A Wolf is not Just for Christmas

By JF Holland

Syd Shepherd doesn't do holidays - not since losing so much just before Christmas 3-years ago. Instead, she spends her holidays alone in the wilderness away from the celebrations and pitying looks from friends and her co-workers at Carter Marketing.

 

This year, against her better judgement, she attends the Christmas works party. After her boss Riley Carter kisses her under the mistletoe, she's running scared to the only place she finds solace - her cabin.

 

Hearing pained cries - even alone and as remote as she is at the cabin - Syd can't ignore a hurt animal somewhere out there in the cold and snow. To her surprise, the animal is a wolf with a damaged leg, but with no way of calling for help and a flat tire, she's his only hope. Taking the wolf in, Syd tries to heal him and in turn finds he helps her too.

 

However, what is Syd going to do about her new four legged friend when it's time to go back to civilisation?

 

After all, a Wolf is not just for Christmas...

 

Adult content, not suitable for children.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: JF Holland
• Release date: Dec 20, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386516231

Book preview

Acknowledgements

First and foremost in my thoughts are always my children, as writing takes time away from them. However, they are always forgiving and understanding of my need to write… so, thank you guys, I love you.

Linz comes next as she takes up the slack on social media and listens to my rants and moans, she’s a wonderful sounding board. So, thank you Super-Unicorn, you’re the best, love you too.

My Editor, Maria, who is patient as she waits for me to stop having tantrums and just ‘finish already’ you’re a star and always so accommodating of my flaky ways and schedules.

There are so many people that make writing possible and the Indie community as a whole is a great club to be a part of.

Dedication

Christmas is one of those times of year where family usually comes together. However, not everyone has family and to those without, I hope your memories help you through what should be a time of celebration.

Loneliness and loss are not pleasant at any time of the year but always seems harder around holidays. It is a time of year when it becomes harder to put on a brave face.

Therefore, for anyone touched by loss or loneliness, my Christmas wish for you is for peace and a lessening of your heartache…. After all, there is no time length on grief and each person feels it differently.

A Wolf

is not just for

Christmas

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Dedication

Introduction

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Epilogue

About the author

Message from the Author

Immortal Flame

Introduction

Three-years earlier

It was just seventeen-days before Christmas, and Syd was desperate to get home after being out of the country for the last six-months. She again fingered the shiny solitaire adorning her left hand. It felt strange on her finger. She didn't usually wear it as they’d not shared the news with anyone yet. Therefore, she'd been wearing it on a chain around her neck. Smiling dreamily, she hugged it to her chest, a satisfied sigh slipping from her lips in remembrance.

Last month, Andrew had flown over to New York to surprise her for her birthday, and boy had it been a surprise. He’d taken her for a walk around Central Park where he’d proposed to her on the bridge before taking her to the Ritz for the night. A special birthday treat - and to celebrate their engagement. It had been the best day of her life so far and she couldn’t wait to see him again as he’d only been able to stay a couple of days with her – work commitments back in the UK. He was meant to pick her up from the airport on his way to her parents’, but when her flight had been delayed, she’d told him to go on ahead.       Now, here she sat in a taxi after an eight-hour delay - due to technical issues. It was now nearly three am and she was beyond tired, but at least she’d be able to crawl into bed beside a warm Andrew and snuggle down to sleep once she finally got in. As they’d not wanted to share news of their engagement over the phone, no one knew. In the morning, they’d were going to share their news first with her parents over breakfast, and everyone else afterwards. 

She couldn’t wait to tell them about their engagement, her mother had longed for grandchildren for years.

She’d also have to ring Anna to tell her the wonderful news after they’d broken it to her parents. Anna too would be thrilled for her, she knew how much she loved Andrew as they often spoke of him in their weekly calls when they couldn’t get together. She’d met Anna at college and they’d been firm friends ever since… even better, Anna was soon to start working for the same company as her.

Syd couldn’t wait to see her friend and celebrate her good news with her. After all, she couldn’t envision anyone but Anna helping her with the arrangements and being her Matron of honour…

There was so much to do.

Once Christmas was over, she and Andrew were not only going to plan their wedding, but also look for their first home together. They had more to celebrate, because she wouldn’t be leaving again. She was home for good, going to be based in the head office of Carter Marketing in Upper Lunaton. Riley Carter - the reclusive son of Raymond Riley - had recently taken over the reins of the company from his father. Although no-one had met him yet, he’d begun pulling back staff to their head office in the UK… Syd was more than ready to be based permanently on home turf. She’d worked for Carter’s since leaving college ten-years ago. She had spent the time since then moving from office to office all over the country - and out of it - depending on where she was needed. She was excited to finally be based in Upper Lunaton - only a twenty-minute drive from Summerton where she still lived with her parents’ when home.

