The Christmas Girlfriend Read online

  Zoey glared at her. “Gee, thanks. Good thing I don’t care.”

  Mike let out a laugh even as he grew a bit lightheaded. He couldn’t believe she’d come. “Why are you here?”

  Moving to his side, she frowned at him. “You didn’t put the pitchfork away properly, and it fell, didn’t it?”

  “Seriously, how did you get here?”

  She shrugged. “Grandpa texted me with his new phone.”

  He roared out a laugh, thinking about Grandpa and that phone. “You should be going to Salt Lake. You have your audition.”

  “You’re right. I do. I just talked to your parents and told them everything.”

  “You did?”

  “I did. After I ate crow, I told them that even though this whole thing started out as something completely fake, somehow it turned real and that I needed you to come with me.”

  All Mike wanted to do was jump out of the bed, but he needed to make sure she knew what this was. “You do?”

  She sat on the edge of his bed. “What do you want, Mike Hamilton?”

  “I want to be in Snow Valley with you every Christmas.”

  Tears misted in her eyes. “You do?”

  He nodded and leaned in. She met his lips, and it was fireworks on the Fourth of July and MMA boxing and everything he loved.

  She pulled back. “Good, I want that too.”

  This was more than he could hope for. “You do?”

  She laughed and hit his shoulder. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. Now, let’s get going so I’m not late.”

  Chapter 29

  Zoey sang her heart out. It was an upbeat Sloane Kent song, and she put her own acoustic edge on it.

  After a few moments, Kelly Clarkson turned. Boom! The audience erupted into cheers.

  Zoey continued to sing, knowing that this could be the best night of her life. Mike’s face flashed into her mind, and she glanced back, seeing him in his wheelchair with his leg propped up, waving from the side of the stage.

  Not only was she living her dream; she’d also fallen in love.

  She thought of the prayer she’d said on top of that storage unit. There was no doubt in her mind that God was listening and that, even though sometimes the path can feel dark and lonely, if you just hold on, it gets better.

  Another chair turned. Then the last chair turned!

  The whole room went crazy as Zoey finished her song, tears streaming down her face, and she knew this was as good as it got.

  “I want Zoey Harper on my team!” Sloane Kent stood, smiling at her.

  Epilogue

  2 Years Later

  Mike wouldn’t lie: seeing the wedding tents back on his parents’ property did something funny to his heart. Although he’d tried to convince Zoey that it was just ridiculous to do a Christmas wedding in Snow Valley, she’d been undeterred, telling him to shut up and give her a shot at being a bridezilla. So he had.

  It’d been a crazy ride the past two years as he followed her around on the road, being part of the “getting famous” superstar experience.

  Warmth filled him as he thought of her last concert and how she’d sung “Falling with You.” Every time he heard that song, he thought of being here in Snow Valley with her, the first time.

  Of course, his mother had put up a million flowers. This time, it wasn’t a blue, silver, and white theme; it was a red and gold theme.

  The best part was that he was finally doing what Zoey had always known he should do—opening a photography-slash-gallery on Snow Valley Main Street. The past two years, as he followed her around on the road, he’d also completed his MBA online. Not from Harvard, but Zoey had been the one who’d helped him realize he hadn’t needed Harvard. He’d built up his online business of selling photographs and doing graphic art for people and investing, and everything seemed to be working out perfectly.

  “You’re looking rather pleased with yourself, Mikey boy.”

  Jolting out of his thoughts, he turned to see that Grandpa had entered the kitchen and was standing right next to him. “Always gotta surprise me, don’t you, Grandpa?”

  His grandpa laughed and toyed with his phone. “I just sent you the funniest meme.”

  Mike tsked his tongue. “I don’t even know you, old man.”

  Grandpa laughed harder and put his arm around his shoulders. “All you have to know is I’ll be the proudest grandpa you’ve ever seen out there today as you say ‘I do’ to the prettiest redhead I’ve ever known.”

  Mike smiled and thought about the house half a mile down from Grandpa’s property. Grandpa had been the foreman in charge of building it over the past year. “We’ll see how much you like her after we’re bugging you all the time. Eventually we’ll send the great-grandkids down there to annoy you like I used to.”

  The sides of Grandpa’s eyes creased even more. “‘Used to’ annoy me?”

  Shrugging off his arm, Mike gave him a mock glare.

  “I like you annoying me,” Grandpa said. “And I’ll take as many little grasshoppers to train as you send my way.”

  Mike grinned.

  “Hey, I want in on some of this manly Hamilton bonding.” His father suddenly appeared on his other side and draped his arm over Grandpa’s.

  Mike swallowed, overwhelmed with all this love.

  His dad leaned into him. “I’m glad you’re finally coming home, Mike. We’ve missed you.”

  Grandpa nudged him. “I catch your dad crying his eyes out every other day.”

  “Yep.” His dad did a fake sad look.

