To Linzer & to Cherish

By Jen FitzGerald

The town of Linzer, PA is all about Christmas and every other December holiday.

For Zane Rutledge, 'Tis the Season... to be single?

Being dumped by his long-time boyfriend five months before Christmas, Zane can't yet fathom a new relationship. Besides, he's neck deep in holiday party prep and Christmas play rehearsals. Who's got time?

For Simon Wickham, it's looking like yet another blue, blue, blue, Blue Christmas...

Being alone at Christmas isn't for the faint of heart, but, at this point, Simon's a pro. Besides, he can't seem to find someone who appreciates his sass, his chatter, and his bow ties. What's not to like?

But Santa's elves work in mysterious ways.

Find out how Benedict Cumberbatch, Hallmark movies, and bumble bees show Zane and Simon that Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jen FitzGerald
• Release date: May 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9781948236393

Jen FitzGerald

Jen FitzGerald has loved romance since her Winnie the Pooh days. Christopher Robin and Piglet have always been platonic soulmates.As a teen, Jen cut her romance teeth on Silhouette’s teen romance line and Danielle Steele books concurrently. She’s still an avid reader, but these days, Jen has added writing romances of her own to her list of fun things to do.Jen lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband and dog. Their three children are now adults and out terrorizing the world at large instead of them. When not working her day job, Jen spends a lot of time reading, writing, watching sports, and perusing her social media platforms of preference. She also enjoys music, cross stitching, and chatting online with writer friends.

Book preview

To Linzer & to Cherish

To Linzer & to Cherish, Book One

Jen FitzGerald

Knotted Hearts Publishing

Knotted Hearts Publishing

Fort Worth Texas

www.knottedheartspublishing.com

Published in the Unites States of America

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

Copyright 2021 Jen FitzGerald

All rights reserved.

First edition.

ISBN: 978-1-948236-39-3 (ePub)

This e-book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Contributors

Editing by

Susan Sheehey—who always makes my work better

https://susansheehey.com/editing-services/

Cover art created by

Dianne Theis—who hit this one out of the park

https://www.lyricallines.net/

Dedication

To my husband who’s stood by me through thick and thin.

Chapter One

The best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, said Lilith over lunch.

Simon’s gazed traced the Christmas garland trimmed with pinecones, fake berries, and white twinkle lights that framed the three large windows overlooking one of the Christmas tree fields belonging directly to the Northern Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Consortium. A gentle snow fell beyond the glass.

But is it? Simon asked. His previous experience said otherwise.

Table-top candelabras served as centerpieces for all the tables, the battery-powered candles glowing merrily.

Lilith’s brown eyes sparkled as brightly as her shiny silver hair, cut in a short bob that framed her face. She’d been a bookkeeper for the Consortium for almost ten years and had heartily welcomed Simon into the company when he’d started back in September. Before long, she’d begun treating him like a long-lost grandson. Her care and attention filled a void he hadn’t known he had, and Simon loved being around her.

Oh, sweetheart, of course it is. The delivery item may be different, but good food or drink will always please a man.

He hid a scoff behind a sip of his water. Those might please a man, but they didn’t guarantee happiness. Or faithfulness. He’d learned that the hard way. Not if that same good food left you with a permanent freshman fifteen.

Besides, his mom had always encouraged him to play the field, live life a little before he even thought about getting serious. Flitting from guy to guy, putting notches on his metaphorical bedpost had never felt right, although Tall, Dark, and Zane was a tempting exception.

If someone brought you a Cinnamon Stick Coffee from Bernie’s every day, you’d be pleased, wouldn’t you?

Simon nodded, fiddling with his bow tie. I suppose. And ten pounds heavier.

Large sparkly plastic snowflakes hung from the ceiling.

You’d give that someone a chance, wouldn’t you?

Probably.

Okay then.

Almost a dozen tables filled the room, most of them seating four, a few only large enough for two, but all of them full of Consortium employees enjoying one another’s company. The happy environment continued to boggle his mind.

Lilith leaned forward and patted his hand. You know Zane, right? Mrs. Merton’s Personal Assistant?

Simon nodded. Sure I do. We work down the hall from one another. We talk. Zane had been nothing but helpful and courteous, albeit distracted, these past four months.

Well, let me tell you, Zane loves his sweets. Never seen him turn down a holiday baked good in the five years he’s been here. So…

All her non sequiturs flashed through his mind, and a theory coalesced. Are you trying to set me up with Zane?

What? No. She flashed him an innocent expression, but he wasn’t buying it. Why would I do that?

"I don’t know, but it sounds like you are. What if Zane is seeing someone?"

He’s not.

How do you know?

I just do.

Hmm… Simon shoved a bite of beef pho in his mouth. He wasn’t interested in Zane’s heart, but he wouldn’t mind his body. Not that Zane would want his in return. Simon’s midsection was a little fuller than he’d like. He really needed to make better food choices.

Speaking of holiday treats, she murmured, then stood and waved. Yoo hoo— Here’s a seat, Zane.

Simon’s heart leapt to his throat, and his gaze darted around the lunchroom. All the other tables were indeed occupied. Crud.

I’ll see you later, gator. Lilith winked and scooted off.

Tall, Dark, and Zane headed Simon’s way. The man was a six-foot wall of muscle and beauty, from his caramel-colored mane and smoldering dark blue eyes, to his permanent long stubble, wide shoulders, narrow waist, and long legs.

Simon swallowed the eeek! that tried to escape.

Much as he’d like to get up close and personal with Zane, the only thing they had in common was height, and Simon had the advantage by an inch or two. Faithfully, he showed his face at the gym five days out of seven to use the treadmill to justify his bi-weekly coffee treat from Bernie’s Brewhouse. But his hair was boring brown, his eyes were boring brown, and he sported a permanent layer of pudge he couldn’t seem to shed.

You don’t actually mind if I sit here, do you? Zane held a bag from Sadie’s Sundry Shop, an eyebrow raised, top teeth biting into a plump bottom lip.

Simon sighed inwardly. Gorgeous and courteous. He shook his head and took a bite of pho.

Zane sat and pulled his meal from the bag—some sort of sub sandwich.

The scent of yeasty bread wafted Simon’s way, and his mouth watered. Carbs were his kryptonite. Any kind, any flavor. Hence the layer of not-muscle around his midsection.

They ate in silence for a few minutes. It wasn’t exactly awkward silence, but it wasn’t exactly comfortable either. If the furrows in his forehead were anything to go by, Zane had something on his mind.

Apparently, you’re my second in command, he finally said.

Simon’s eyebrows rose. I’m sorry?

The Christmas party. Zane chomped into his sandwich and chewed aggressively. Mrs. Merton said you were really looking forward to the party, and when she asked you to help me, you agreed.

Simon’s stomach flipped. Was that a bad thing? Well, I am and I did.

He’d never spoken to Mrs. Merton directly about how excited he was about the party. He’d gushed to Lilith, sure. She must have taken it upon herself to put a word in Mrs. Merton’s ear.

I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to step on your toes or anything. I was in the elevator with Mrs. Merton the other day, and out of the blue she asked if I was willing to help you out. What was I supposed to say? Simon shrugged. Just task me with whatever you don’t want to do. It’s fine.

The man’s shoulders slumped, and he shook his head. No, I… I’m sorry for being an ass. I have a lot on my plate right now, and some help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Sure. You’re welcome. Simon nodded. Why would he not agree? The big boss lady asked. He didn’t have much going on. After his last relationship ended the way it had—in the middle of a grocery store being berated for his food choices—he’d sworn off them for a while. But that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to accept an