Snowed in for Christmas Page 12

  Washed with pleasure and deep affection, she lay back down on the couch and pulled him on top of her. “I’m not sure we’re up to apocalyptic sex this afternoon, but we’ll do the best we can.”

  “You have no idea how apocalyptic I can be.”

  “Then I guess you better show me.”

  So he did.

  IF YOU ENJOYED STRANDED in the Snow, you might enjoy the rest of the Holiday Acres series. An excerpt from Stranded in the Woods can be found on the next page.

  The Holiday Acres series

  Stranded on the Beach (Book 1 about Rebecca and Phil)

  Stranded in the Snow (Book 2 about Olivia and Scott)

  Stranded in the Woods (Book 3 about Penny and Kent)

  Stranded for Christmas (Book 4 about Laura and Russ)

  Excerpt from Stranded in the Woods

  KENT HEARD PENNY CALLING out again, and she sounded closer now. When he turned the next curve, he saw her, a bundled form carrying a ridiculously large bag and limping forward through a veil of white flakes.

  “What the hell, Penny?” he roared. She was covered with snow. How long had she been out here, and why hadn’t she called him sooner?

  Penny didn’t say anything in response. She just fell forward into the snow.

  He’d reached her by then, and he bent over to grab her by the shoulders and haul her up.

  “Hey!” She was blinking quickly and spitting out snow. “Be careful! I’m not a sack of potatoes, you know.”

  He couldn’t see any of her body beneath the long, heavy coat she wore, but her wool cap was askew, her reddish-brown hair was soaked and caked with snow, and her cheeks were as red as her lips normally were. She was scowling at him dramatically.

  “I was trying to get you out of the snow. You’re complaining about that?”

  “I’m complaining because you jerked me around. I’ve already fallen four times, and I don’t feel very good at the moment.”

  “Then you’ll want to get inside, I assume. Or would you rather stand there and yell at me?”

  “I can yell at you as we get inside. You really think I’m not capable of doing both at the same time.”

  “I’m sure you’re capable of it.” His hair and beard were covered with snow now, and the wind was making his eyes sting. He wanted to get out of the snow almost as much as he wanted to get Penny out of it. “So start walking.”

  She scowled at him again, but she did put one foot out in front of the other in the right direction. He walked beside her, putting an arm around her to support her and keep her moving. She was limping, he realized after a few steps.

  She was limping a lot.

  “What hurts?” he demanded.

  She stopped and looked up at him, blinking as if she were confused. Her face was all lush dips and curves, rounded cheeks, big blue-gray eyes, a dimple in her right cheek. He didn’t remember her ever being this pretty in the past, but maybe his vision was affected by the urgency of the situation.

  “What do you mean?” she asked.

  “I mean, what hurts? You’re limping.”

  “Oh. I turned my ankle, and it’s a little sore. And I pulled a muscle in my leg. But I’m fine. I can make it.” She started to walk again, and because he was watching, he saw her wince as she took a step. He believed her when she said she could make it, but it was going to be slow and it was going to hurt her.

  He stood and processed his options for about thirty seconds, but there was really only one reasonable course of action to get her into the house quickly.

  He’d lived alone too long to second-guess his first instincts. He took one long step and moved directly in front of her. Then he leaned forward, grabbed her by the waist, and hauled her up so she was draped over one of his shoulders. Then he walked quickly toward the cabin.

  As expected, Penny squealed at the sudden move. “What the heck are you doing, Kent!”

  He almost chuckled at the words, at the memories. She’d never cursed back in school either, always replacing the real words with “heck” and “darn” and “shoot” and “freak.” Evidently that much hadn’t changed.

  “I’m getting you inside.”

  “But I can walk!”

  “I know, but this will be quicker.”

  YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE about Stranded in the Woods here.

  A Christmas Rescue

  A Silver Bell Falls Holiday Novella

  Samantha Chase

  SAVING A LITTER OF puppies right before Christmas was incredibly rewarding for Bailey Walsh.

