Claus and Effect

  Piper Rayne

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  © 2023 by Piper Rayne®

  Piper Rayne® registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

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  * * *

  About Claus and Effect

  Two strangers who couldn’t be more opposite find themselves on an unexpected cross-country road trip days before Christmas where whatever can go wrong, does.

  He’s an Army Ranger.

  She’s a baker.

  He’s organized and rigid.

  She’s messy and carefree.

  He doesn’t do relationships.

  She’s following her heart.

  His family chat blows up his phone.

  She just buried her last living relative.

  The holiday season doesn’t seem so jolly as they venture from one mode of transportation to the next. But, they have to become friends and rely on each other if they’re going to survive all the obstacles thrown their way.

  As the miles grow shorter, vulnerabilities are shared, and by the time they reach their destination, neither one of them is sure what they really want for Christmas anymore.

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  Cockamamie Unicorn Ramblings

  About Piper & Rayne

  Also by Piper Rayne

  Prologue

  Her energy emanates through before she fully steps into the room.

  She’s the reason I’m here tonight. I don’t do a lot of parties anymore now that I have a regular clientele, but something whispered to me that I needed to be here tonight. So when I received the invitation to do readings at this swanky Christmas party on the Upper East Side, I agreed. One never goes against one’s spirit guides.

  My gold bracelets clink together when I extend my arms for her to sit in the chair across the table from me.

  I slide the tarot cards over as she takes her seat. “Shuffle these and separate them into three piles.”

  Her hands shake, her fingers struggling to keep a grasp on the edges of the cards.

  “Relax, darling.”

  She shoots me a small smile.

  “What’s your name?” I ask.

  “Tessa.” She divides the deck into three, and I stack them together to begin the reading.

  I dish out the cards in pyramid formation, each one telling me something. It’s clear why the universe put her in my path.

  She’s lost.

  “You’ve had a hard road. There’s been a lot of loss in your life.”

  “Yes,” she says, not elaborating, as if she’s afraid she’ll give me information to use.

  “There’s a recent loss that has caused your physical energy to weaken, your aura to dim.”

  She nods. “My great-uncle passed away, and there was a guy I was dating, but—”

  I raise a hand, shaking my head. “Not a person. Something else. Career?”

  She blinks rapidly, finally, she’s starting to believe me. “Um, yeah… I just closed my bakery. Never got it off the ground.”

  I bite down my smile, not because I’m happy she’s been dealing with so much, but because I think she’ll believe what I have to say now. Act on it.

  “I see the cloud above you that’s been weighing you down, lifting. But you must be open to it and allow your heart to override your mind when warranted. You have trust issues.”

  “Doesn’t everyone have them? This is New York City.” She gives me an empathetic smile.

  I nod. “A lot, but if you want to find fulfillment and happiness in life, you will have to open yourself.”

  I read her cards further. “This man you said you were dating—”

  “We weren’t serious.”

  “You give up on men easily.”

  I close my eyes, trying to picture him. I look to my right, pushing through the fog. An image emerges. He’s just as lost as she is. “I see him now.”

  “Who?”

  “Your soulmate. Dark hair, his family welcoming you into their home.”

  “Um…”

  “He helps people.” I squint, his entire being becoming clear. “West coast. He’s headed west. You need to head west, too.”

  “But… we were only casual.”

  I put up my hand to stop her, the feelings too strong to be interrupted. She’s definitely the reason I’m here tonight, to guide her to listen to her own intuition.

  “When you show him how much you care, he’ll admit his own feelings. You both might have some faults, but if you work through them together, you will have everything you’ve dreamed of.”

  “Carter?” she says in disbelief.

  “I can’t see a name. But this man is your one.” I open my eyes and stare into hers. “Listen to the universe, Tessa. It’s never quiet. Be receptive to what it’s telling you and you’ll find where you belong.”

  “Okay, thanks.” She digs out a twenty and pushes it across the red crushed velvet tablecloth. “That was fun,” she says as if we played a carnival game.

  I stand from the chair, my last attempt to get her to listen to me. “Tessa,” I call out to her. She turns back. “Don’t ignore the signs. I see you with his family on Christmas. This is your chance. Your happily ever after is waiting, you just have to take the first step. Have faith.”

  She gives me a little wave before pushing her way back through the hanging curtain in the doorway. I’m no Santa Claus, but if she listens to me, she’ll receive the best gift one could wish for—true love.

