The List

By CJ Hunt

When Selina Peterman arrives in Rivers End one stormy night, it’s disorienting enough to discover she’s inherited a house. But when she learns that the house is filled to the rafters with junk—and uncomfortable family secrets—all she wants is to clean it, sell it, and get the heck out. No problem, except that she’s about to meet the biggest complication of all: the gorgeous caretaker who’s living there.
Connor O’Donnell knows he shouldn’t get involved with the sexy granddaughter of the man he’d looked up to for so long. He’s not sure he’s even ready for a relationship, and getting involved with someone he knows isn’t going to stick around is risky—if not outright stupid. But with the snow falling outside and Christmas on the way, it’s all too easy for the two of them to stay inside and play house. It’s only for a few days, right?

Come home to Rivers End and fall in love with this sweet, contemporary, small town, holiday romance.

 

A note from author CJ Hunt
Welcome to Rivers End! All my stories take place in the same small town and there is no right or wrong way to explore the stories. You can read them in chronological order, by miniseries (family or theme), or just jump in with any book, novella or story that interests you.
A Touch of Magic in Rivers End
Merry (Merry+Dillon)
Oona (Oona+Sam)

The MacAllisters of Rivers End
Silver Bells (Jenna+Isaac, Beginnings)
Tipsy (Shannon+Lucas)
Reindeer Games (Ginger+Eli)
Wedding Bells (Jenna+Isaac, HEA)
Elfed (Lindsay+Noah)

The O'Donnells
The List (Selina+Connor)

The Martinez Family
Maybe (Lucie+Daniel)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thigh High Ink
• Release date: Dec 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781926691497

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16

This was a seriously stupid idea. Selina squinted into the swirling snow, blinded momentarily by the overbright headlights of yet another pickup truck passing her on the highway. Where the heck was this town? It wasn’t exactly the best weather for setting off to Rivers End, but the lawyer had been insistent: she had to come in person to attend to some family business.

She needed to get this mess sorted out and get home. Bella was flying in on Christmas Eve, and Selina had a list as long as her arm of the things they were going to cram into their week off.

Selina reached over and turned down the radio. Jingle Bells was her least favourite Christmas song, and she didn’t need the constant reminders that there were only eight more shopping days until Christmas. Her presents for her parents were already wrapped and tucked away safely in her closet.

All she wanted for the holidays this year was to spend some quality time with her best friend.

It seemed like one of them was always travelling for work these days. Selina shook her head. The ten years since graduation had passed in a blink. Somehow it seemed she’d ended up in a life ruled by flight schedules and client meetings, just like her parents.

Speaking of parents, why hadn’t her father called her back? She had no idea what this was about, and she hated surprises. He was probably tied up in board meetings. Nothing new there.

In five hundred metres, turn left onto Main Street. Thank goodness for her GPS. Between the dark and the snow, it took every ounce of her concentration just to keep her Prius on the road. Didn’t they believe in streetlights out here?

It had taken way longer to get to Rivers End from Vancouver than Google had predicted. The ferry was delayed because of the wind, and the snow had gone from a light dusting to whiteout conditions shortly after she got off the boat. Now it was so bad that she was practically inching along the road.

Turn left onto Main Street. She had her doubts, but she could see a ghost of tire tracks heading off to the left. Since there weren’t a lot of other options, she followed them.

Selina followed Main Street up the hill at a crawl. The town twinkled, the coloured lights winking down at her from trees and wires strung overhead. She scanned the buildings along Main Street, looking for the lawyer’s office. There were plenty of decorative window displays, and almost every window was painted with a wintry wonderland scene. In five hundred metres, your destination is on the left.

Perfect. Switching gears, Selina turned her attention away from the row of plastic candy canes attached to the lamp posts and looked for signs to a parking lot. She didn’t find one, but there was plenty of street parking. It wasn’t even six o’clock yet, but the town was quiet except for the strip in front of a bustling diner. The storm probably had most people hiding out at home.

