Mistletoe Rules (a Short Story): Romancing Wisconsin, #4

By Stacey Joy Netzel

**This BONUS SHORT STORY of approx. 10K words is available in the Romancing Wisconsin Volume I boxed set. It is also FREE to newsletter subscribers who sign up at Stacey Joy Netzel’s website.**

When Benedict Riley first meets Susan Whitcomb at a college holiday dance, she’s engaged to be married to another man. In this story where mistletoe rules, you’ll learn how the Riley Family Mistletoe Rules all began one fateful Christmas, not too long ago…

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To everything there is a season...

Love finds a way during the four seasons in the Romancing Wisconsin Series. Starting with the Christmas holiday/Winter, then moving on to Autumn, check out the first six books in this bestselling, heartwarming series set in small town Wisconsin. Meet the Rileys, the Walshes, and best of all, Butch...a.k.a. Santa Butch. The mischievous matchmaker makes a cameo in each story—adding a touch of magic to the lives of everyone he loves, and even those he's just met.

Romancing Wisconsin Series
Mistletoe Mischief, book 1
Mistletoe Magic, book 2
Mistletoe Match-Up, book 3
**Mistletoe Rules – short bonus story 
Autumn Wish, book 4
Autumn Bliss, book 5
Autumn Kiss, book 6
**Autumn Glimmer – short bonus story
Spring Fling, book 7 
Spring Serendipity, book 8 - early 2016

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stacey Joy Netzel
• Release date: Dec 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781939143396

Book preview

Chapter 1

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Sue Riley stood in the archway between the kitchen and living room, snuggling five-month old Savannah against her chest. Dishes were done after an early dinner, and now everyone had sprawled on couches, chairs, and the floor in front of the large decorated pine tree while food settled in their stomachs. Dessert was an event all to itself and would be served a bit later.

Butch and Judy Walsh, and Marissa’s sister, Nikki, had joined them again this Christmas Eve, as had become the new tradition. A little later, Butch would change into his Santa suit to delight the kids and hand out presents. Right now, seventeen-month old Ethan sat on his lap, tangling the older man’s long, white beard in his chubby little fingers. His twin, Evan, careened from one family member to the next while Reese and Heather laughed at their little brother’s antics.

Sue watched her family and wondered where the years had gone. She wouldn’t trade a single one, not even the hard ones, and there’d been enough of them. These days she counted her blessings.

Wonderful friends. A loving husband. Three healthy children, two amazing daughters-in-law, and a handsome son-in-law as of August. Five beautiful grandchildren from Eric and Marissa, and another on the way after Mark and Janelle had just shared the news their first was due in May.

Amidst the excitement and chaos the news created, Eric rescued a wrapped present from Evan’s destructive little fingers and placed it back under the tree. He scooped him into his arms as the little boy howled his outrage. Out of the corner of her eye, Sue noticed Lisa tip her head back from where she sat on the floor to look up at her husband in the recliner. Derek leaned down to whisper in her ear before they exchanged a smile and a tender kiss.

Sue caught Ben’s eye and lifted her eyebrows. Would they become grandparents twice over again this next year? Ben watched the two for a moment before answering her silent question with a shrug of his shoulders. She hoped so. She loved that the grandkids would be close in age so they could grow up together and keep the family close.

Marissa stepped into her line of sight, arms outstretched for Savannah. Nap time, she whispered.

After one more sniff of heavenly, baby sweetness, Sue handed the sleepy infant to her mother. As Marissa carried her away, Sue moved into the living room and added her misty-eyed congratulations for Mark and Janelle.

It’s about time, you two, she admonished as she released Janelle from a hug.

Mom, we’ve only been married a year, Mark protested.

Like I said, it’s about time. You’ve got some catching up to do.

Her oldest laughed, and she gave him a cheeky grin while taking the spot Ben patted next to him on the couch.

His hair had grayed, he’d put on some weight around the middle, wrinkles creased his aging face—and she matched him on all fronts. His unwavering love and devotion ensured her own emotions were stronger now than the day they’d married.

Ben took her hand in his, threading their fingers together. Sue leaned over and kissed his cheek. When she settled back, Reese plopped onto the floor in front of them, the skirt of her sparkly red dress all askew.

Grandma, tell us the story of how you and Grandpa met, she demanded.

Please, Heather half-added, half-reminded as she joined her step-sister.

Sue held back a laugh at different the two girls