More Than I Wished For

By Merry Holly and Marian Lanouette

You’ve met them in each of the Season of books and now Chase & Noelle’s trilogy can be read in one book.

From a whirlwind holiday romance, to a rushed wedding, to the heated life on the tropical Island of Royale, can Chase and Noelle adjust to each other and life as a couple. For the first time in one book, Chase and Noelle’s trilogy comes together.

Included in this trilogy are Noel Noel Noel, A Wedding and a Promise, and Noelle’s Surprise. All stories previously appeared in the Season of Series…

Noel Noel Noel by Merry Holly

Season of Magic

Dumped and lonely, is it possible to find love at the local mall? Noelle thinks not, but a chance encounter with Chase Clayborne while Christmas shopping has her rethinking her rigid set of rules, as sparks flare between them.

A Wedding and a Promise by Merry Holly

Season of Love

After a whirlwind romance, pressure from the groom to marry immediately has Noel questioning her decision. Deep inside her heart she knows Chase is the one but why rush the wedding?
Chase never intended to get engaged on his trip home for the holidays, but chance didn't give him a choice. One he laid eyes on Noel his heart was gone forever. But he has a secret. One he's afraid to tell Noel for fear she'll break the engagement.

Noelle’s Surprise by Merry Holly

Season of Surprises

Noelle has a secret. One she doesn’t know how to tell Chase. Married and isolated on the tropical island they now call home, it’s not what she imagined their life would be. To complicate matters, one of the client’s he’s introduced her to has made her intentions toward Chase public. Noelle believes Chase wouldn’t cheat, yet the doubt has been planted. To make matters worse, the women have elected her to the Christmas in July committee.

Frustrated at Noelle’s unhappiness, Chase has tried everything to combat it. But her mood swings are driving him crazy. When he finds a brochure on plastic surgery, he flips out. His beautiful wife doesn’t need it, nor does he want her to look like the “plastic wives,” of his clients. How can he finish the job and keep her on the island until its completion?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Painted Lady Press
• Release date: Apr 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9780996382175

Merry Holly

Amazon Bestselling author Marian Lanouette, who also writes as Merry Holly, is a multi-published author in both mystery and romance (Marian writes mysteries; Merry writes romance). The “Season of…” anthologies are her brain child, joining with other authors in creating stories around a central theme, such as Season of Love, Season of Magic Holiday Box Set, and Season of Thrills. Her romances are sweet and funny with a sexy edge, while her mysteries feature the ruggedly handsome Homicide Lieutenant Jake Carrington. A member of Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America, Marian/Merry loves snowboarding, rollerblading, and chocolate, and hanging out with friends for lunch and laughter. Fans are invited to check out Marian/Merry’s books at her website, http://marianl.com, where they can sign up for her newsletter and keep up with all the latest happenings and upcoming releases. You can also connect with Marian/Merry on any of the following places: Website:  http://marianl.com Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/marian.lanouette Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AuthorMarian Pinterest:   https://www.pinterest.com/mlanouette/ Pinterest 2: https://www.pinterest.com/marianlanouette/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6478248.Marian_Lanouette Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marian-Lanouette/e/B0095YFGZ6

Book preview

Noel Noel Noel

by

Merry Holly

Noel Noel Noel

Copyright© 2014 Marian Lanouette

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any forms or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systems without permission in writing from the author.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons living or dead or events is coincidental and not intended by the author.

The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the internet or via any other means without the permission of the author is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions, and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

Copyright number: 1-1803561321

In loving memory of my parents, Jimmy and Florence who always went out of their way to make Christmas very special for all of us.

Music Notes

Chapter One

Wednesday night

Sitting at a small round table inside the mall food court, Noelle sipped her latte and watched as people hustled and rustled by. This was a mean indulgence on her part. The first week of November she’d finished all her Christmas shopping. To keep in the spirit of the holiday, she visited the mall twice a week, gloating at all the stressed-out shoppers. Yes, her life was pathetic.

Dumped on Thanksgiving night, she’d yet to return Ken’s gifts. The bastard cheated on her with his secretary—his married secretary, for crumpet’s sake. She’d thought he was the one. She had their lives all planned out. Two-point-five kids, a house in the ‘burbs’, and romance to last a lifetime. It only lasted nine months. What was wrong with her that men didn’t hang around? Was she too boring? Was it her clothes, her job, her dog? If it was her dog, there’d be no discussion. The dog stayed, the men left. Heidi was the best dog ever. A blond German Shepherd who stood guard over her and loved her unconditionally. Yep, Heidi stayed no matter what.

Is this seat taken?

