The Christmas Gift: Detroit Holiday Romances

By Treasa Klöth

For one day, Jordan gets a chance to play Cinderella and step out of her life of obligation and hard work at the homeless shelter, she runs in downtown Detroit. But never did she expect to meet Prince Charming at the benefit ball. Happy to stay out of the spotlight, Jordan was reluctant to even attend the event. When she is thrust into a bachelorette auction, to be sold to the highest bidder, she is relieved when Sebastian Walsh outbids everyone else to save her.

However, she soon realizes that unlike Cinderella, there is no glass slipper or fairy God mother. She is quickly swept off her feet and into a fairy tale romance by Sebastian, the son of the shelter's wealthy benefactors.

A confirmed bachelor, Sebastian is forced to attend the charity ball his mother and sister's throw every year to benefit a local shelter. Usually, he would write a check and get out of making an appearance, but this year his mother insists that he attend. When she introduces him to the beautiful and shy woman who runs the shelter, he is more than intrigued to say the least.

Soon he realizes that this young woman is nothing like the women he is used to dating. She is honest, caring, and generous beyond words.

Quickly, both Jordan and Sebastian, find themselves swept completely off their feet, in a whirl wind winter romance. Read along with this heart-warming story of love, caring, and giving, for this holiday season! The first book in the Detroit Holiday Romance Trilogy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Magick Moon Ink Publishing
• Release date: Nov 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9780998956367

Book preview

Treasa Klöth

The Christmas Gift

A Detroit Holiday Romance

Book one

The Christmas Gift

Copyright © 2017 by Treasa Klöth.

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For information contact:

http:// www.MagickMoonInk.com

Book and Cover design by Magick Moon Publishing

ISBN: 978-9989563-6-7

First Edition: November 2017

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To all of those who have helped to make my dreams come true this year. I could not have done what I have without all of you, from Models to Editors, to those new friends I have made through this last year who have supported me all the way, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I would name you all, but it would fill most of the book. I hope all of you know who you are.  A special thank you to Alex, Mom, Mindy, Katie, and Kassie for being there to help me as sounding boards and editors as well as helping me at events. I could not have done most of them without all of you. To my Grandchildren O, Lilly, Yayyay, and Felicity, I love you all. And lastly, but not least, to my son Jay and my husband John, thank you for picking up the slack when I have been crazy busy! My love to all and happy holidays.

To my readers: I could not have taken this journey without those of you who read my books, I hope that you love this book as much as I do. Please remember to help others out, be kind, and know that there are people out there, who are worse off than you. Happy Holidays from my house to yours! Watch for more from me in 2018. I promise it will be an exciting year! ~Treasa Klöth!

Other Books by Treasa Klöth

The Immortal MacKinnons Series

Kandra

Raven

Aryana

The Harrow Series

Salvation

Texas Heat Series

Across the Great Divide

Against All Odds

One

setting a handful of bills down on the desk, Jordan gave a sigh of frustration as she rested her chin on her palm. If she didn’t do something quickly, the Westside Shelter would have to close its doors before much longer. There were still just over two months left in the year, and the bank accounts had barely enough left in them to pay for food, lights, and heat, let alone covering the cost of renting the building. If this year’s annual fundraiser didn’t bring in a significantly higher amount of money, they wouldn’t make it through the next year. Sadness filled Jordan at the thought.

God knew, it would literally take a miracle to save the shelter, and if she didn’t come up with one soon, then none of these people who needed help so desperately would have a place to go. The children would be back on the streets, sleeping in the alleyways with no food in their bellies, and nowhere to keep warm at night.

With a quick rap on the door, Peter walked into the room. Hey Jordan, I need to get some help with dinner preparations, if you can. He leaned in the doorway and sighed heavily. I know you’re busy, but I’m working almost single-handedly. 

Where is Tori? Jordan looked up at him with a frown. Her sister should have already been there to help with the dinner preparations. Tori knew she was on the schedule for kitchen duty today. Jordan worried that she got caught up after school and missed her bus again.