  Chapter One

  Tessa

  Today is the first day of what will change the trajectory of my life. At least, that’s what the psychic told me. And I’m choosing to believe her because what else do I have to lose?

  Andrew pulls the car up to the curb of JFK Airport, him and my best friend Kenzie’s hands entwined over the center console. The happily married couple.

  “Sorry for breaking up our throuple this Christmas,” I joke, but since they are basically my family and my social life, I’m deflecting with humor.

  Kenzie glances back from the front seat. “Are you sure you want to go? We don’t know how legit the psychic was. I mean, she was at a Christmas party.”

  “I don’t want to take the chance.”

  Had I planned to chase Carter to his parents’ house, even though his invite was a pity one? No. Mostly because I have no money to my name. Then Andrew left a first-class ticket to Portland in their guest room this morning, along with a note that read:

  I never thought I believed in this love stuff. Two years ago, I fell in love with an elf. Go explore what could be, and if it doesn’t pan out, at least you tried.

  Merry Christmas,

  Andrew

  And he’s right. What do I honestly have to lose? I had to close my bakery and I just buried my great-uncle, the last living family member I had. What’s wrong with hoping for a little magic during the holiday season? Some might call me crazy, but I’m going to follow my gut and hopefully at the end of this journey, I really will get my happily ever after. Besides, the psychic told me to watch for the signs and Andrew gifting me with a plane ticket seems like a big one.

  “Andrew, you have to be aggressive.” Kenzie reaches over and lays her hand on the horn to signal to the person in front of us who’s taking forever to pull back into traffic to get a move on.

  “It’s the holidays,” Andrew says in his posh British accent. “You’re supposed to be cheery.”

  But looking out the window at the crowded sidewalk packed with luggage and people, anxiety stacks inside of me.

  This is it. Now or never.

  Andrew and Kenzie continue to bicker as we file out of his car and they go to the back to retrieve my bag. I step on the sidewalk and stare at the airline sign.

  You’re nuts, I tell myself. But then I glance back to Kenzie and Andrew, finding his arms around her and his lips on hers. Who would have ever thought they were right for each other? No one, that’s who. But they fit perfectly, and Carter was a nice guy. I just never gave us a chance to get there, but now that all changes.

  I take my bag from Andrew.

  “Be careful and call us if you ne
ed us.” Kenzie throws herself at me, wrapping her arms around me so tightly I look at Andrew to unglue her from me.

  He laughs. “She’s not your baby going off to college, Kenz.” He guides her back by her shoulders to stand next to him.

  “I’m really doing this.” I nod.

  “You really are,” Kenzie says, biting her lip.

  “I’m proud of you,” Andrew says, smiling over at me.

  I nod over and over again. Andrew smiles. Kenzie’s eyes are lined with fear.

  “Okay, I’m going now.” But I don’t turn around.

  Come on, Tessa, turn around. You can do this.

  Forcing any more debate from my thoughts, I turn and step forward, only to trip over a bag. I step to my side to try and right myself but hit a man’s shoulder, which catapults me forward, my foot catching on the sidewalk seam and I fall flat on my face.

  This is not a good sign, universe.

  I lift my head and look up to see the military duffel I initially tripped over swung over a guy’s back as he saunters into the concourse.

  “Oh, Tess.” Kenzie rushes to my side like I’m her new kindergartener on the first day. “I can’t believe he didn’t apologize.” She narrows her eyes in his direction.

  “I’m not sure he saw me,” I grumble, dusting salt and snow off my jacket. “I felt like a pinball.”

  No one around me is paying any attention. Of course, because we’re at a New York City airport one week before Christmas.

  “Still.” Kenzie continues to glare like a mother might. I wouldn’t know since mine died when I was young.

  “All right, if I don’t go now, I’m never going to go.” I hug her once more. Quick and tight otherwise I might never gain the courage to do this.

  Andrew lifts his hand in a wave that turns into a thumbs-up with a big cheesy smile.

  I’m sure he’s anxious to be free of me. I would be if I were him.

  “Go to your husband. I’ll call you.”

  I release her, grab the handle of my suitcase, and walk steadily into the concourse without looking back. But I feel her watching me as if she’s just waiting for me to run back to her.

  I walk to the self-serve kiosk, check in, get my boarding pass, drop my luggage off, and walk toward security. As we all stand in line, moving inch by painful inch, I continue to glimpse at my watch.

  I don’t fly a lot but airports always suck. I take a deep breath, the anxiety gaining the longer I stand in line. I close my eyes and envision where I’ll be soon—in a plush first-class seat where they probably give you champagne before takeoff.

