Snowed in for Christmas

By Gabrielle Meyer

Stranded together for the holidays…

with one chance to heal the past.

Ending up snowbound with her ex for Christmas is a shock for Liv Butler—especially when she learns Zane Harris secretly adopted their child. While Liv longs to know the daughter she was forced to give up as a teen, Zane’s girls are his priority, and the widower doesn’t trust Liv to stay after the snow clears. But could she be just what his family needs?

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Love Inspired
• Release date: Oct 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9780369715302

Gabrielle Meyer

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people and events. Gabrielle can be found on her website gabriellemeyer.com where she writes about her passion for history, Minnesota, and her faith.

Book preview

Chapter One

Snowflakes danced against the large windows of Lakepoint Lodge as Olivia Butler readjusted the historic picture of the resort hanging near the front door. It was a good reminder to her, and to all the guests who would eventually stay at the resort, that the place had undergone a complete renovation. It was even more impressive than it had been in 1947, the year the main lodge had been built.

But Liv wasn’t really thinking about what year the lodge was built, or even how much work she and her family had poured into the place over the past twelve months. All she could think about was greeting the travel journalist who was about to arrive to spend the holidays with her and her family as he worked on a feature article for Minnesota Moments Magazine.

The article would not only highlight her parents’ resort, but it could also be the jump start Liv’s interior design firm needed to take it to the next level. She had been working hard in the Timber Falls area for the past six years but would love to expand to other parts of Minnesota. The central lakes country was probably the most lucrative market outside of the Minneapolis/Saint Paul metro area, with so many Twin Cities residents owning lake homes.

A black SUV appeared in the parking lot at the base of Lakepoint Lodge and Liv breathed a sigh of relief. Snow had been falling for over an hour and she hadn’t been sure the journalist would get past the county roads leading to the resort. The forecast had changed in the last twenty minutes and their area was now in a winter storm warning. Hopefully Liv’s parents were already on the road, heading toward the resort, or they might not make it tonight. They’d gone to Minneapolis to pick up the last load of furniture Liv had designed, and they had hoped to get back in time to greet the journalist themselves. After all, it was their resort—a sort of semiretirement they had purchased last year when her dad left his job with the City of Marshall.

The journalist got out of his SUV with a couple of children climbing out from the back. He stood for a second, looking up at the lodge and then slowly turned to take in the whole resort. She was too far away to see his face or his reaction, but she imagined he was thinking the same thing she had thought the first time she saw the property. It was like being transported back in time to the late 1940s.

The main lodge dominated the property, sitting on a point in Lake Madeline, one of the largest and most magnificent lakes in Minnesota. There were dozens of smaller log cabins along the shoreline and other buildings that served the guests during the summer months. A boathouse, a bait shop, a candy shop and more were now blanketed with a thick covering of snow. The lake was frozen over and icehouses were spread out on the massive sheet of ice in no particular order.

Whether or not her parents made it back tonight, Liv was in charge of greeting the journalist and his family. He’d called his editor, who had called Dad and Mom, to see if he could bring along his family for the holiday stay. He’d be at the resort through New Year’s. Fourteen whole days to see what the resort had to offer. Liv had cautiously agreed to be there, as well, knowing it wouldn’t be easy to spend that much time with her parents.

She crossed her arms as she watched the journalist’s children run in the snowy parking lot. They twirled and danced, picking up handfuls of snow to toss in the air. From where she stood, she could tell they were little girls. One wore a purple coat, the other a pink coat.

Thankfully, Liv’s two older brothers would be coming with their wives and children in a few days. They’d be a good buffer for Liv and her parents who struggled to see eye-to-eye. Liv’s nieces and nephews would also make great playmates for the journalist’s kids.