Got me? Peter shrugged. She didn’t show up at three-thirty for her shift, and I haven’t heard from her. With that Peter turned and headed back toward the kitchen to get back to work.

With a sigh, Jordan stood and walked around the desk to follow Peter out into the kitchen down the hall. I’ll have a talk with her about this. Besides Peter and herself, there was no one else available to give a hand with the preps. All the other staff was off, out sick, or on maternity leave. She expected Tori to understand how very important it was to help around the shelter. Her younger sister Victoria, should be able to relate to what these people were going through, and have the compassion to do what she could for the homeless.

Pushing up the sleeves of her well-worn, University of Michigan sweatshirt, she walked into the kitchen and began making soup and salad. As she diced, chopped, and stirred, she thought about the upcoming charity ball and bachelorette auction to help the shelter. This was a gala event that every socialite in the state of Michigan plus a few from out of state would be attending. There would be Congressmen and women as well as Senators, a couple of Hollywood stars, and famous artists in attendance. Pretty much anyone who had ties to Michigan’s wealth, or the state itself would be there. 

Jordan just prayed that the high and mighty would feel extremely generous this year and donate in major ways. If the Walsh women had their way, they would turn out the pockets of every rich guest that attended the fundraiser to help keep the shelter operating.

Jordan smiled as she thought about the Walsh family. They were one of the wealthiest families in Detroit, heck in the state. They were such wonderful people, and did so many good things for those who needed it most, like their unwavering support of the shelter. Sydney and Eden were the daughters of Chandler and Leandra Walsh. Jessica and Aurora had been lucky enough to snag two of the four Walsh brothers. Brice was Aurora’s husband and Jessica was Markus’s wife. She had yet to meet either Sebastian or Hunter Walsh, the other two allusive brothers, but she had seen their pictures in the tabloids and newspapers on enough occasions to know who they were on sight.

This was the first year the Walsh women had insisted Jordan attend the event herself. For the last four years, she’d found ways to get out of it. On her budget, could she buy something to wear secondhand, she wondered? Frowning, Jordan racked her brain to think of someplace she might be able to get a dress good enough to attend such an elegant event.

Not often did she find herself wishing for more than she had. But just once she’d like to be able to go out and buy something, frivolous and expensive, without thinking twice about the cost of it. She’d nearly give anything to wear a sexy, sleek, silky dress that made her feel luxurious and beautiful.

Jordan pushed a stray lock of her curly, black hair back into place and frowned. Even if she could find a dress good enough to attend the ball, there was absolutely no way her wild mess of hair could be tamed into a sophisticated enough style for her to make an appearance at such an event. Her deep Italian roots mixed with a good splash of Irish gave her an unusual look. Her olive complexion and pitch black, curly, unruly hair, along with overly large green eyes to start with. Then there was her short, chubby frame. At five feet three inches, most of the world was bigger than she was. She hated the way her hips were too big and her butt was a bubble. 

Oh well, she thought with a shrug, after all, who did she have to impress? Besides, she was happy here in the shelter, helping these people who needed her the most. Every person here liked and accepted her just as she was, dressed in her old faded jeans, baggy t-shirts, and sweatshirts. She was comfortable in her worn tennis shoes, with her hair pulled back in a ponytail or a simple braid.

Jordan looked up as the back door slammed shut. Her younger sister Victoria hung her book bag on the hook before hanging up her coat. She was a younger version of Jordan by nearly nine years. The only major differences were the nose ring and the lip ring her younger sister wore. Jordan hated them but thought they were better than tattoos. Where have you been? You’re over an hour late. She kept her voice mild but gave her younger sister a sharp look.

I had things to do. Tori shrugged, walking over and picking up an apple, she took a bite of it as she sat on one of the tall stools next to the counter where Jordan was working. 

Tori, you know how important it is that everyone pulls their own weight here. Jordan furrowed her brows at her sister’s careless attitude. How are we supposed to feed everyone if we all just brush off our duties?

Tori shot to her feet. Like I care if these people eat or not! She yelled. I hate living here. Why can’t we have a normal home and a normal life?

