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  Also by Brynne Asher

  The Carpino Series

  Overflow – The Carpino Series, Book 1

  Beautiful Life – The Carpino Series, Book 2

  Athica Lane – The Carpino Series, Book 3

  Until Avery – A Carpino Series Crossover Novella

  Killers Series

  Vines – A Killers Novel, Book 1

  Paths – A Killers Novel, Book 2

  Gifts – A Killers Novel, Book 3

  Veils – A Killers Novel, Book 4

  Scars – A Killers Novel, Book 5

  Souls – A Killers Novel, Book 6

  Until the Tequila – A Killers Crossover Novella

  The Dillon Sisters

  Deathly by Brynne Asher

  Damaged by Layla Frost

  The Montgomery Series

  Bad Situation – The Montgomery Series, Book 1

  Broken Halo – The Montgomery Series, Book 2

  Standalones

  Blackburn

  Epilogue

  Saint Nick

  I finished off the last of my sugar cookies and sighed happily. Mrs. Claus was very strict about my intake of sweets during ten months out of the year, so I had to sneak in treats whenever I could. And the spread of desserts set out for the New Year’s Eve party at the Snowed Inn Lodge had some of my very favorites.

  A few places around the world still opened my gifts on New Year’s Day, and the time difference gave me the perfect opportunity to stop in and check on my Christmas miracles. I’d even dressed for the occasion, trading my bright red pants for black slacks, though I certainly couldn’t lose my suspenders, now could I? A party hat had replaced my cap, and instead of my pipe, I had a sparkly red blowout hanging from my mouth.

  The door to the lodge opened, causing snow flurries to burst inside. The blizzard had passed, but this was Winter Falls after all. Levi and Gina walked inside, the glow of love swirling around them with the snow and eyes only for each other.

  As Levi took her coat off, he bent to whisper something in her ear. Thanks to magic—being Father Frost had so many wonderful perks—I heard every word.

  “I asked the pastry chef to make something special for you. Go look on the table by the Christmas tree.” Gina’s eyes lit with happiness, and she held tight to Levi’s hand as she hurried across the room. My smile nearly cracked my face when I thought about the banana pudding waiting for her. I knew Levi would help her find her confidence again by showing her what true love really was.

  She’ll be really surprised that Levi has already started looking for a wedding ring.

  “Levi,” Gavin greeted the other man as he approached with his arm around Tory’s shoulders.

  The men shook hands before introducing their women. “Did I hear right?” Levi asked. “You got your ass stuck in a shack on the mountain? You?”

  Gavin shrugged. “Can’t be completely prepared all the time. Besides”—he gazed lovingly at Tory, who smiled and cuddled into him—“sometimes it’s the things we’re not prepared for that end up being the most incredible.”

  Levi kissed Gina’s head, then met her eyes before saying, “Or maybe we’ve always been preparing and didn’t know it.”

  Gavin cocked his head to the side and grinned. “You might be right.”

  “It can’t hurt to plan ahead, though,” Gina piped up in a voice ripe with mirth. “Like, say, putting up a Christmas tree before Christmas.”

  “Next year, baby,” Levi assured her with a wink. “And every one after.”

  The couples chatted for another minute, then Gavin led Tory to a quiet spot by the fire and sat, pulling her onto his lap. “Being snowed in with you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. You’re my Christmas miracle.”

  Tory melted into him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Who’d have thought my story would end this way?” she mused with a giggle. “Losing a crappy friend, only to find the love of my life.”

  I chuckled to myself as I thought about how their story began. But rest assured, her “friend” had earned herself a place on the naughty list for many Christmases to come.

  “How often do you have blizzards like this in Winter Falls?” Tory queried.

  “We have several every season, but this one was one of the worst I’ve seen.” He waited for a beat, but she didn’t say anything else. “Why do you ask?”

  “Just wondering,” she said in a nonchalant tone.

  I wanted to burst out laughing at her subtle inquiry. Gavin obviously picked up on it too because he grinned and lifted her face with a curled finger under her chin. “Are you trying to ask if finding ourselves snowed in again will be a common occurrence?”

  She blushed but returned his happy smile. “Maybe.”

  “Baby, we don’t need a blizzard to be snowed in.”

  My belly shook with my amusement. I had no doubt he was already making plans. And not just the plane ticket to Nashville he’d already booked or the moving truck he had lined up. Gavin had long-term plans that included their happily ever after.

