Linda Warren - A Texas Holiday Miracle

CHRISTMAS IS FOR REAL

Moving to Horseshoe, Texas, to become guardian of her half sister has been rewarding for Lacey Carroll. But raising a six-year-old—especially one who has stopped believing in Santa Claus—has its challenges. Lacey’s goal is to bring holiday wonder back into the child’s life, which isn’t going to be easy with a grinch like Gabe Garrison next door. The man is mean, rude…and hurting.

After losing his son, Gabe shut out the world. But his privacy is invaded by the quirky, dynamic blonde and her kid sister, who are single-handedly filling his solitary life with love. When Lacey enlists him in a holiday campaign for Emma’s sake, he can’t resist. Will Lacey’s unique brand of healing magic make this a season of second chances—for all of them?

“My lipstick is all gone. Kiss me.”

“What?”

“Kissing will make my lips red. Don’t you know that?”

“I…”

Lacey caught the front of Gabe’s sweatshirt and pulled him forward, planting a kiss smack on his lips. For a moment he was caught off guard, but found himself responding.

Pulling back, she licked her lips. “Cool and chocolaty. Nice.” She puckered up. “Are they pink?”

He cracked a smile. He couldn’t help himself. She was infectious and tempting and drawing him into her delightful personality.

“You are crazy.”

“See?” She touched his lips with one finger, and he wanted to grab it with his teeth and nibble and… “I made you smile. It helps to be a little crazy and not take life so seriously.”

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page ABOUT THE AUTHOR Acknowledgements 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright ,

Welcome back to Horseshoe, Texas (The Sheriff of Horseshoe, Texas, Mills & Boon American Romance, March 2009; One Night in Texas, Mills & Boon American Romance, May 2014). This is a story about learning to love and live again. I have to warn you—there are some scenes that are sad, but if you hang in there, you’ll cheer for Lacey and Gabe and maybe even shed a few tears of joy for them.

This story came out of nowhere. Late one night I was watching reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond. Ray wanted to tell Ally the truth about Santa Claus. Debra was adamantly against it. Back and forth it went with their crazy antics. Then I read a story on the internet about a woman who had lost her husband and wanted to make Christmas special for her little girl. But all the little girl wanted was for her daddy to come home. These two things got me thinking. What would you do if someone told your child there was no Santa Claus? No Christmas? And what if you had to handle it alone while dealing with a heartbreaking loss?

We’ve all lost loved ones and know how difficult it is to let go. Lacey has lost her father and has guardianship of her six-year-old half sister, Emma. Her next-door neighbor, Gabe Garrison, has lost his eight-year-old son in an accident. This was a difficult story to write because of the grief, but a dog named Pepper and a little girl who doesn’t believe in Christmas anymore pulls it all together in an unimaginable way. Keep reading to the very last page and you’ll believe in miracles, too.

Merry Christmas!

With love and thanks,

Linda Warren

You can email me at Lw1508@aol.com, or send me a message on Facebook, www.facebook.com/lindawarrenauthor, or Twitter @texauthor, or write me at P.O. Box 5182, Bryan, TX 77805. Visit my website at www.lindawarren.net. Your mail and thoughts are deeply appreciated.

A Texas

Holiday Miracle

Linda Warren

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ABOUT THE AUTHOR Acknowledgements 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright

Two-time RITA® Award-nominated and award-winning author LINDA WARRENloves her job, writing happily-ever-after books for Mills & Boon. Drawing upon her years of growing up on a farm/ranch in Texas, she writes about sexy heroes, feisty heroines and broken families with an emotional punch, all set against the backdrop of Texas. Her favorite pastime is sitting on her patio with her husband watching the wildlife, especially the injured ones that are coming in pairs these days: two Canada geese with broken wings, two does with broken legs and a bobcat ready to pounce on anything tasty. Learn more about Linda and her books at her website, www.lindawarren.net, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/authorlindawarren.

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A special thanks to my go-to ladies, Cindi, Joan, Charissa and Tammy, who know everything from kids to Christmas to plotting. Thank you!

Dedication 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 Epilogue Extract Copyright

I dedicate this book to the readers, who write to me, buy my books, come to book signings, encourage me and support me. Your friendship means the world to me. Wishing you love, joy and happiness this holiday season.

And a miracle or two. Love, Linda

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text CHRISTMAS IS FOR REAL Moving to Horseshoe, Texas, to become guardian of her half sister has been rewarding for Lacey Carroll. But raising a six-year-old—especially one who has stopped believing in Santa Claus—has its challenges. Lacey’s goal is to bring holiday wonder back into the child’s life, which isn’t going to be easy with a grinch like Gabe Garrison next door. The man is mean, rude…and hurting. After losing his son, Gabe shut out the world. But his privacy is invaded by the quirky, dynamic blonde and her kid sister, who are single-handedly filling his solitary life with love. When Lacey enlists him in a holiday campaign for Emma’s sake, he can’t resist. Will Lacey’s unique brand of healing magic make this a season of second chances—for all of them?

Introduction “My lipstick is all gone. Kiss me.” “What?” “Kissing will make my lips red. Don’t you know that?” “I…” Lacey caught the front of Gabe’s sweatshirt and pulled him forward, planting a kiss smack on his lips. For a moment he was caught off guard, but found himself responding. Pulling back, she licked her lips. “Cool and chocolaty. Nice.” She puckered up. “Are they pink?” He cracked a smile. He couldn’t help himself. She was infectious and tempting and drawing him into her delightful personality. “You are crazy.” “See?” She touched his lips with one finger, and he wanted to grab it with his teeth and nibble and… “I made you smile. It helps to be a little crazy and not take life so seriously.”