Looking up through her lashes, she spied the most wonderful present a girl could receive. Down girl. Just because the gift is wrapped nicely doesn’t mean what’s inside is what you want. His deep, emerald green eyes and chiseled face weren’t a bad start. The grin dancing on his full sensuous lips spelled trouble with a capital T. Suddenly, she was in the mood for a large dose of trouble. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. No, she finally answered.

May I?

Sure.

Glancing around the food court, she noticed for the first time that all the tables had filled up since she’d sat down. But there were a few seats scattered around the court. So why mine? Didn’t she just hear on the news that she should be careful of pickpockets and scam artists this time of year?

Chase, he said, extending his hand.

Staring down at his hand like it might burst into flames, she debated whether to take it or not. Darn, she’d lost the moment to touch him as he pulled his hand back and shrugged. Hot, burning fire shot from him to her across the gap. Soon she’d have to call nine-one-one if her body didn’t cool down. For lack of anything to say, she sipped her latte and watched him over the rim of her cup.

I can leave if I make you uncomfortable.

How cute is that? His brow furrowed, giving her the sudden urge to trace the lines with her fingertip. Whoa, Earth to Noelle, this isn’t one of your romance books and you’re not the heroine. But he could definitely be the hero. He placed a large strong hand over hers. She was right. It was hot.

No, I’m sorry. I get tongue-tied sometimes. Oh, great, why’d I have to bring my tongue into this?

You like that sweet stuff? He pointed to her cup.

I do. You?

No, I like mine strong and straight up. Pointing to his bags, her lip tugged up at the corner. Let me guess. Shopping for your wife?

Nope.

Ah, he’s going to make me work for this. A girlfriend?

Same answer.

Now he had her curiosity piqued. The purple bag was definitely from Lynn’s Lingerie Shoppe. Noelle’s sense of humor got the better of her. A cross-dresser?

A deep, loud bellow had her laughing with him. He was a good sport. Some men would have been insulted. Most didn’t understand her humor.

Now there’s an idea, but no. A rakish grin had her heart pounding. Would you still love me if I was?

Love him. Lordy, who is this guy? Maybe.

Would you like to know what’s in the little purple bag?

He shook it to entice her and it worked. Now she needed to know what was inside. Hmmm! Methinks he’s played this game before…

I do. I thought it was obvious, Noelle smiled.

Lynn’s signature perfume for my mother. It’s her favorite.

Oh yeah, who’s the dummy now, Noelle? He’d bought his mother a personal gift, not a toaster. Why is this guy single? Heat cooked her cheeks. Where was the extinguisher when you needed one?

I don’t see any bags for you.

That’s because I’m an early shopper and it’s all done.

Cripes, that’s not fair. I bet you even have them all wrapped?

Yep.

Where’s the fun in that?

Chase reached over, wiped her lip with his thumb. A million bolts of electricity raced through every nerve ending in her body causing sparks to ignite and jump in the air. Her nether region reached five-alarm status.

What? She jerked back.

You had some froth on your lip. It was kind of cute. He winked. Down girl. The man’s only flirting.

She picked up her napkin and wiped her lip. Is it all gone?

Yes. You haven’t told me your name. Is it a secret? His head tilted to the side, his eyes narrowed. Let me guess… Peyton…no. How about Paige? Nope, I’d say Charlie. You look like a Charlie.

All wrong. Give up?

Nope. Lizzy, Loretta, Georgie?

No.

Okay, I give up.

Noelle. Noelle Barnes.

Ah, a Christmas baby?

Yes

Christmas day?

Christmas Eve.

A special gift. I bet your parents were thrilled. She’d been waiting for his next question. Are you married?

No. Grinning, she said, I’m saving myself for Santa. She picked up her cup and sipped, hoping he ignored her last statement. Not able to help herself, she giggled. This was fun.

So… if I show up at your house tonight in a full Santa suit you’re mine? He started humming a Christmas carol, No-el, No-el, No-el.

The coffee shot out of her mouth, drenching his face, shirt and cup. Oh my God, I’m so sorry. Really…

He grabbed a napkin and wiped his face. Noelle took another and started rubbing his shirt. He placed his hand over hers. Relax…

A slow smile crossed his lips. Probing green eyes stared into hers as he continued to wipe his shirt. Not for the life of her could she explain her reaction to him.

Noelle. Lordy, when he says my name it rolls off his tongue like melted butter. Hot and creamy. What the heck has gotten into me tonight? Clumsy one minute, coy the next, she concentrated on his face. His square jaw highlighted the sharp angles of his cheekbones. Those deep, expressive green eyes penetrated more than her thoughts. Penetrated…get your mind out of the gutter, Noelle.

I’m normally not this forward, but would you like to join me for dinner?

