Ladd Christmas

By Dianne Venetta

After traveling the globe on an extended honeymoon, Nick and Delaney Harris have returned home for Christmas. Eight months pregnant, Delaney can’t imagine being anywhere but Tennessee when she gives birth. Nick is more than happy to oblige, now that he feels certain he’s found the location for his next eco-resort. But with his wife on the verge of delivery, Nick must convince his partner, Malcolm Ward, to travel halfway around the world and continue to lay the groundwork for their new development—in New Zealand.

To share the news, they invite the extended family for dinner, including a troubled Ashley Fulmer. Seems her husband has gone missing in Arkansas, a crisis magnified by the state of his health, and a blizzard sweeping across the country. Determined to support Ashley in her time of need, Delaney works overtime to create a festive holiday atmosphere. But when the family falls victim to the weather and find themselves snowed in for Christmas, Delaney faces a crisis of her own.

Ladd Christmas reunites your favorite characters from the Ladd Springs series with a blend of crisis, faith and love...and new beginnings.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dianne Venetta
• Release date: Nov 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9780991118250

Dianne Venetta

Dianne Venetta is the award-winning author of contemporary romance and cozy mystery novels, including Jennifer's Garden, winner of Best in Romance for 2012 Indie Discovery Awards. When not knee-deep in romance, she contributes gardening advice to various websites and publications and has been featured on GalTime, Huffington Post, Earth Eats (Indiana Public Radio), eHow and Ideal Home Garden among others. She lives in Central Florida with her husband and two children. When not whacking away at her keyboard you'll find her in their organic garden chasing grasshoppers and plucking hornworms all while drawing wild analogies between kids and plants and men. Definitely men. A girl's gotta have fun, right? Dianne also enjoys volunteering in school gardens and has begun a children's series chronicling her adventures called Wild Tales & Garden Thrills. It's a crazy existence to be sure, but at the end of the day, if she can inspire someone to stop and smell the roses--or rosemary!--kiss their child and spouse good-night, be kind to a neighbor and Mother Earth, then she's done all right.

Book preview

LADD

CHRISTMAS

by

Dianne Venetta

SMASHWORDS EDITION

*****

PUBLISHED BY:

BloominThyme Press

Ladd Christmas

Copyright 2014 by Dianne Venetta

License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return it to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

*****

LADD CHRISTMAS

Other novels by Dianne Venetta:

Ladd Springs Series

Cozy Romantic Mystery

LADD SPRINGS ~ #1

LADD FORTUNE ~ #2

HOTEL LADD ~ #3

LADD HAVEN ~ #4

LOSING LADD ~ #5

LADD CHRISTMAS ~ #6

Silver Creek Series:

Romantic Mystery/Adventure

NOT WITHOUT YOU ~ #1

Coming Soon

BECAUSE OF YOU~ #2

ALL ABOUT YOU~ #3

The Gables Trilogy:

Romantic Women’s Fiction

JENNIFER’S GARDEN

LUST ON THE ROCKS

WHISPER PRIVILEGES

Women’s Fiction

CONDEMN ME NOT

Ladd Christmas

Copyright 2014 by Dianne Venetta

ISBN: 978-0-9911182-5-0

Publisher: BloominThyme Press

Editor: Best Foot Forward

Cover Design: Seductive Designs

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without prior written permission from the copyright owner.

Acknowledgements

The holidays are a beautiful time of year, filled with joy and love, the wonder of fresh new discoveries and the simple pleasure of family. But for some, the holidays can prove a difficult time. My heart and prayers to all who might be struggling this season. Keep the faith.

Dedication

This novel is dedicated to my family, and family everywhere.

LADD CHRISTMAS

Book #6

After traveling the globe on an extended honeymoon, Nick and Delaney Harris have returned home for Christmas. Eight months pregnant, Delaney can’t imagine being anywhere but Tennessee when she gives birth. Nick is more than happy to oblige, now that he feels certain he’s found the location for his next eco-resort. But with his wife on the verge of delivery, Nick must convince his partner, Malcolm Ward, to travel halfway around the world and continue to lay the groundwork for their new development—in New Zealand.

