An Extraordinary Christmas

By Tallulah Grace

The magic of Christmas is alive and well as Jeri and Ethan join their friends for a one-of-a-kind holiday in Charleston.

Putting the stress of hunting serial killers on hold for a while, Jeri and Ethan enjoy their first Christmas together. For Jeri, it’s also the first Christmas she’s ever spent with friends who are her family and with the man who makes her heart beat faster.

Readers who enjoyed the books of Timeless Trilogy and the SSCD Crime Thrillers will recognize old friends in the pages of this short, romantic story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kalyko Creations
• Release date: Dec 14, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311957238

Tallulah Grace

Raised in the foothills of the mystical Blue Ridge Mountains, I attribute my love of beautiful landscapes and fascination with all things paranormal to my environment. The settings and characters in my novels reflect my appreciation for natural beauty as well as a desire to explore the what-if’s of things unseen. Throw in a degree in Psychology paired with a strong interest in the workings of the criminally insane mind and you have a breeding ground for a psychological thriller.Becoming an author was not a conscious decision; I've always been a writer. Channeling a passion for story-telling into my livelihood required a giant leap of faith, one that I'll never regret as I truly love what I do.When I'm not writing, I enjoy antiquing, bead-weaving and sharing time with my incredible daughter and our two spoiled-rotten cats.

Book preview

An Extraordinary Christmas

By Tallulah Grace

Copyright 2013 Tallulah Grace

Smashwords Edition

The names, places and events contained within this book are fictional. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including recording, photocopying or any other information storage and retrieval system without prior, written permission of the Author.

Visit this page to subscribe to my newsletter and be the first to learn of new releases, contests and giveaways.

Chapter One

Are you sure that you don’t mind spending Christmas in Charleston? I’m sure that your family is really disappointed. Jeri had asked Ethan the same question, made the same comment, at least a dozen times since they had decided to spend Christmas with her friends.

Ethan smiled, catching a quick glimpse of her from the corner of his eye. It was all he dared to do, while maneuvering across the suspension bridge connecting Charleston to Mount Pleasant.

I’m sure they understand, it wasn’t as if they knew that we were planning to come. He reasoned, trying to put the topic to rest, once and for all. We didn’t plan on moving right into another case, immediately after capturing Anson. But we did.

Good thing, too. That was one nasty piece of work. Targeting elderly couples, what a coward. He was easy enough to catch, though. The one after that, Eagle Eye, he was a real doozy.

I’m glad they’re not all as clever as they think they are. If you hadn’t caught onto Jengo’s tricks, we’d still be chasing him all over Montana.

Sometimes we get lucky. If the general public knew how many serials were really operating in this country, no one would sleep a wink. Jeri turned her gaze to the waterway as their ride over the bridge peaked. I am glad that we’re not spending this holiday in some motel, chasing the latest low life to cross our radar. We need a break. And look how beautiful it is here.

I’m with you on the break. Two weeks without constantly being on guard, searching for clues, finding dead bodies, sounds like heaven to me. Especially since I’m spending it with you.

When have we spent any time away from each other in the past six months? You’re like my shadow, Jeri grinned, squeezing his leg.

Are you complaining?

No way. I like having you around, now that I’ve gotten used to you.

So, you’re taking me for granted already. Nice.

Did I say that? I said that I was used to you, sort of like an old pair of slippers, or a worn-in pair of jeans. Having you around increases my comfort level. Jeri teased.

Oh, well, then, when you put it that way, I’m flattered. Who wouldn’t want to be compared to a favorite pair of jeans or old shoes? Thanks.

My pleasure, Jeri smiled, then sat up straighter. Turn here, she pointed to the road at the base of the bridge.

I remember. We drove it often enough, hunting for Anson. Ethan made the turn that would take them to a pair of beach houses, tucked away near the tip of Mount Pleasant. Did I tell you that I have a surprise for you?

What? A surprise? For me? No, you didn’t tell me. What is it? Is it for Christmas? ‘Cause we can’t exchange presents early. This is my first real, family Christmas and I want to do it right. Excitement filtered through Jeri’s warning.

Yes, it’s for you, and me. And no, it’s not for Christmas. It’s for today. I rented us our own house, just a few houses down from Dylan’s. It’s close enough so that you all can visit, as often as you like, but it still gives us some privacy.

Jeri was speechless. Her friend, and former partner in the FBI, Dylan Dawes, lived with his wife and baby son in a beachfront home that was big enough to accommodate guests. And if it weren’t, their friends, Kris and Nick, lived right next door, with plenty of room to spare.

Why would you do that? They’re expecting us to stay with them. It would be rude to cancel at the last minute.

You’re right, it would be rude. That’s why I called them last week, when we were sure that we could come. Dylan helped me with the details. I wanted to surprise you.

Well, you certainly managed that. Our own house? But it’s Christmas, what about the tree, and the decorations? Jeri didn’t want to sound disappointed, but she was really looking forward to having a traditional holiday.

I thought it would be fun to start our own traditions, like getting a tree, and decorating it ourselves. Won’t you enjoy shopping for our ornaments, and tinsel and everything that goes with it?

When you put it that way, yes, I’d love it! Jeri looked sideways at Ethan, wondering if he knew that he was making one of her dreams come true.

Before she could decide, they pulled into a stretch of driveway leading to an imposing, two-story home, standing on pillars above the sand. They could see the ocean, between the house and the one next door, just beyond the dunes.

The front door opened before the car came to a full stop, with Dylan coming down the stairs to greet them. His wife, Roni, held a bundle in her arms that could only be one thing, their newborn son.

Jeri flung open the door, and jumped out to meet her old friend.

Hey, old man, you look tired. Your son already getting the best of you? Jeri greeted him, stepping into his arms for a hug.

Just wait, kid, your time’s coming. Dylan gave her a squeeze, thinking that she looked too thin. She was probably working herself to death, he would have a word with Barnes about that. Before he could say anything else