Dinner, oh yeah, he’s an operator, a very smooth one. Checking her watch, she calculated the wait at any restaurant in the mall, plus the time to eat. By the time they’d finish dinner it would be well after ten o’clock. She’d find herself alone in a deserted, dark parking lot with him. Though the offer was tempting, she decided not to tempt fate.

Thank you, but I just ate.

That was dinner?

Yep.

Maybe some other time. He got up, turned to leave, then turned back and sat down. Here’s my full name and cell number. He scribbled on a napkin. I’d love to meet up for coffee again. I’d say I’m harmless, but that would be a lie. With that he flashed a sexy grin, wiggled his eyebrows, stood and walked away.

Turning the paper over and over in her hand, Noelle debated throwing it away. She crumpled it, put it on her tray, stood and walked to the garbage receptacle. She pushed the door to the can open and then pulled her tray back grabbing Chase’s number in her other hand and stuck it in her pocket.

Why not?

Chapter Two

Across the mall, in the phone shop, Chase’s heart sunk when she crumbled the paper. A smile crossed his face when he watched her take it from the tray and stuff it in her pocket. When he first left the store with his purchase, he needed a cup of coffee. The shopping, the crowds, and the rudeness got to him. Scanning the area, his eyes landed on the beautiful brunette with the curly hair. The one who was obviously people watching. A lopsided grin played along her lips as she sipped her coffee. Surprised that he wanted to bite that lip, he’d marched straight to her table and introduced himself. Her humor added to her beauty. Cross-dresser. He’d have to make sure he ran into her again if she didn’t call. It wasn’t until he was up close that he noticed the deep brown eyes, ringed with hints of green and gold. Unusual and beautiful eyes, he thought.

Chase felt more comfortable at the mall with its crowds of anonymous shoppers than anywhere else in this town. He only hoped no one recognized him. The stares, the whispered comments, the undisguised animosity he’d endured before he left for Florida ten years ago were still a haunting presence in his life and probably always would be. At least the gorgeous brunette didn’t seem to know who he was, which was why it was so easy to flirt with her. Meeting her might make this trip home worthwhile. There wasn’t much to do at his parent’s house each night while he was visiting for the holidays. Most of the friends who still lived here were married with children. Chase understood it was an extremely busy and stressful time of year for parents. His older sister went crazy shopping for her kids for Christmas.

His younger sister Laurel invited him to go out with her and her friends tonight. But the last thing he wanted to do was barhop with a bunch of twenty-two-year-olds. Their flightiness grated on his thirty-year-old nerves. Cripes, he sounded old. He’d thought being home with the family would solve all his problems. What it actually did was magnify them. His older sister Melinda and her family were a joy to be around, but it reminded him of how much he’d lost when Brooke broke off their engagement to accept a job overseas. He knew deep down it wasn’t the job, but her new boss. Depressed, yes, sorry to see her go, no, and the reality of it smacked him between the eyes. Things cooled off way before she said the words. Plain and simple, he was ready to settle down, she wasn’t. He loved what he was doing. His architectural design and construction business was thriving but his personal life sucked.

Staring out the window, lost in thought, he lost track of Noelle. She was gone. All for the good, he thought. Why start something here when he lived nine or ten states away?

The sweet scent of vanilla and cinnamon filled his nose before he felt the tap on his shoulder. Son of a gun, caught in the act. Better face the music now. He understood he’d just blown his chance at coffee.

Spying?

She doesn’t sound angry, but then again, I don’t know her. No. Take a chance, Chase. Well, truth be told, I wanted to see if you kept my number. A quick grin, a shrug of his shoulders, maybe he’d melted her heart, just a little?

I did, but now I’m not so sure.

A raised eyebrow along with her set jaw sent the sound of slamming doors his way. Look, I’m home for the holidays visiting family. My sister invited me out to barhop with all her young twenty-something friends. My friends are married and busy. I figured it was a good night to shop and I’m here to buy stuff for my sister to get her off my list. Then I spotted you and, well, I thought the evening was starting to look up. He paused to take a breath. How did she manage to reduce me to a sniveling nut? It’s been a long time since a woman spun me around. It’s just coffee. I promise I’m not a serial killer or a pervert.

I bet all serial killers say that.

I’m wounded. He grabbed his heart. But you’re right. Thinking quickly he added, To show how safe I am, why don’t you meet me tomorrow night at the Congregational Church on the green? They’re having their annual holiday party. My parents are big into the church so we all attend as a family.

Shoot, do I sound desperate, or what? Asking a woman to church, I’ve now sunk to an all-time low. But she’d make a good buffer between me and the family, not to mention the rest of the members of the congregation. Not that I want to use her or anything, but her presence there would certainly make things easier.