  Mike laughed and honestly couldn’t be happier.

  “It’s going to be a good day tomorrow.” His dad hugged him tighter, then released him. “But we men better go get everything set up. And steel yourself for about a million flowers.”

  Mike shook his head. “Mom.”

  His dad laughed. “No, Zoey. And I think she might be outdoing Lacey in that department.”

  Grandpa released him. “Quit crying, boys. Suck it up and let’s get those flowers put up.”

  Gratitude washed over Mike. This is what he’d always wanted. “Let’s do it.”

  Zoey walked toward Mike, butterflies in her stomach. This nervousness was easily worse than when she performed, which had been a lot the past two years. Tears were already in her eyes, and she tried to remind herself that she couldn’t cry and ruin her makeup.

  “We love you, young lady. Nothing to be nervous about,” Mike’s grandpa said.

  She turned to Grandpa, her heart about to burst with joy. “Thank you. For everything.”

  He patted her hand as he reached Mike and handed her ceremoniously to him. “It’s my pleasure.”

  There were tears in Mike’s eyes as they met hers. Even after two years of being together, just being near him could still give her that “new love” buzzed feeling. He looked gorgeous, standing in his tux, smelling wonderful.

  He leaned in. “Dang, you’re pretty.”

  Zoey’s cheeks turned hot. She winked at him. “Not too bad yourself, hero.” She smiled as she said it, and Mike gave her the look she’d seen so many times—the one that told her he wanted to kiss her.

  Pastor John began. “Dear beloved, we are gathered here today …”

  But the words faded as Zoey stared into Mike’s eyes and thought of the first time they’d met. She’d been so broken, and he’d run up that roof and nearly killed her.

  Tears spilled onto her cheeks as it became her turn to say her vows. “I’m only admitting this once, so you better pay attention—you saved me the day we met, but not in the physical sense.”

  Mike let out a light laugh.

  She put her free hand over her heart. “You saved me here. You helped me understand that broken things could be fixed.” Her eyes fluttered. “And that sometimes dreams change a little bit, and they become more than you ever thought they could be. I love you.”

  Mike blinked and let out a quick breath. “I’ve loved you since I saw you on top of that building, and
you’re the only dream I’ll ever need. Love you.” Before the pastor could tell them it was okay, Mike was pulling her in, brushing her lips to his.

  “Yeah!” she heard some of the guests call out.

  Mike grinned sheepishly.

  Pastor John cleared his throat. “I guess I don’t need to say all of this, but I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Both she and Mike laughed.

  Mike shrugged. “Better do it again.”

  She got lost in another kiss with him, and it did feel like falling. This was exactly where she wanted to be for the rest of her life.

  Thank you for reading The Christmas Girlfriend!

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  Married by Christmas—Prologue

  The high school stadium rang with a chorus of “Happy graduation!” In front of the stands, the group of ex-seniors tossed their caps up into the air.

  Tom Kent’s best friend and girlfriend, Emily, rushed from her place in line and threw her arms around Tom’s neck. “Happy graduation!” she said breathlessly.

  He kissed her and cradled her face in his hands, feeling her put her arms around his waist. “Decided to get away from the smart kids to come back here and slum with your boyfriend?”

  She laughed and pressed her lips to his.

  Tonight was the night he would ask her. Finally, after knowing her since they’d been seven years old, it was time.

  She pulled back, and her face shone with exuberance. “I love you, Tom.” Tears misted in her eyes, and he thought of the ring in his pocket.

  “I love ya too, Ems.”

  “Six, five, four, three, two, one! Baby Kent!” he heard his brothers yelling in unison from the stands.

  Peering up, Tom discovered his brothers’ shirts were off, and they had baby bottles and “Tom Kent Graduates” painted on their chests. He was the youngest of six brothers. Remarkably, they’d all been able to come for his graduation. They’d always teased him about being the baby, and now they were rubbing his face in it. He laughed and flipped them the bird, which made all of them burst out laughing and high-five each other.

  His mother scolded them before turning to clap for Tom. He could see tears in her eyes as she shrugged in response to his brothers’ antics.

  Emily held him tighter. “They’re crazy!”

  Blinking back tears, he laughed harder, loving his brothers so much. “They’re just happy I’m graduating.” He winked at her. “You know it was iffy for a while.”

  People were pointing at his brothers and whispering, “Look at the Kent brothers.” He ignored them because his brothers loved the attention. Instead, he focused on Emily, who was snuggled securely in his arms.

  Emily stared up at him. “You’re right; it was iffy. But even though you may not like book stuff or actually going to class …”

  He laughed and thought of how many classes he’d ditched this past year.

  “And even if you’re a bad-boy rebel, I still think you’re brilliant and funny and dashingly handsome.” She kissed his cheek.

  He gently pressed his lips to her forehead. “See, that’s why we work, Ems. You’re the yin to my yang. Because you’re really the brilliant, smart, going-to-take-over-the-world one.”