But, despite the excitement of seeing her nieces and nephews again, a pang filled Liv’s heart as it usually did when her family gathered. They never brought up her pain, nor had she ever spoken of it to anyone—not even her best friend and business partner, Piper Evans. No one outside her immediate family knew Liv had become a mom at the age of seventeen or that she had only seen her baby girl for a few minutes before she was taken away to be adopted. Every time the family gathered, there was always an empty chair, at least in Liv’s heart and mind. A spot that should have been filled by her own daughter, who would be eleven by now.

Liv took a deep, cleansing breath, and pushed aside the memories. She needed to focus on the journalist and his family right now. After they came inside, she’d show them to their suite and then see if they wanted something to eat. Her mother had made sure the kitchen was overstocked for the holidays, so they would have no fear of starvation. Then, if they weren’t too tired, she thought she might take them sledding. There was a whole list of things she had planned for the family to enjoy during their stay.

The journalist went to the back of his SUV as the girls continued to play in the snow. Liv put on her thick fur-lined coat and slipped on her boots. No doubt they could use some help with their luggage, and she was the only one there to offer assistance. With all the renovations, the resort wasn’t technically open for visitors, yet, so they had no staff on hand. They would have a soft opening after the New Year to iron out the kinks and then gear up for their big grand opening on Memorial Day weekend when the heavier summer traffic would start. The main focus of the article in Minnesota Moments Magazine would be about the history of the resort, as well as the renovations. Everyone had agreed that giving the journalist full access to the resort, before visitors were present, would help him focus on the elements he was most interested in covering.

Liv pushed open the heavy door and stepped onto the wide front deck. There was space out there for several tables and chairs, giving people a magnificent view of the lake. For now, all but a dozen tables and chairs were pushed under the eaves, covered in tarps for the winter. Her father had set up a gas fire table near the door in case the family wanted to enjoy an outdoor gathering over the holidays.

The deck and steps were covered in snow, though Liv had just cleared them thirty minutes ago. The snow was falling fast and thick from the dark clouds overhead. It gathered on her hair and shoulders, and little cold pricks landed on her face before melting.

She couldn’t help but smile at the enthusiasm of the little girls or ignore the fact that the journalist had brought the children alone. That was odd. Her parents had assumed he was bringing his whole family. Liv didn’t know much at all about this writer, except that he was a travel journalist who was new to Minnesota Moments Magazine. She didn’t even know his name. The editor who sent him was a friend of her parents and Liv’s dad and mom had made all the arrangements.

The girls stopped twirling and smiled up at Liv while their dad was still at the back of the SUV, out of sight. They were beautiful little girls with no hint of shyness. The younger one had big brown eyes, while the older one studied Liv with marble-blue eyes. They were bundled up in thick coats, stocking caps and mittens, but their winter gear could not hide their happiness or enthusiasm.

Hello, the older girl said, a pretty smile showing off two perfect dimples. She extended her hand in a very grown-up gesture, though she looked to be about ten. I’m Miley, what’s your name?

Liv smiled and shook her hand. It’s nice to meet you, Miley. I’m Liv. Welcome to Lakepoint Lodge.

That’s my sister, Alexis. Miley pointed to the younger girl who looked to be about five.

Hello, Alexis, Liv said. It’s nice to meet you.

Alexis just giggled and ran toward the back of the SUV where her father was getting out their suitcases. He must have heard the exchange because he moved away from the vehicle and came around the corner, a smile on his handsome face.

But he stopped at the sight of Liv, his smile falling.

Liv’s heartbeat slowed for a second as a hint of recognition tugged at her brain, but then it sped up again, beating harder as she realized who he was. Her legs weakened and she began to tremble all over.

Liv. Zane Harris stared at her, his face filled with shock and dismay. What are you doing here?

It had been eleven years since she’d seen him and she’d never once tried to find him. She hadn’t searched for him online, hadn’t inquired about him to any of their old friends—nothing. For the past eleven years, she’d wanted to forget he’d ever been a part of her life.

Now here he stood, looking older and much more handsome than he’d been as an eighteen-year-old boy.

