The Stockings Were Hung

By Cindy Toomer

A heartwarming Christmas romance set in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho. Hoping to get a fresh start after a recent breakup with longtime boyfriend Zach Hansen, Seattle based architectural designer Sara Jackson escapes to Sun Valley for the Christmas holiday. Snow covered mountains, blue skies, exclusive boutiques, and the family condominium makes the town of Ketchum the perfect vacation destination for Sara's emotional recovery.

Terry Roberts is in Ketchum, Idaho, for his annual reunion with three college buddies. He is planning on hitting the slopes, the bars, and the ladies. The Sawtooth Mountains have been calling his name for months but once there Terry finds himself the odd man out. Everyone has brought their wives. Unmarried Terry finds himself concocting a story of a girlfriend that doesn't exist. When the friends want to meet the girl Terry has to think fast and come up with a plan.
Sara and Terry's paths merge and Terry is taken in by the delightful Jackson family. He embraces their Christmas traditions and is mesmerized by their unconditional love for each other, something he has never known. Sara couldn't be more thankful to her family for taking in this stranger for Christmas. With family around and Terry by her side, Sara learns to open her heart and love again.

Enjoy the Christmas holiday with the Jacksons and let their story be a reminder that love will always find a way. Merry Christmas!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cindy Toomer
• Release date: Dec 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310718045

Cindy Toomer

Cindy Toomer spent her young adult years working at a government research laboratory. When she left the lab she founded a private school, served as the general contractor on her own home, and then eventually went to work for the local school district as an administrative assistant. Cindy and her husband I live in South East Idaho where they are the very proud parents of two adult children, a son and a daughter. The desire to write has been sitting on a low burner since Cindy was sixteen years old. With the encouragement of her husband and two children she wrote her first book, The Stockings Were Hung.

Book preview

The late afternoon sun, reflecting off the new fallen snow, had been so bright that it took Sara's eyes a few minutes to adjust to the darkness of the dimly lit room. The short walk in the fresh mountain air had given her a second wind and she was starving by the time she reached the popular pub. Sara had been to WJ's Pub on previous trips to Ketchum and knew it might be difficult to find a seat, but she had been hopeful. That hope faded as she looked around the local hotspot. Patrons sat around high and low top bar tables, a couple of young men dressed in slacks and dress shirts were involved in a game of pool, a band played on a low stage off in a far corner, and several couples were dancing on a hardwood dance floor. She was just about ready to change her mind and return to the condo for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when she felt a cupped hand under her elbow.

Excuse me, are you looking for someone? It was a strong, pleasant voice, but the reactional thought went through her head, Geez dude, give me a break, I just walked in. She took her time turning to face the man that had spoken to her and as she turned she took a deep, dramatic breath. Expecting to look into the face of a scumbag, she instead found herself looking into the most gorgeous green eyes she had ever seen.

Do I know you? was all she could say, trying to stifle the curt comment that was headed out her lips. While it wasn't as bitchy as it started out to be it wasn't congenial either and she knew she had made a horrible first impression.

No, I'm sorry, I just thought, well anyway, he stammered, my friends and I have an extra chair and you're welcome to join us. He started to pull away.

I would love to join you, there isn't a spare chair in this place and I won't be staying long. Just long enough to get a bite to eat. Sara smiled and tried to be more cordial.

Well to tell you the truth I was hoping you would stay for the rest of the evening.

The gorgeous green eyes turned away to avoid eye contact. The poor guy was embarrassed, but continued, I'm sorry, I sort of had a hidden agenda when I approached you. He paused and then looked her in the eyes. I don't usually do things like this.

Yup, here it comes, she knew there had to be a catch, Go on, but you need to know, I won't sleep with you on a bet.

Now, even more uncomfortable, the man about choked, No, no, it's not that, it's not that at all.

So glad to hear it, she grinned, enjoying his discomfort, I'm sorry, she shrugged her shoulders, I couldn't resist.

Oh, he choked, you were joking, Auh.

Yeah, well not really, I won't sleep with you on a bet.

It was pretty obvious that the poor guy didn't do this often.

What did you have in mind?

OK, so this is kind of awkward and it's gonna sound pretty stupid, but here it goes.

He took a deep breath.

I am here on vacation with my buddies, he nodded toward the table at which his friends were seated. They all seemed to be having a good time.

They are all married and I am not,

He paused again. He was feeling like an idiot. Maybe this hadn't been such a good idea.

OK? Sara wondered where this was going.

OK, he swallowed, they have been giving me a hard time about not having a girl friend.

You don't have a girl friend? she blurted without thinking, a good looking guy like you?

The poor guy’s face went scarlet, Umm, no.

You're not gay are you?

She had always been blunt, sweet but blunt.

Exasperated, he was wondering why he hadn't picked a different girl to talk to. He was about ready to give up on this one, but there was one thing for sure he wouldn't give up without making it clear that he was not gay. No, No, No, he was not gay, he liked women and he liked them a lot.

No, I am not!

Good, because what a waste that would be, she just had to say it, so what did you have in mind when you came up to me?

The truth is that at first I wasn't coming up to you, I was, he pointed to a woman who had come in ahead of Sara and was headed to a table with another man, I was going to ask her, but well as you can see that would have been a mistake.

It would appear so.

I couldn't go back to the table alone. So I came up to you. Well anyway, I was wondering if you would pretend to be my girlfriend. You see I told them I had a new girlfriend and that she was flying in today and would be meeting us here at the pub in just a few minutes.

Why would you tell them something like that?

Well I had a plan, I thought I would just ask the first girl that came in the door.

Auh, the girl over there.

Yes.

Why me then?

You're the second girl.

It was all she could do not to crack up laughing.

What made you think that would work?

I didn't, but I prayed it would.

You know God doesn't like liars?

