Cari Lynn - In Love By Christmas

This Christmas, two worlds collide

…under the mistletoe!

All Theo Taylor wants for Christmas is a profitable year-end and a flawless wedding for his sister. Hiring beautiful but unknown designer Josie Beck is a huge risk, especially when the Taylors’ reputation is at stake. Josie is sweet, kind and impossible to resist. But is Josie about to destroy Theo’s perfect wedding plan…or is she the answer to his heart’s secret Christmas wish?

CARI LYNN WEBBlives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparents’ seventy-year marriage and her parents’ marriage of over fifty years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect—it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers.

Also By Cari Lynn Webb

City by the Bay Stories

The Charm Offensive

The Doctor’s Recovery

Ava’s Prize

Single Dad to the Rescue

A Heartwarming Thanksgiving

“Wedding of His Dreams”

Make Me a Match

“The Matchmaker Wore Skates”

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

In Love by Christmas

Cari Lynn Webb

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90091-5

IN LOVE BY CHRISTMAS

© 2020 Cari Lynn Webb

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

By payment of the required fees, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right and licence to download and install this e-book on your personal computer, tablet computer, smart phone or other electronic reading device only (each a “Licensed Device”) and to access, display and read the text of this e-book on-screen on your Licensed Device. Except to the extent any of these acts shall be permitted pursuant to any mandatory provision of applicable law but no further, no part of this e-book or its text or images may be reproduced, transmitted, distributed, translated, converted or adapted for use on another file format, communicated to the public, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher.

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Text to speech

“You were married?” he asked.

“Our styles were too different.” Much like hers was with Theo’s. Worlds apart. Except right now she felt… “My style was casual, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants sort of thing. I wasn’t really suited for fancy, structured boardrooms and partner lunches.”

“Are you always so honest?” Theo asked.

No. If Josie were truly honest, she’d admit she wanted to move even closer to him and dare to test their attraction. “Pretending to be what you aren’t can be exhausting.”

A shadow of a smile passed across his face. “Then, tell me, who is Josie Beck?”

“A woman determined to succeed on her own.” Josie locked her gaze on his. “I don’t want help from anyone who feels sorry for me.”

“So, Josie Beck is dedicated, proud and hardworking.” He reached up and tucked a curl behind her ear. “Anything else?”

Josie’s pulse accelerated, sending her feelings into the express lane. She quickly headed for a detour. “I’m late for an appointment.” And much too late to start listening to my heart.

Dear Reader,

I grew up in a house where the door was always open. Guests were welcome to stay a night or months. Our dinner table was full at every holiday. These shared moments with our family and friends became a special part of our lives.

The holidays are one of my favorite times of the year. Especially because it’s a chance to reconnect with those people in your life that have come to mean so much. In Love by Christmas is a celebration of family at the holidays and, of course, romance. Josie Beck and Theo Taylor overcome a lot to discover feelings for each other and share perfect moments with the ones they love.

Wishing everyone a great holiday season!

I love to connect with readers. Check out my website at carilynnwebb.com to learn more about my upcoming books, sign up for email book announcements or chat with me on Facebook ( carilynnwebb) or Twitter ( @carilynnwebb). Remember to hug your friends and family for making these times special.

Happy reading!

Cari Lynn Webb

To my creative and talented nieces, Kayla and Lexi. Have faith. Keep believing. And always reach for the stars.

Special thanks to my writing tribe. To my family for their endless patience, support and letting me write on vacation. I love you guys!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Introduction

Dear Reader

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

EPILOGUE

Extract

About the Publisher

CHAPTER ONE

“WE’RE THIRTY MINUTES into the workday and no one is at their desks.” Theo Taylor wove through the open-concept offices of Coast to Coast Living’s San Francisco headquarters. He glanced at his sister, who was beside him. “Was there a meeting I wasn’t told about?”

“Looks like Mother is holding another one of her impromptu employee-wellness sessions.” Adriana pointed at the crowd gathered outside a corner office and frowned. “Wonder what it is this week—parrot yoga, IV drips or detox teas?”

Employee wellness was fine and, in fact, encouraged, but not during work hours. Theo had explained that to his mother last week after he’d interrupted her crystal-stone-therapy session, and the week prior after he’d unplugged the blender and dismantled her charcoal-and-celery-juice presentation. Theo shook his head and veered toward his mother’s office.