Hello, Zane, she finally responded. Her voice sounded hoarse and pathetic, even to her own ears.

They stood there for a long time, neither one speaking as the snow continued to fall all around them. Zane wore a black wool coat with a black stocking cap and black-rimmed glasses. His shoulders were broader, his face more defined and he’d even grown a bit taller. A day-old beard gave him a rugged appearance, especially with the snow as a background.

He looked amazing.

You look good, Liv, he finally said. It’s nice to see you.

Was it? She’d never thought she’d see him again.

His daughters stood near him, staring at Liv, curiosity in their eyes.

Is this your place? he asked, looking beyond her toward the lodge. I didn’t get any of the details from my editor before I came. He laughed, his tone revealing his discomfort. I actually have never met my editor. I’m doing a freelance piece, hoping to land a permanent position on staff. They just told me where to be and when to get here.

Daddy promised we could find a school and a house with a yard, Miley said. We don’t want to move anymore.

Liv’s mind whirled as she continued to stare at Zane’s family.

That’s nice, she finally said to the girl. Don’t you have a house?

We’ve been living in apartments all over the world, Miley said. London, Dublin, Berlin, Paris, Rome. She ticked off the names of the cities on her fingers and shrugged.

I’m a travel journalist, Zane explained, so we’ve been privileged to live in some pretty amazing places. He put his hand on Miley’s shoulder. But now we’re going to settle down and put in some roots, aren’t we, Miley?

The girl grinned up at her dad.

Zane Harris was the travel journalist she’d have to spend the next two weeks entertaining? Her pulse picked up speed. How on earth would she spend fourteen days with him, without dredging up the horrible past?

So, he asked again, is this your place?

She shook her head, needing to take command of the situation. This is my parents’ resort. I—I was the interior designer and decorator, so they asked me to be here to show you around.

Zane pressed his lips together and nodded, though he didn’t look pleased at the mention of her mom and dad. How are your parents?

Liv’s mom and dad had not been kind to Zane eleven years ago. They’d laid all the blame of her pregnancy on him, though Liv knew she and Zane were both responsible. No doubt he remembered how badly they’d treated him.

They’re good. She paused, hoping to change the subject. Would you like to get out of the cold? She smiled at the girls, not wanting any of them to feel uncomfortable because of her. I have some hot chocolate warming for you.

Yes! Both girls looked up at their dad for approval and he nodded. They ran toward the lodge without a second invitation.

Zane didn’t move and once the girls were out of hearing range he said, I’m sorry, Liv. I didn’t know this was your parents’ place. If I had, I would have asked for a different assignment.

She put on a smile, even if she didn’t quite feel like smiling. The past was in the past. They’d both survived and had hopefully moved on. They were adults. They could handle a few days in each other’s company.

It’s okay. I didn’t know it would be you, either. She indicated his suitcases. Would you like me to help?

Are you certain this is a good idea? He glanced up toward the lodge and his girls.

Liv needed the magazine article written for the sake of her business and her parents’ resort. She nodded. It will be fine.

Zane didn’t look convinced.

---

The snow began to fall faster and the wind had picked up. Zane stared at Liv Butler, never having expected to see her again. She was beautiful, even prettier than she’d been in high school. Her blue eyes were so vibrant it was hard to look at her. She carried herself with the grace and elegance of a dancer, and even though she was in a thick coat and boots, he could tell she had a great sense of style.

She always had.

He felt like an idiot just standing there, staring, but he couldn’t help it. Though he’d traveled the world, met some amazing people and survived the death of his wife, being in Liv’s presence made him feel like he was an untried eighteen-year-old boy again. He hadn’t felt this uncertain or self-conscious since he was a teenager.

Do you need help with your bags? Liv asked again.

No. He shook his head quickly. We only have a few things. I’ve got it.

He went to the back of his SUV, happy to keep his hands and mind occupied.

Liv waited for him.

