Page 1 of Once Upon a Christmas
Chapter 1
December in Kismet Bay…
Light snow drifted from the sky and touched the ground. It didn’t stick and created more wet pavement and mud than anything else. Holly Strange stared out the window in disgust. Christmas was her favorite time of the year, and the annual Cocoa Crawl the one event she was excited for. All the businesses on Main Street participated. She owned Serendipity Lane with her older sister Ivy. Holly had a fraternal twin, Sage, but she rarely returned to Kismet Bay. Everything in the store was handcrafted and selected with care. They held classes to teach people crafting and painting. They had one scheduled later that evening on building terrariums. Perhaps an odd choice for the middle of winter, but people needed plants in their lives. They added balance and were also aesthetically pleasing. Serendipity Lane specialized it things that made a person feel good—body, mind, and soul.
The cocoa crawl gave the local residents a chance to see what was new in their shop and drew in tourists. It was one of their biggest sale days of the year…if the weather decided to cooperate that is. The Santa parade would kick off in an hour and then the Cocoa Crawl immediately upon its conclusion. Holly had her secret coca recipe brewing already in preparation. This year there was a side competition. The participants voted on their favorite cocoa and the winner would be the official cocoa at the Santa house the following year. That was money Serendipity Lane could use to help their expansion ideas.
“Stop staring out the window as if it’s going to make the weather change to your liking,” Ivy said. She was at the counter preparing the hand crafted soap cupcakes for sale. Ivy had made them earlier in the week and they had finally set enough to put out on a shelf. They looked like red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting on top of them. Ivy had even added what looked like red sprinkles on the white tops. The little creations were so intricate and detailed they had to watch them when little children came into the store. Once, when they first opened, a toddler had stuffed one in his mouth. They didn’t taste as delicious as they looked…
Holly glared at her sister, but Ivy was too busy to notice the effort. She sighed. “It has to be perfect.” She turned away and glanced back out the window. The Cocoa Crawl would start soon. The parade had probably already ended. She stared down the street as far as her view would allow. People were already starting to make their way into the many shops. A couple stopped outside of Grape Flavors Winery and stared at the window display. Holly’s cousins Leilia and Caprecia Strange owned the winery. They carried a large variety of local wines, and also a selection from their vineyard.
She turned to Ivy. “Do you think we’ll have a lot of people?”
Ivy finished setting out the soap cupcakes. “It will be the same, if not better, as it is every year. Quit worrying so much.”
“I can’t help it,” she replied. “It’s how I am with everything.”
The view outside of her shop beckoned to her again. She desperately needed for this all to work. Holly had to prove to her sister that she wasn’t a flake and Ivy had made the right decision allowing her to be a part of Serendipity Lane. Holly had foregone college and instead stayed in Kismet Bay to help her sister open the business. They’d been left an inheritance from their maternal grandmother and it made sense. Holly’s twin, Sage, had left town and started an event planning business. She had wanted to get out of Kismet Bay as fast as possible. So far Fortune’s Fortitude had been successful. Sage had landed several high profile weddings, and a fiftieth anniversary party. If things continued in that vein Sage would be able to expand and hire more employees.
“I’m going to go to Witch’s Brew for some coffee.” Holly pulled her coat off of a nearby hook. “Do you want anything?”
“Wait.” Ivy walked around the counter and reached underneath. She pulled out a package and then handed it to her. “Give this to Esmeralda. It’s her gift for Tristan.”
Esmeralda and Tristan owned the Witch’s Brew Coffee Shop. Esmeralda was another cousin. Kismet Bay was nearly overrun with the Strange family. Their ancestor Thomas Strange was the first mayor and had been instrumental in founding Kismet Bay. Ever since they’d all played a part in running the town. Her father, Adam Strange, was the current mayor. His twin, Bowen, was the chief of police, and her Uncle Sebastian—the oldest of the Strange brothers was the district attorney.
“What is it?” Holly didn’t like not knowing something.
Ivy rolled her eyes. “If she gives it to him while you’re there you’ll find out. Why do you care? It’s not for you.”
She shrugged. “I just do.” Holly tucked the package under her arm. “Do you want a coffee?”
“No.” Ivy shook her head. “But if you don’t mind stop by Blooms of Destiny on your way back. Amadea and Ophelia should have the poinsettias I ordered in. I’d like them for our window display.”
She wrinkled her nose. She didn’t understand her cousins’ passion for flowers. They knew everything about all types of plants and herbs. Though she supposed the herb part came in handy sometimes. The town all believed the Strange family had something magical looking out for them. Holly didn’t really think they did. Especially, in regards to love. They all had their fair share of bad luck in that department. The legend said that love found them when they least expected it, and sometimes it was there all along. All hogwash. Love didn’t appear out of nowhere. She’d hold that belief for the rest of her life.
“Fine,” Holly agreed. “I’ll be back before you know I’m gone.”
“Somehow I doubt that.” Ivy chuckled.
Holly stuck out her tongue and exited the shop. Maybe she’d take her time after all…
Chapter 2
The town of Kismet Bay resembled just about any quintessential small village. It was so picture perfect it almost made his teeth hurt from the sweetness. Nicholas Bell preferred the bustling of the big city and the no-nonsense attitude of its inhabitants. The villagers of Kismet Bay probably all knew each other and asked after their respective family members.
“Why are we here again?” Nicholas turned to his friend Gabriel Reed and scowled. “I don’t do—cutesy.”
“Relax,” Gabriel told him. “We’re only here for a couple days to make my parents happy and reassure them I’m not going to die or something.” He patted Nicholas on the back. “We’ll be on our way to a warm sandy beach before you have time to have that allergic reaction you’ve been bravely holding back.”
Nicholas had to resist the urge to snarl at his best friend. Gabriel was a wide receiver for the Houston Runaways. He’d injured his knee in a playoff game and had been benched ever since. The team doctor had told him his prognosis didn’t look good, and the assessment from the physical therapist hadn’t been any better. Gabriel’s playing days appeared to be behind him, but his friend didn’t want to give up so easily. He’d talked Nicholas into accompanying him to visit his parents and then visit a different specialist in the Bahamas. Like what kind of quack practiced there? Nicholas doubted the doctor would give him any better odds than the sports physicians had, but Gabriel was his friend and he’d stand by his side through the whole ordeal.
“Is that a coffee shop?” Nicholas pointed to the storefront. “Witch’s Brew? What kind of name is that?”
Gabriel shrugged. “I can’t say. It’s been a while since I’ve been back in Kismet Bay. Why don’t we go inside and see what they have to offer.”
They headed to the entrance but Nicholas didn’t have time to reach the door. It flew open and a brunette barreled into him. Hot coffee spilled down the front of his blue dress shirt and he yelped as it burned his skin. “What’s wrong with you?” Anger poured from his voice as he spoke. He was really starting to hate this town, and the people didn’t seem to have much to offer either.
“I’m so sorry.” The young woman stepped forward and placed her hand on his chest. Sparks shot through him at her touch and he glanced into her eyes. They were the color of the ocean at high noon. Her hair wasn’t a normal brown. Red highlights ran through the chocolate locks and nearly sparkled in the sunlight. She was gorgeous…
