Christmas on Seashell Island

By Brenda Kennedy

Nothing says Christmas like family gatherings, twinkling Christmas lights, stockings hung from the fireplace, eggnog, and Christmas carols.
These are some of the many reasons that brought Sarah Stewart home for Christmas on Seashell Island.
She can’t remember the last time she was with her family for the holidays, and she definitely can’t remember what was so important to keep her away.
Sarah is thrilled that her sister has finally found true love, even though she has this slight pain that's dead center of her own heart. She didn’t even know she wanted a husband and kids until she saw how happy her sister was.
With Bing Crosby singing "White Christmas" through the surround sound, Sarah basks in everyone's happiness while wishing she also had someone special to share her life with.
Will Santa Claus bring more than gifts this Christmas? Is love in the air on Seashell Island? Will Sarah be kissed beneath the mistletoe? Or does she return to her home in Virginia alone?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brenda Kennedy
• Release date: Dec 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370285464

Brenda Kennedy

Brenda Kennedy, an award winning and Amazon bestselling author, is a true believer of romance. Her stories are based on the relationships that define our lives - compassionate, emotionally gripping, and uplifting novels with true to life characters, that stay with her readers long after the last page is turned. Her varied, not always pleasant background has given her the personal experience to take her readers on an emotional, sometimes heart wrenching, journey through her stories. Brenda has been a struggling single mom, a survivor of domestic abuse, waitress, corrections officer, hostage negotiator and a corrections nurse. She is also a wife, mom, and grandmother. Even though her life was not always rainbows and butterflies, she is a survivor and believes her struggles have made her the person she is today. Brenda is the author of the award winning book, Forever Country (The Rose Farm Trilogy Book 1). She has been dubbed "The Queen of Cliffhangers" by her adoring readers because books one and two always have a cliffhanger ending. In Brenda's own words, "I write series that end in cliffhangers, because I love them. I always give away the first book in each series so you have nothing to lose by reading it." She was born and raised in Zanesville, Ohio and moved to SW Florida in 2006 with her husband Rex. They have a combined family, and she often jokes about not remembering what child belongs to who.

Book preview

Christmas

on

Seashell Island

A Seashell Island Novel

By

Brenda Kennedy

Copyright 2017 by Brenda Kennedy

Dedicated to everyone who believe in the magic of Christmas

SMASHWORDS EDITION

Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain noncommercial uses permitted by the author. For permission requests, email the author at [e-mail].

SYNOPSIS

Nothing says Christmas like family gatherings, twinkling Christmas lights, stockings hung from the fireplace, eggnog, and Christmas carols.

These are some of the many reasons that brought Sarah Stewart home for Christmas on Seashell Island.

She can’t remember the last time she was with her family for the holidays, and she definitely can’t remember what was so important to keep her away.

But this year, her younger sister, Carly, is married and she and her husband, Beau, plan to baptize their newest daughter, Maria Grace, during church service on Christmas morning. No matter what happened, it wouldn’t have been enough to keep her away from such an important family event.

Sarah is thrilled that her sister has finally found true love, even though she has this slight pain that’s dead center of her own heart. She didn’t even know she wanted a husband and kids until she saw how happy her sister was.

With Bing Crosby singing White Christmas through the surround sound, Sarah basks in everyone’s happiness while wishing she also had someone special to share her life with.

Will Santa Claus bring more than gifts this Christmas? Is love in the air on Seashell Island? Will Sarah be kissed beneath the mistletoe? Or will she return to her home in Virginia alone?

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Sarah Stewart: Our heroine

Parker Blake: Our hero, the island’s M.D., Sarah’s love interest

Carly Stewart Romano: Sarah’s sister

Beau Romano: Carly’s husband

Myra: Beau’s daughter from a previous marriage

Baby Maria: Beau and Carly’s daughter

Larry, aka Pap: Sarah and Carly’s grandfather

Sylvia, aka Gram: Sarah and Carly’s grandmother

Grace: Sarah and Carly’s mother

Tony: Beau’s father

James: Parker’s father

PROLOGUE

Sarah watched from afar as her sister’s life fell into place. Day by day, piece by piece, everything seemed to fall perfectly into a well-fitted puzzle and no one deserved it more than her sister, Carly.

However, it didn’t help the loneliness in Sarah’s heart. She was thrilled for her only sister, but Sarah also longed to find love and a husband, and possibly have some children. She wanted someone to look at her the way Beauregard Romano looked at his wife, Carly.

