Steele Brothers Christmas

By Cheryl Douglas

The Steele Brothers are coming together to celebrate love, family, and the holiday season in beautiful Colorado. Gratitude and appreciation abounds, for most, but Brody Steele has little to be grateful for this holiday season. The love of his life has fallen for another man and his time is running out to get her back. As they look toward a new year, will he get a second chance to get it right with the girl who got away?

Author’s Note: This is not a full-length novel. It is a novella, approximately 30,000 words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cheryl Douglas
• Release date: Nov 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310183089

Cheryl Douglas

Cheryl Douglas is a USA Today bestselling author who kicks back in the country, surrounded by farm land and nature. Her life revolves around family, country music, travel, caffeine, chocolate, and deadlines.Visit Cheryl at www.authorcheryldouglas.com

Book preview

Chapter 1

Jaci

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It was surreal to think I’d be Nex’s wife in less than a week. I was counting down the days, hours… minutes.

You’re not having second thoughts about getting hitched, are you? my fiancé asked, coming up behind me as I admired our newly decorated tree. The base was overflowing with gifts we wouldn’t be there to open, since we’d decided on a Christmas wedding in Colorado.

I’d always dreamed of a white wedding, and being the amazing man he was, Nex had agreed without hesitation. While most people were coming to Florida in droves to get away from the snow, we were leaving to catch a glimpse of the white stuff.

Are you kidding? I asked, wrapping my arms around his. I can’t wait.

He kissed my cheek, whispering that he loved me. No matter how many times I heard him say it, I’d never tire of hearing those three little words.

With a smile, I said, I love you too.

My smile spread as I thought about what we had to look forward to. The resort we’d chosen was stunning, with a spread that boasted several thousand acres and snow-capped trees. The sprawling log-hewn resort captured the homey feel while providing every amenity their discerning guests expected.

I feel kind of guilty about dragging everyone away for the holidays, I said, sneaking a peek at Nex over my shoulder. It is Christmas after all, and everyone has their own traditions.

We’d invited only close friends and family, so there were seven dozen people in total, which meant we had the entire resort to ourselves.

Are you kidding? He laughed. I don’t know about your family, but mine would have flown halfway around the world to witness this.

Mine too. I thought of the aunts, uncles, and cousins who were making the trek for our wedding. All of them had told me they couldn’t wait to see me marry the man of my dreams. But no one was more excited than my mama, who’d come to love Nex, claiming he was the son she’d always wanted. But do you think it’ll be awkward with Brody and Riley?

My future brother-in-law had been moping around ever since his ex told him she was seeing someone else. And since Riley and I had become good friends because of our vested interest in the bakery I co-owned with my sister-in-law, Mac, and her mother, Mary, I’d asked Riley to be our wedding planner.

As one of the most sought-after wedding planners in the city, Riley was usually booked out a year in advance, but she’d squeezed us in as a personal favor, claiming she’d known Nex since he was a little hell-raiser and wouldn’t miss the opportunity to see him get married.

Probably, but at least she’s not bringing her boyfriend, right?

Since she was sacrificing her holiday for us, I’d felt obligated to extend an invitation to Riley’s boyfriend as well, but apparently he had plans with his family. Thank God. I would have felt terrible, subjecting Brody to the sight of his ex-girlfriend cozying up to her new lover for five days.

No, she’s not. You know, since we started working together, I haven’t heard her talk about him all that much. Maybe it’s not as serious as she led Brody to believe.

Since I specialized in baking wedding and shower cakes, we’d become Riley’s first stop with clients. She was the reason we now had more business than we could handle, and because of her friendship with Mac, we had become fast friends as well.

I wouldn’t be surprised if she was using that guy to protect herself from Brody.

I turned into his arms, frowning. Riley would never use anyone, I said, indignant on behalf of my friend. She’s not like that.

He chuckled, kissing my cheek. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant having another man in her life was the only way to keep Brody at arm’s length. From what I understand, things were hot and heavy between them even after they broke up. Years went by and they were still sleeping together whenever Brody passed through town. Riley probably realized if she allowed it to continue, she’d be single for the rest of her life.

