Robyn Carr - Bring Me Home For Christmas

New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr brings you home to Virgin River in a Christmas story about reuniting with the one person you just can’t forget.

This year, Becca Timm knows the number one item on her Christmas wish list: getting over Denny Cutler. Three years ago Denny broke her heart before heading off to war. It’s time she got over her silly college relationship and moved on.

So she takes matters into her own hands and heads up to Virgin River, the rugged little mountain town that Denny calls home, as an uninvited guest on her brother’s men-only hunting weekend. But when an accident turns her impromptu visit into an extended stay, Becca finds herself stranded in Virgin River. With Denny. In very close quarters.

As the power of Christmas envelops the little town, Becca discovers that the boy she once loved has become a strong and confident man. And the most delicious Christmas present she can imagine.

“Strong women, honorable ex-marines and rural dangers, the hallmarks of this life-affirming, feel-good series, are all here.”

—Booklist on A Virgin River Christmas

Praise for New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Robyn Carr

“This book is an utter delight.”

—RT Book Reviews on Moonlight Road

“Strong conflict, humor and well-written characters are Carr’s calling cards, and they’re all present here…You won’t want to put this one down.”

—RT Book Reviews on Angel’s Peak

“This story has everything: a courageous, outspoken heroine; a to-die-for hero; and a plot that will touch readers’ hearts on several different levels. Truly excellent.”

—RT Book Reviews on Forbidden Falls

“An intensely satisfying read. By turns humorous and gut-wrenchingly emotional, it won’t soon be forgotten.”

—RT Book Reviews on Paradise Valley

“Carr has hit her stride with this captivating series.”

—Library Journal on the Virgin River series

“The Virgin River books are so compelling— I connected instantly with the characters and just wanted more and more and more.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

Happy Holidays, Dear Friends,

The good folks of Virgin River like to celebrate Christmas in style. They have a tradition where they head into the surrounding woods and select the tallest fir tree they can find, towing it, into the center of town to erect in front of Jack’s Bar. They decorate the tree in red, white and blue, and in lieu of the usual ornaments, Jack, Mel, Preacher, Paige and all of their friends fill the branches with patches from the units in which they and their loved ones have served over the years. These patches pay tribute to the military men and women, along with their friends and families, for their dedication to the pursuit of freedom around the world. We honor them for the incredible sacrifices they have made. It’s an awe-inspiring tradition—and one that some of my readers have replicated both in their own communities and at the Jack’s Bar chat site (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RobynCarr_Chatgroup/).

This season, it’s our hope that you will follow the Virgin River tradition by decorating trees in your community—and online—to honor your local servicemen and -women and their families.

For information on how you can bring this meaningful tradition to your community, please visit www.RobynCarr.com.

Have a happy and healthy holiday season,

Robyn Carr

Robyn Carr

Bring Me Home for Christmas

www.mirabooks.co.uk

For Colleen Gleason, whose friendship and encouragement mean the world to me.

Contents

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

One

Rich Timm drove into Virgin River a mere ten hours after leaving San Diego. He’d made excellent time because he tended to ignore little things like speed limits. And…he had been trapped in the Ford truck with his twin sister, Becca, all day and had had about enough.

As Becca gazed out the window at the town, she muttered, “Seriously?”

“What?” Rich said.

“This is the place Denny never wants to leave? It isn’t exactly…you know…quaint.”

Rich pulled up to the only bar in town, right next to a truck he knew belonged to one of two other buddies from the Marines who were meeting him here. “Maybe that’s not what he was looking for.” Rich put the truck in Park. Before he turned off the ignition, he turned in his seat and said to his sister, “Since you wouldn’t let me warn Denny you were coming along, promise me you won’t make trouble.”

“Rich,” she said with a laugh. “Why would I make trouble?”

“Oh, I don’t know,” he said, rolling his eyes. “Because you’re his ex-girlfriend? Because this is a guys’ hunting trip and you’re not a guy and everyone will have to take care of you?”

“No one has to take care of me,” she said indignantly. Then she smiled very sweetly. “I’m anxious to meet your other friends. And to hunt—I’m anxious to hunt.”

He scowled. “Right,” he said. “You expect me to believe you’re going to shoot a duck and pluck it?”

If I have to pluck it with my teeth to be convincing, she thought. “Of course! I’m a little more excited about fly-fishing, though. I can’t wait to try that.” She opened her door. “You about ready?”

He grunted. “Do not be a problem. Do not be a pain in my ass for a week!”

“Do not be a jerk,” she countered.

Becca had arrived at Rich’s town house at three in the morning, big suitcase and shotgun in hand. When he opened the door, wearing nothing but boxers, she said, “Guess what? I don’t have anything to do this week, so I’m coming with you. I’ve never been duck hunting or fly-fishing.”

“You’re out of your mind, right?” he said, scratching his hair, which was crazy from bed. “Didn’t you tell Mom and Dad you were going home with Doug for Thanksgiving?”

She shook her head. “That isn’t going to work out and I don’t want Mom and Dad to cancel their trip plans just so I’m not alone on Thanksgiving.”

“Why isn’t it going to work out?”

“Doug’s way too busy—he’s going all the way to the East Coast for two days. Come on, this is a great idea. A little last minute, but it’ll be fun. Be a sport.”

“And what about Denny?” he asked. “Your ex?”

She put a hand on her hip. “It’s time we all moved on from that, don’t you think? I have no hard feelings and I’m sure he doesn’t. He probably has a girlfriend. This is a perfect opportunity to make sure it’s all cool between us. I mean, really—since you guys are good friends and all… And it was a long time ago.”

“Yeah, but it was brutal,” Rich said, looking down at her suspiciously.

“We were young,” she said with a shrug.

“And what does Doug think about this?” Rich asked.

“Doug isn’t the jealous type. He told me to have a good time. Anyway, Doug is not your problem.”

“I know,” Rich said. “Apparently, you’re my problem.” He let her come into his town house. “You better know what you’re doing,” he said. “If you screw up my hunting trip, you’re going to pay.”

Becca’s decision really hadn’t been as spur of the moment as she had pretended. A lot of planets had converged and she found herself planning, quickly. Rich had been talking about this hunting trip for weeks, with good old Denny—the guy she once thought she was going to marry. The guy who broke up with her three years ago. The guy she still thought about way too much. Then the elementary school where she taught shut down, due to financial issues they just couldn’t resolve, and she found herself suddenly unemployed. And Doug, the law student she’d been seeing for the past year, asked her to look at engagement rings.