To share the news, they invite the extended family for dinner, including a troubled Ashley Fulmer. Seems her husband has gone missing in Arkansas, a crisis magnified by the state of his health, and a blizzard sweeping across the country. Determined to support Ashley in her time of need, Delaney works overtime to create a festive holiday atmosphere. But when the family falls victim to the weather and find themselves snowed in for Christmas, Delaney faces a crisis of her own.

Ladd Christmas reunites your favorite characters from the Ladd Springs series with a blend of crisis, faith and love…and new beginnings.

Chapter One

Delaney Wilkins stirred a mix of cornmeal and buttermilk in a large plastic bowl while the others looked on. She had already baked one batch with one more in the oven, but cornbread had been number one on Nick’s request list when they returned home, and she, more than happy to oblige. She and Nick had been traveling for the last six months, but had come home for Christmas.

Because Delaney had insisted.

Eight months pregnant, she wasn’t about to give birth in a foreign country, and if Nick didn’t understand, well, she would have left him land shopping the island of New Zealand by himself. She was giving birth at home, in Tennessee. Fortunately, he put up no resistance and the two arrived this morning. Delaney’s first stop had been the stables. Thinking back, her heart squeezed. Seeing Sadie this morning reminded Delaney just how much she’d missed her mare, the sweet nuzzle of her velvety snout, the rich, hay-infused scent of her body. Traveling away from her horse had been one of the hardest parts of her new married life. That, and not seeing her daughter Felicity for months on end. But where two women could talk on the phone, she and Sadie could not.

It had been an adjustment, but marriage was a compromise. Nick wanted to travel. He wanted to scout for a new hotel, visit some of his favorite places, and he wanted to do so with his wife on his arm. Delaney had nearly lost her life in a fire two years ago, one that had devastated the hotel stables, and Nick declared they seize the moment. Once she had fully recovered from her injuries, he had been adamant. He would not allow her to wander aimlessly around Ladd Springs on horseback with nothing better to do than watch the reconstruction of her stables when they could be traveling the world on an extended honeymoon. When he’d put it that way, Delaney could hardly refuse him.

But it was good to be home with her friends and family. Outside, a flurry of snow was falling, promising a white Christmas this year, while inside she hummed along with a soft symphony rendition of Noel, the peaceful tune mingling with the playful squeals of the children seated on the living room floor. Looking around her home, the rich warm wood interior of the living areas, a healthy fire crackling from the flagstone hearth, her kitchen a mix of granite, soapstone and maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances and a bronze metal ring of hanging pans overhead, Delaney soaked it all in. Christmas would be here in two days, and the knowledge filled her with pleasure. I can’t believe how much the kids have grown, she commented, scraping a flat rubber spatula over the edge of her bowl. The change is incredible.

You’ve forgotten how quick, Lacy Ward returned with a spark in her big blue eyes. But you just wait, you’ll remember in no time once that little baby of yours enters the world.

Emma Jane Ward, almost three, was currently wreaking complete havoc on a log toy collection. Long black curls bounced behind her head as she banged a hammer. She’d demolished her second structure in ten minutes and was working on her third. Delaney shook her head. No longer pudgy and round, Emma Jane was thinning out with every step she took, though the real change had taken place in her younger brother. Everett Levi was no longer the quiet bundle of joy she remembered but a bouncing baby boy who couldn’t be kept down. Make that bounding, Delaney mused. Now that Everett had found his feet, Lacy spent half her time chasing him. She refused to isolate him in a crib or playpen, claiming he needed his freedom to explore.