I sank down on the sofa, tugging Nex’s hand to bring him with me. I don’t get him. He clearly loves her. He hates that she’s with someone else. Why won’t he just tell her how he feels?

I’m pretty sure he has told her, Nex said, fixating on the lit nine-foot tree as though he was deep in thought. But put yourself in Riley’s place, hon. Would it be enough for you to know that some guy loved you if you knew he could never give you what you needed?

You’re talking about marriage and babies? I knew my friend was looking forward to having a family. She practically gushed when she came into our store as I was working on a shower cake. She’d often pick up a little pink bootie I was using as inspiration for my cake décor and sigh, telling me she couldn’t wait to have one of her own.

I’ve never met a girl so caught up in the fairy tale.

Can you blame her? I asked, running my hand over his thigh as I admired my engagement ring under the twinkling Christmas tree lights. Given what she does for a living? She sees everyone getting their happy ending, marrying their soul mate. It’s only natural she would want that for herself.

Yeah, but I’m sorry to say she’ll never get that with my brother. I can’t imagine him ever wanting to settle down.

She said her parents had a real problem with her dating Brody?

Yeah, they’re religious and think gambling is a sin. It doesn’t matter to them that Brody is one of the most famous poker players in the world and earns millions of bucks a year. As far as they’re concerned, gambling is gambling. Even when it’s your J.O.B.

My mother was religious too and shared the sentiment, so I could only imagine what Riley must have gone through, trying to defend Brody’s choices to her parents.

You think Brody will ever want to give up that lifestyle? Of all of my future brothers-in-law, I spent the least amount of time with Brody, since he travelled the world chasing tournaments.

I doubt it. Nex slid his hand through mine. He says he does it for the rush. Without it, he’d feel dead.

I’ve never understood why people need to chase thrills, I said, shifting my body so I was leaning my back into Nex’s chest. Why can’t they be happy with what we have: love, family, work they enjoy—

He laughed. Honey, if we were all cut from the same cloth, life would be pretty boring, don’t you think?

I sighed, wishing I could argue. I guess, but it just makes me sad seeing Brody so unhappy. He says he loves gambling, but I can’t believe he loves that half as much as he loves Riley. I’ve seen the way he looks at her, and it breaks my heart.

Riley’s the best thing that ever happened to him, no doubt about it. We all still consider her family, but now that she’s got someone else, it’s been hard to maintain a relationship with her. I’m glad you and Mac have found a way. I hated the thought of losing touch with her just ‘cause she and Brody aren’t together anymore.

What do you think will happen between them at the wedding? I asked, tipping my head back to look at him.

He grinned before kissing my forehead. You’re just as bad as Riley, a hopeless romantic. But, baby, it would take more than a Christmas miracle to bring those two back together, so don’t get your hopes up, okay?

Too late for that. If there was anything I could do to help two of my favorite people find happiness, I would.

You’re amazing, I said, reaching across the small table to give Riley a one-armed hug.

She’d come to see me at the bakery so we could go over the last-minute wedding details before we all flew out tomorrow. Nex was going all out, chartering a plane to fly us to the venue, and everyone was, for once, looking forward to the air travel.

I couldn’t have done this without your help, I said, smiling at the images she’d produced.

There was the three-tier cake with red roses we’d designed. The red velvet bridesmaids’ dresses, my white fur-trimmed cape, the horse-drawn carriage to take us from the small building where the ceremony was being held to the main inn where we were hosting the reception. She had literally thought of everything.

These flower arrangements are going to be amazing, I said, admiring the photo of the cascading bridal bouquet with white lilies, red roses, asparagus ferns, white dendrobiums, and white freesias.

And remember, Riley said, pointing at one of the photos she’d pulled from the venue’s website, we’ll have flowers lining the aisle runner, which will be red velvet. She flashed a smile. "And the table centerpieces will include the same flowers