Christmas for the Byrds

By Ember-Raine Winters

Kate
I had a great life. A great job, and the best friends a girl could ask for. The only thing missing? Adam. That all changed in an instant. How was I supposed to be a mother to my best friends kids without feeling like I was replacing her? How was I supposed to live in a house with Adam without wanting him?I didn't know, but what I did know, we would have to work together if we were going to give those kids the best Christmas ever.

Adam
My life was complete shit. I lost my job the day I lost my leg. What did I gain? Horrible nightmares and a drinking problem. The only light in my life was my best friends and their kids. That was until the crash. I had a new set of problems in the form of four grieving kids and the love of my life. Kate. What would she see when she looked at me? I hoped I never found out. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ember-Raine Winters
• Release date: Nov 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386770121

Book preview

Acknowledgements

I have the best family in the world! They put up with my crap and are super supportive. Especially, My mom and sister. They are the best!

The best Goodreads group ever! Especially Authors Annie Arcane, Jane Blythe. You ladies have helped me so much in the last few months! Thank youuuu!! Mwah!

Last, but not least my editor, Randie. [e-mail] I couldn’t do this without you! Thank you so much!

Dedication

To all the bloggers and indie authors in this awesome community who helped me in my writing journey. You’re all the best! Merry Christmas. Thank you bunches!

CHAPTER ONE

KATE

Iwas late... again . If I hadn’t been the top marketing executive in the city, I probably would have lost the client. Stupid LA traffic was going to be the death of me. There had been an accident on interstate ten that had backed everything up for miles, and I was late for my rebranding meeting with one of the top lingerie outfits in the country. They had seen a drop-in sales and we were going to rebrand them including all types of women’s shapes, instead of just the rail thin model types. It was my vision. They had announced that the new line was in production and with everything going to plan I was going to be helping to launch the new campaign in the next couple weeks. I just had to get my butt to the meeting first.

I walked into the meeting half an hour late and cringed. Sorry I’m late. There was a horrible accident on I-10 and traffic was backed up for miles.

I grabbed the designs for the sleek new logos and the new ad campaign story boards, and launched into my meeting.

The colors are all wrong. Alexis, the owner of All the Apologies, huffed out in her thick Italian accent. Where is the purple and black?

Your normal lines will still have that but with the rebrand for the new line, I think the teal and silver give it great contrast and is extremely appealing to the eye, I countered. She looked skeptical for a minute but finally nodded her agreement.

I blew out a breath and continued with my presentation. The older woman was tough as nails and continued to question my choices throughout the entire presentation. She had on her resting-bitch face so it was impossible to tell what she thought. After speaking to her for over an hour, we ended the meeting and I sighed with relief.

Good work Ms. Nichols, I will be in touch next week to let you know how the new line is coming along. She shot me a tight-lipped smile and walked out the door.

How did it go? My assistant Casey walked in a minute later with a bottle of water.

You’re a life saver, I said unscrewing the cap and taking a long drink. I don’t know. That woman gives nothing away. She said good work though. That’s probably the best compliment I can hope for from her.

Well, that’s good. Everything looked amazing so I’m sure you’re fine, she chirped. There are two gorgeous detectives waiting for you in your office right now.

What? Why? Why didn’t you tell me sooner? Did they say what they wanted? I spit the questions at her rapidly and she just shook her head.

They wouldn’t say what it was about, just that they needed to speak with you... in private. She looked a little nervous. I jumped to my feet and walked briskly to my office. The employees that lined the cubicles were watching me, probably wondering why the police were there. I opened the door, smiling as brightly as I could under the circumstances.

Casey had been right. They were both extremely handsome men and I watched as they stood from the arm chairs that were sitting in front of my mahogany desk. Good morning, so sorry to keep you waiting. I was in an important meeting and only just found out you were here. What can I do for you gentlemen?

Each man reached over shook my hand and introduced themselves as detectives Clark and Carter with the LAPD.

We hate to give you such terrible news while at work, but there’s been an accident, Detective Carter explained.

What do you mean accident? Who’s been hurt?

You are listed as her in-case-of-emergency contact. I’m sorry to let you know that Bethany and her husband Will Byrd were killed this morning in a car accident. Detective Clark said with gentle care.

He may have said more, but it was impossible for me to hear through all the rushing in my ears. I collapsed to the floor totally missing my chair as I crumbled into a heap. They’re... dead?

Yes ma’am they were in a three car pile-up on I-10 early this morning.

The fact that I had passed right by where my best friend had died that very morning gutted me. Panic set in as I sobbed huge gut wrenching sounds and both men looked at me as if they would rather be anywhere else but there. The looks of dread they shot each other would have been funny if I hadn’t just had my heart ripped from my chest.

It was only a minute before another thought dawned on me and I stopped sobbing abruptly and jumped up. The kids. Do they know yet?

No ma’am, they’re all at school and we have officers pulling them out and driving them to the hospital now, Detective Clark said softly.

Why the hospital? I need to get to them. I need to tell them. I freaked out grabbing my purse and keys.

Ma’am? Detective Carter stopped me. You’re in no condition to drive right now. I’m sorry but regulations dictate that due to the fact that both parents are deceased, we needed to bring the children to the hospital where there will be a social worker to help. Let us take you to there, okay?

Even through the haze of shock I nodded, understanding that what the officer said was correct. It was all I could do as the detectives escorted me to the main office. Casey looked panicked and rushed towards me. Is everything okay?

I shook my head barely able to hold it together. It’s Beth. I sobbed. Can you clear my schedule, please? I have to get to the kids.

Of course, she said beginning to tear up herself. She hugged me fiercely and went off to do what I asked. Casey had met Beth the few times she was able to get out for a girls’ night with us. They hit it off so I knew she would be upset too. She was super sensitive and felt everything deeply, which was why she never wanted to be more than an assistant; she didn’t have the stomach for anything else.

As the detectives led me out of the building and to their car, I found myself wondering where Adam was and if he was going to be at the hospital. He was also