Christmas Millionaires

By Randi Alexander

TWO STORIES:
Story 1: Christmas Surprise on MacLean Mountain
Doctor Booker MacLean is shocked when his estranged wife calls and asks to talk in person. Is she back to ask for a divorce? Three days before Christmas? Sybil has a secret but won’t share it with Booker unless he forgives her and takes her back. Will his fierce pride and her need for his understanding keep them from spending Christmas with the one they love most?
Story 2: Christmas in Vegas
Newly arrived in Las Vegas, Roxanne Anderson is searching for a job as a chef when she is offered a gig as a server at a Christmas Morning brunch. Driving to the top of Mount Charleston, she arrives at the mansion as a storm moves in. She’s forced into a role of crucial responsibility which will either be a complete disaster or an incredible opportunity for Roxanne’s career and her lonely heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Randi Alexander
• Release date: Nov 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005773663

Randi Alexander

Randi Alexander writes romance novels in a fun variety of genres, like western, paranormal, menage, BDSM, motorcycle club, and even sweet. When she’s not writing a story or dreaming about her next book, Randi is biking trails along remote rivers or snorkeling the Gulf of Mexico. Forever an adventurous spirit with a romantic imagination, Randi is family-oriented and married to the best guy in the world. Give in to the allure of passion as Randi’s emotional love stories sweep you off your feet and leave you breathless. You’re guaranteed a story that’ll give you a happily ever after.

Book preview

Christmas Millionaires

Sweet Holiday Romances

by

Randi Alexander

Story 1: Christmas Surprise on MacLean Mountain

Story 2: Christmas in Vegas

CHRISTMAS MILLIONAIRES

Original Printing 2016

Revised Version Copyright © 2021 Randi Alexander

*~*~*~*

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

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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system-except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web without permission in writing from the author.

Christmas Surprise on MacLean Mountain

A Sweet Holiday Romance

by

Randi Alexander

Chapter One

Booker MacLean drove his black pickup truck across a pristine inch of snow in the parking lot of the Steamboat Springs Diner. After sunset, the snow had slowed to just a few stray flakes, but it was due to pick up again sometime tonight. The storm would hit them hard for at least three days, well through Christmas.

Multi-colored strings of lights surrounded each of the diner’s windows and shone into the darkness as he pulled into a parking spot and cut the engine. Only one other car sat in the lot, and it was covered with snow. It must be hers. How long had she been here? As he reached for his hat, he spotted a small, dark-haired figure huddled in a booth by a window, staring out at him. It had to be Sybil. His wife.

His heart nearly beat out through his chest, reminding him how much he loved her, how much he’d missed her, and how much she’d hurt him when she’d left.

Get this over with. Booker shoved his heavy black cowboy hat onto his head and opened the truck door. A cold blast of air hit him like a forecast of what Sybil was about to tell him. It would probably be the worst news he’d heard in his life, and his footsteps hit heavily as he trudged toward the building.

He pulled open the glass door of the diner, and an electronic doorbell gave a quick, off-key rendition of Jingle Bells. Staring straight ahead for a few seconds, he regained his emotional footing. He pulled off his hat and stomped on the entry rug to shake the snow from his boots.

Hey, Doc. Brenna, the owner, came from the kitchen, her red hair pulled up in a bun, her pretty face, which usually smiled in welcome, now frowning with understanding. She glanced to where the only other occupant of the building sat in a booth.

He had to do this. No changing course now. Nodding to Brenna, he turned and saw her. Sybil. Her long brown hair flowed softly over the shoulders of her thick red sweater. Around her neck, she wore the scarf he’d given her last Christmas. The reds, greens, and golds were a reminder of how he’d been preparing himself to spend this Christmas without her. Or, more accurately, ignoring Christmas all alone.

Sybil gripped the ends of the scarf in tight fists. She must feel as uncertain as he did.

With a long exhale, he finally looked at her face. Huge brown eyes that, right now, resembled a rabbit startled by a coyote. His wife, who he hadn’t seen in seven months and hadn’t expected to see again. Ever.

A huge tote bag leaned against her side, and a puffy lime-green coat filled up the other side of her bench. Evidently, she didn’t want him to snuggle in next to her the way they used to.

Swallowing emotion, he strolled toward her. To give himself a moment, he carefully hung up his shearling-lined coat and his hat before he slid onto the bench across from her.

Booker cleared his throat to test his voice. I’m glad you called.

She nodded, her cheeks two glowing red beacons. Booker, I needed to see you...to tell you this in person.

His chest clenched. Here it comes. She would ask for a divorce. One her father had surely talked her into. Had she found someone else? That thought made him a little crazy. Someone else touching her, loving her, falling deeply for her sweet personality and quiet poise. Someone who’d even love the spark of temper she showed on occasion.

But then, didn’t she deserve a man who didn’t work long hours? Didn’t leave her alone at a remote ranch high up in the Rockies, sometimes overnight, sometimes for more than 24 hours at a time?

The waitress brought more hot water and a tea bag for Sybil, then looked at Booker. What’ll you have, Doc?

Just coffee and pie. Pumpkin, if you’ve got it. When the shocking phone call had come from Sybil at dinnertime two hours ago, he’d been about to heat up leftovers. Instead, as his thoughts pinged wildly in his head, he’d thrown together a couple sandwiches for the drive down the mountain. Now, the bread, cheese, and meat sat like a bowling ball in his stomach.

Anything else, Ms. Sybil? Brenna sounded worried, a little whiny.

No, thank you. His wife smiled at the woman she used to call a friend.

Booker looked between the two women, then at Sybil. You’re not eating?

She shook her head. I ate when I got here. After I called you.

You’ve been here in the diner for two hours? He hefted a breath. That was one of the downsides to living on a Colorado mountaintop. I’m sorry, Syb. With the snow and all…. He shrugged one shoulder.

She smiled at him, the happiness not reaching her eyes. No, that’s fine. I did it on purpose. I…I needed time to prepare.

He sat back in the booth, watching her, hoping to God there would be some kind of miracle tonight and he’d be going home with his wife. He had a gut feeling, though, and he didn’t expect any good news. Go ahead. Just give it to me straight-on, Sybil.

****

Sybil relaxed her hands from their grip on her scarf. Booker thought she was here to ask him to make their separation permanent? She could never do that. She loved him more than life itself. She’d been so wrong to leave him. He was a very proud man, and she’d insulted him horribly.

It had taken months of inner turmoil for her to realize just how much she loved him and how meaningless her life was without him. She had to find a way to convince him to take her back, and that would not be easy. If she couldn't find a way, she’d be lost, especially with the new development in their lives. She touched her swollen stomach, which she’d intentionally kept hidden under the table. Beneath her palm, their baby shifted. For the sake of their family, she had to gain his forgiveness.

I got your phone calls, Booker. Your messages. Her husband had called