  I noticed Charlee and Rowan tucked into a corner, kissing and trying not to get carried away. When they came up for air, she laid her head on his chest with a blissful smile, and he rested his hand protectively over her stomach.

  Soon, it would look a lot like mine! I had a little chuckle over that, and my belly shook like...well, you know.

  Just as I’d hoped, being snowed in together had helped these two clear the air and find their love was stronger than ever.

  Cupid was sulking over the fact that he’d gotten them together, but I’d figured out how to make them happy. I couldn’t wait until I received the first letter from their little one.

  It might have taken them a bit to conceive the first round, but it wouldn’t be long before their home was filled with little ones. Now that Rowan has his wife back at his side, she’d never leave it again.

  Marley waved at her sister and dragged Saint with her to introduce him. He looked uncomfortable in the busy room, but when his eyes landed on Marley, the whole world clearly melted away.

  “Hey, Charlee. Rowan,” Marley greeted with a beaming smile before looking up at her man. “This is Saint.”

  “Damn, Marley,” Charlee snorted as she waved a hand in front of her face. “You guys are so hot it’s getting steamy in here.”

  Rowan’s eyes narrowed, and he turned Charlee to face him, holding her hands at the small of her back. “Did you just call another man hot, baby?”

  “No. I said they were hot. Is Saint good looking too?” she asked, batting her eyelashes innocently. “I hadn’t noticed.”

  Her husband shook his head and gave her an indulgent smile before whispering in her ear. “I’m choosing to believe you. Good girls get rewarded, you know.” They stared at each other until Marley cleared her throat.

  “Saint, this is my sister Charlee and her husband, Rowan.” She tucked her hair behind her ear, and Charlee squealed as she grabbed her sister’s hand.

  “You’re engaged?” She bounced excitedly. “You should get pregnant!”

  Marley’s face turned pink, and Saint grunted, “Working on it.”

  How right he was, I thought with a chuff of laughter that made my horn toot.

  I had it on good authority that this time next year, the hard work Saint was putting in would have paid off. And Marley’s obsession with pink would only get worse. They may have fallen fast, but their type of love lasted forever.

  “Lincoln!” My head turned, and I spotted Raven’s brother, Jake, across the room, calling out to his friend. Lincoln smiled and strolled over while keeping Bethenny tucked close to his side. When Raven saw the two of them, her brows rose. “This is the guy mom wanted to set me up with?”

  “What?!” Lincoln and Caleb said at the same time.

  Jake’s eyes bounced between both couples awkwardly, then he spun on his heel and walked away.

  Caleb pulled Raven into the circle of his arms, her back to his chest, and glared at Lincoln. “She’s taken,” he growled, holding up Raven’s hand, which was sporting a rock no one could possibly miss.

  Lincoln rolled his eyes and jerked his chin down at Bethenny. “So am I.”

  “And don’t you forget it,” Bethenny quipped, her eyes sparkling with humor.

  She looked so much lighter than the last time I saw her. I knew if she let Lincoln take charge in their private life, it would lift a lot of weight off her shoulders. And, just as I planned, it opened her heart to love.

  The position of mayor was term-limited, but Bethenny would always be someone this town looked to for guidance. I could see her running for higher office, and while it would have worried me before, I could rest easy knowing that Lincoln would keep her from working too hard. Especially at Christmas.

  A guest called out a hello to Raven, and she smiled warmly, waving back. Then they greeted Caleb with a similar reception, and I couldn’t help feeling a little smug about matching those two. Once Caleb settled into a life he wanted, his real personality emerged. One that was as charismatic and easy-going as Raven’s. They were a perfect combination to run this place. Like hot chocolate and marshmallows, as Raven would say.

  Her habit of comparing everything to hot chocolate flavors always made me hungry, so I surreptitiously made my way over to the desserts again.

  “Hey, Raven,” Demi said as she walked up to her. “Do you still need help with that little problem?”

  Caleb’s arm tightened around Raven, and she smirked, shaking her head. “Thanks, Demi, but I figured it out.” Then she dropped her head back and winked at Caleb.

  “Sounds good,” Demi replied absentmindedly, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Her attention had been snagged by something—or should I say someone—across the room. She took a step forward, but Posey appeared out of nowhere, grabbing her arm and dragging her over near where I stood, munching on a reindeer-shaped sugar cookie. I sent a silent apology to Rudolph when I bit its nose off.

  “So, it’s official. I’m moving to Boston.”

  “You wasted no time,” Demi said, but that smile that’d been playing grew into a grin.

