They’ll need a Christmas miracle to pull off their fake relationship in this sweet holiday romance.
Della Rose desperately needs a Christmas miracle to make it back home in time for her sons’ holiday concert. It’s just that the single mom never imagined Santa would arrive in the form of her plane’s seatmate, the grumpy, gorgeous Roman Everson. With flights delayed, Della’s out of options. She needs Roman to drive her back to Somerset Lake, even if his un-jolly mood threatens to drain her Christmas cheer.
The season may have Roman feeling grinch-like, but he needs a favor, too, so he makes a deal with Della. In exchange for a ride home, she’ll pose as Roman’s adoring girlfriend in front of his family. As the pair set off on a journey though the North Carolina mountains with a rescue dog named Jingle, they soon learn they have more in common than either would have imagined possible. Could it be true that opposites attract? And will the chance of a happily-ever-after make this the most wonderful time of year after all?
Release date:
November 16, 2021
Publisher:
Grand Central Publishing
Print pages:
60
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Planes made Della Rose nervous. They always had. She guessed that’s why she was talking her seatmate’s ear off, much to his obvious disdain.
She couldn’t help it. Every time there was the slightest turbulence, her adrenaline spiked. There was also the fact that the guy sitting beside her could pass for George Clooney’s younger brother. He had dark hair and darker eyes. He’d only looked over a couple times to meet her gaze, but she’d forgotten all about her plane anxiety during those brief moments.
“I have to get home in time for my sons’ recital. They’re performing tonight,” she told him.
He was only halfway participating in the conversation. She didn’t think he was unfriendly. Maybe just uninterested. Or perhaps planes made him nervous too, and he was doing his best not to find a paper bag to breathe into, like her. “Where do you live?” he asked, half-heartedly.
“Somerset Lake. I’ll be catching another flight once we land in Charlotte and taking one of those smaller planes.” Just thinking about that prospect made her heartbeat quicken. She’d had to take the smaller plane when she’d headed out of town. In her meager experience, smaller planes equaled more turbulence. And she doubted there’d be a George Clooney clone on that trip to ease her nerves. “What about you?” she asked.
He kept his gaze forward as he answered. “I’ve lined up a rental car for when we land. I’m heading three hours north.”
“What’s there?” she asked. Not that it was any of her business.
The man seemed to hesitate.
“I’m sorry. I’m a ball of nerves, I guess. I don’t mean to pry. I’m just trying not to—” The plane dipped and righted. Della’s whole body stiffened as she pressed back into her seat and clutched the armrests. Her fingers brushed against the stranger’s hand resting on the middle armrest, the feel of his skin against hers creating a zinging sensation that made her heart and breath quicken. She removed her hand and patted her chest as a high-pitched giggle bubbled over her lips. “I’m sorry,” she said again. Her voice quivered this time, though.
The stranger must have taken pity on her, because he started talking. “I’m going home for the first time in over a year. I’m from Sweetwater Springs. It’s in the Blue Ridge Mountains.”
Her lips parted. Where did she know that town from? She searched her brain, pleased that the answer came quickly although she was such a mess right now. “I have a friend from Sweetwater Springs. She just moved to Somerset Lake this spring. Trisha Langly. Do you know her?”
This was the first time the stranger smiled. “Yeah. She was younger than me, but everyone knows each other in my hometown.”
Della offered a small laugh. “Yeah, I know what you mean. Mine is the same way.”
“You sound about as thrilled about that aspect as me,” he noted.
She waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, it’s fine.” She was never going to see this guy again after they landed, so why not spill her own life story? Or at least the last twelve months of it. “Or it was fine until my husband cheated on me and everyone seemed to know my marriage was over before me. I found out that his new wife was having a baby through the town’s blogger.”
The stranger grimaced. Unless she was imagining it, sympathy flashed in his dark brown eyes. “That’s rough.”
“Yes, it was.” She had been through a lot this past year. Her divorce was finalized last month, and her ex had already given his girlfriend a diamond twice as big as the one he’d once given Della. They’d married in a private ceremony. “I’m a mom, though,” Della said with resolve. “I have twin boys who keep me focused. I can’t just fall apart the way I want to. They need me to be strong, so that’s what I’ll be.” She blew out a breath and looked over. “I’m Della, by the way,” she said, offering her hand.
The man slipped his palm against hers. “I’m Roman. Nice to meet you, Della.”
They held each other’s hands and shook briefly. Then the plane dipped again. She sucked in a little breath but kept her gaze locked with Roman’s. Her focus was trained there and not on the possibility that they’d crash before Christmas, which was only five days away. This was going to be a different kind of Christmas, and Della wanted so badly for her boys to have a good one, regardless of their parents’ messes.
Once the plane had righted again, Roman pulled his hand from hers and continued talking. “I haven’t been home in over a year because my dad and I bump heads whenever we’re together.”
“You let a few disagreements keep you estranged from your family?” Della didn’t intend any judgment in her voice,. . .
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