
Oasis.”
“Is that
so?” Mrs. Parker’s gaze fell twinkled like sunshine. “Well, Ben, I believe
that’s merely the beginning. Faith here is going to do much more than that.”
How
I spend Christmas:
Now that my kids
are all grown, I begin Christmas morning with a slow cup of coffee while
Christmas music plays and the tree twinkles with light. When my family wakes,
we enjoy a huge breakfast with all the trimmings and dig into our stockings
(the hanging kind) for a little candy dessert. Then it's off to church and then
the exchange of gifts followed by a delicious Christmas dinner with my extended
family. My husband and I finish the day with a glass of warm cider near the
Christmas Tree with the jubilant song of carols and a bit of happy
conversation.
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