  But getting snowed in with her sexy-yet-grinchy veterinarian boss turns out to be rewarding in a whole other way.

  Chapter One

  “HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

  “You too, Bailey!”

  Smiling, Bailey waved to Mrs. Anderson and her Jack Russell terrier, Scout. He was the sweetest little dog and she hoped he would start feeling better soon.

  And maybe if Mrs. Anderson stopped letting him eat Christmas cookies, he would.

  Looking around the waiting area of the Silver Bell Falls Pet Clinic, Bailey Walsh couldn’t help but sigh. Out of every single business in town, it was the least...festive. Once you stepped outside it was a Christmas wonderland—as it should be—but inside the clinic? It was borderline depressing. And why?

  Dr. Grinch.

  Okay, that wasn’t his real name, but it might as well be for all the holiday cheer the man had.

  The small, tabletop tree in the corner of the room was lopsided and it mocked her.

  The one stream of pine garland around the front window looked ridiculously lost.

  And she could barely hear the holiday music playing on the sound system.

  Another sigh was out before she could stop it, but rather than obsess about the things she couldn’t change, she opted to finish entering Scout’s chart updates into the computer.

  “Did you give Mrs. Anderson her discharge papers?”

  Bailey shot Dr. Grinch a glare before quickly pasting a serene smile on her face. “Yes, and I read them over with her carefully before she left. I scheduled a follow-up appointment for her next Wednesday.”

  He gave a curt nod as he picked up the next chart in the basket. “Who’s next?”

  “Mrs. Cummings is here with Chester for his shots and she said his nails need to be clipped as well,” she said as she finished typing. Behind her, Bailey heard him grumble under his breath and had to stop herself from snickering.

  “Ask Hannah if she’ll handle Chester’s nails while I get the vaccines ready,” he said before walking away. His tone was all cool and professional with just a hint of condescension. It irritated the heck out of Bailey, but she never let it show.

  “Yes, Doctor,” she responded without looking up. Once he and Mrs. Cummings were in the exam room, Bailey walked into the second exam room where her co-worker Hannah was restocking supplies. “Hey, sorry to bother you, but Dr. Maguire needs you to clip Chester’s nails when he’s done with the shots and exam.”

  Hannah put the last box of latex gloves in the cabinet before turning around. “I suppose he thinks he’s too good to do that sort of thing, huh?”

  “What do you think?” They both laughed softly. “You have to admit he’s brilliant with the animals. The owners, not so much. But he definitely has a great relationship with all the pets that come to the clinic.”

  It was something they all talked about—Bailey, Hannah, and Amber, the vet assistant. When Dr. Maguire bought the clinic back in January after Dr. Benji retired, they all had big hopes that things would continue the way they always did.

  But they didn’t.

  Where Dr. Benji was friendly and outgoing and loved all animals and their owners, Dr. Maguire seemed to have animal skills only. Most of the owners who came in didn’t complain—much—but it was pretty well known around town how the new veterinarian was nothing like his predecessor.

  Amber walked into the room and groaned. She had just gotten back from her lunch break and already didn
’t look pleased to be back.

  “What’s the matter?” Bailey asked.

  “This place is depressing,” she replied. “I was just at the diner and the decorations are even more beautiful than they were last year. The whole town is like a scene off of a Christmas card and then you walk in here and it’s like...nothing. Charlie Brown had a better tree than ours.”

  “I don’t understand why we can’t do more,” Hannah whispered. “I mean, what would happen if we just...did it? You know he leaves early on Thursdays. Why don’t we break out the rest of the decorations after he’s gone?”

  “We really shouldn’t,” Bailey argued lightly, even though she secretly loved the idea. “Why poke the bear?”

  “Because the bear is a jerk!” Amber stated a little too loudly before her hand flew up to cover her mouth.

  Hannah shushed her even as she giggled. “All I’m saying is...it’s not fair that we have to work like this. This is a festive town and it’s a festive season and if he doesn’t like it, then he can take all the decorations down.”

