Linzer Tarts and Broken Hearts

By Carol Henry

Christmas cookie baking isn't the only thing that's heating up in the kitchen. Amber Talbot's daughter, Beth, has invited her new best friend, Joanna, to bake Christmas cookies this year. Officer Jace Gunderson, single dad, insists on checking out the family first. From there, thanks to the two inseparable first graders, Amber and Jace's lives intertwine over the holidays where they, too, become inseparable. But Amber doesn't need another lawman in her life. Her first husband was killed in the line of duty. Can Jace win her over, despite her reluctance to commit to their fledgling relationship? Or will Amber reject his advances and ruin everyone's Christmas?

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Nov 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781509237180

Carol Henry

Carol Henry is an author of Destination: Romance--Exotic Romantic Suspense Adventures, as well as contemporary romance, and historic women's fiction. She is an international traveler, and travel writer of exotic locations for major cruise lines' deluxe in-cabin books. Carol lives with her husband in the beautiful New York State Finger Lakes region where they are surrounded by family and friends.

Book preview

Wow! What a kiss. Whoever penned the original song and lyrics about that kiss knew what they were talking about. Jace held her secure in his embrace, their lips clinging. The kiss became lingering, softer, as he rubbed his hands gently over her back, then down, lower, igniting a longing she hadn’t felt in a long time. Not sure who broke the kiss first, Amber rested her forehead on his chest, then turned her cheek and listened to his heartbeat…or was it hers? She couldn’t tell. His chin rested on top of her head, his breath teasing her hair. She didn’t want the magical spell to end. She simply wanted to stay in his arms forever. Safe. Secure. Loved?

She heard the girls before they stormed the kitchen. Apparently Jace did as well, for he stepped back, his arms letting her go, and made like he was still drying the dishes.

Praise for Carol Henry

Ciara’s Homecoming Christmas: Author Carol Henry writes down-to-earth characters who struggle with realistic decisions. Her solid descriptions of setting and place pull the reader into the story and have the reader cheering for the couple. This novella is a quick, heartwarming, and enjoyable holiday read.

~ J.A. Davis, author

~*~

Cairo Connection: The descriptions as the characters walked down the street in Cairo, entered the plush accommodations, visited a spice and open-air market, you could see, feel, and smell just like you were with them. …The attraction between Megan and Jordan sizzled as they tried to stay apart…a fantastic read.

~Tena Stetler, author

Linzer Tarts and Broken Hearts

by

Carol Henry

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Linzer Tarts and Broken Hearts

COPYRIGHT © 2021 by Carol A. Henry

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Jennifer Greeff

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Edition, 2021

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3718-0

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To all my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members who gathered around my kitchen table for our traditional Christmas Cookie Baking Day, and the dining room table for our special Tea Parties afterward. I dedicate this Christmas Cookie Novella in your honor, for giving me many wonderful memories over the years to cherish for a lifetime. May this novella hold many wonderful smiles, memories, and love beyond measure. And may it resonate with other families who share the joy of baking together.

With all my love, Mom (aka, Carol A. Henry).

Acknowledgments

To my editor, Josette Arthur, and her magic wand—thanks for keeping me grammatically on target, and for your support, and especially for your friendship. And to Jennifer Greeff for the delightful cover. And to my family for their continued love and support.

Chapter One

Sirens blared, and red lights flashed as two sheriff vehicles pulled up to the house across the street. Amber ran to the front window and carefully pulled the curtain aside. Now what? This was getting to be a common scene in this neighborhood. She was beginning to rethink her decision to move back to her hometown. She wasn’t able to find an affordable apartment in a better neighborhood, closer to her parents for her and her daughter. She’d been laid off from her job with the travel agency in Syracuse, and her unemployment benefits were slim. With what little she’d been able to set aside while working, renting this apartment was turning out to be a tight squeeze. She knew her parents would help her, but she didn’t want to depend on their generosity. She’d been combing through the want ads, looking for a position she was qualified for in the Ithaca area, but hadn’t landed a position yet.

Amber turned as her six-year-old daughter, Beth, came running to her side.

Mommy, Mommy. What’s that?

She bent down and cuddled Beth in her arms. It’s okay, baby. The police are here and will take care of everything. You’re safe inside here with me.

Are we okay, Mommy? I thought they were coming to our house. Beth squeezed her little arms around Amber’s neck and then patted her back in an effort to comfort her. For such a small child, Beth had an abundance of compassion for others.

Amber returned the squeeze and kissed her daughter’s cheek. I’m fine, honey. You okay?

All those lights and that noise—it’s scary.

Yes, well, we’re okay. How about we go in the kitchen and bake some cookies to take to Grandma and Grandpa on Saturday? I’m pretty sure I have enough ingredients. We can make your favorite linzer tarts.

Do we have raspberry jam, too? That’s my favorite.

Yes. Give me a minute. Go pick up your toys while I get everything ready and turn on the oven.

Amber watched her daughter run from the room. That was the wonderful thing about kids. It didn’t take much for them to switch gears mid-stream and run off in another direction, their minds already focused elsewhere.

Her own thoughts and concerns? Not so much.

Amber looked back out the window, remembering the awful day she’d lost her husband. Memories crowded her brain. Beth had been four when the police pulled into the driveway and knocked on their front door. Officer Renwick stood, hands on his duty belt, looking intense. She knew immediately something had happened to Rick by the look on Officer Renwick’s face, not just a minor injury as had happened several times. In Rick’s line of work, she’d anticipated the worst every time he left the house. As an undercover agent, sometimes he’d be gone for days at a time. But that day Rick had been killed in a shoot-out while undercover, during a drug raid. She’d lost it in front of her daughter and crumbled to the floor. Thankfully, a woman officer was present and had assisted her. They’d called her parents, who had driven to Syracuse and taken control.

No wonder the lights flashing and the sirens blaring outside their apartment today had worried Beth. But to have Beth try to comfort her was distressing.

The flashing lights continued