Mistletoe and Spirits

By Rebekah Lewis

Josephine Locke has always been unlucky in love, in life, and definitely in finances. On the cusp of
eviction and newly unemployed, she inherits a bookstore in the sleepy little town of Little Comfort,
Massachusetts in the wake of her aunt's death. However, strange occurrences in the store make her
wonder if her aunt's ghost is trying to send her a message. But ghosts aren't real…right?

Brett Jacobs fills his lonely nights by working as a bartender. He's instantly drawn to Jo when she
arrives in town a week before Christmas, even though she doesn't notice him—at first. When
troubling events take place, his need to protect her becomes equally as strong as his desire to kiss
her. But she doesn't seem to want either from him.

As Christmas approaches, their attraction for each other becomes impossible to ignore, and the lure
of the holiday festivities and a kiss under the mistletoe might very well bring them together. Will
danger lurking in their midst keep them apart? They may just need a Christmas miracle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebekah Lewis
• Release date: Dec 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393997207

Rebekah Lewis

Rebekah Lewis has always been captivated by fictional worlds. An avid reader and lover of cinema, it was only a matter of time before she started writing her own stories and immersing herself in her imagination. Rebekah’s most popular series, The Cursed Satyroi, is paranormal romance based on Greek mythology. She also writes Fantasy and Time Travel. When satyrs, white rabbits, and stubborn heroes aren’t keeping her busy, she may be found putting her creativity to use as an award-winning cover artist. Rebekah holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and lives in Savannah, GA with her cat, Bagheera.

Book preview

Chapter 1

The bookstore on Main Street lay wedged between an ice cream shoppe and a toy store. Metal gates had been pulled down over the windows and doors, helping obscure the dark interior. Josephine Locke, Jo for short, twisted her hands together, partially to keep them warm through her mittens and also because she didn't know what to do with her hands. The estate lawyer, one Mr. Colin Wentworth, fumbled with his briefcase for the keys to the building. The man looked positively ancient but rejected any offer of help. So, she turned her attention back to the building she had inherited.

Two stories to match the rest of the buildings, Locke's Books resided on a street that looked like every other Small Town, USA she'd ever seen in a movie. Which seemed fair considering the fact she'd inherited the place from an aunt she'd never met, and surely that only happened in fiction. Yet, there she stood in the sleepy town of Little Comfort, Massachusetts—a tiny village blanketed in snow and ice whose name provided exactly what it promised. Jo was horribly unprepared for the climate having lived in Florida her whole life. Her entire winter wardrobe worn at the same time wouldn't keep her warm here.

Oh, where did that key go? Mr. Wentworth mumbled, still riffling through his things. Jo glared at the back of his balding head. By the time he found the blasted things, she'd die of exposure because he was too stubborn for assistance. Ah ha! He held the keyring up in his gloved hand and shook it victoriously. I knew it was here.

Jo smiled politely, bouncing on the balls of her feet to keep in motion, trying to warm herself further. She offered no comment as the lawyer went about unlocking the gate and then the door. He struggled to lift the heavy metal barrier, and she couldn't take it anymore. He might not want her help, but he would get it.

No, no, don't trouble yourself. I'm perfectly capable, Mr. Wentworth began, but Jo wasn't going to appease him this time.

Yes, but I need something to do to keep moving. It wouldn't be cold like this year-round, would it?

With the gate up, the old man quickly unlocked the front door and held it open for her. Such a sweet girl. I can see why your aunt entrusted her beloved store to you.

Jo tried her best to keep a straight face. She was glad he could see why because she surely had no idea. She'd never met Aunt Miriam. If she were totally honest, the name hadn't rung a bell when she received the call and nearly hung up on Mr. Wentworth. Then she'd remembered her mother's estranged sister who'd moved away after high school and never came home again, even to visit. The events leading up to the estrangement were as mysterious as how Jo had ended up being the sole family member in Aunt Miriam's will. The woman hadn't been married or been seeing anyone at the time of her death, never had kids or adopted. Had never even met Jo. She couldn't even remember the last time the woman's name was uttered by a member of the family. Certainly not since Jo was a child.

My dear, Mr. Wentworth said sharply. Are you coming in or staying out in the cold?

Shuffling indoors, she couldn't help but look around at the place in wonder as the door shut behind her. Shelves full of glorious assortments of paperback and hardcover books needed a good dusting. Cobwebs stretched across the corners of the room; thankfully, nothing with eight legs could be spotted in them. Where she could see, anyway. Behind the cash wrap, at the back of the store, a door with a sign for stairs next to it would be the passage up to the apartment. Another set of doors in the far back corner either led to a stock room or a restroom. Perhaps both.

All of this belongs to me now? she asked as the little estate lawyer hurried her over to a reading nook by the big front windows. She took a seat next to him as he laid his belongings on the table to his right. I don't know anything about running a business, she admitted.

In fact, she'd been working waitressing jobs, living off tips and meager paychecks. Her Liberal Arts degree from the community college hadn't helped her secure a better job, and she honestly didn't know what she wanted to do. She did, however, love to read. This could be a blessing in more ways than one, considering she'd gotten fired for missing work while trying to reason with her landlord not to evict her for being late on rent. Again. A job and a place to stay, and an inheritance?

Either this was what one would call a Christmas miracle the week before the holiday, or there was a catch.

Jo was waiting for the catch.

No worries about that, my dear. A former employee of the store will help you get the business back on its feet if that is what you want, or assist you into selling off the building should you not want to stay.

Oh, she doesn't need to trouble herself over the holidays. It can wait—

Mr. Wentworth shook his head. Your aunt was clear in her will that she wanted you to be able to take over immediately in the event of her passing.

Still, that seemed like a lot of trouble. She's being compensated for this, I hope? Jo would use her inheritance, when she received it anyway, if they didn't think of that ahead of time.

The old man smiled softly. Your aunt left her a nice sum of money. Mrs. Taylor called to ask after the store, and when she heard about you receiving it, she offered to assist. He scratched his chin. But there should be plenty in the company account to pay an additional employee or two.

That was good news, despite how daunting it all sounded. Her aunt had passed at the end of November. Crates of Christmas decorations sat open next to the front counter, and Jo ran her fingers over the undecorated tree next to it. Was she…here when she… she couldn't finish the thought. Aunt Miriam had died of a stroke, but Jo hadn't pried too much into the details of the circumstances.

Yes. A delivery driver found her the next morning when she didn't open the door, and then he saw her lying in the floor through the window.

Oh no. Jo's heart clenched as a shiver washed over her. Her aunt had died all alone. How awful. It made her feel even worse about not knowing her. About her family not being closer to her. Jo's mother wasn't exactly being open about the situation now that Aunt Miriam had passed. In fact, the woman had barely reacted to the news at all. With Jo's father and grandparents also no longer with them, there really was no one left to