The Heart of Christmas Mountain: Coming Home for Christmas Series, #6

By A.J. Nighthawke

Arielle has been gone from Christmas Mountain for four years. She left everything that she ever knew in search of healing her broken heart. After a letter arrives from Granny Mags, there is no doubt that she will return to help the woman that raised her... even if it means confronting the love of her life, Lincoln Monroe. He's the one that broke her heart. The Christmas tree farm is struggling, Granny needs help, and two precious little boys need looking after. Can she turn it all around in time and keep her heart in one piece? Join the family on Christmas Mountain for this heartfelt romance. Enjoy the mountain, the Christmas store, the cuteness overload, and the genuine hearts of family and neighbors.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.J. Nighthawke
• Release date: Dec 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201121334

A.J. Nighthawke

There is nothing like a good story that leaves you feeling warm and cozy inside. Here is my promise to you - Within the pages of my books, you will never find anything vulgar or inappropriate. My goal is to leave you encouraged and happy. Who doesn't like a happy ending? You may find a little drama, maybe a touch of suspense. Some of the characters might even face hard challenge's but a sweet kiss, and a happily ever after is a must.

Book preview

The Heart of Christmas Mountain – Coming Home for Christmas Series – Book 6

© 2021 A.J. Nighthawke

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise – without written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

For more information, contact

A.J. Nighthawke [e-mail]

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Cover: turnthepagenow.com

ISBN: 9798784742889

Published by: A.J. Nighthawke

Printed in the United States of America

The

Heart of

Christmas Mountain

Coming Home for Christmas Series

Book 6

By

A.J. NIGHTHAWKE

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 1

Arielle

Filtering through the mail, the umber envelope catches my attention. Reading the name of Maggie Cavill in the corner of the return address brings a fond smile to my face. Granny and I talk at least once a week, but every once in a while, she will send me a sweet card letting me know how much she misses me.

Granny Maggie isn't blood kin, but she is family and the only mother that I’ve ever known. The saintly woman has taken in many unwanted children over the years. We all called her Granny, but in truth, she is so much more.

My fingers work to open the flap of the envelope. Sure enough, there is an ‘I miss you’ card, but it is accompanied this time by a handwritten letter. Taking in a deep inhale, I let my eyes roam over the words as the sting of homesickness pierces my heart.

My lovely Arielle,

I so miss your presence around here on the mountain. Our late-night talks were some of my best memories. You have such a creative outlook on life along with an enchanting genuine spirit. The last thing that I want is to uproot your life, but I’m asking if you would consider coming home.

I’m ashamed to say that the Christmas Tree Farm is struggling. With my knee surgery coming up, I’m not getting much done. There are still the twins that I foster. I worry about them since I’ll have to go through rehab.

I won’t sugarcoat things for you. You’ll find out soon enough. The farm has been in the red for two years. I’ve dipped into savings as much as possible. We need a turnaround so desperately, and I believe that it is you that we are missing. We need your warmth and light around here. It’s getting mighty depressing.

I love all of my bonus children, Arielle, but it has to be you that will watch over my Holt and Hill. I’d be forever grateful if you have any of those bright ideas to help Lincoln with the farm. He needs inspiration!

Before you reject my plea at the mention of that name, please just forgive the actions of an immature boy. We all need you! I need you!

All My heart.

Granny Mags

By the time that my eyes read the closing, my chest hurts. I read and re-read Grann’'s words probably six times. My vision blurs because I’m actually ready to see Granny. There are no feelings of hesitation or reluctance. If Granny needs help, I’ll do what I can.

Picking up my cell phone, I start putting things into motion. It’s time for me to return home. My only problem is Lincoln Monroe, the boy who stole my heart in the second grade.

He’s the only guy who’s ever held it... and broke it. My heart was irrevocably his until our senior year in high school. My heart stings with the memory. I thought I was past the hurt of what happened four years ago. Maybe this hurt means that I haven’t.

Lincoln and I were the couple that all of Silverstone rooted for. Most everyone already had the two of us practically married off. Sure, I fell for it as well. The sweetheart couple is what the townsfolk called us, whispering about what a lovely couple we would make.

Lincoln and I didn’t make it like everyone thought. Nope! I’m sure the entire little farming community still gossips about what happened.

Pffft! Olivia Parker is what happened. I swear that I’ve never met someone truly evil until she came into our lives. I’m not speaking out of hurt or jealousy either. I’m mature enough to know the difference. The girl was as close the being a demon spawn as I ever met.

Granny fostered Olivia at seventeen. With her parents tragically killed in an automobile accident, we all tried to be kind and welcoming. It didn’t work. Olivia was spoiled, entitled, and biding her time until her trust fund came through.

The year Olivia lived at the farm brought misery for me. The girl was the definition of a narcissist. She was the type to pull your hair, and when you defended yourself, she cried victim. The entire year was packed with drama, lies, games, and anything conniving. It was exhausting.

She was an Oscar-worthy actress in her performances, fooling most everyone but Granny and me. Those poor little orphan stories had my boyfriend driving her all over that mountain. Sure, I tried to point it out to Lincoln, but he argued, defending that she only needed a friend. With no intention of having to compete for his attention, I made the choice to walk away... from him, from lies, from drama, from home, and from Granny.

Lincoln’s choice to continue spending time with her made my choice easier. When he drove down that driveway with Olivia in his truck, I chose to do something about the betrayal. There was no point in me staying on at the farm. My plans had included him and a life that we had dreamed of building together. It drifted away with the dust stirred up by the tires on his old farm truck. Besides, I couldn’t stomach to see the two after loving Lincoln my entire life. My heart and soul needed healing, and there wasn’t a chance for it there on the farm.

Four days after I decided to let Lincoln Monroe go, I packed a single suitcase, my measly savings, and the photos of my home, leaving the mountain home that I loved. There was no future for me there anymore, so I set out to find one for myself.

For me to heal, I had to leave Christmas Mountain for good. How would my old sappy romantic heart ever fuse back together if it was continually being ripped to shreds?

Lincoln Monroe made his choice. He picked Olivia Parker. It never really made sense why. Maybe that is why it still hurts years later.

The only person I confided in was Granny. She understood and listened as I poured my heart out. Granny held me together the night before my high school graduation. She joined me in my heartbreak when she snuck me out in the middle of the night to take me to the nearest bus station.

That night was hard for both of us, but we both knew it was what I needed. The two of us also knew the real Olivia Parker. With me just turning eighteen, I was free from the system, leaving Olivia to stay six more months under Granny’s roof. If I had stayed, one of us wouldn’t have survived.

Boarding that bus was the hardest thing that I ever had to do. I wished so much that Granny could come with me. I rode into the unknown, leaving everyone and everything I had ever known and loved behind.

Chapter 2

Lincoln

The month of October is the peak season for the bright autumn foliage. I’d love to be outside today, but there is too much to do in the tree nursery.

Turner walks in, stomping through the pea gravel. Times up, Linc! he calls out, his lanky frame heading to the light switches to force me to leave. Let’s head home and eat supper. I’m starving.

Nodding, I hang up the trowel, dust the potting soil from my hands, and follow him to the Gator. We cut across the farm like every evening, the familiar drive feeling as monotone and gray as my life.

Hey! Turner calls out, lifting a finger to point in the distance. Is Granny expecting company?

My gaze locks onto an