Finding Love in Christmas Creek

By Mary L. Briggs

Macy Colbert has a life in the city, but her heart has always belonged to her beloved hometown of Christmas Creek. So when her aunt's quaint craft shop, The Stitchin' Post is in need of a helping hand, she returns home for the holidays, and begins a new life selling candles, quilts, rug kits, and knitting needles to customers old and new. But a handful of mysterious happenings in her shop have Macy worried that something is not quite right ... and a certain handsome single dad in Christmas Creek has a very distracting effect on her heart!

A cozy, sweet novella for the holidays from the bestselling U.S. inspirational author of the Mail Order Bride Express series and Love Restored, the contemporary holiday novel about dreams, faith, and finding love in the renovations of a small town's historic theater.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary L. Briggs
• Release date: Dec 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9780463330784

Mary L. Briggs

Mary L. Briggs is a wife, mother, and registered nurse. She enjoys writing inspirational fiction and is also a free-lance writer. She has had two romance stories and one mini-mystery published in Woman's World Magazine. She enjoys reading, writing, studying American history, cooking, quilting, herb gardening, and crafting. Mary lives in a cordwood home in the Ouachita Mountains with her husband and two daughters. She also enjoys the company of five cats, a German Shepherd/Border Collie dog, and a flock of chickens.

Book preview

Finding Love in Christmas Creek

By Mary L. Briggs

Smashwords Edition

COPYRIGHT © 2018 Mary L. Briggs

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com to purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 1

The board meeting had been long. Insufferably long. But Mortimer Holcombe, president of the Sparkly Chocolate Company, always did his best to wrap up important business before the holidays started. And with Thanksgiving in a few weeks, he was taking care of business.

Miss Colbert? Are you listening, Miss Colbert?

Macy started and sat up straighter. Yes, Mr. Holcombe. True, she had no idea what he had been discussing, but it was best to look alert.

An expression of disgust crossed his face. Not that it alarmed her. It was a common expression for the man. She gave a quick glance around the room. No one seemed especially alarmed. Whatever she had missed had been a non-issue. But maybe it was best to stop daydreaming and listen to her boss.

Now. Maybe we can get on with things, he replied, and turned his attention to the screen on the wall. He pressed a button on the remote in his hand and an advertisement for Sparkly Chocolate Syrup began to play.

Macy suppressed a yawn. All the Sparkly commercials were the same. Or close. But since the man making them was the nephew of Mr. Holcombe, she had no hope that they would change. And who was she to complain? She had a good job with the advertising agency. Long hours and sometimes too much travel during certain times of the year, but one had to do what one had to do.

As the video finished, everyone gave a polite hand-clap.

Mr. Holcombe turned and smiled at the group gathered around the table. I knew you would all appreciate Charlie’s new work. He paused. I guess that about wraps things up for today. The first week of January, we’ll be back to business as usual. Everyone please do your best to finish up with your assigned projects before then.

Macy stretched her neck and stood, pushing her long, dark hair back behind her ears. Her ‘project’ was Mr. Holcombe. He would soon be leaving and not returning until mid-January. It was her easiest time of the year. She showed up for work every day, made sure there were no emergencies, and then was free for the rest of the day, checking in occasionally to make sure all was running smoothly at the Sparkly Chocolate offices.

She was back in her office for half an hour, when her secretary buzzed. Yes, she answered.

Mr. Holcombe would like to see you in his office, Macy.

On my way, she said, grabbing her notebook and pen. She had a pretty good memory, but Mr. Holcombe’s thoughts tended to wander around when he was thinking aloud, and she liked to keep up with him.

Inside the office, Gladys, Mr. Holcombe’s blonde, middle-aged secretary, gave her a weak smile. Go on in, Macy. I’ll bring some coffee to you.

She found herself standing straighter and speaking clearly to the woman. Had she been a drill sergeant sometime in the past? Whatever it was, being in her presence gave Macy the feeling that she was an inferior being. She entered the office, closing the door behind her. She wasn’t really in the mood for coffee, but if that was what the boss ordered….

***

She glanced at the clock on the wall. She had been waiting for over fifteen minutes. Restless, she stood and walked to the large glass wall that overlooked the city. It had been an overwhelming move for her, from the little town of Christmas Creek, Oklahoma. Her few years at college had weaned her from the small town yearnings and activities, so Oklahoma City had beckoned to her when Howard Holcombe had offered her a job as one of his assistants.

The door of his office opened and she turned to see Gladys enter with a tray. Macy hurried to make a place on the small coffee table in front of the sofa.

Looks like Mr. Holcombe is late, Macy grinned, taking a seat on the leather couch.

Gladys nodded and set the tray on the table. It surprised Macy when Gladys took a seat opposite her.

She reached for the china coffee pot and poured a cup for both of them. A grim smile formed on her lips as she handed a cup to Macy.

A twinge of —what? —moved inside of Macy. Something was wrong. What is it? she asked.

Gladys folded her hands in her lap and tried to smile. I’m afraid that Mr. Holcombe isn’t coming. He. . .he asked me to stand in for him.

Macy set her cup back on the table. Is he ill? He seemed the picture of health, despite his advancing age. Last year, he had been down with pneumonia, but he had recovered completely.

Gladys shook her head. She picked up a pink envelope that was on the tray and offered it to Macy. Macy took it and held it, without opening the flap.

I’m sorry to be the one to tell you this, Macy, but Mr. Holcombe is letting you go. You and Crystal Stratton, both.

Macy tried to speak, but it was as if her vocal cords were paralyzed. Letting her go? Gladys had to be wrong. Why? she managed to croak.

Gladys sighed and leaned back in her chair. He’s been trying to hide it, but Sparkly Chocolate is not doing well. The past few quarters have been all but disastrous to us. He just can’t support a staff like this, Macy. He doesn’t have much choice. He’s only keeping Charlie because he can retire next year. You and Crystal are young enough to find another place of employment.

Macy let her eyes wander to the glass wall. Outside, the sky was gray, with a few wisps of dark clouds floating across the horizon. A dismal day for fall. Soon, winter would set in and it would be too cold for just a sweater over her blouse. She turned her eyes back to Gladys.

I’m sorry that you had to do this. Why couldn’t he just tell me? Maybe she could have worked things out. Taken a cut in pay.

Gladys shook her head. He didn’t want to talk about it. No matter what you might counter offer, he can’t accept. I think his heart is broken, Macy. And you’ll see that he has been very generous. I think he has given you a year’s salary.

Macy nodded and reached for her coffee. She didn’t trust herself to speak. It was as if her entire life had deflated in front of her. What was she going to do?

Chapter 2

Macy inserted the small key in her mail box and opened it to find a notice from the landlord. It was time to sign her lease.

Reviews for Finding Love in Christmas Creek

[benn9314 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A sweet story about a second chance for three people at Christmas time