A Baby This Christmas

By Danielle Lee Zwissler

A Baby this Christmas: Operation Baby: Jenna Wheeler has a plan...a baby before she misses her chance. She also has a problem...she hasn’t met a guy that is marriage and family material, so artificial insemination is the only logical step. Until she makes a big splash with William Cartwright, CEO of Worldwide Electronics; at first he takes offence at her quirky, yet strong-willed demeanor, but soon finds himself intrigued, and then obsessed with this beautiful but peculiar waitress. Can he stop her from going through with her plan, and make her Mrs. Cartwright? Will Jenna really do this on her own, or can she trust this millionaire prick to grow up, and make the kind of commitment that she’s been yearning for? Throw in some mistletoe, and some Christmas hijinks, and anything can happen in this ‘laugh out loud’ love triangle of two in ‘A Baby this Christmas’.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Firefly & Wisp Publishing
• Release date: Apr 18, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310934469

Danielle Lee Zwissler

Danielle Lee Zwissler was born in Dover, Ohio. A small town in North East Ohio. Her love of romance and cowboys took over in this novella. She is a big fan of William Shatner, Harry Potter, and all things Harlequin.

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A Baby This Christmas

Danielle Lee Zwissler

©Danielle Lee Zwissler & She Writes Romance

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or use of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the permission of Danielle Lee Zwissler or Agatha Rae.

www.danielleleezwissler.com

Published by Smashwords

Firefly& Wisp Books 2014 ebook

Firefly & Wisp Books 2016 Paperback

ISBN-13:

978-1508638582

ISBN-10:

1508638586

All the characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental. All work is from the imagination of the authors.

This book is not allowed to be bought or sold as a used ebook. If for some reason you have been offered this book as a resale, alert the authors.

Ariana and Logan, you are all that I have ever wanted and more. I love you both so much!

A Baby This Christmas

Chapter One

"I really don’t understand what the big deal is, Mom, Jenna Wheeler said as she came around the counter to help with the chocolate chip cookies. It’s a baby, I’m pushing thirty, and you said you wanted to be a grandmother in this lifetime."

Jen’s mom, Peg, didn’t want to hear it, she could tell.

Peg scoffed. "Jenna, this is not just a baby…you are talking about having a family on your own, no father, no…boyfriend. It’s bad enough that you have scared all of the eligible men in this town away, but for you to go to one of…those…"

Her mom made sperm banks sound like a disease. Mom, it’s not a big deal. I’ve been reading a lot on it. Besides, I don’t need a man. Weren’t you the one that has always told me that I don’t need a man?

Peg gave Jenna her best I know what’s best for you look and then sighed in disgust. Those places are filthy!

Jenna laughed. Mom, do you honestly think that a place where they inseminate—

Don’t say that word! Peg exclaimed frantically. Someone could hear!

Jenna looked around the room, and then chuckled once more. Mom, do you even hear yourself? There is nobody here except for you and me. I’m not going to keep this quiet…what’s the point, when I’m popping out a baby in nine or so months? I’m pretty sure people will know something’s up.

Her mom flinched at the up, making it sound even more perverted than Jenna intended. Not that she intended to weird out her mother, but the woman needed to relax.

You are way too modern for my likes, Jenna.

"Mom, you…listen, it’s not a big deal."

Quit saying that! It’s a huge deal! This is a baby we are talking about. You seriously didn’t think this one through, Jenna Marie Wheeler!

Dear God, the three name rule was in effect. Mom, Jenna said, quietly pleading, I really want to have a child, you’ve got to understand that.

Her mom just sat still; Jenna could see her mom trembling, and a small tear escaped her one eye.

Jenna baby, I do understand, it’s just…It’s not fair to the baby.

It’s not fair to the baby. Jenna moved away from the stove, taking two cookies to the table with her. Mom, what about me? I’ve tried, Jenna cried, I just can’t find anyone. And, I’m getting older and— Jenna looked down at her lap, noticing—not for the first time—a bit of a tummy. I’m not that pretty, I’m… I really want a child.

Oh, Jenna! You are such a beautiful girl, her mother defended. You have such a beautiful heart, and you are smart…

Jenna couldn’t help but think her mom took a little too long to list her growing attributes. Mom, it’s okay, I just—I’m not asking for permission.

"Then what is it you are asking for?" her mother asked a little snidely.

I’m hoping for your blessing.

Peg closed her eyes and shook her head. I don’t want you to do this, Jenna. It is very hard raising a child without a father.

Jenna knew it was hard growing up without her dad. He had died before she even really got to know anything about him. He died when she was five of a heart attack. Mom, are you saying you wouldn’t have had me had you’d known?

Her mother looked aghast just then. No, and you will not even think that! I love you very much, and I loved your father very much. The reason why I don’t agree to this…this plastic sort of thing, is because of what your father and I shared. I think about that man every day of my life. I think about the connection we had with each other—the connection we still have. Peg briefly stopped and swiped at her eyes, frustration pouring out of her. I love your father now, even more than when he was alive. There are tons of people out in this world, Jenna Marie. I am sure that you can find the one that was meant for you!

But when? What if by the time I finally find him, I can’t have kids? Jenna was nearly frantic now. Her mother was one of her best friends. She didn’t want to have her hate the idea of Jenna having a child; she didn’t want her to resent the baby before it even came.

Adoption.

Adoption? So, let me get this straight, it’s okay for me to adopt a kid, but it’s not okay for me to have one on my own?

Jenna, you know what I am talking about.

What, you think it is so disgusting that you can’t get past the possibility that I want to feel a child growing inside of me? I want to experience motherhood and pregnancy.

That is not it. I want you to have a man in your life that will take care of you.

Well now there you go. I don’t need any man to take care of me! Jenna yelled; she could feel her blood pressure rising. Her mother looked back at her with a sad face.

It’s not about needing, Jenna. I can tell that you want a man there. And what are you going to tell this child when it asks about its father?

I will tell it the truth! I wanted to have a baby so much that I found a way.

You have answers to everything, Jenna. I’m going to go lay down. You know how I feel about this, Peg said, turning off the stove and pulling the last tray of cookies out of the oven. I know you’re upset, but this is not the answer.

What do you think is, Mom? Jenna asked, feeling miserable.

Dating.

Jenna scoffed. I’ve tried that. It is clearly getting me nowhere.

"Just because Tom broke it