She couldn’t say she had been unhappy with the travel due to her job, because it was through travelling with work she’d met Andrew. She’d been brought to the Upper Lunaton office from London for a week, and it was while on a break at the coffee house around the corner that she’d bumped into him. Now, eighteen-months later, here she was, deliriously happy, in love, and about to start her new job and life not far from where she’d grown up. As far as she was concerned it was a win-win all around. The move back to her home town was especially fortuitous as far as she was concerned because she and Andrew were hoping to start a family straight away. With both of them being only children of only children, they longed for a big boisterous family - especially poor Andrew who’d been all on his own since losing his parents at seventeen.

Syd came out of her reverie as the taxi pulled over allowing emergency services’ vehicles to tear past them, sirens blaring and lights flashing. Her hand went to her chest as the last of the many speeding vehicles disappeared up the road.

A terrible time of the year for it, the middle-aged taxi driver sighed with a shake of his bald head as he pulled away from the kerb.

Any time is terrible, but yes, I totally agree. This time of the year always seems so much worse, Syd agreed.

Home for Christmas?

I’m home for good, Syd grinned in response to his query. Leaning her head back on the headrest, she closed her eyes, fatigue dragging at her as he continued to drive.

Do you know, I’ve not seen my parents for nearly six-months, she admitted without opening her heavy eyelids.

You’re in for a wonderful Christmas then.

I certainly am… I also have some wonderful news t...       Her words trailed off as the taxi came to an abrupt halt. Eyes blinking open, Syd strained to look out of the front window to try to see what the problem was. They’d been stopped on the corner of her road, a barricade of vehicles and police tape barring their way. The glaring blue lights of the police cars parked across the entrance were painful to her tired eyes, particularly in the dim lighting of the early morning. Then she realised there were no streetlights on and that Paramedics seemed to be treating injured people by the side of the road and in the back of ambulances. There were other people wandering around in their nightclothes, dazed and tearful. Pushing the taxi door open, Syd stepped out and was met by a police officer. He came forward, hand up to halt her.

I’m sorry, Miss, you can’t get through.

I need to get home.

There’s no way through, you’ll have to find a different route.

But I live here, she told him, confused.

What number, Miss?

Number sixty-eight…

Again her words trailed off as the police officer dropped eye contact and stepped into her.

I’m sorry, Miss, but can I take your name?

Syd, Syd Shepherd. My parents and fiancé are expecting me. I’ve been away you see…

She stopped rambling as the officer looked sadly at her.

Miss Shepherd, can you come with me, please.

Why?

Miss…

What’s happened? Where are my parents? Mary, Mary.

Syd stood on tiptoe to see over the officer’s shoulder as she shouted to one of her neighbour’s. Mary stood, arms around her middle, red plaid dressing gown synched tightly around her trim waist, white hair in rollers and face ashen.

Syd, oh, Syd… I’m so sorry, the older woman sobbed, tears now streaming down her face as she stared at her.

Mary, what’s happened?

Syd’s stomach cramped painfully as her mouth dried and her heart began to beat erratically in her chest.

It’s gone, Syd. It’s all gone.

What’s gone, Mary?

Syd’s throat felt tight, and she had to fight to get the question through the lump in her throat. However, she began to truly panic when the officer took her arm and tried leading her towards his own vehicle.

What’s happening?

Syd whispered the words, confused and frightened, her earlier fatigue replaced with mind numbing panic.

I’m sorry Miss, the house is no longer standing, the officer told her quietly as he pulled the back-passenger door open on his patrol car.

How can the house no longer be there?

Syd couldn’t understand what he was trying to tell her, and turning, she tried to see her home passed the lights and commotion. 

There was an explosion… At his words, she swung back to the officer.

An explosion. But where are my parents’ and Andrew? She asked, head again whipping around and trying to find them amongst the people wandering around. Desperately, she prayed she’d fallen asleep in the taxi, and this was nothing more than a nightmare.

Yes, that was it. Any minute now she’d wake up, exit the taxi and go inside her parents’ home where she’d climb in bed beside a warm and welcoming Andrew. She pinched her own arm and blinked, but nothing changed and with a sob, she looked at the officer.

Where’s Andrew and my parents’? Are they okay?

As he shook his head, he took hold of her arm, but she pulled out of his grasp, panic-stricken eyes desperately searching for them in the crowd. Taking a step backwards, shouting, again moving her arm out of reach as he went to take it. 

Andrew, mum, dad, where are you?

