A Country Christmas

By Melanie P. Smith

Can a Christmas tragedy heal two hearts?
Tea Hunter is devastated when she discovers her long-time boyfriend is cheating on her. She decides to head out west to the family cabin for the holidays hoping to find some peace as she re-evaluates her life and tries to move forward. Tragedy strikes on a treacherous road in the middle of a blizzard and Tea finds herself stranded and at the mercy of a friendly cowboy. Instinct is screaming for her to run fast and run far; unfortunately, she has no memory of who she is or where she should run.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MPSmith Publishing
• Release date: Dec 23, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463711316

Melanie P. Smith

Melanie P. Smith went to Dixie State College and the University of Phoenix where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management. She also has a Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution and Negotiation from the University of Utah. She worked for the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office for over 26 years. Most of that time was in the Special Operations Division where she worked closely with the SWAT Team and The Child Abduction Response Team coordinating communications and logistics. She also worked closely with Search & Rescue, The Mounted Posse, K9 and the Motorcycle Squad. Melanie has been able to utilize both her knowledge of police operations and business practices to make her novels fun and exciting.

Book preview

A Country Christmas

Holiday Collection

by:

Melanie P. Smith

Book Description

Tea Hunter is devastated when she discovers her long-time boyfriend is cheating on her. She decides to head out west to the family cabin for the holidays hoping to find some peace as she re-evaluates her life and tries to move forward. Tragedy strikes on a treacherous road in the middle of a blizzard and Tea finds herself stranded and at the mercy of a friendly cowboy. Instinct is screaming for her to run fast and run far; unfortunately, she has no memory of who she is or where she should run. Can a Christmas tragedy heal two hearts?

Copyright © 2019 Melanie P. Smith

Edited by LaPriel Dye

First Edition

No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the Author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. All trademarks are the property of their owners and are acknowledged by the proper use of capitalization throughout.

www.melaniepsmith.com

Chapter One

Tea stood at the large window, staring out at the city below. Less than twenty-four hours ago, she was blissfully happy — confident she’d be unwrapping an engagement ring on Christmas morning. How had her life become such a mess over the course of one day? She took a sip of coffee but didn’t really taste it. None of her senses seemed to be working at the moment. She wondered if they ever would again.

I am not going to cry, she whispered. I’m not going to cry. Life could be worse. She had an amazing job and an amazing family — in fact, her two favorite relatives just stepped into the room. Apparently, one of her senses did still work after all.

Of course, you’re going to cry, Serena said casually. You’re a woman, that’s what we do. It’s our natural-born right to confound the male gender with our terrifying tears. You dedicated three years to that idiot. You deserve a good cry. But you’re not going to do it here, at the office, in front of the staff. You are going to pull yourself together, walk out the door head held high, and smile. Then, you can go home and fall apart.

Home? Tea closed her eyes; she was not going to cry. Apparently, you’ve been briefed on the mortifying situation at my so-called home. I take it Finn called you. She expected them to come, knew they would be there for her the instant they heard what happened. And, she knew Finn would try to play offense, try to spin things in his favor, focus on self-preservation and damage control. She didn’t know he would act this quickly. Knowing their intentions were good, didn’t make the situation any less humiliating.

Teodora — her mother was eccentric — Serena, and Matthew were cousins and they were closer than the three musketeers. They grew up together, played together, worked together and suffered together. All of them started working in the family business immediately after graduation. Each rose up through ranks in their respective fields, competing with each other as much as they supported one another. They were basically in charge of the large family empire. Each one a VP of marketing, sales, and technology. The only person they answered to now was the CEO, Morgan Hunter — Serena’s mother, Tea and Matthew’s aunt.

Tea, Serena stepped up beside her. I know it was a shock, but you should consider it all a huge blessing.

Really? Tea turned to face her cousin. A blessing? You think finding my boyfriend of nearly three years — the man I love and have dedicated my life to — in bed with another woman just before the holidays is somehow a joyous occasion that I should celebrate? Break out the champagne. She raised her hand in the air in mock celebration.

I’ll pop the cork, Matt settled onto the large, comfortable leather couch. Because I never liked that peckerhead. I knew there was something off about that man the first time I met him, but I could never put my finger on it. Apparently, the inability to keep his pants zipped isn’t as blatantly obvious as one might think. I should have throat punched the slime ball when I had the chance.

