Tinsel Time!: Men About Town, #6

By Tracey Pedersen

Doting mother meets Christmas Grinch!

Skye Coleman has spent the last few years running, but this Christmas she's finally settling down. Her December house move goes just as she planned, except for one tiny detail.

Her three young children fall in love with the removalist.

Nathan Walsh, Christmas Grinch, volunteers his truck to help down on their luck women get back on their feet. This Christmas he's looking forward to an overseas holiday with his mates, and a total denial that Christmas even exists.

When Nathan pulls into Skye's driveway one sunny afternoon, neither of them could have predicted the events that are about to unfold.

Spend the month with Nathan, Skye and her children. You'll be glad you did!

If you love sexy books that also make you laugh, this is the book series for you. Follow the members of this community as they go about their daily lives, working, playing, fighting and falling in love. No cliffhangers, only happy endings that have you reaching for the next book. Each one can be read as a standalone and you can read them in any order you discover them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Daring Online Adventures
• Release date: Jun 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9780648584025

Tracey Pedersen

Tracey Pedersen is an Australian USA Today Bestselling author who has finally accepted that she is meant to write, write, write! In 2016 she released her first romance novel and hasn't looked back. Now writing full time, and fighting the urge to write every second of the day, she loves travel, crocheting, replying to reader emails and spending WAY too much time on Facebook!

Book preview

Chapter 1

W oah, what’s that? Nathan Walsh slid to a stop at the front of his removal truck.

His offsider, Mason Roberts, frowned and held up the red, shiny material in his hand. What’s what? Haven’t you ever put tinsel on your truck before? It’s Christmas.

Not on my truck it’s not. No tinsel.

Seriously? Mason stood, tape gun in one hand, tinsel in the other. Not even a little bit?

Nope. Maybe you don’t know that the tape marks the chrome of the bumper, especially if you plan to leave it there all month. When it’s time to take it off, it’ll be a nightmare. He pulled himself into the truck and deposited their lunch on the dashboard. When he peered out the large windscreen, Mason had put down the tape gun and was winding the tinsel around the bumper bar. He jumped back down to the ground. Now what are you doing?

I’ll wind it around and around and tie it in a knot—that way, there’ll be no marks from the tape. I’ve got a lot more, so we can add some to the aerial, too.

Hmm, let me think about that. Nathan put his finger to his chin as though he were considering giving in. Nope. No tinsel. Take it off.

You’re serious, aren’t you? Mason stared at him, his hands resting on the truck. Who died and made you the Christmas Grinch?

I gave myself that title long ago, so don’t try to shame me. I just don’t like Christmas. It’s so commercial, and it’s a crazy waste of money. He motioned to the truck and Mason sighed as he unravelled his decorations. Kids are spoiled, and mums run themselves ragged with all the preparations . . . it’s just not worth it.

Mason grumbled as he climbed into the truck a few minutes later. So, you don’t celebrate Christmas? Is it something religious and I never knew?

Not at all. It’s just not my thing.

One day, when you have kids, it will mean more to you. Mason settled into his seat and unwrapped his sandwich. They make Christmas worthwhile.

Ha! Nathan laughed and put the truck in gear. That will make it worse—then there’ll be lists of demands from the little monsters! Yikes. I’m not looking forward to that.

What do you do on Christmas day? Don’t you go to your parents’ place?

Nope. My parents live overseas, and they’ve never been that into Christmas. I’m thinking of going to Bali for the week, actually.

Is that why you gave me time off?

You’ve got it. We’ll take a break and I’ll enjoy a week in the sun, drinking my face off and getting three-dollar massages.

That sounds awful on your own.

I won’t be on my own. I have a couple of mates I usually holiday with—we grew up together and a big group of us have stayed in close contact. Ruben, Shawn, and I have big plans, and maybe they’ll bring their new girlfriends, I don’t know. We’ll fly Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and have a relaxing week away.

