A Fairy Unusual Christmas

By Patricia Otto

Fairy John Evergreen, the crown prince of the world of Christmas gnomes and fairies, has a huge problem. If he doesn't find the one, the mortal one, before Christmas Eve becomes Christmas Day, he'll never wear the crown. His evil sister Stephanie will. And she wants it. Bad. He hasn't found the one. Not even close. Then he literally runs into the most beautiful woman ever.

Lauren Goodnews runs Family House, where families stay when they have a child in the hospital. Christmas is a painful time for these families. For Lauren, too. Being left at the altar on Christmas Eve four years ago will do that to a girl. Keeping busy helps, and it's a great excuse not to date. Then the handsomest man ever literally runs her over, and Lauren finds herself reevaluating that life strategy.

Stephanie wants the crown, and she'll use every bit of magic to get it. John wants Lauren, and if he can keep the gnomes and fairies his father sent to help from messing up things, he may have a shot at love. And Lauren? Between her deepening attraction for John and the enchantment of the season, Lauren just might be ready to try a fairy tale ending.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patricia Otto
• Release date: Dec 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781943860111

Patricia Otto

A few decades ago, I found out that most people don't make up stories about the people they watch while sipping ice tea at a cafe. They do not take a cast of characters from a book or movie and give them a whole new story. Who knew? I thought everyone did that. Then there were the out-of-the-blue-characters. The ones conjured up in my head, telling me their tales, pushing me to write their stories. Sharing them only seemed fair.

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Copyright

A Fairy Unusual Christmas Copyright © 2020 by Patricia Otto

Cover Art by Glass Slipper Web Design. Cover Photos: Deposit Photos

EBooks are not transferable. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the author. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution of the copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the internet, any electronic or prints means without the publisher's permission.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are products of the writer's imagination. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locations or organizations is entirely coincidental.

A Fairy Unusual Christmas

Chapter 1

You know the law.

John Evergreen slumped back into the chair, giving his father an annoyed grimace. The law is ancient.

His father, Lowell of the Underearth, looked out the huge windows in the conference room of Evergreen International, the family conglomerate. His father, tall and distinguished, clasped his hands behind his back. The laws have stood in place for thousands of years for good reason. He pivoted back to John. They maintain the royal line, keep the order of things.

Not to mention putting an end to any prospect of modification.

His father shook his head. The laws don’t need modifying.

John grunted. I disagree.

The crown brings power and magic abilities to the wearer. Those gifts must be used wisely. When his father put his hand up to his head, the crown was visible for a moment. He stepped toward John. You are the logical choice to wield the magic. Nevertheless, the law is clear, you must be married.

To a human, I know the legends.

It is not legend. It is your legacy. Your mother, your human mother, was the best person in any world. I loved her. I still do. She made me better, made Underearth better, even made this company better.

His father’s expression was the timeless adoration John always saw when his father talked about his mother.

You have resisted fulfilling your destiny. I have watched as you reject woman after woman. You are almost out of time. This Christmas is the last chance you will have to take a wife. If you are not married by the time Christmas Eve becomes Christmas Day, you lose your right to be king. The crown and the magic will pass to your sister. His father scoffed, the sound of someone not pleased with that prospect.

I understand.

Do you? You are much better suited to rule. His father pursed his lips. Stephanie is my daughter, and I love her, of course. But she is not the best head to wear the crown. She is hungry for power. That hunger is what makes her unsuitable. Our people are industrious and loyal. They can also be quite willful. They require a certain hand to encourage them in the right direction. Stephanie has no desire to motivate. She would subjugate. Father shook his head. Her human husband would not be much help in keeping her power-hungry nature under control. He is more teddy bear than queen’s counselor.

John stayed silent.

You know I’m right. The king of Underearth must work with Pere Noel. Pere oversees the elves making toys. Our gnomes care for the earth under our feet while our fairies uphold all that is above our heads. I fear Stephanie would have our people abandon their responsibilities to work for her comfort.

John nodded. Stephanie would have the gnomes digging for diamonds and the fairies checking to make sure the lighting was always superb.

I’m glad you agree. For all concerned, you must find a wife.

I understand. John looked at his father. I don’t agree, but I know my duty. He stood, sliding his hands into his trouser pockets.

That girl you’ve been seeing lately. She is a possibility?

Rhonda? No.

Then why are you still seeing her?

John grinned. She passes the time.

She keeps you from finding your queen.

The measure of truth to his father’s insight kept John quiet. The thought of marrying for the sake of the monarchy rather than for love must have shown on his face.

His father gave him a half-smile. Heavy is the crown. He put his hand on John’s shoulder. The enchantment of Christmas will allow you to find your soul mate. His father paused. You just have to be open to its magic.

John scowled. Can’t you use the power of the crown to find me a wife?

You know I cannot, but there are miracles in the season. Plus— his father gave him a grin —this year, I’m sending along some help for you.

John waved off his father’s words. No, Dad.

There is too much at stake. You need a few helpers.

A few? Exactly how many are in a few? The secret door concealed in the wall, the portal to Underearth from the conference room, flew open, and the three helpers spilled out like puppies. Oh, you are joking.

Two gnomes, Ginny and Luke, laughed as they rolled across the floor. Winnie, a fairy, hovered over the tumblers. Once Ginny and Luke got to their chubby feet, Winnie landed beside them. The three bowed before King Lowell of Underearth, ruler of all Christmas gnomes and fairies, and then to Prince John.

His father gave the three a single nod. When he did, his gossamer wings and golden crown were visible. As fairies with royal blood, the Evergreens were humans' size and had wings that could be invisible when needed. It was much easier to live in the human world when you could hide your wings.

Luke saluted, knocking his pointy red hat askew. Reporting for duty, your majesty. Ginny smoothed her long red dress and imitated Luke’s pudgy-fingered salute. Winnie bowed, her delicate wings fluttering a bit.

His father nodded at John. They will help you.

I doubt that.

Luke crossed his arms to give John an irritated scowl. "I bet we will get you married before Christmas Eve, my prince."

Ginny grinned, pulling on her yellow braids. We can do it.

Father looked down on his three subjects. You have to. Prince John has this last holiday to find a wife. He will be amongst the humans in the Overearth, so you must stay hidden. You know how important it is that the humans do not see you. Father put his hands behind his back, leveling a stern gaze at them. You are to help Prince John, not get in his way.

John held up his finger. I have a question.

His father gave him a stern look. Yes.

When am I going to have time for this search? I work seven days a week.

His father smiled. Evergreen International can get along without its chief executive officer for a few weeks. This is our most philanthropic time of year. I’m putting you in charge of spreading our Christmas cheer around town. I’m sure you’ll found the one you need. His father sat in the chair at the head of the conference table. All right? You all have your orders.

The gnomes saluted again. Winnie took off, accidentally clipping Ginny’s red pointed hat with her foot. The hat fell over Ginny’s eyes. Hey, watch it, Ginny said, pushing