Delaney couldn’t disagree with her. One look at his mother was all the explanation needed. Dressed in a beautiful royal blue tunic sweater and black wool leggings tucked into sleek, knee-high leather boots, Lacy remained as petite and trim as ever. Elegant too, with short-cropped raven-black hair, two-carat diamond stud earrings and shimmery makeup around her eyes. Three months pregnant with baby number three, Lacy was no closer to settling down than the day she rolled back into town four summers ago. She had come back to Tennessee on the heels of Jeremiah Ladd—Delaney’s cousin and a tornado of trouble and emotional upheaval—but eventually stayed on by the grace of family. Her sister, Annie, in particular. The two women had been at odds since Lacy first left town, due to the fact that Jeremiah had left Annie pregnant when he set off for Atlanta with Lacy. It had been ugly, Delaney remembered, but now the two were close.

Emma Jane! Lacy shrieked. Don’t you dare hit your brother with that log!

Why does she go after him like that? Casey Parker asked. Slanting a gaze toward her daughter, long ebony bangs falling into her blue eyes, her ivory skin a stark contrast to her black turtleneck sweater and hair.

She’s selfish and self-centered and doesn’t like to share, Lacy retorted, irritated that her daughter was misbehaving yet again.

No child likes to share, Annie Owens put in, directing the comment to her daughter, Casey. Standing next to her, the two looked almost as identical as Annie and Lacy did to one another, proving the Owens’ gene pool flowed deep and strong through the bloodline. The women shared fiery temperaments, too, though Annie looked as calm and serene as the cream-colored form-fitting sweater and slacks she wore. And beautiful, the pop of red scarf around her shoulders setting off her glossy back hair to perfection. Still worn in a pageboy cut, Annie was a classic beauty.

Mild alarm entered Casey’s gaze. But she could hurt him, couldn’t she?

It’s how they’re made, Annie said, and cupped her hands around an oversized coffee mug. Cassidy Jo isn’t any different, except she doesn’t have a younger brother to fend off.

Cassidy Jo Grace was sitting on the floor next to Emma Jane. Two long brown braids hung forward as she stared, a deep curiosity spinning in her brown-eyed gaze. The girls were dressed alike in candy cane striped blouses and jeans, but that’s where the similarities ended. Cassidy Jo was the veritable calm by the tornado whirling beside her.

You mean she’d take a swipe at a brother if she had one?

Sure as I’m standing here, she would. Annie laughed. Probably two swipes, as tough as that little girl is!

Delaney looked at Cassidy Jo and felt a profound love sweep over her. She might appear calm at the moment, but that child had come into the world in a whirlwind of her own. Delaney had been there the day she was born. Troy Parker had been delivering her in the barn when Delaney and Annie, Nick and Cal had come upon them. Goosebumps raced across her skin as she recalled the scene. It was one thing to deliver a foal, but your own child?

The boy had been amazing. Man, Delaney corrected herself. Troy was a man who deserved her respect and admiration. He was the reason she had been able to leave Ladd Springs for a tour around the world with her husband, because Troy was the only one she’d trust with the horses in her absence.

Well, Lacy snipped, Emma Jane better learn and quick, or her momma is going to take a switch to her bottom.

You wouldn’t, Annie said.

I would! Lacy huffed. If she doesn’t get herself a set a manners, I will this instant.

Annie returned a bored shake of her head. You spoil that girl rotten, that’s your problem. And Everett will just have to learn on his own how to deal with girls, surrounded by them the way he is.

Emily Foster laughed. Cal’s daughter was all teenager in her skinny jeans and cute denim jacket, her long blonde hair straightened and softly flared out in the latest style. She was also the premier babysitter when it came to Lacy’s children. The kids loved her and she loved them. Everett can handle himself, Emily said. I’ve seen him go after Emma Jane a time or two!

Lacy flipped her gaze to Emily and said, Good. I’m glad to hear it. Lacy rubbed a hand over her belly, her pregnancy non-existent to the casual eye beneath her sweater. I hope this one’s a boy, too. It will serve that girl right if they team up on her.

She’s a spirited one, same as you, Delaney said. Can’t say I’m surprised to see her in action. In fact, she added with a wink, I bet she’ll be climbing Zack’s Falls in no time.

Lacy grinned. She will love it up there.

Delaney didn’t doubt it. Zack’s