  “He won’t,” Amber said. “You know he thinks there are a lot of tasks that are beneath him.”

  “Like trimming Chester’s nails,” Hannah replied.

  Things were starting to get out of hand, Bailey thought, and before this turned into a total bashing session, she knew someone should at least try to come to the guy’s defense. “Maybe he has his reasons for not liking the holidays.”

  “It’s more than that,” Amber said. “It’s like he’s openly hostile right now and has been ever since right before Thanksgiving. Every little thing seems to set him off and I’m tired of it.” She paused and then grinned. “I’m putting up those decorations after he leaves today. Are you with me?”

  “I am,” Hannah said with a big smile. “What about you, Bailey? You in?”

  Just the thought of transforming at least the waiting room and reception area into their usual winter wonderland was enough to make up her mind. Nodding, she said, “Yup! I’m in!”

  “Honestly, we’re doing him a favor,” Amber said. “Maybe if the place looked a little more festive and welcoming, people would think he wasn’t such a detached jerk.”

  “Ahem.”

  The three of them froze at the male voice being cleared behind them.

  Bailey squeezed her eyes shut and really wished the floor would open up and swallow them. How embarrassing. Trash talking your boss was beyond unprofessional and now things were going to be even more awkward between them.

  Awesome.

  Deciding that someone had to do something to break the silence, she plastered a smile on her face and turned around. “Dr. Maguire, I ordered the new kennels like you requested and they’ll be here by next Friday.” She paused and quickly added, “Oh, and Cooper’s new bed arrived today. I put it in your office. He’s already using it!”

  For a minute, he looked almost too stunned to speak and for that, Bailey was thankful. No doubt he was expecting the three of them to scramble away begging forgiveness and offering apologies, but...this seemed like the better approach.

  His brows furrowed as he studied the three of them. Then he glanced at his watch and his scowl deepened. After a curt nod he replied, “Thank you.” Then he glanced at Hannah. “Mrs. Cummings is in exam room one with Chester. His nails need to be trimmed.”

  And then he was gone.

  Bailey, Hannah, and Amber all sagged with relief.

  “That was brilliant, Bailey,” Amber said with a thankful smile. “I wasn’t sure what we were supposed to say to him. And what was he doing eavesdropping?”

  “It’s not a big office,” Bailey countered. “He simply came out to tell you about Chester. And really, we shouldn’t be talking about him while he’s here.” She looked over her shoulder to make sure he was gone. “I know I’ve said it a hundred times, but at least he’s good with the animals. And you know there isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Cooper. That dog bed cost a small fortune.”

  Cooper was Dr. Maguire’s black French Bulldog and he was now like the office mascot.

  The very spoiled office mascot.

  “I swear I can’t wait for him to leave today,” Hannah said with a small sigh.

  Amber motioned for them to lean in close. “You guys ever wonder what he does on the days he leaves early? I mean, why is he so obsessive about leaving early every Thursday?”

  It was something Bailey had wondered about briefly, but Dr. Maguire wasn’t the type of boss you could sit and talk to about his personal life. He was far too closed off for that. And while she loved her job and working with Amber and Hannah, Dr. Maguire’s personality was a bit hard to handle at times.

  Okay, all the time.

  None of them knew anything about their boss other than the fact that he was a very talented veterinarian who seemed to prefer animals to people.

  Which, Bailey thought, was a real shame because he was kind of attractive. When he’d first come to the clinic, she had a small crush on him.

  Then she got to know him.

  And for as much as Bailey was a people person and didn’t have an enemy in the world, Dr. Maguire seemed to be particularly critical of her—often reprimanding her for talking too much instead of working. Didn’t he realize that having someone like her working the reception desk was helping him and his business? If she didn’t smooth over the feathers he’d ruffled, he would have lost half his clientele by now!

  “I’m off to help Chester,” Hannah said as she left the room.

  “I need to go over tomorrow’s surgical schedule,” Amber said as she too left the room.