My family would kill me if I didn’t show up to celebrate with them. I have to confess, I look forward to Christmas dinner all month. Mason smiled as he chewed. My mum makes this special pudding, and it’s so great. You should come with me. She loves to have extra people around.

Thanks, but I’ll have to pass. The last thing I want is to be surrounded by Christmas carols, whiny kids, bloated bellies, and piles of wrapping paper.

Wow. Mason shook his head and took a sip from his drink bottle. "I cannot believe we’re having this conversation. How did I miss this serious flaw in your character? Christmas isn’t about all the stuff—it’s about smiling faces. He frowned. It’s about the joy the kids feel and taking time to be with your family and observing the religious significance, if that’s what you believe—as well as the magic of Santa and everything that goes with it."

Nathan shrugged and steered the truck into the driveway of their destination. Whatever, man. You enjoy it. I’ll keep being the Grinch. He eased the truck as far into the driveway as he could and pulled close to the house as Mason unclipped his seatbelt.

Look. His offsider pointed through the window. This family believes in the Christmas spirit. That kid is wearing a Christmas t-shirt.

This family will probably be lucky to even celebrate Christmas. You haven’t forgotten this is a job for Women Fleeing Violence, have you?

Of course not. I’m always on edge at these ones, in case the ex shows up, and today will be no exception. I just meant that, even though they’re having a rough time and going through things we can’t imagine, they’re still excited for Christmas. In my opinion, Christmas is the best holiday of the year.

Nathan shook his head. It’s a holiday where you lie to kids to get them to behave. I’ve never really understood it.

Chapter 2

W hy don’t you have tinsel on your truck? Don’t you know it’s Christmas?

I do. Nathan frowned at the perky kid in front of him, who looked about nine. He kept his eyes forward and ignored Mason’s snicker from behind. Trucks are for work, though, not for fun, so we don’t do tinsel. As the words left his mouth, a garbage truck turned onto the street and slowed to pick up the first bin near the corner. Nathan pursed his lips, waiting for the kid to notice the sparkling bumper bar.

The kid smirked up at him and tipped his head toward the truck. Guess that garbage truck is on holiday instead of working, huh?

I guess so. Nathan stepped around him. Those collection guys are real good Samaritans, working on their day off. The kid laughed and moved out to the street.

No doubt the boy is friends with the driver of that truck and they’ll discuss the benefits of Christmas decorations over coffee.

Nathan reached the bottom of the steps and an older boy appeared. Hi. I’m Nathan, and this is Mason. Is your mum here? We’re moving your furniture today.

Nathan and Mason. What are you guys, a comedy act?

Mason chuckled as the kid stared at them. Sometimes. I’m the funny one of the two of us, but today we’re just furniture removalists.

Right. You’re hilarious, I can see. The kid didn’t smile. Do you have identification?

We said we’re the removalists, not the FBI.

We don’t have the FBI in Australia.

No joke? Nathan’s sense of humour slipped a little. This wasn’t the only job they’d been booked on today, but it was the only one they would do for free. Why are so many kids being mean to us? He muttered to Mason before addressing the gatekeeper at the top of the stairs. Where’s your mother, mate?

She’s inside on the phone. How do I know you’re not kidnappers?

Nathan finally looked closely at the boy before him. Around twelve or thirteen, his shoulders were scrawny and his legs long and skinny. Suspicion clouded every movement as he stood, arms folded, guarding the door—guarding his mother, no doubt.

Opening his mouth to argue, Nathan instead closed it and turned toward the truck. How about I get my wallet? You can check my license—even take a photograph of it, if you like. Then you’ll know we’re legit. He expected the kid to back down or even apologize and let them through, but that wasn’t on the cards today. The boy stood, waiting for the evidence to appease him. A moment later, he examined the license Nathan handed him, glancing between his face and photograph several times. Happy?

I guess. He handed the plastic card back and turned around. You can follow me.

Thanks. Mason glanced at his boss, who shrugged and followed the boy.

The inside of the house was in the usual