Sheila Roberts - Christmas In Icicle Falls

Join USA TODAY bestselling author Sheila Roberts this Christmas as she returns for the final installment in her treasured Icicle Falls series

When Muriel Sterling released her new book, A Guide to Happy Holidays, she felt like the queen of Christmas. She’s thrilled when the new tree she ordered online arrives and is eager to show it off—until she gets it out of the box and realizes it’s a mangy dud. But rather than give up on the ugly tree, Muriel decides to make a project out of it. As she pretties up her tree, she realizes there’s a lesson to be learned: everything and everyone has potential. Maybe even her old friend Arnie, who’s loved her for years. Except, she’s not the only one seeing Arnie’s potential...

Meanwhile, Muriel’s ugly-tree project has also inspired her friends. Sienna Moreno is trying to bring out the best in the grouchy man next door, who hates noise, hates kids and hates his new neighbors. And while Olivia Claussen would love to send her obnoxious new daughter-in-law packing, she’s adjusting her attitude and trying to discover what her son sees in the girl. If these women can learn to see the beauty in the “ugly trees” in their lives, perhaps this might turn out to be the happiest holiday yet.

Praise for the novels of Sheila Roberts

“Crisp, charming and amusing storytelling.... A well-crafted plot and distinctive, genuine and endearing characters.... Roberts will delight and charm with her special brand of heartwarming romance.”

—RT Book Reviews on Starting Over on Blackberry Lane

“It’s always great to go back to Icicle Falls.... Sheila Roberts has created a magical place where friendship and love abound, and you never know who’s going to turn up here next. Another enchanting tale.”

—Fresh Fiction on Starting Over on Blackberry Lane

“The latest in Roberts completely charming Icicle Falls series is both a delightful celebration of the joys of small-town life and a richly rewarding romance sweetened with just the right dash of bright humor.”

—Booklist on Home on Apple Blossom Road

“Engaging, sweet, and dusted with humor, this emotional romance tugs at the heartstrings.”

—Library Journal on Home on Apple Blossom Road

“Roberts engages readers from the first page with her colorfully distinctive characters and her amusing storytelling. She expresses the pitfalls that occur through the holiday season with flair and fun. A delightful read.”

—RT Book Reviews on Christmas on Candy Cane Lane

“The Lodge on Holly Road is the ultimate in feel-good family drama and heart-melting romance.”

—USA TODAY

“The common thread and theme of making changes in your life for the better serve as an inspiration and make this novel a real page-turner.”

—RT Book Reviews on The Cottage on Juniper Ridge

Christmas in Icicle Falls

Sheila Roberts

For Sandy and her ugly tree.

Dear Reader,

Thanks so much for joining me once more in Icicle Falls. This will be our last visit to my favorite mountain town, and I have to admit, I’m a little sorry to say goodbye to all those characters who have become so real to me.

But we’re going out with one final Christmas celebration and a few final pearls of wisdom from our resident wisewoman, Muriel Sterling. Muriel herself is going to learn a few things in this book and I hope you’ll enjoy watching her story unfold. Of course, she’s not the only one who’s going to have a sharp learning curve. Muriel’s old friend Olivia is going to learn an important lesson and maybe so will Sienna Moreno, a newcomer to town who’s got to deal with her grumpy neighbor, a modern-day Scrooge.

So, grab a cup of your favorite holiday tea, and let me spin one final Icicle Falls adventure for you. I hope you enjoy the ride. Merry Christmas and, as Tiny Tim once said, God bless us, everyone!

Sheila

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Praise

Title Page

Dedication

Dear Reader

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

Our Favorite Recipes from Icicle Falls

Olivia’s Eggnog Muffins

Muriel’s Brie in Puff Pastry Appetizer

Cecily’s Winter Salad

Sienna’s Enchiladas

Muriel’s Fruitcake Cookies

Bailey’s Peppermint Cupcakes

Acknowledgments

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

This is the time of year to offer thanks for all the wonderful people in our lives.

—Muriel Sterling, A Guide to Happy Holidays

Thanksgiving, a day to spend with family, to give thanks for all your blessings, to...have a close encounter with your cranky neighbor’s shrubbery. Oh, yes, this was how Sienna Moreno wanted to start her day.

Why, oh, why, had she ventured out in her car on an icy street to go to the grocery store for more milk when she could have asked her cousin Rita Reyes to bring it? Rita’s husband, Tito, worked at the Safeway meat department. He could have picked up a gallon.

But oh, no. She had to go out on her cheap no-weather tires. She should have stretched her budget a little further and gotten those snow tires like Rita had told her to do. “Here in the mountains, you want snow tires,” Rita had said.

Yes, she did, especially now as she was skidding toward Mr. Cratchett’s front yard.

“We’re gonna die!” her nine-year-old son, Leo, cried, clapping his hands over his eyes as they slid up and over Mr. Cratchett’s juniper bush. Sienna could hear the branches crunching under them, the bush equivalent of breaking bones. Madre de Dios!

The good news was the bush brought her to a stop. The bad news was she was stopped right in front of Mr. Cratchett’s house.

Maybe she hadn’t damaged the bush too much. “It’s okay, honey. We’re fine,” she assured her son and got out of the car on shaky legs. She probably couldn’t say the same for Mr. Cratchett’s landscaping.

She was barely out of her car before her neighbor stormed down the walk, an ancient navy pea coat thrown on over pajama bottoms stuffed into boots, a knit cap pulled over his sparse gray hair. He was scowling. Great.

“What have you done to my juniper bush?” he demanded.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. Cratchett. I hit a slippery spot.”

“You shouldn’t be out if you don’t know how to drive in the snow,” Cratchett growled.

She wasn’t sure how she’d learn to drive in the snow if she didn’t get out in it but she decided this wasn’t the time for that observation.

He leaned over the bush like a detective examining a corpse. “This thing will never come back. You’ve damaged it beyond repair.”

“I’ll buy you a new one this spring,” Sienna promised.

“You certainly will,” he snapped. “If you don’t, you’ll be hearing from my lawyer. You’re becoming a real nuisance.”

“So are you,” she muttered as she got back into her car.

“He’s mad,” Leo observed.

There was an understatement. “It’s okay,” she said as much to herself as her son. She put the car in gear, held her breath and inched toward their driveway. The car swayed as they turned in. Ooh.