It Was Always You: Christmas at the Bear Creek Lodge: Coming Home for Christmas Series, #7

By A.J. Nighthawke

Judah Haverford and Alex Hale have been best friends since childhood. They've served in the Marines for the last four years. Now, it's time to return home. Not ready to face his own family, Judah returns to the Bear Creek Lodge where Alex's twin sister Aiden waits. It's always been explosive between Judah and Aiden. She's got fire in those emerald eyes and she ain't afraid to go toe to toe with the big Marine. He can't wait for the fireworks to begin but all isn't as it seems. His verbal sparring only pushes the petite beauty away when that is the last thing that he wants to do. Aiden Hale is the only girl that has ever gotten under his skin. Now, she wants absolutely nothing to do with him. That's just not gonna work for Judah. Enjoy the fireworks of these two explosive tempers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A.J. Nighthawke
• Release date: Dec 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201867751

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

It Was Always You: Christmas at the Bear Creek Lodge

Coming Home for Christmas Series – Book 7

© 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.

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Cover: turnthepagenow.com

ISBN:  9798784748362

Published by: A.J. Nighthawke

Printed in the United States of America

It was Always You:

Christmas

at the Bear Creek Lodge

Coming Home for Christmas Series

Book 7

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 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 1

Judah

    One last look around my bed at the barracks is all I need to bid a final farewell to my four years as a marine. In other words, I’m not gonna miss this place at all. I’m ready for the next chapter of my life to begin.

    It’s a long plane ride, loads of redundant paperwork, and a lot of idle waiting before I am free from the U.S.M.C. Walking from the building, my eyes eagerly scan the parking lot in search of my best friend. He walked out just a half hour before I did.

    Alex Hale and I joined the corps together. We’ve been each other’s home away from home these last four years. We would have been miserable without each other. In fact, the two of us have been as thick as thieves since the age of nine.

    A black Chevy pulls to the sidewalk with Alex behind the wheel. Dropping my pack in the back seat, I climb in with a relieved smile. The weight that has sat on my chest for the last four years eases a little.

      You want to drive straight through or find a hotel for the night? Alex questions, dropping the gear shifter into drive.

      Doesn’t matter to me, I answer, having no preference.

    I’m ready to head home, he confesses, so I nod in agreement for us to drive straight through. We can swap out if need be since it will be a lengthy trip.

    Of course, my best friend us eager for home. His only real family waits for his return. Alex has missed his other half. Sometimes, I wonder if he regrets joining the Marines with me. He’d always have my back, but when he left with me to serve our country, he left his heart back in those mountains of North Carolina.

    Alex and I became best friends in the third grade. From that moment, the two of us have been practically inseparable. That meant that his twin sister Aiden was our shadow.

      Alex and Aiden are pretty much a package deal, closer than any other siblings that I’ve ever seen. Maybe the two were unnaturally close because tragedy bound the two early in their childhood.

    Alex and Aiden lost their mother in a vehicle accident at the age of two. A few years later, their father sent them to live with their maternal grandparents, Micah and Lenora Stephens.

      Both Micah and Leonora have gone on to be with the Lord in the last four years. In both instances, Alex wasn’t able to return. It wasn’t his fault, and there was nothing he could do, but it hurt him. It wasn’t just the loss. It was the fact that he wasn’t there for Aiden.

    Micah passed just a few short months ago. That loss has been hard on him, but being separated from his twin has been pure agony. Micah Stephens had already been lain to rest in the family plot before Alex ever knew that he was gone.

    Alex emails Aiden whenever he can, so he is eager to see her as soon as possible. In fact, he hasn’t looked this excited since Micah gave him that 87’ Chevy square body when he turned seventeen.

    I’m nervous, Alex remarks, his knuckles fading to white as he grips the steering wheel.

    Why? I question with an indignant huff. Alex has nothing to worry about with Aiden.

      Aiden, he blows out. She’s been through so much without me. I haven’t been there for her.

Alex, I deadpan, because the mere idea of Aiden being disappointed with Alex is absolutely ridiculous. Aiden is your biggest fan. She would do anything for you and you coming home is all she wants. She’s going to be happy to see you and relieved that you are home safe.

