Christmas Lights

by Amy Briggs

Genres: Holiday books; Small Town & Rural; Clean & Wholesome Romance; Contemporary Romance; Holiday Romance

Synopsis

A heart-warming festive novella from bestselling author Amy Briggs. Can flamingos help him win the heart of the new girl in town? Since the deaths of her parents, Samantha hasn't been too keen on the holiday season. Her favourite Christmas traditions now just remind her of all she's lost, and she's left going through the motions for the sake of her sister and her family. But when she runs right into the solid chest of single dad Jason, she suddenly feels a spark. Maybe all her sadness for this time of year could be about to change? Hoping to recreate the Christmas' from her past, and bring the light back into her eyes, Jason sets about giving Samantha the perfect holiday experience, 'Operation Christmas Flamingo'. With the help of Sam's sister and his own daughter Emily, can they once again bring the spirit of Christmas back into Sam's life? *Originally published in the Christmas With You anthology Why readers love Christmas Lights : 'A heartwarming read for the Christmas season' 'A cute story with lots of heart' 'A beautiful story about a single father, his daughter and the woman that came to mean so much to them both' 'A nostalgic feel of blending old memories with new and learning to enjoy life after loss' 'What a cute, sweet story'

Release date: November 14, 2019

Publisher: Piatkus

Print pages: 78

Sample

It was that time of year again. The annual pep talk with my sister, Robin, about the holidays. “We go through this every year, Sam,” she said in a motherly tone.

“What?” I asked, only half listening and still looking through my closet. I was thinking about how my wardrobe needed an update, not just for the winter weather ahead of me.

“You are always freezing when you get here,” she teased.

“I could have thirty-two layers on, and I’d still be cold in Massachusetts in the winter, Robin. I live in Florida. Come on. You were born a Floridian. I don’t know how you manage to function at all in that weather after growing up here.”

We were both born and raised in Florida, went to college in Florida, and we were Southern through and through. So the fact that she was lecturing me was even more annoying than the thought of freezing to death over Christmas.

“It wasn’t easy at first.” She chuckled. We have had this banter every single year during the holidays since she moved away, and it was tradition at this point. “Anyway, just remember it’ll be cold.” Changing the subject, she brought up one of the only topics about my annual trip to the tundra that brought a huge smile to my face. “The kids are excited to see you.”

Robin always tried to lift me up during the holidays; she made it her job. She wanted me to enjoy the season even if it wasn’t really my thing anymore. My nieces were eight-year-old twins, and they were absolutely hysterical. I did love playing in the snow with them every Christmas. It was usually the highlight of my trip, even if I was a human icicle. Each year, they were turning from babes into little women, and I definitely didn’t want to miss that. Playing with them and establishing myself as the cool aunt was worth the trip all on its own.

“Tell those little pretties that I can’t wait to see them. They’re going to be performing this year, right?”

“Yes, they are, and they’re so excited to show you their costumes. But I’ve been sworn to secrecy. They asked me not to give you any details so that they could share everything they’re up to themselves. They were very specific with me about this. They’re basically turning into eight-year-old teenagers.”

I laughed. “I can’t wait to see them.”

“Well, I can’t wait to see you. When do you get here? Are you sure you don’t want me to pick you up?”

“My flight gets in at around noon on Thursday, and I should be at your house by early afternoon if all goes well. Don’t use up time off for that. I’d rather we got to spend time together when you’re on vacation.”

“Sounds good.” She paused. “I’m really glad that you are staying longer this year. I miss you, Sam,” she said softly. “I promise that we’re going to have a great time, and make some new memories, okay?”

“I miss you, too, Robin. I’m looking forward to some quality time with my sister. It’s been far too long. This year, we’ll have lots of time to catch up over hot toddies and cookies when I get there, I promise.”

“Okay, I’ll see you soon. Love you!” she shouted, emphasizing the you dramatically, making me giggle.

“I love you, too, dork.” I hung up the phone grinning, dreading the season a smidge less.

As much as I didn’t love flying all the way to Friendship, Massachusetts, every December, it kept me celebrating Christmas, even if I was phoning it in emotionally a good chunk of the time. If it weren’t for my sister pulling me back in, I’d probably just order Chinese food and read books instead of acknowledging there was even a holiday happening around me. In fact, just hearing people say “Merry Christmas” made me sad, and I usually replied with a simple “Thanks, you too” instead of saying it back. Saying it was disingenuous; I didn’t say it because I didn’t feel it.

It had been my mom’s favorite time of year, and she and my dad had made a big deal out of the holidays. Even though we lived in Florida and many people felt the warm weather wasn’t festive, she’d wrap the palm trees in Christmas lights and put out every decoration she could find. Her stash had grown to epic proportions over the years. We had one of those National Lampoon decorated houses, the kind that blinded the neighborhood with twinkle lights, and a yard full of decorations from blow-up Santas to flamingos with Santa hats.

Planning the trip brought me back to my favorite memory of Christmas with my parents. It was when I was around twenty-two, my senior year of college. I came home for the holiday break, and they’d filled the entire yard with snow they’d had brought in for my arrival. I only went to college in northern Florida—it wasn’t like I’d been gone across country or anything—but they wanted to surprise me nonetheless. I didn’t even know that was something that could be done. They had it timed perfectly, and when I pulled into the driveway, my sister and my parents were beside themselves with laughter. I remember thinking that I had the coolest family in the universe. I mean who would go through the trouble of filling their front yard with shaved snow, knowing that it would almost certainly melt by the next day? My parents did. They were over the top in the best of ways, and making my sister and me laugh and smile was always the end game.

The more I reminisced, the less I wanted to celebrate. I stared at the hanging clothes while standing in front of my closet, knowing full well I had no decent winter clothes to speak of, and the sadness and anger took hold again, like always.

Christmas was devalued to becoming nothing more than a reminder of my parents’ absence. It had been five years, which wasn’t long to me, and I hated the thought of pretending to be full of joy. Part of me knew that was ridiculous, but my solitary life had become my security blanket. In that moment, all I wanted to do was call my mom, of course. Instead, I made a note to try braving the crowds at the mall f. . .