  “Okay,” she said, relenting. “How about we’re both brilliant?” This was a game they played, complimenting each other equally.

  He snuggled her closer. “Ems, I’m definitely the one who just plain needs you.”

  Emily’s nose wiggled and she kissed him again. “I love you so much.”

  He nodded, a nervous thrumming in his gut. “Me, too.” Tonight. Tonight, he would ask her, and soon they would be the greatest love story this small town had ever known.

  People walked by and high-fived them as they chatted with friends.

  “Hey, Emily! Why are you hanging out with the biggest dork here?” one of Tom’s brothers called out from the stands.

  She reached for Tom’s hand and pulled him with her. “Let’s go find my sister and my mom. Then we’ll go deal with your brothers.” She rolled her eyes and stuck her tongue out at his brothers.

  Laughter sounded from his clan, and he knew he would kill them when he got the chance. “Sounds good.”

  At the bonfire later that night, all of their friends laughed and chatted. Someone was strumming the guitar. Emily leaned back into Tom’s chest, and he wrapped her tightly in his arms and shifted so they were facing the fire. Emily thought this must be the best day of her life. The beginning.

  A twinge of sadness soured the moment. She wished her father would have been here. Strike that: she wished her father had never left. Anger simmered in her thoughts as she remembered how he’d left when she was fifteen, how he’d run off with another woman and never looked back. Unfortunately, her father’s departure had caused her mother to have a nervous breakdown. Her mother had never been the same. The breakdown, they’d recently been told by the doctors, had led to mental problems and memory loss.

  Pushing all of that out of her mind, Emily tried to focus on the fact that it had been a good day. Nevertheless, nervousness pulsed through her. She hadn’t told Tom about the letter she’d gotten earlier, the one her mother had given her before the small graduation gathering at the Kents’ house earlier that evening.

  Her mother had excitedly pushed it at her. “Open it. Let’s see what options you have.” Her eyes had twinkled.

  Her sister, Trina, had taken her mother’s hand and scrunched up her face at Emily. “You got in, Em. I know you did.”

  Excitement had woven through her when she’d opened it and seen the acceptance letter. She’d stumbled back and nearly fallen. Trina had rushed to her side, held her, and finished reading the letter, declaring she’d not only gotten into Yale, but she had also gotten a full-ride scholarship.

  “I can’t take it,” Emily had said, dropping the letter and thinking of Tom and how they’d toured the CSU campus in Fort Collins together two weeks ago. They’d talked about their future and how they would work their schedules out to meet for lunch.

  Trina and her mother hadn’t pushed her, but she’d known both of them were thinking this had been her dream her whole life. There was no arguing. Going to Yale had been her dream. But she couldn’t leave Tom behind.

  She and Tom had decided they chose each other. They would never leave each other.

  Tom stroked the side of her hair, bringing her back to this moment. “What are you thinking about, Ems?” he whispered into her ear.

  Jolting back to this moment, she sucked in a breath, then slowly let it out. She didn’t want to talk about her worries, so she smiled up at him. “I’m thinking about how we’re going to have a ton of fun at CSU this fall.” Yes, CSU. Unmistakably, a twinge of regret tumbled through her insides and lodged itself in her gut. Not Yale.

  A half smile crossed his face. “Yep.”

  She wondered if there was so
me regret inside of him. All of his brothers had served in the military in some way, and his father had lost his life serving his country. This was the precise reason she’d spent so much time talking Tom out of enlisting. It was dangerous.

  “I need to talk to you, Ems.”

  The simple sentence raised her hackles. Forcing down the immediate worry, she tried to smile at him. “Sounds serious.”

  Tom stood and held a hand out to her. “Can we get away from everyone and walk by the river for a bit?”

  Emily took his hand and stood, but right away she had that feeling. It wasn’t something she talked about with many people, but Emily had always been a bit clairvoyant, as her mother called it. She could feel when something was amiss or about to happen. Granted, it could be as little as a fly swimming into her cereal milk, which had actually happened once. Or it could be as big as knowing her grandmother had had a heart attack, which had happened too.

  Her heart raced. Was it a good something or a bad something? She never knew that either. She easily fell into step with Tom. This was how they were, in sync. They’d been best friends since he’d moved in, but not girlfriend and boyfriend until high school when he asked her to prom sophomore year. After prom, he had kissed her by the old tire swing.

  Tonight, the moon was bright. It was the end of May, so it was chilly but warming up. Lacing her fingers with his, she leaned into his side as they walked. “What’s on your mind, Ninja?” He’d inherited the nickname the same year he’d kissed her, when he’d begun sneaking into her yard at night and throwing rocks at her window. Neither of them had cell phones until they could afford them, so this had been their way to communicate.

  He let out a soft laugh. “Stupid nickname.”

  They walked away from the party for a bit. Abruptly he stopped, letting out a sigh and taking her by the shoulders.