When did you have the chance? Tea sighed. Never mind, it doesn’t matter. Don’t harass Finn over this, either one of you. This was my mistake. I have nobody to blame for this mess but myself. That will teach me to be spontaneous. The first time in my life I decide to surprise someone, and wham! — the surprise was on me. I was stupid, naïve and foolish to believe I could have what you have, she turned to address her cousin, Matt. I hope you realize just how lucky you are. You’ve got it all, great job, two cousins who are also amazing friends so we have to love you, and the most incredible woman in the world — speaking of your better half, when are you going to put a ring on that?

Different topic for a different day and I love you, too. Matt smiled and gave her a quick wink. Seriously, though — this isn’t about you, Tea, Matt frowned. And you’re the least foolish person to ever walk the earth. This is about Honey Broner and Finn, Matt smirked. Sounds like a bad sex video, but I digress.

Yes! Serena pointed at Matt. And, the fact he decided to hook up with the fake double D should tell you it’s about him and not you.

It won’t last, Matt continued. You know it won’t. The man is shallow, stupid and short-sighted. He’s a lackluster employee at best and that’s his only redeeming attribute. Forget him. Take a break, go to the spa, spend a fortune on new shoes, whatever —

Actually, Serena interrupted slowly. I think you should head out to your family cabin and hide for a week or two. Spend some time away from the city, the family, and your irritating ex-boyfriend. You can shop when you get back.

Just ditch the family and head to Montana? Tea laughed. Right, my favorite aunt and your mother would love that.

She’ll understand, Serena pushed.

She won’t like it, Matt agreed. But she’ll understand. In fact, it will give her time to deal with the issue at hand. Well, if she’s not standing trial for homicide by the time you return. She did like that idiot Ex of yours and there’s nobody scarier than Morgan Hunter when she’s disappointed.

She can’t do anything, Tea said immediately. He’ll retaliate. He’ll file a lawsuit for wrongful termination and emotional trauma or some nonsense if you guys do anything to make his life miserable over this. Just let it go.

And in the meantime, Matt pushed. You’ll be cross-country skiing in Montana?

I don’t know, Tea turned back to stare out the window again. Maybe.

Yay! Serena pulled her in for a hug. For you, that means yes. Just go, Tea. Don’t think about it. Don’t talk yourself out of it. Just book the next flight, rent a car, and head for the hills. I’ll take care of Mom and I’ll deal with Finn.

You can’t fire him for dumping me, Tea pushed.

Technically, I think you dumped him; but I won’t, Serena shrugged, then glanced at Matt. We’ve got this under control. Trust us.

What does that mean? Tea wondered. What haven’t you told me?

There have been… issues, Matt said carefully.

Tea dropped into her chair and let her head collide with the large antique desk. I told myself the relationship was over, but I still had work. I’m good at my job. I love this company and I thought I was able to keep it all separate. He worked in marketing, not tech. I fooled myself into believing I compartmentalized the personal and kept it isolated from the professional.

You did, Matt moved forward and forced her chair around. We didn’t. We —

We let a few things slide, Serena admitted. But we documented them.

Why? Tea was honestly confused by that. If you were going to let them slide, why the documentation?

Because the guy’s a peckerhead, Matt shrugged.

Tell me what he did, Tea sighed, resigned to her new reality. How bad is it?

He nearly lost the Cobbett and Faine account, Matt admitted. I smoothed it over, gave them a bottle of our best Chevel Blanc. Dustin Cobbett went away elated. In fact, he made a referral. That’s how we got the Montoro account. I fixed it; I promise.

He also royally screwed up the Botts Optical account, but Shannon brought it to my attention early enough to avoid any permanent damage, Serena admitted. I moved him off the team and it solved the problem.

He should have been fired, Tea stood and began to pace. You should have told me, and you should have fired him. Why didn’t you? It had to cause morale issues — in both departments.

Somehow, Matt grinned. I think that may have caused a little tension at the dinner table. We —

You worked around it because he was my boyfriend and we were living together? Tea sat back down in the executive chair. "You let my personal life interfere with