Glynna Kaye - High Country Holiday

A Holiday Reunion

When Cody Hawk returns to Canyon Springs, Arizona, to make peace with his ailing father, his bad-boy reputation is still intact. So is his love for the woman he was forced to leave behind. But the privileged Paris Perslow is still off-limits. When Paris needs his help with the annual holiday gala, Cody braves the town’s disapproving glances for a second chance with his first love. Years ago Cody promised he’d return for her. But with everyone and everything against them, what will it take to prove to Paris that his love is the perfect gift?

Did she have the courage to ask him?

It made sense to go to the Christmas gala together, she told herself. She was the head of the committee. Cody was in charge of decorations. Who could possibly object?

“Do you have a tux squirreled away some place?” she asked.

He looked at her, a glint in his eye. “What would be in it for me?”

Paris caught the teasing tone. “Great food. Live band. The oohs and aahs as everyone admires how great you look in a tux.”

“You’ve never seen me in a tux.”

She raised a brow. “I have a vivid imagination.”

A smile tugged at his lips even as warning bells sounded in his head. He’d give anything to waltz Paris around the dance floor in front of the astonished faces of the town’s elite. But could he ever indulge in a dream like that?

She looked him straight in the eye. “So,” she challenged, “how about it, Mr. Hawk?”

GLYNNA KAYE

treasures memories of growing up in small Midwestern towns—in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois—and vacations spent in another rural community with the Texan side of the family. She traces her love of storytelling to the many times a houseful of great-aunts and great-uncles gathered with her grandma to share hours of what they called “windjammers”—candid, heartwarming, poignant and often humorous tales of their youth and young adulthood.

Glynna now lives in Arizona, and when she isn’t writing she’s gardening and enjoying photography and the great outdoors.

High Country Holiday

Glynna Kaye

www.millsandboon.co.uk

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.”

—Luke 2:10–11

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

—Colossians 1:13–14

Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

—Colossians 3:13

To Aunt Nancy—

Thank you for being a part of my life.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Holiday Reunion When Cody Hawk returns to Canyon Springs, Arizona, to make peace with his ailing father, his bad-boy reputation is still intact. So is his love for the woman he was forced to leave behind. But the privileged Paris Perslow is still off-limits. When Paris needs his help with the annual holiday gala, Cody braves the town’s disapproving glances for a second chance with his first love. Years ago Cody promised he’d return for her. But with everyone and everything against them, what will it take to prove to Paris that his love is the perfect gift?

Introduction Did she have the courage to ask him? It made sense to go to the Christmas gala together, she told herself. She was the head of the committee. Cody was in charge of decorations. Who could possibly object? “Do you have a tux squirreled away some place?” she asked. He looked at her, a glint in his eye. “What would be in it for me?” Paris caught the teasing tone. “Great food. Live band. The oohs and aahs as everyone admires how great you look in a tux.” “You’ve never seen me in a tux.” She raised a brow. “I have a vivid imagination.” A smile tugged at his lips even as warning bells sounded in his head. He’d give anything to waltz Paris around the dance floor in front of the astonished faces of the town’s elite. But could he ever indulge in a dream like that? She looked him straight in the eye. “So,” she challenged, “how about it, Mr. Hawk?”

About the Author GLYNNA KAYE treasures memories of growing up in small Midwestern towns—in Iowa, Missouri, Illinois—and vacations spent in another rural community with the Texan side of the family. She traces her love of storytelling to the many times a houseful of great-aunts and great-uncles gathered with her grandma to share hours of what they called “windjammers”—candid, heartwarming, poignant and often humorous tales of their youth and young adulthood. Glynna now lives in Arizona, and when she isn’t writing she’s gardening and enjoying photography and the great outdoors.

Title Page High Country Holiday Glynna Kaye www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” —Luke 2:10–11 For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. —Colossians 1:13–14 Forgive as the Lord forgave you. —Colossians 3:13

Dedication To Aunt Nancy— Thank you for being a part of my life.

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

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Three weddings next month? Are you kidding me?” Paris Perslow cast a look of dismay at the wall calendar in the back room of her father’s real estate office on Main Street. The pastor of Canyon Springs Christian Church had to be out of his mind asking her to get involved with this. “December’s only a few days away.”

Outside the back window, a gust of wind swept snow through the towering ponderosa pines, filling the air with a reminder of the frosty holiday season. While it wasn’t by any means the first snowfall of the year in this Arizona mountain community, she wasn’t ready for winter.

Or Christmas.

Or Christmas weddings.

Another gust rattled the window, tendrils of cold creeping in around its wooden framework. She stepped away from the glassy panes, thankful for her cashmere sweater.

“My wife would kill me if she knew I was asking you to help.” The voice of Pastor Jason Kenton carried over the phone in an apologetic tone. “You know, because...”

Yes, she did know. Because both he and his wife, Reyna, were aware she’d stepped away from responsibilities as a volunteer wedding coordinator when her own dream wedding three and a half years ago had taken a tragic turn.

“I’m sorry about Reyna’s illness, Jason, but I don’t see how I could pull three weddings together on such short notice.” Not if they were anything like the over-the-top extravaganza she and her mother-in-law-to-be had once orchestrated.

“There isn’t much left to do,” he assured. “Jake Talford and Macy Colston have been planning their wedding since last spring. Sharon and Bill since the summer. And you know the Diaz clan—the whole family will be on top of Abby and Brett’s special day. You’d be more of a go-to person representing the church, a reassuring voice for jittery brides and grooms.”