  “Not me. Eli. Immediately after I agreed, he started planning.” Her cheeks flushed before she amended, “Okay, not immediately. But still.”

  “What’re you going to do about your studio?”

  Posey’s grin grew so wide, it had to hurt her cheeks. “Eli already has his boss and friends working on it. The cabin is listed to rent, and what I’m not bringing with me, I’m leaving for renters or donating. We’re almost done.”

  “It really is official.”

  “Yup.”

  “Nervous?”

  “I’m wishing I had a margarita with a bunch of cocktail umbrellas.” She reached out and grabbed her friend’s hands. “But that’s just ’cause I’m already missing you and reminiscing about our nights at The Drop In and Peak 7 Local.”

  Demi pulled her into a hug. “Miss you, too. But this happily ever after is more than overdue.” When she pulled back, her gaze went over Posey and hardened.

  The target of her menace wasn’t fazed as he pulled his woman out of her best friend’s embrace. “Hey, fairy godmother.”

  Demi fought to keep her expression in place. “If you hurt her, I’ll hack your life and wreak havoc.”

  “If I hurt her, I’ll give you my passwords and make it easy on you.”

  It wouldn’t be necessary. Like his other Hyde brothers, Eli had fallen fast and hard. And also like them, he’d do everything to shield her from any hurt. They all would—his big, chosen family. It was about time Posey experienced the craziness of a big family.

  Well, that and all the chaos and excitement of Boston. She was going to love it.

  “Good.” Demi released his hand, but before it fell, it was snatched by Logan, and he pulled her into his side.

  Posey looked him up and down with a smirk, taking in his men’s jeans and sweater. “I’m a little disappointed. I heard you look damn good in Demi’s wardrobe.”

  Logan shrugged. “I made it work.”

  Demi and Posey laughed, both settling comfortably against their men. I did a mental jig at seeing them coming out of their shells. Even if Demi was still a little hesitant about leaving Winter Falls to be with Logan, I knew she’d figure it out soon. If she were being too stubborn, I’d give her an extra little nudge. I didn’t often extend my Christmas magic past New Year’s, but for Demi and Logan, I’d make an exception. I saw travels in their future, and a new home in the Big Apple, but I would’ve laid all my eggnog down on the fact Winter Falls would be the place I visited Logan and the soon-to-be Mrs. Carpino every Christmas. And their children. Demi might need a few days, but she’d be on a plane to Logan, and from there, they’d be inseparable. Forever.

  “I’m telling Santa to put coal in her stocking next year.”

  Hearing my name, I twisted around to see Quinn pouting as Nick tugged her into the lodge through the Inn’s entrance. Laughing, he shook his head. “I don’t think kicking you out of the food bank on New Year’s Eve and telling you to have some fun will earn her a spot on the naughty list.”

  I silently tsked. He was right, and being a tattletale would only tip Quinn a little closer to the naughty list. However, her dedication was certainly admirable, and it might even out the scales.

  “Even your grandad kicked us out and said to enjoy a night off.” He laced their fingers together and brought her into his body before dipping down to give her a tender kiss.

  With a mental pat on my back, I stroked my beard to hide my wide smile. Nick had done an excellent job untangling himself from his family—a lot of names on the dark side of my list in that group—and fitting right in with Quinn’s. He had chosen her, and that made all the difference in their relationship. I decided that his determination to learn the ropes so her grandad could retire deserved extra presents next year.

  Of course, there would be even more presents under their tree next year, considering Quinn already had a bun in the oven, though she didn’t know it yet. She would have a newborn baby this time next year.

  Miracles abound at Christmas, and that pair was a match made in heaven if there ever was one. Nick was going to be a good father, the kind that he hadn’t had himself, and Quinn would be the sort of mother every little one deserves. As an orphan, she grew up longing for a mom to care for her. Now she’d have her wish come true.

  It warmed my heart to imagine this little family growing, and as I scanned the room, my chest puffed up in triumph and nearly busting my buttons. Ha! And Mrs. Claus thinks I should stay out of people’s love lives.

  Crazy talk. Where would these couples be without me? First, mail-order brides, and now love blooming from forced proximity. I was two for two.

  The question was, who was next? That was almost as much fun as arranging the opportunities for love.

  My sappy and romantic heart sighed happily. Christmas really should be the holiday for love, not that silly day Cupid pretends is all about him.

  What could be better than love at Christmas?

 

 

  Elle Christensen, Snowed Inn for Christmas

 

 

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