It wasn’t so long ago that we didn’t even have this. Or have you forgotten? Jordan tried to control her fury. We got lucky and now we need to help others who aren’t so fortunate.

We still have nothing! Tori raged as anger surged through her. I can’t even tell people where I live, because it’s so embarrassing. Hurt laced her voice as she spoke. The kids at school would make fun of me if they knew. 

We have a home and a family. Jordan ground out. How could her sister be so ungrateful? We have everything we need, right here.

This? Tori waved her hands around indicating the shelter. This is everything we need? We live in a homeless shelter that you run, Jordan. We never have new clothes or nice things like real people. Hurt and anguish showed on her young face. This is nothing! She yelled, then swiped a tray full of silverware onto the floor. She stalked off, leaving the clattering utensils everywhere.

With a sigh, Jordan sat on the stool her sister had just left behind and hung her head. She knew that Tori wasn’t happy here, that she wanted what every other kid in her school had, but it was just out of Jordan’s reach to give it to her. No matter how hard Jordan tried, she could never give Tori the life she deserved to have.

Peter came over, placing a hand on her shoulder. You okay? His concerned look touched her heart but didn’t make her feel any better.

Yeah, Jordan nodded as she looked toward where her younger sister had disappeared, She’s just upset.

Yeah, she is, but are you okay? Peter frowned at her. Everyone at the shelter knew that Jordan worked longer and harder than anyone else, and he figured that gave Tori no right to treat her older sister like that.

I’m fine. Jordan looked up at him, smiling weakly. Really. I am. She just needed to blow off some steam. Living like this isn’t easy for her. Jordan climbed off the stool and began picking up the silverware to wash again. Hurt ran deep through her at the thought of her sister going without. Tori didn’t have the clothes that other kids had, or MP3 players, computers, video games, or anything normal. Closing her eyes, she sighed wearily. Tori was right, she could give her nothing the girl should have. 

Well, she’s very good at it. He bent, helping her with the task. Jordan tried hard for her sister. Peter knew what their lives had been like before they came to the shelter. Jordan had taken over running the place when Lynda had died four years ago. Jordan struggled to keep the shelter afloat, and every day was a bigger struggle. Even with all her begging the rich for money, she drew a very meager wage to support herself and her sister. He knew there were short months when she didn’t even take that.

Jordan wore the clothing and shoes out of the boxes of clothing donated to the shelter, though she thought no one knew it, he did. Peter also knew that she hadn’t bought herself an unnecessary item in over three years, instead she tried to buy her sister better clothes and decent things. She was the most unselfish person he’d ever known. He didn’t understand why Tori couldn’t see that.

With the wind biting cold like it is outside, I think we are going to be full to overflowing tonight. Jordan looked out the window. I’ll get out some extra blankets. She dropped the silverware in her hand into the sink and headed for the storeroom.

Closing the door behind her, Jordan sat down on a crate and buried her face in her hands. She hated the fact that she couldn’t do better for her sister. Tori deserved a real home, a real-life, a real family. Maybe she should consider foster care instead of keeping her here and being selfish. Raising a fifteen-year-old girl in a homeless shelter was not a good idea. Maybe she should try to get another job and move them out of the shelter? 

Frustration filled Jordan, where would they go if she tried to leave? Could she find another job without a high school diploma? Who would hire a woman who had a home school education? Sure, she could read, and do everything a high school graduate could do, but it was a diploma she needed to get even a factory job. She had been lucky and inherited this job from Lynda Garret, God rest her wonderful kindhearted soul. This job kept a roof over their heads and them both warm, but it didn’t allow luxuries such as new clothes and other frivolities. Jordan frowned, she would be lucky to find another job in this economy. Day in and day out she saw so many displaced workers who had lost everything.

Exasperated, she stood up and began getting blankets down to take to the men's and women’s dorms. With her arms loaded, she walked to the door and headed back to work. It would be busy pretty much every night until spring came around and it got warm outside once again. Until then, every nook and cranny of this place would be filled by people with nowhere to go to get out of the cold.