Did you just ask me on a date to church? She’d just mirrored his thoughts. Any minute now she’ll be running, not walking, from the creepy guy at the mall. Me!

Apparently, I did. Go figure. The corner of his mouth turned up and he shrugged his shoulders again.

You know, Chase, no one has ever gone to that much trouble to get a date with me.

Well, then, they’re fools. Beauty, humor and intelligent eyes reached out and grabbed me.

I’m sure those are the first things that caught your eyes, she teased.

As of matter of fact they were.

You’re not some kind of religious fanatic?

No, I’m not a fanatic. I’m only looking for a venue where you’d agree to a date with me. Though don’t get me wrong, I do believe.

Well, good, so do I. What time should I meet you there?

How’s seven?

When does it start?

Seven.

How about seven fifteen?

I’ll wait outside for you.

She stared into his eyes. Kind eyes, she thought. Nothing would put her in the mood more than a holiday party. The parties she had agreed to weren’t until the week before Christmas. If he was still around maybe he could escort her to hers. Oh yes, this holiday season was starting to look up.

I’ll see you tomorrow night.

With that she walked away, wishing for eyes in the back of her head to see if he tracked her progress. When she reached the last store at the end of the mall, she risked a look over her shoulder. She was happy and sad that he hadn’t followed her. She made a mad dash to the dress department. Noelle knew it would take some time to search out just the right dress that stated Christmas, sexy without being slutty, classic but not desperate.

Then it hit her. She’d agreed to a date with a stranger. Not only a date, but one where his entire family would be there judging her. She dug around in her pocket until she found his cell phone number. Her finger hovered over the send button.

May I help you?

She threw the phone back into her purse and turned to the saleswoman. I’m looking for a red dress for a party. Subdued, but not too subdued. You know what I mean?

I do. Follow me. We got a new shipment in today and I put one of these aside for myself. I’ll be able to wear it to my husband’s party and the kids’ Christmas pageants without looking dowdy.

Excellent.

Noelle discreetly ran her eyes up and down the woman, checking out how she was dressed, and approved. The outfit the saleswoman wore hugged her curves, sexy without showing skin. She like the simple black dress and the bold gold accessories the woman paired with it. On her right arm she wore a thick gold bangle. On the other was a thick bracelet made of black, white and gold squares which formed a continuous loop. The earrings dangling from her ears in black, gold and white brought all the jewelry together, including the biggest gold chain necklace Noelle had ever seen. Yep, she’d follow this woman and take her advice. Should she explain the circumstances to help her find the perfect dress? One she could wear again for other occasions, if this one didn’t work out? Or be honest, Noelle, if you canceled. The word coward, in big bold letters, scrolled across her brain. Breathe.

The saleswoman stopped in front of a wall of color. Reds, blacks, blues, and yellows lined the hooks. She wanted red. Cliché, yes, but who cared. Red at Christmas spoke to her.

My name’s Louise, by the way, she said, as she looked her up and down. I’d say you’re a size six or eight, right?

It depends on the designer. Noelle evaded the question.

Okay, here’s the one I was thinking of.

She pulled out a red V-neck dress that hugged the chest before it tapered and belted at the waist, then flared to the top of the knees. Noelle fell in love immediately.

This says flirty, fun and classy. What do you think?

I agree. Where’s the dressing room?

Right through there. Louise pointed to her left. I’ll gather other similar dresses and meet you in there.

Thank you.

Walking into the dressing area, she picked the last room. Inside was a triangle seat attached to the walls in the corner, a mirror and two hooks on the far wall. Noelle stripped and slipped the red dress over her head. It fit like a glove. If she gained one ounce it wouldn’t fit. Oh, but it looked wonderful. It was everything Louise promised it would be. Reaching around to the side, she looked at the price tag and almost fell over. No wonder it was perfect. For six hundred dollars it darn well better be. She knew no other dress would please her tonight after this one, but she just couldn’t afford it. A knock at the dressing room door pulled her from her misery.

How does it look?

It’s perfect, but the price tag isn’t.

I have good news for you. It’s fifty percent off and then twenty-five percent off of that. Louise pulled a calculator out of her pocket. The final price before sales tax would be two hundred twenty-five dollars. Louise looked up. Is that doable?

It’s doable, yes, but crazy. I have so many red dresses in my closet. I don’t need this one. Need, want, what does it matter? This looks great on me.

Taking a deep breath, she said, Yes, I’ll take it. Did you get your jewelry here?

I did.

Can you help me in that department too?

Sure.

Four hundred dollars later, Noelle was ready to leave the store with five packages. In them she had the dress, a pair of fabulous, sparkly, too high silver shoes, and jewelry.