When there was no response to her calls, her eyes began to fill, and her throat tightened. Especially as she realised through the sheen of her tears the street lights weren’t out. Dark smoke and ash billowed into the air extinguishing the early mornings lightening sky. Her eyes moved over the scene, as if she was moving in slow motion, taking in the firemen fighting to put out the fire as paramedics treated the wounded. The smoke and lack of illumination made it difficult to see far down the street, but from where she stood she could tell there was a problem with the skyline…

Something was missing.

The taxi driver got out, stood head bowed as the officer again tried to lead Syd towards his car. However, she dug in her heels and tried to release herself, but with a hand now on each of her forearms, it was impossible. The officer turned her to face him, eyes kind.

I’m sorry, Miss, I truly am… he told her quietly, swallowing at the sight of her pale, tearstained face. No-one got out of number sixty-eight or number sixty-six, there’s nothing left of either of those houses, they’re gone.

Noooo… were the last words Syd screamed. Her agonised wail cutting off as she ran out of air. As her legs gave out from under her, she went limp in his arms, willingly sinking into the waiting oblivion.

Chapter One

Carter Marketing

Three-years later

Syd was ready for her break… more than ready. Especially as everywhere she looked it was decorated for the festivities of the upcoming holiday.

It was fourteen-days before Christmas and everywhere she looked there were colourful twinkling lights. It was just too much for her. The decorations were just a reminder of all she’d lost, making her loneliness more painful. Her world had ended when someone had broken into the empty house next door to her family home. When the burglar alarm had sounded, they’d scrambled to escape through an open window, carelessly dislodging a gas pipe in their haste. Dropping a lit cigarette had destroyed not only that house, but also her families. Both houses had been raised to the ground in the subsequent explosion killing her parents and Andrew who were asleep inside. Worse still, the perpetrators had never been found.

Swallowing the lump of emotion in her throat at the thought, she blinked to dispel the moisture gathering behind her eyes. With the money she’d been given from the insurance on the house, she’d bought a small flat close to work and a cabin where she could escape. Once at her cabin in the wilds, away from all the celebrating, she’d be able to breathe again.

She’d just switched off her laptop when a tap on her shoulder made her jump. As she’d been so lost in her own melancholy thoughts, she’d not even heard anyone enter her office.

Syd? You are coming to the staff party this evening, aren’t you?

Oh, Anna, I was…

Oh, Syd, don’t say no. You never come to the Christmas party. You never come out with me anytime anymore, so please, just this once… please, please, come out?

Syd stared speechlessly at the petite blonde secretary, who at one time had been one of her best friends. Beside her desk, Anna practically vibrated as she shuffled about with barely suppressed excitement. Her jiggling movements made the bells hanging from her bright red Christmas jumper jingle frantically. The bobble dangling from her jaunty Santa-hat swung, joining in as she moved from foot to foot, as if unable to stand still. Syd hated to disappoint Anna, especially as they’d lost their close friendship due to her pushing her away after she’d lost her parents’ and Andrew. Lost in pain, she’d not bothered with anyone, although Anna had never seemed to hold it against her. She was one of those people that was always upbeat and kind, and had been incredibly patient with her. She was an absolute sweetheart really… one who would do anything for anyone – even to her own detriment. However, she had an annoying habit of always wanting everyone around her to be as happy as she was. Syd wasn’t unhappy, she just didn’t celebrate anymore… especially the holidays. She hadn’t since her world had come crashing down around her ears after losing her family on that fateful early morning. These days her joy was provided by her work and her solitude. She loved her job, the thrill and excitement of helping a client see their product come to life through the advertising campaigns she created. She put in long hours, so she didn’t have time to think. Outside of work she didn’t have a life, didn’t want one as she never again wanted to open herself up to becoming too attached. Losing someone you loved, someone you relied on was just too painful…cripplingly so at times and she could not go through it again.

She would not.

She did not want to risk losing someone she loved ever again.

Closing herself off from everyone had been the only way she’d survived.

She should have already been on her way home to get ready to head off for the peace and solitude she craved this time of year. Unfortunately, she’d been delayed with a last-minute call from a potential new client. If she’d just ignored the ringing phone she would not be here now…on the spot and staring at Anna’s hopeful face. Her stomach sank at the thought of disappointing her. 

I…

Please, Syd, just this once, for me. Riley’s coming this year, she cajoled with a wide grin.

I mean, as if Riley being there would be an incentive for her.

She did everything in her power to stay out of his way when possible. The man made her nervous as hell. If she saw him coming, she normally headed off in the opposite direction, unwilling to be alone with him and his hooded amber gaze. However, as Riley was the boss, there were times she couldn’t avoid him. She had to be present for department meetings that he ran, but even then, she sat as far away from him as possible. Every time he managed to catch her eye, her stomach would take flight with their weird connection and it made her extremely uncomfortable.