Only 'til Christmas

By Linda Cushman

Jen Morris has everything going for her until she loses it all in one day. Her fiancé, dream job, and money disappear, stranding her in a small Missouri town. When she is offered a job as a live-in nanny, she takes the position, but only until Christmas.

Left with two little girls and a broken heart, Shane Bradley is determined to never marry again. He hires Jen knowing she will only stay until Christmas. As the holidays loom, he isn’t sure what will hurt worse: living with Jen, or without her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda Cushman
• Release date: Oct 26, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463804438

Linda Cushman

Linda Cushman and her husband live in rural Polk County, Missouri. Her greatest love is the Lord, who saved her soul and promised a home in heaven. Her children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter are the joy of her life. They have encouraged her to write stories of faith, hope, and inspiration. It is her desire that her writing will help her readers turn to God during life's troubles and trials.

Book preview

Only ’til Christmas

A Novel

By

Linda Cushman

Only ’til Christmas

Copyright © 2019 by Linda Cushman

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law. This novel is a work of fiction. All characters, places, and events are works of the author’s imagination.

ISBN:

Cover design by Mariah Sharp

Models: Laikyn Cushman, Isaiah Cron, Maylea Sharp

Only ’til Christmas

The spoon clinked against the inside of her cup. Jen Morris stopped swirling the cold coffee, realizing patrons in the café were staring. She must have stirred too long. And too loud. Watching the eddying storm inside the cup subside, Jen had never felt so helpless. A drop splattered on the wood-grain-patterned Formica table. Then another. Before she could squelch the drips, a torrent of tears flowed.

Grabbing a napkin from the shiny aluminum holder, she upended it with a bang when the shredded paper stuck. Great. Now everyone would be gawking. Tearing napkins from the container, she tried to catch her running nose. Perfect. Bits of napkin stuck to her face, and she started plucking it. She must look like one of the druggies she’d seen the night before, mindlessly picking at her skin.

A woman with obvious Mexican heritage, short black hair, and kind brown eyes slid into the booth opposite from her. Honey, you look like you’re having a bad day. I’m Maria Bradley, owner of Bradley’s Café. Is there anything I can do to help? She patted Jen’s hand. What’s wrong, honey?

Jen’s blurry gaze met the concerned look on Maria’s face. I wouldn’t even know where to start. She brushed another bit of napkin from her face. I’m sorry for making a scene. I’m not usually a crier.

It’s okay. Maria took one of Jen’s hands in both of hers. You don’t look like one of the transients who come in here with a sad story and want a free meal. She nodded toward the cup. Do you usually drink three cups of coffee on an empty stomach?

It’s all I can afford. Jen tried to stop her mouth, but the middle-aged woman seemed to truly care. I moved from Indiana to share a room with my friend Elise until my wedding in October. My fiancé lives in Lakeville, and Elise lives in a duplex next to his. She buried her face in her hands as a sob ripped from her lungs.

Maria moved next to her and put an arm around her shoulders. Tell me what happened. The next best thing to talking to God is telling your woes to someone you can trust. She squeezed. I’d like to think I’m trustworthy. I’m not a gossiper.

Wouldn’t make any difference if you were. Nobody around here knows me. It’s all so bizarre, and I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid. I just graduated with a master’s degree in pediatric psychology, and had my happily-ever-after future all planned, wedding, job, the works. Thinking I’d surprise Garret, I came out two weeks early. She hung her head. The surprise was mine when I found Garret and my so-called girlfriend together.

Maybe it was an innocent occurrence.

Jen swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. It was not innocent. They were in his bed. She choked on the words. I can’t use the saying of ‘putting icing on the cake’ because this is too awful to compare to cake. She dabbed at her eyes. To put icky pond scum on top of my mud pie, I’d signed an agreement to teach kindergarten and be the elementary counselor in Springdale. After I recovered from my shock, I went to the school only to find the former teacher wanted to keep her job until the end of the semester.

Oh, that’s horrible. So now you’re hundreds of miles from Indiana and your plans are shot down. Maria put her hand over her mouth and slowly shook her head. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. She signaled to one of her waitresses and ordered a breakfast platter for Jen.

I can’t pay for the food. I’m broke.

This meal is on me. Maria patted her back.

I can wash dishes or something to pay you back. I haven’t eaten anything since day before yesterday. She sniffed. There’s more to my pity party. There’s the rotten cherry on top of my mud pie. Jen rubbed both hands over her face. Why was she unloading all her problems on a complete stranger? It lightened her burden, so she drew a deep breath and continued. I headed out of Lakeville with my broken dreams, trying to find a place to live until the job in Springdale opens in January. I didn’t want to be in the same town with the man who betrayed me. I hadn’t gone far when I had a flat a few miles west of here. I pulled onto the shoulder and was getting my donut spare tire wrestled out from under all my boxes of things. A car coming from the opposite direction pulled across the highway and stopped in front of me. I was apprehensive when a burly man offered to change the tire, but I didn’t have much choice when he insisted.

Maria gasped. Did he hurt you?

No, I held my phone in one hand and a can of mace in the other. I was so busy watching him I didn’t pay much attention to the woman with him. She wandered around for a while then went back to their car. It was hot, and I’d left my car windows down. It wasn’t until after they left I realized she’d reached inside my car and took my purse. My credit cards, cash, and driver’s license. Everything. I can’t even get back to Indiana.

You poor girl! When did that happen? My husband is a state patrolman and can help you file a report.

That all happened yesterday. I called my bank and got the credit cards and checking account closed. I’ll have to get a new license just to legally drive. I had enough money in my pocket to pay for a room at a sleazy motel at the east edge of Lakeville. Jen shuddered. I got no sleep at all with all the racket going on outside. I was afraid for my life. I peeked through the curtains when a loud fight started in front of Karl’s Bar across the street. When I saw a man buying a baggie of white stuff right outside my window, I barricaded the door with a chair and prayed they wouldn’t break into my car.

The waitress placed the plate in front of Jen. Bacon, scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast filled the plate. An apple cinnamon muffin on the side smelled so wonderful Jen almost drooled. Thank you very much, Mrs. Bradley. I really appreciate this. She bowed her head, thanking God for the food and a compassionate listener.

Maria got herself a cup of coffee and sat facing Jen. What are you going to do now? Will your parents wire you money?

Hmm, they might if I’d ask. I haven’t found the nerve to call them. Mom was dead set against me taking this job. She didn’t trust Garret. Tears threatened to overflow again. Mom didn’t want me to be an elementary teacher in the first place. She says it’s a low-paying thankless way to earn a living.

It takes a dedicated person to be a teacher, and they should be commended for guiding our children. Maria crossed her arms and leaned back. The ones who truly care about children are worth their weight in gold.

Dad wanted me to be a corporate lawyer like him. Jen shook her head. That’s not for me. I love kids, and always wanted to teach. I want to make a difference in young lives. I’ve applied for work in the area schools, but every position is filled with the new term starting next week.

So you want to stay here? Maria drummed her fingers on the table.

I had my heart set on the job in Springdale. It’s a lovely school, and the position is perfect. The contract is pending, but I’ll have to find an income until Christmas. She sighed. "I can’t get a new credit card without a permanent