Entangled Publishing is celebrating the holidays with 25 Days of Holiday Steals. Every day they’re spotlighting a special steal of a deal from December 1st through December 25th. So be sure to check back each day to see what special offer is up for grabs!
Today’s Steal Is...
Christmas with the Sheriff by Victoria James is just 99 cents!
After fleeing her beloved small town five years ago, Julia Bailey is back to spend Christmas with her family. Returning is hard, but keeping the devastating secret about her late husband is even harder. Her place isn’t in Big Sky Country any longer…but the more time she spends with the irresistible Sheriff who saved her once before, and his adorable little daughter, the more Julia starts wishing she could let go of the past and start a new life.
Single dad and county Sheriff Chase Donovan had been secretly in love with his best friend’s wife for years. But after her traumatic loss he knew Julia needed to get away from Shadow Creek, even though helping her leave was the last thing he wanted to do. Now she’s home and he doesn’t intend to lose her a second time. Chase is going to prove to Julia just how good they can be together this Christmas…and forever.
EXCERPT:
The sound of his deep voice, thick with concern pulled her back into the present. She looked up at him, a slight frown across his brow, but it was the warmth in his eyes that appealed to her. Chase could be all hard lines and tough man, but the man had the softest core and she knew she was one of the few that was on the receiving ends of it. She didn’t breathe for a moment, his face close to hers. Her gaze lingered on his mouth and for a second she wished he’d kiss her. She knew, in her gut, that Chase kissing her would make her forget everything else. When was the last time she’d wanted a man to kiss her? Five years was a long time.
She cleared her throat and looked away when she realized she was staring. She pointed to the stage in the center of the park. “We’d better get a seat. Em will kill us if we don’t get one near the front.” She tried not to cringe at the squeaky sound of her voice. When had she become so obvious? Nothing could ever happen between her and Chase. She would be leaving Shadow Creek in a few weeks. He had a daughter. Neither of them could enter into a causal relationship. She had no choice but to get it together.
“Let’s go,” he said, taking her hand in his. A shiver raced through her even though she was bundled up and warm. It was him. Having him hold her hand effortlessly, as though he’d been doing this for years. People stopped and chatted with Chase and he was polite and charming, flashing that smile of his easily. The town loved him and he was so at home here. Gwen, Cassy, and Edward were waving to them from the second row. Gwen gave her a pointed stare and raised her eyebrow high as she joined their row. She avoided eye contact with her. She knew to expect a barrage of texts as soon at the night was over. “They always get the best seats,” Chase said.
Once they were settled, the crowd quickly filled in the remaining seats. Julia smiled as the stage curtains moved and small feet poked out beneath.
“There’s always a bad-ass back there that sneaks a peak through the curtain. And ten bucks says it’s a boy,” he said in her ear. She laughed, just as a dark haired little boy poked his head out.
Within minutes the performance started and the sound of children singing Jingle Bells filled the night sky. Tears pricked her eyes at the sweet sound of their voices and her heart felt full, her chest ached and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to take a deep breath. As though he knew, she felt Chase take her hand in his and rest on her leg. She didn’t feel as alone, as solitary in her thoughts. He knew. He knew what she was thinking. Matthew would have been here tonight; she’d be watching him sing. How would he look now? What would his sweet voice have sounded like? It was so hard to imagine because in her mind he was always two. She had been blessed with the memory of him saying, ‘mama’ and she’d never forget it. Her heart swelled painfully, her body filled with shivers, goosebumps.
***CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE HOLIDAY FUN here.
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