  Since it’s a later flight, I hope to curl up with a blanket and watch a movie I’ve had no time to watch recently. Oh… or binge-watch television. The anxiety dissipates from every tense muscle just dreaming of it. I open my eyes and my gaze floats up and attaches to someone else’s. A man’s blue eyes meet mine. His are like the surface of the ocean in the Caribbean. Strong shoulders… then my brain stops processing as I realize he’s wearing military fatigues. I have no idea if he’s the soldier whose bag I tripped over. I’d expect many military personnel to be heading home for the holidays. Those on leave at least.

  He doesn’t react to my attention but continues to step forward. When he reaches the front of the line, I’m only two people behind him. A security person takes him to a new line. Thank God they’re opening a new line. No more waiting.

  I step forward, only to run into the back of the woman in front of me. She scowls and throws a warning look over her shoulder.

  Okay then.

  The woman proceeds to one line and I go to the other, everyone scrambling to take their electronics out of their bags, empty their pockets, remove their jackets, and take off their shoes. For a moment, I succumb to weakness and look in the direction of the soldier. He’s being searched with his shoes on and his duffel on the ground. Guess he’s getting special treatment.

  He shoots me a cocky grin and winks. I draw back. Does he think I like him? Well, I mean really, what’s not to like? Carter’s face comes to mind quickly, reminding me what I’m doing here—I’m traveling across the world for a man and that’s not him.

  After a horrible experience at security where I make an utter fool of myself by forgetting to take off my cardigan and my watch, all I want to do is eat and then get to my gate.

  My phone rings and I put it to my ear, grabbing all my stuff and finding a bench.

  Another bill collector. Great.

  I put my shoes and cardigan back on, my watch, and then grab my purse and bag, desperate to eat so my stomach stops growling.

  I spot a pretzel place. Perfect. It will tide me over, but I’ll still have room to eat all the yummy food they serve in first class.

  I’ve never flown first class before, and I can’t wait to see what all the fuss is about.

  I’m busy on my phone, scrolling through Instagram, seeing my friend’s decorated trees while “Last Christmas” plays over the speakers of the airport. A few parents passing by are exasperated by their kids. And then there’s the odd person who just looks happy. Like they’re living in the moment, but most are practically jogging and weaving between people.

  “Next,” the woman behind the counter says.

  I pocket my phone. “A pretzel with salt and a lemonade, please.” I smile at the woman, already able to taste the pretzel on my tongue.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, we just sold the last one.” I turn to my left and my jaw hangs open. Damn, GI Joe strikes again.

  “Okay.” I look at the case to see what’s left, but I really don’t want a pretzel wrapped over hot dogs.

  I point to the case and before I can even get my question out to ask if that’s all they have left, the woman says, “Uh-huh.”

  My stomach growls, but I don’t want to be sick on the plane and the last time I had a hot dog, I ended up with food poisoning. “No thanks, I’m going to pass.” I walk away from the counter.

  I check the time. I have no idea why we have to be here so early.

  Trying to keep my mind off my trip, I go to grab some sweets for the plane and a bottle of water. Of course, GI Joe is in there, perusing magazines. He takes one and a pack of gum, going to the checkout girl who’s been staring at him the entire time. I get it. I would too if I weren’t already on a mission.

  Finally, what feels like a lifetime later, he leaves with what I think is her phone number on the back of the receipt. I don’t know why that irks me. Because he’s got that hot macho military thing going on? What do I care, I don’t even know the guy.

  Maybe I’m just wound up tight and more anxious than I think. I just need to get on that flight, get my butt in that first-class seat, and relax.

  I checkout and the girl working appears to be on cloud nine, practically giddy, texting her friends while we wait for my card to go through. My dead great-uncle’s wallet weighs heavily in my purse. The only inheritance I have left between him and my parents is what’s in there. Which I promised I wouldn’t touch unless I had to.

  Once I’m in the hallway, I find my gate and sit by the window, staring out at what I’m assuming is my plane. I people watch and finally my anxiety and questions as to whether I’m doing the right thing start to diminish. The psychic was so adamant this is where I need to be to find where I belong.

  “Tessa Atwater, please report to gate B27 immediately. Your flight is boarding,” rings out over the airport speakers.

  I bolt up in my seat and look at the gate sign where I’m sitting. B20.

  Oh shit. They must have changed the gate on me.

  I grab my stuff and run down the terminal, hoping like hell my happily ever after doesn’t fly away without me.