A Christmas Homecoming (Bar V5 Ranch) by Melissa McClone

Author:Melissa McClone [McClone, Melissa]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Published: 2015-10-25T04:00:00+00:00

Walking to the Graff Hotel with Josiah, Ellie watched the snow flurries falling from the sky. The fluffy flakes pirouetted in a dance choreographed by Jack Frost. Today was a perfect winter day to kick off the holidays in Marietta.

Snow dotted Josiah’s hair and landed on his tan jacket. She must look the same in her red coat.

Snow polka-dotted.

Christmassy.

Ellie hoped being back in his hometown would remind Josiah of fond Christmas memories. Ones that would help him appreciate this special time of year. Otherwise, she would have to plan how to make him like Christmas again. She didn’t remember him hating the holiday when he was a teenager.

A uniformed bellhop welcomed her and Josiah. She stepped inside the hotel, the air at least forty degrees hotter than outside. Rich, wood paneling covered the walls, a contrast to the marble floors. Both, however, contributed to the elegance of the hotel. Floor to ceiling columns added dimension and buffered the conversations of guests.

Josiah looked around. “Luxurious by any standard.”

So was he. He looked handsome in his casual brown parka, stripped button-down and khakis. His posture and face were relaxed. He must be used to places like this. “You fit right in.”

Unlike her.

Whenever she came to the Graff, which wasn’t often, she felt dazzled. Today was no exception.

A giant Christmas tree with twinkling white lights drew her attention. The decorations matched the hotel’s mix of Old World charm and Nouveau Elegance décor.

“I love how they do Christmas here,” she said.

“Your kind of place.”

“Not really.”

“I thought you liked the Graff.”

“Yes, but I feel like I’m the first cousin once removed that they allow in out of politeness.” She glanced at the Marietta Stroll pass hanging from a red and green striped lanyard around her neck. She wore jeans and her old red coat. “At least the stroll is a casual, family-friendly event so this place doesn’t feel as exclusive today.”

“I’ll let you in on a secret.” He leaned close, his breath hot against her skin.

A pleasurable shiver danced from the nape of her neck to her toes, bringing the best kind of chills.

“Most fancy places want you to feel like you’re privileged to be inside,” he whispered. “It’s all about perception, and that’s how they can charge the big bucks.”

He brushed off snow from her hair, and Ellie leaned into his hand. Only for a second. Maybe two. Then she forced herself to straighten.

“There’s no need to feel uncomfortable,” he added. “You’re a country girl at heart, and that’s all you need to be.”

The air rushed from her lungs. Tingles exploded across her skin. She’d dreamed about someone seeing her.

Josiah did.

He saw her.

Ellie wanted to say something, thank him, but the words were stuck in her throat. If she didn’t do something soon, she might cry. She walked farther into the lobby.

He followed. “You’re not jingling.”

“I left my bell at home.”

He caught up to her, touched her shoulder. “You take the words aiming to please to heart.”

Ellie fought the urge to move closer. If she did, she might kiss him.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.