You have arrived at your destination. She sighed in relief and pulled into an empty parking spot across the street from a sign that read Kellerman & Archer. Selina left the car running while she gathered her purse, trying to stay warm for as long as possible. A quick glance at the clock on the dashboard told her that she’d best get her butt in gear.

She’d called ahead, and Mr. Archer was waiting for her—there was a cozy glow of lights from the windows across the street—but they needed to get this meeting over with as quickly as possible so she could find somewhere to stay and ride out the rest of the storm.

The radio forecast was snow all weekend, and Selina hated the cold. She hated everything about this situation.

Taking a deep breath, she turned the car off and grabbed the letter from the passenger’s seat beside her. No time like the present.

She crossed the road carefully, wishing she’d chosen better footwear, and took a second to appreciate the view. There were a few streetlights now that she’d reached what she assumed was the centre of town. It looked like something out of a postcard, picture-perfect in the snow. She’d have to explore a little more in the daylight, hopefully when the weather was a little more friendly.

Selina pushed through the glass door and startled a little when the bells above the door jangled. There was no one at the front desk, but through an open office door she could see someone coming her way.

He was younger than she had expected. For some reason the lawyers in her mind always looked like her godfather—white-haired and wise.

You must be Ms. Peterman.

Selina. She took the outstretched hand and shook it firmly. And you must be Mr. Archer.

Please, call me Brandon. He gestured to a small table at the side of the room. Can I offer you some tea? There’s coffee too, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Mrs. Johnson made the last pot before we sent her home early.

Tea sounds great. Milk and a bit of sugar, please. There was something comforting about holding a hot mug in your hands on a cold day, and she was in need of comfort right now. A kick of caffeine wouldn’t hurt either. It had been a long day followed by a stressful drive, and there wasn’t much hope that it would get any better. The fear was like a cold fist in her belly. She didn’t know exactly what was going on, but in her experience, lawyers didn’t often require an in-person conference to share good news.

Why don’t you get settled in my office while we wait for the kettle to boil? I’ll join you in a minute.

Selina made her way through Brandon’s office door, ignored the couch along one wall, and chose an armchair in front of the desk. It was a nice office, not too flashy but comfortable, and it communicated confidence and experience. Much like the man himself.

Out of habit, her brain started cataloguing what would change if he were her client. His clothes were good, his handshake firm but not overpoweringly so, and someone had done a nice job with the office decor.

She shook her head at the paper day planner on the desk. That would have to go. But he had a clean inbox, a tidy desk, and the folder on the desk with the name Peterman on the tab was labelled in a neat hand. He’d need a labeller. Her fingers itched to open that file and get a look, but she remained in her seat. She was a professional and never touched anything in anyone’s office without being invited. Instead, she admired the splash of colour from the poinsettia on the corner table. Just bright enough to be festive, but not as garish as some of the decorations outside.

She ignored the urge to call her father again while she waited, and hung her jacket neatly on the coat stand in the corner. It was wooden—antique, she’d guess. Classy but comfortable.

Here you go, Selina. She jumped a little at the sound of his voice and spun around to face him. Clearly, she wasn’t quite as in control of her nerves as she’d hoped.

She took the mug Brandon held out, laughing out loud when she read Winter Is Coming on the side. I think it’s already here.

"Mrs. J is a rabid fan of Game of Thrones. With a concerned glance towards the window, the lawyer nodded. On that note, why don’t we get down to business? We’ll make this fairly quick, because we both need to get home before the snow gets any worse."

Selina nodded and swallowed. She’d have to find somewhere to stay in town. There was no way she could drive back to the ferry until the snow cleared up. She’d googled hotels when she stopped for gas and bookmarked The Big River Lodge. The website hadn’t been stellar, but they had a series of good reviews, so that might be her best bet.

George Peterman was your grandfather, correct?

Yes. My father’s father. Not much of a father,