She knew Carly and Beau had their hands full, but she also knew that help was available. Maybe too much help. Gram and Pap are Carly’s grandparents, and they were always coming over to see the great-grandchildren as were Grace and Tony, Carly’s mom and Beau’s dad. They are doting grandparents.

In between jobs, but starting a new job on January seventh, Sarah leaves Virginia to spend Christmas on Seashell Island with her family. Her plans are to stay with her mom, Gram, and Pap at their beach house on Seashell Island during the month of December for Christmas and another week in January. She doesn’t want to miss one minute of the holidays with her nieces and the rest of the family.

But the more time she spends with her sister and brother-in-law and their children, the more Sarah realizes that something’s definitely missing from her own life and she has no idea if she’s even capable of love if she finds it. But she sure is willing to give it a try.

CHAPTER 1

SARAH

While walking down Shell Lane, I’m reminded of my own childhood vacations and holidays spent on this very island.

Of course, it’s much busier than it used to be. But the magical feeling of Christmas sings from every decoration, every Christmas wreath, and every single twinkling light hanging in the windows and doorways of businesses and houses lining the quaint street.

Seashell Island is on the coast of southern North Carolina. It’s not snowing, but there is a nip of cold clinging in the air. Christmas music can be heard from one of the local restaurants trying to lure people in with the festive music and flaming patio heaters. Even I have to admit that it’s very inviting, and if I weren’t already on a mission I could have easily detoured into the attractive restaurant for a holiday drink and dinner. Even if I am alone.

I walk into The Little Bookstore carrying battery-operated Christmas candles and a few decorations I think will look nice in the shop. Carly bought the bookstore before she married Beau and before they had Maria. Since she’s an author, the bookstore seems fitting.

Mom, Pap, and Gram are already here with Beau, Myra, and baby Maria. Myra is Beau’s four-year-old daughter, but we claimed her immediately as family since her mother passed away unexpectedly nearly a year ago.

The bell overhead jingles and alerts others in the store that someone is coming in, preferably a buying customer. I love that jingle sound and it reminds me of my own childhood walking into the same bookstore owned at the time by Mrs. Thomas. If I were a greedier person, I would love that jingle sound because almost every time I hear it, it’s followed by a money-making sale.

Carly has made many upgrades since she bought the bookstore with the two-bedroom apartment above it. Although the bookstore has the same name, it looks very different than it did twenty-something years ago.

Do you need help, Sarah? Mom asks, walking over to me before I can answer.

No, I think I got it. Thank you.

The shop’s closed so we can get it decorated for the holidays. Hard Candy Christmas by Dolly Parton plays on the surround sound while Gram sings it loudly as if her life depends on it. Pap dips the ladle into the eggnog and hands it to Beau. Carly’s in the corner of the room with Myra hanging ornaments on the artificial tree.

We were starting to worry about you, Mom says, taking a bag from me although I insisted I didn’t need any help.

I got sidetracked while shopping for Christmas decorations, I admit. It looks great in here.

Your sister’s been at it all day.

I can see that. I scan the room looking for the youngest member of the family. Where’s Maria?

With her grandpa. Tony should be bringing her back any minute now.

Tony runs the local market right across the street and often keeps his grandchildren with him while he works. It’s a benefit of owning your own business, and it’s also a benefit to Carly and Beau for having family so close.

Sarah, Pap calls, holding up the festive Christmas mug of eggnog.

I’ll be right there.

I hug Mom and then Gram before I make it over to Pap. Thank you.

We were getting ready to send out a search party for you, Pap teases with a hug.

No need. I made it in one piece. I take a drink of the delicious high-calorie beverage. This is delicious.

You always did like Pap’s recipe.

I take another drink since I could have sworn I tasted some spiced rum in it. This doesn’t have…

Pap smiles as he stirs the eggnog with the ladle. You know Pap can’t give away his secrets.

Because I know Beau is the island preacher and Pap would never serve alcohol to him or to Carly, I decide this must have some rum flavoring in it. At least I hope it does. Well, no matter what’s in here, it’s delicious.

When I finally make my way over to my sister and niece, they’ve just started opening the boxes of candy canes.

What took you so long? Carly asks with lined brows. It’s a sure sign she’s irritated.

Hello to you, too.

I’m sorry. Hi, what took you so long?

I see Myra looking up at me with her red Christmas sweater and red hairbow that’s almost too big for her small face. The tree looks beautiful, Myra. Good job.

Thank you. Carly said maybe later you can help us string popcorn.

Good thing I have no plans for later. Aunt Sarah would love nothing more. It’s the truth. Although I know how hard it is to thread popped corn to a string.