  Bailey let out a long breath. “And I need to figure out how much longer I can work like this.”

  Just then, the phone at the front desk began to ring and she had no choice but to put her worries aside and get back to work.

  “YOU’RE WELCOME, MRS. Davis. We’ll see Champ on Wednesday. Goodbye.” Hanging up his phone, Gavin Maguire leaned back in his chair and sighed. He’d barely gotten off the phone without the woman gushing and thanking him and wishing him a happy holiday. Why did people feel the need to keep wishing him that?

  For starters, it wasn’t Christmas yet. There was still another week until that happened. And secondly, did he really look or sound like a guy who gave a damn?

  A detached jerk, wasn’t that what his staff just called him? Well, if that were true, the people of Silver Bell Falls either hadn’t gotten the memo or it didn’t faze them because they just continued to be overly polite.

  It was annoying as hell.

  A loud snore interrupted his thoughts and Gavin chuckled softly as he looked over at Cooper who was sleeping soundly in his new bed. Yeah, the bed had been an impulse buy, but it gave him pleasure to spoil his dog.

  How many years had he longed for a dog—hoped and wished and prayed for one—only to get one and lose one—twice!—in one of life’s cruelest twists of fate? It had taken a long time for Gavin to move on from the loss and when his life finally became stable, adopting Cooper was the first thing he did. Still looking at the black French Bulldog, he smiled. Honestly, he wasn’t sure how he’d get through most days without his beloved sidekick. He was his only true friend and Gavin loved him more than he thought possible.

  There was a light knock on his office door and no doubt it was Bailey coming to talk to him about something or other. He rubbed his eyes and let out a small groan. Every Thursday before he left for the day, she came in to go over whatever it was she thought he needed to know about what was on the schedule for the following day. It wasn’t that he resented it, but...he kind of did. He was an extremely organized person even without Bailey’s help. And while, yes, she made sure things at the clinic ran smoothly, it wasn’t as if he needed her to go over things with him. Why couldn’t she just email him the schedule and be done with it?

  And on top of that, Bailey was the biggest do-gooder he’d ever met. She seemed to know everyone in town. Whoever she was assisting when they came into th
e clinic, she knew all about them and their family and would chat incessantly with them while he had to wait to actually get down to business.

  She was exhausting.

  Although...he did admire her work with animals. She was a foster pet person and whenever there was a pet in need of a temporary home, Bailey was always right there willing to take them in. Sometimes she’d bring them to work with her so she could keep an eye on them, and other times she seemed completely comfortable letting them stay at home while she worked.

  He never bothered to ask why she did what she did, but only because she was normally talking so much that there wasn’t time for him to get a word in edgewise.

  Another knock.

  “Come in,” he called out, straightening, and bracing himself for whatever pointless chatter she was here for.

  With a small smile, Bailey stepped into the room and for a moment, Gavin took in her appearance. Her long brown hair was pulled back into an efficient ponytail and today’s scrubs were a teal green that almost matched her eyes. She never wore much makeup, but she didn’t need it.

  He mentally shook his head because why on earth would he be sitting here thinking about whether or not someone wore makeup? Clearly he was exhausted or something and there was still so much to do today. Thursdays were always a bit long and at times grueling, but he made a quick note to himself to grab a hearty lunch as soon as he finished with this conversation and got on the road.

  “Do you have tomorrow’s schedule?” he asked, hoping to move this along

  Bailey primly sat down in one of the chairs facing his desk. “Yes.” She handed him the printout and watched as he read it. “As you can see we don’t have a full day planned due to the incoming snow.”

  Gavin nodded. “’Tis the season,” he murmured and instantly wished he could take that back. No need to get anyone’s hopes up that he was in a holiday frame of mind. The truth was, the winters in Silver Bell Falls were always a bit on the brutal side—lots of snow and low temperatures—but everyone expected it and knew how to handle it. Scheduling fewer pets to be seen was a wise decision.