Gift of the Christmas Tree Lot

By Natalie London

For the past three years Erica Nordstrom did not have a Christmas tree. Why bother when you spend Christmas alone? But this year she decides to stop feeling sorry for herself and buy a tree. A big one. In the tree lot she meets an attractive woman, Nora Carey, an English professor newly arrived at a local university and looking for a small tabletop tree. After a drink together and attending a concert with her, Erica becomes increasingly fascinated with Nora. When she learns Nora will be alone for Christmas, she suggests they spend Christmas Eve at her place telling her with a grin, “My tree is bigger. “When Erica’s two best friends learn about this stranger Erica has just met they are alarmed because of her previous failed relationships and fear Erica will be hurt and taken advantage again. Christmas Eve arrives and Nora does not show up. Dejected, Erica reluctantly admits her friend’s doubts about Nora may have been right and now she is facing another lonely Christmas. But then an unexpected phone call changes her Christmas and possibly her future.
(This story originally appeared in Affinity’s Charity 10th Anniversary Christmas Anthology.)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Affinity Ebook Press NZ Ltd
• Release date: Nov 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781990049460

Natalie London

Natalie London lives in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has a degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, spent three years in Thailand with the Peace Corps and then lived in Katmandu, Nepal and Laos. After nearly three decades of scientific work she is now a Master Gardener, Certified Beekeeper and plays the French horn and flute.

Book preview

Gift of the Christmas Tree Lot

Natalie London

2021

Back of the Book

For the past three years Erica Nordstrom did not have a Christmas tree. Why bother when you spend Christmas alone? But this year she decides to stop feeling sorry for herself and buy a tree. A big one. In the tree lot she meets an attractive woman, Nora Carey, an English professor newly arrived at a local university and looking for a small tabletop tree. After a drink together and attending a concert with her, Erica becomes increasingly fascinated with Nora. When she learns Nora will be alone for Christmas, she suggests they spend Christmas Eve at her place telling her with a grin, My tree is bigger. When Erica’s two best friends learn about this stranger Erica has just met they are alarmed because of her previous failed relationships and fear Erica will be hurt and taken advantage again. Christmas Eve arrives and Nora does not show up. Dejected, Erica reluctantly admits her friend’s doubts about Nora may have been right and now she is facing another lonely Christmas. But then an unexpected phone call changes her Christmas and possibly her future.

Gift of the Christmas Tree Lot

© 2020 by Natalie London

Affinity E-Book Press NZ LTD.

Canterbury, New Zealand

2nd Edition 2021

ISBN: 978-1-99-004946-0 (EPUB)

ISBN: 978-1-99-004947-7 (PDF)

ISBN: 978-1-99-004948-4 (KINDLE)

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the express permission of the author and publisher. Please note that piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights and is illegal.

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

Editor: Angela Koenig

Proof Editor: Alexis Smith

Cover Design: Irish Dragon Designs

Production Design: Affinity Publication Services

Acknowledgments

This story originally appeared in Affinity’s Charity 10th Anniversary Christmas Anthology. All my thanks to them for donating the proceeds to help special needs cats and kittens.

Dedication

For the memory of Katherine B.

Also by Natalie London

Search for the White Moon

The Secret of Stone Creek

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

About the Author

Other Books from Affinity

Chapter One

Large wet snowflakes drifted