I do, but I was hoping he would forgive me this once.

Hum, well I did just fly in a couple hours ago. So I guess that part's true and you did say new girlfriend, Sara paused for a minute to think and then, So that part is also true, I guess God doesn't need to do any forgiving this time. What's your name?

Terry.

Terry what?

The poor frustrated guy put his hands in his jeans pockets, Terry Roberts.

Mine is Sara Jackson. Where are you from?

Juneau, Alaska.

"I'm from Seattle, how'd we meet?

So, you'll do it?

I suppose it might be kind of fun. I can at least do it for a few days. You see I have family coming in for Christmas and then the charade would have to be over.

Wow, better than I could hope for. Thanks!

What's next?

I could introduce you to my friends.

Sara's stomach growled reminding her that she was hungry, How about a sandwich first? This could be fun.

Gotcha, what would you like?

I will have a burger, just a plain burger, no cheese, and some fries.

Wait here, Terry started off then turned, Want something to drink?

Sure, what are you drinking?

A beer.

I would love a beer.

Gotcha! he went to find a server and placed her order.

She watched him as he made his way back through the crowded room. She also noticed that the people at the table that he had pointed out to her were all watching him and her. She could not help but thank her lucky stars that this man was so incredibly handsome. She guessed he stood a little over six foot tall, must be a regular at some gym considering the breadth of his shoulders, the size of his biceps, and the leanness of his hips. Nice butt, a pair of jeans never looked better. Not only that the front of him wasn't bad to look at either.

Terry wasn't sure what he had gotten himself into, this woman was a lot more outspoken than he was used to dating.

So the story begins, he took a deep breath and let it out slow, a game that will go as long and far as I dare take it.

It shouldn't be too long for your burger, he said as he got closer. Do you want to wait for it here or do you want to go to the table?

Well let's get this show on the road.

Sara grinned and he couldn't help but smile. Sara took a step closer to Terry and took both of his hands in hers, they were large, but hers felt surprisingly comfortable in them.

So you want me to be your girlfriend, she whispered softly and she drew herself a little closer to him.

Terry swallowed hard, If you would I would be grateful.

I think it will be fun, lead the way.

Terry found her irresistible and warm and was beginning to relax.

Oh wait, what are we going to say, she laughed. We need to get our stories straight. We don't want to screw up. I think we should play this to the hilt.

What do you have in mind?

Before he knew it she had leaned up against him and was kissing him on the lips. His response to her kiss surprised even him and he kissed her back, the kiss took her breath away. She pulled away with a last peck on his bottom lip.

You are full of surprises, he smiled.

Not generally, she confessed, "but I thought it would be a nice touch. Want to do it again?'

Before he could answer she was kissing him again. She liked the first one and what the heck, it was fun putting on a show.

Do you think your friends saw?

He laughed out loud.

I'm sure they did, thanks.

He took her hand and led the way toward the table where his friends were ordering another round of drinks.

OK you hooligans, this is Sara, he smiled and turned to the couple on his right, his confidence returning. His hand was at the small of her back, as he introduced her.

Sara, this is Todd and his wife, Melissa.

Sara extended her hand to Todd, So nice to finally meet you. I have heard so much about you all. And then to Melissa, I must apologize in advance, I am not always good with names. Which was a lie, because in her business remembering names could make or break a deal. Terry was impressed with Sara's poise and familiarity. He made a mental note to ask her about her work. She was confident and comfortable with people.

Next Terry turned to the couple on his left, And this is Brad and his wife, Nancy.

Nice to meet you as well, it must be wonderful to have friends as close as you all are. Sara shook their hands just as another couple returned to the table from the dance floor.

And this is ...

Sara never heard another word Terry said as she came face to face with the reason she had taken this vacation in the first place. Zach. Good old love 'em and leave 'em Zach. What was he doing here? What was he doing on HER vacation? A thousand thoughts raced through her head. Before she realized it she had reached out to shake his hand and had lingered a little too long. In an effort to recover from the shock she smiled at him.

Have we met?

Zach shook his head, I don't believe so.

Are you sure, I feel like we have, you look so familiar.

All he could do was shake his head. She drew her hand back.

Oh well, my mistake. I thought you were someone from my past.

Sara turned away and with great effort tried to pull herself together.

Wait a minute, she thought. Did Terry just say his wife. Zach has a wife? Well, I'd like you to explain that to me Zach, since we have only been split up for six months. How long has this been going on? She had to stifle the anger or she would blow it for Terry. She was pretty sure the conversation went on and on, but she was oblivious to it. She could feel Zach staring at her, but she didn't dare look back at him. When she was asked a question she had to work at keeping the tremble out of her voice. All she wanted to do was to leave, but couldn't think of an escape. Then Terry provided one for her.

Would you like to dance?

I would love to, she had forgotten about the burger which hadn't made it to the table yet. She just wanted to escape from these people, this table, and from Zach.

Chapter 2

The music was soft and slow and there weren't many couples on the dance floor. Terry took Sara in his arms and they danced far closer than he would have if circumstances were different. He sensed that something was wrong. Sara had acted peculiar when he had introduced her to Zach and Katrina.

Sara’s head was spinning. She now realized that she had heard the name Terry Roberts many times. Zach had talked to him often on the phone and she believed that she had answered the phone a time or two when Terry had called. What were the chances, here she was in Ketchum, Idaho, and so was Zach. The one person she had been trying to move on and forget. The reason she had decided to take a vacation with her family. She could feel her heart pounding in her ears and the blood had drained from her face. Why did he have to be here in Ketchum? Couldn't he have picked another vacation location? She was here because her family owned a home here. He didn't have to be here. She was being irrational, Zach and his friends always came to Sun Valley together at Christmas time. Why hadn't she thought of that? Had she