That was true. Because Aiden thought the world of Alex. In her eyes, Alex did no wrong. To her, he hung the moon.

    The lodge is booked for five months straight, he informs with a hint of awe in his tone. She needs help, but the stubborn woman won't ask for it. My best friend's sister is the most headstrong, annoying nuisance of a woman… totally infuriating.

Alex and I stop at a Cracker Barrel, taking our time to eat a delectable meal. Gas fill-ups, stretch breaks, and road construction have the two of us arriving at the Bear Creek Lodge at seven forty-three in the morning.

    That familiar chill of the Blue Ridge bites at my skin and pricks at the very blood in my veins. My lungs inhale deep despite the frigid temperature, and I draw that breath until my lungs sting with a burn.

      Alex grabs his bag, hefting it onto his shoulder before taking off through near six inches of snow accumulation. His boots knock the ice from the soles as he stops on the first step of the Bear Creek Lodge. Calloused fingers wrap around the brass handle of the main door, hesitant but eager.

      Alex crosses the threshold, his step freezing only a few feet inside. His chest rises and falls as he breathes in the calming scents of home. This place has always smelled of apple, cinnamon, evergreen, and a slight scent of woodsmoke.

    My best friend’s eyes drift closed, clearly overwhelmed by the familiar. The two of us had served our four years, and this one scent is a time marker that will start our next chapter.

    May I help you? a warm voice greets.

      My attention shifts to find an older blonde woman that I don’t recognize. Frosted hair is coifed at her neck, and her bright red lipstick only highlights the crinkles around her lips. She’s blowing across the wafting steam from her coffee mug.

    Yes, could you tell me where Aiden is? Alex picks up.

    Sir, the woman starts, her professional-sounding tone a dead giveaway that she doesn’t recognize us nor will she be sharing any information.

    I’m Alex, he hurries to explain.

    The woman's toffee-colored eyes widen in surprise. Ah… um, she stammers, fighting to recover from her shock. A slow smile pulls at her lips. Aiden is in the main formal hall setting out the Thanksgiving décor.

    Thank you, Alex chirps, giving a nod before taking off again.

    My best friend hurries past the concierge, down the right hallway, and pulls one of the ornately carved wooden doors open.

    Up ahead, a blue ladder sits under the rustic stairway. Leather boots stand on the fifth rung. My gaze travels higher, taking in fitted jeans, a tucked red and white flannel shirt, and raven-black hair that falls halfway down her back.

    Thelma… the familiar voice says, spinning to look down at us. A… Alex?

    Aiden, Alex sighs with a huge smile.

    Aiden nearly falls, opting to leap into Alex’s arms. She clenches tightly around him, little whimpers and whispers of love for him coming out in garbled mumbles.

    I’m home for good, he assures, his own voice quivering with overwhelming emotions.

      I’ve missed you, she chants over and over. Oddly, the weight that eased when I climbed into Alex’s truck now dissipates completely. What does that mean?

    Glassy emerald eyes lift to meet my own. Something tugs at me like a rubber band about to pop. Seeing Aiden again after four years is overwhelming for me as well. My best friend's little sister has blossomed into a woman.

    Guess y’all are gonna be joined at the hip again, I drawl with a smirk. You know that ain’t healthy.

    That dark eyebrow raises in a challenge. You running your mouth ain’t healthy! Guess the Marines failed to teach you self-control.

    You always bring out the best in me, I quip back, relishing in our battle of words. Man, I’ve missed this! No one can get me going like Aiden Hale. The spitfire didn’t have an ounce of fear, and she is always more than willing to go toe-to-toe with me anytime.

Chapter 2

Aiden

    Alex is finally home. I’ve been looking forward to this day since my brother left. It’s the blue-eyed irritation standing behind him that dampens the moment. Nothing new there.

    Judah Haverford has been a nagging constant in my life since Alex and I moved here to Cataloochee. The man hates me… always has. For some reason, he doesn’t approve of Alex and me being close. What does he really even know about it? Judah doesn’t have siblings.

    In truth, Judah wishes Alex was his brother and that I’d move to another country. Sure, I want my brother to have friends, but it would be easier if he picked one that didn’t constantly run his mouth to ‘only’ me. How can Judah act like a gentleman to everyone but me? All the old ladies used to brag