Jordan left the extra blankets in both the dormitories and headed for the kitchen. As she passed through the dining room, she looked at the faces of the people in the room and felt her heart break for every dirty, cold, tired person there. The place was already crowded with new arrivals and regulars. She lifted a hand to wave back at old Sam, as he sat playing checkers with a newcomer. Turning toward the kitchen, she wanted to cry for these people. Jordan knew what it was to be cold and hungry, and she would do everything within her power to help these people to stay warm and fed. It was the least she could do to repay the kindness once shown to her and her sister.

The kitchen was swarming with activity as she entered. Food was being served and more was being made up for the extra people who had come in for a free hot meal. Jordan jumped right in and helped as she tried to push her problems to the back of her mind. She was surprised to see Tori had come out of their room and was helping.

Jordan figured they were serving food to nearly double the number of people they had last year. At this rate, they would need triple the supplies for next month. Grimacing, she began making a list in her head. 

By the time Jordan laid down that night, she was exhausted. Though she would only get a few hours of sleep before she got up to begin breakfast preparations, those hours would be heaven. Her aching feet rejoiced at being up off the floor. The ache in her back eased a little as her body sighed at the thought of sleep. She rolled over to look at her sister on the other side of the room, in her bed, sound asleep. How she had hopes for her sister, but if she didn’t do something fast, Tori would end up no better off than she was, a poor woman with no real future. Maybe when she met with Sydney and Aurora tomorrow afternoon, she could talk to them. Maybe between the two of them, they could see if they could find a decent family, one who would be willing to foster Tori until she was eighteen. 

Tori needed a stable family, Jordan thought as she brushed away a tear and tried to assuage her aching heart. She’d tried her best, but it just wasn’t enough. Besides, maybe if she could find her sister a decent family then Tori could still come back to visit from time to time. It wouldn’t be like she was going away forever. Her sister would just have a better life this way.

With a determined watery smile, Jordan rolled over and cried herself to sleep.

Two

Sebastian Walsh sat down at his desk with a sigh and looked at the work piled there. Picking up a file he nearly snarled as his cell phone rang, but the name on the display made him smile. Hi Mom, he greeted the woman he loved most in his life.

Hello Sebastian darling, how was your trip? Leandra Walsh sat at her desk in the library in her home and looked over the guest list for the upcoming fundraiser for the shelter.

Hectic, crazy, and a lot of work, Sebastian laughed softly, Other than that it was fine. How’s everyone?

Busy, busy, busy, Leandra laughed softly, What with the charity ball coming up, your sisters and sisters-in-law are in a flurry of activity. She paused then spoke softly, You know, Sebastian, there will be a bachelorette auction this year. I expect you and your brother to bid extremely high.

Sebastian wiped a hand over his face and barely held back an audible sigh. Yes ma’am, I’ll have my checkbook handy. Trying to score a few points he informed her, And Josh and I have donated a substantial amount in the name of J&S Security, Mom.

Yes, I know very well, Josh brought the check to me yesterday afternoon. It was very kind of you boys. She smiled as she spoke, There will be quite a few single women at the ball as well, so get there early, Sebastian. You wouldn’t want Hunter to beat you to the best of them.

Sebastian wanted to tell her not to worry about it, Hunter could have every single woman there if it kept him from the threat of his mother’s matchmaking. Sebastian was a confirmed bachelor and planned to stay just that way. Even the women he dated knew he had no plans of ever getting married, so he offered them no serious relationships. The idea of marriage made him shudder. I’ll be there as soon as I can, Mom, I promise. The two finished up their conversation and Sebastian was relieved to get back to work.

As he hung up the phone his office door opened and a beautiful blonde strolled in. Sebastian tried not to wince at the sight of her and fought to keep a smile on his face. Misty, what brings you here? He had thought his trip out of the country would have helped Misty to realize that they were over, but it appeared he had been wrong.

Walking seductively up to the desk, Misty smiled at him, Well, I came to let you know that I will be attending the charity event your family holds for the shelter downtown. I have agreed to be auctioned off in the bachelorette auction they are holding. So, I expect you to bid outrageously on me, Sebastian. She laughed huskily. "I also came by to see