Christmas In Bruges: A Short Story

By Meadow Taylor

From the author of The Billionaire’s Secrets, Midnight in Venice and Falling for Rain, a heartfelt, witty and heartwarming short story for the holiday season, set in one of Europe's most enchanting cities…

Inspired by the beauty depicted in the movie In Bruges, Paula decides to spend Christmas by herself in the gorgeous Belgian canal city. One evening at a cozy bistro, she is very pleasantly surprised to meet her old college boyfriend and very first love, James. As they walk through the snowy streets, they laugh at their younger selves and ponder the unexpected course their lives have taken over the past nine years. Paula, a promising actress, became a teacher, while James abandoned medical school to serve as a medic in Afghanistan. But as Christmas Day approaches, James's painful war memories threaten their rekindled love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781443442169

Meadow Taylor

Meadow Taylor is the author of The Billionaire's Secrets and Falling for Rain, and the pen name for a pair of Ontario-based authors of historical fiction. Visit Meadow online at facebook.com/meadowtaylorbooks.

Book preview

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CHRISTMAS IN BRUGES

A Short Story

Meadow Taylor

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CONTENTS

Dedication

Christmas in Bruges

More by Meadow Taylor

Praise for Meadow Taylor

About the Author

Copyright

About the Publisher

Dedication

For Paula Davidson

Christmas in Bruges

It’s a fairyland, Paula whispered.

It was two days before Christmas. She was sitting in Café Terrastje, a cozy bistro lit entirely by candlelight, eating the best lasagna she’d ever tasted, a glass of excellent red wine next to her plate. Her table was beside the window, and she had the perfect view of what had to be the most perfect part of Bruges. Great flakes of snow drifted down to the cobblestone street while, gracing the branches of every tree, a million white fairy lights sparkled, their reflections dancing on the canal.

Excuse me. I don’t mean to interrupt, but isn’t the line really, ‘It’s an effing fairyland’? Pardon my language.

Deep and rich with a playful edge, his voice was familiar. Familiar in a good way, reminding her of someone she’d always dreamed of seeing again but had lost all hope of re-encountering long ago.

But it couldn’t be. Not here in Bruges.

She looked up, feeling a rush of excitement, a shiver that had nothing to do with the blast of cold air as he closed the door behind him. Brushing the snow out of his dark hair, he smiled down at her. That was familiar too.

Then his eyes caught the candlelight, and she knew it had to be him. There couldn’t be two men on this planet with eyes quite that shade of green. A sunlit forest, she’d told him, looking into them for the first time. That’s what they remind me of . . .

He’d laughed. I think you’re in love . . .

James? His name came readily—it was never far away, as much as she’d tried to forget it. Still, she’d forgotten how absolutely sexy he was. Or had the years made him sexier?

He smiled even wider. I saw you through the window watching the snow fall. I recognized you instantly, though I swear you’re even more beautiful than I’d remembered. I had to come in. I hope that’s okay.

Of course! I can’t believe we’re in Bruges at the same time. What are the chances? It’s been, what, eight years since . . .?

Nine, but who’s counting? It’s so wonderful to see you, Paula. And you really do look amazing.

"You look pretty terrific

Reviews for Christmas In Bruges

[literarychanteuse · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A quick but very cute read. I'd love to see what happens to this character in a continuing novel but for now I loved this short story and would love to read more from this author.

[jfe16 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Review of eBookThis is a difficult time for Olivia Moretti, her first Christmas since her father’s death. But the promise of a short-term project . . . and a trip to Venice . . . seems perfect, especially since her cousin, Marco, plans to spend Christmas there with her before her temporary job begins in January.Only now the uber-handsome Alessandro Rossi, a Venice policeman, has detained her in the Marco Polo Airport. Marco is nowhere to be found and Olivia has no idea what could possibly be concerning about her suitcase.Only it does seem to be ticking . . . .=========This very short story serves as a prequel to the author's “Midnight in Venice” and introduces readers to Olivia and Alessandro. Although the title conjures up thoughts of romantic scenes throughout Venice, the entire story takes place inside Venice’s Marco Polo Airport with just enough character development to encourage readers to continue reading their story in the book that follows.Set during the Christmas season, the plot . . . a mix-up/misunderstanding between police and a traveler . . . results in an unexpectedly humorous denouement as it hints at a continuing relationship between Olivia and Alessandro. Nevertheless, readers are likely to find this feel-good tale leaves them with a smile for the season . . . and for the possibilities.Recommended.

[fernemysteryreader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was about to select "Midnight in Venice" as my next book to read and then discovered that the short story of "Christmas in Venice" "is adapted from the first chapter of Meadow Taylor’s newest full-length novel." Particularly as Meadow Taylor is a new author to me I didn't want to miss the short story and I'm so glad I made the discovery. It's cute!Imagine stepping off the plane in the Marco Polo airport and suddenly the officer in charge is calling you a terrorist. Olivia Moretti can hardly believe Venice Police Officer Alessandro Rossi's accusation regardless of how handsome he is or how complimentary on the perfection of her speaking Italian. Can it be possible that she'll be spending Christmas in an Italian prison instead of spending the holiday with her cousin and enjoying his plans?Sparks are flying from the opening moments of their meeting and the outcome of his accusation is hysterical. I'll definitely be reading "Midnight in Venice" very soon! The short story was a great introduction to Meadow Taylor's writing. Hope you'll try it too!