Focusing my attention back on my sister, I say, I was shopping for the perfect window display for your bookstore.

Carly’s eyes light up with excitement. You found something?

I did. I just need help getting it out of my car.

The bell jingles over the door, alerting us that Tony and baby Maria are here.

I can get Beau to help you, Carly says, searching the crowd for her husband.

We’ll worry about that later. I walk away from my sister to the newest bundle of joy.

Big Shorty, you made it, Tony says with a strong voice. His son, Beau, has the same Italian accent and powerful vocals. Beau’s voice is perfect for his position in the church. Tony should have also been a public speaker.

I did. I reach my hands out for the baby and he carefully places the six-week-old in my arms. The first thing I do is inhale her baby scent. I should have called as I seem to have worried everyone.

Tony, Pap calls from the back of the room.

It’s our job to worry about you and your sister. He smiles with honesty in his eyes. If you’ll excuse me.

Of course. I watch as he walks off before I loosen Maria’s hat, sweater, and blanket. Well, look how precious you are, I coo as I take a seat nearest to her mother and sister.

I’ll feed her if you want to take over this?

I kiss Maria’s forehead before passing her to her mother. I watch in amazement how confidently and lovingly Carly handles her. Soon Maria is latched onto her mother’s breast and nursing. I didn’t know the baby was hungry. Must be a mother’s intuition. I tend to Myra and the hanging of the candy canes. I know my sister suffers from P.O.P.D.: Perfect Ornament Placement Disorder. It’s not a real diagnosis, but it should be. Being the big sister that I am, I place the candy canes in groups of two on the same tree limb, and I also place them all near the bottom of the tree. My sister likes everything in its proper place and evenly spaced. It’ll be fun to watch her freak out a bit because of the badly placed ornaments.

Jingle Bells comes over the radio, and Myra and I sing it. I can feel my sister glaring at me as I sing loud and off key, so I ignore her. I get more joy from aggravating her than I do from anything else in my life. I look at Myra and the baby, well, from almost anything else. The kids bring me a lot of joy, too. Gram and Mom come over and sit down near Carly. It’s just getting dark outside and the twinkling lights from the tree look incredible and festive. Beau, Pap, and Tony soon join us.

Beau burps the baby while Carly readjusts her clothing.

Cookie, Tony says to his granddaughter Myra, who loves cookies as much as she does her doll babies, the tree looks beautiful.

Thank you, Grandpa. We don’t got no more candy canes, she says disappointedly as she looks inside the empty candy cane box.

Don’t forget we need room for the popcorn, Gram says.

Can we do that now? she asks excitedly.

Beau repositions the baby. Myra, I think we should head home and make the popcorn garland there.

Okay.

I have a few decorations to set out. You guys head on over and I’ll be there soon.

Sarah, I can stay here and help you.

That’s okay, Mom. It won’t take me long. If Beau can help me with the last few items from the car, I’d be grateful.

Are you sure? I don’t mind helping.

I’m sure. I think Myra and Carly could use your help threading the popcorn. Anyone who’s ever tried threading popcorn knows that this is not an easy task. It would be much easier to just glue the popcorn onto the damn string. Despite the difficulty, if it allows me to spend time with my family, it’s something I want to do.

You’re probably right.

Beau hands the baby over to Gram, who immediately smothers her with kisses, before standing. Is your car unlocked?

No. There’s more than one box. I stand and wipe my hands across the butt of my jeans. I’ll come with you to help. We walk outside and I notice the drop in the temperature.

Maybe we’ll get snow this year for Christmas.

I hope so. I unlock the door using my key fob. If you can get the box from the trunk, I can get the other items from the back seat.

Sure. He opens the trunk and notices the large box.

It’s heavier than it looks, I warn.

I watch as he picks up the heavy box with ease. This surprises me since the guys at the store struggled with the same box. Shaking my head, I grab the other items in the backseat and lock up my car. Beau follows me effortlessly into the bookstore.

You know you didn’t have to do all this, he says as he lays the box on the counter.

I know. I wanted to.

He turns to face me. And you’re sure you don’t want someone to stay and help you?

I smile to let him know I’m fine. I got this. I’ll be over as soon as I’m finished here.

Okay. Don’t be too long. Carly has dinner in the oven for everyone.

I won’t, I promise.

I stand at the door and watch as everyone puts their coats on before leaving. Holding the door open for everyone, I kiss and hug them before they leave.

I could stay with you, Pap says as he places his hat on top of his head. We could add some Jamison whiskey into the rest of the eggnog. He waggles his eyebrow.

For a minute I want to ask him if he has any whiskey on him. I decide