The girls had gone ahead and were standing on the deck of the lodge, throwing snow at one another. It did his heart good to see them laughing and playing. Since his wife had died two years ago, he’d tried to be both a dad and mom to them, but with their constant moving, his work and the need to homeschool them, he’d had little time to just be a dad. Bringing them back to Minnesota was going to change everything for them. He just needed to make sure he could get a permanent job so they wouldn’t have to leave again. That’s where the article came into play. If the editor liked his work, he promised Zane a full-time gig. They could finally settle into a house and find a school. He looked forward to taking a deep breath again.

Your girls are beautiful, Liv said.

Zane looked at her sharply. Had Liv suspected that Miley was her daughter? If she had, she didn’t show any signs of recognition. What would she say or do when she learned the truth?

The day Miley was born, Liv had only seen her for a moment and then the nurses had brought her to Zane in another room. He’d held her, his heart breaking, knowing he was losing Liv and Miley all at the same time. Zane’s cousin and his wife were at the hospital, ready to take the baby home with them to Wisconsin. They had struggled with infertility for years and were going to adopt her. The plans were all in place. Within twenty-four hours, Liv had signed away her rights and her parents had whisked her away, warning Zane to never seek her out again. She was leaving their small Southern Minnesota town and going to live with a relative somewhere. He never asked where.

The week Miley was born was a blur. Zane had an appointment to meet with social services to sign away his parental rights, but the hour before his appointment, his cousin had called Zane’s mom and told her the adoption had been stopped. His cousin’s wife had changed her mind after just a few days at home. They didn’t want her anymore.

No one saw it coming, least of all Zane.

The baby was brought to Zane and his parents, and they had a long, hard talk about what it would take for Zane to raise her. He’d been scared, but he wanted to keep her. Couldn’t imagine sending her to someone he didn’t know.

So, with his parents’ financial help, he had moved to Chicago to attend college and then worked hard to get his dream job as a travel journalist. Nothing had been easy, but he’d made it work. He’d also met Tanya, his wife, his freshman year in college. She’d loved Miley from the start, and they’d been inseparable. By the time he and Tanya married the summer they graduated, Miley had called her mom. They’d never had a reason to tell her any differently.

And so, Miley never knew that Tanya wasn’t her biological mother, or that she and Alexis were only half sisters. Zane never intended to keep it from Miley, but there had not been a good time to tell her. After Tanya died in the car accident in Rome two years ago, all thoughts of telling Miley had fled completely.

They seem really excited to be here, Liv said, smiling at the girls.

Zane had to pull his mind out of the

Reviews for Snowed in for Christmas

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Snowed in For Christmas by Sarah Morgan in a 2022 HQN publication. Lucy, Ross, Alice, Nico, Clemmie, Fergus, Glenda, Douglas and last, but not least, Nanna Jean have all gathered for Christmas- except that Lucy is an unexpected guest, having found herself trapped there by a vicious winter storm after she pulls an in person ‘cold call’ with Ross Miller, the CEO of ‘Miller Active’, which specializes in activewear, desperately hoping to snag a new and lucrative account. Lucy has idealized the Miller family- but soon discovers their ‘perfect family’ image isn’t as perfect as it seems. The Millers also have their share of personal resentments, broken dreams, and doubts and fears- just like everyone else… I love Sarah Morgan- she’s one of my ‘go-to’ contemporary fiction/ romance authors, these days. Knowing this author, I knew the book would have depth and might not necessarily have the light festive atmosphere of other Christmas themed stories. Don’t get me wrong, the issues are not all that heavy, really, but… the story is heavy on the drama, if that makes sense, but this is SM’s style, no matter what the calendar says. In fact, with a calendar change and few tweaks here and there, this book would work just as well as a 'beach read'- just so you know to expect a bit more levity going in… I got all caught up in the Miller’s lives, and their various concerns and relationship woes- it was pretty good stuff. If I must make a complaint, it would be that the story was too busy. I’m ashamed to admit that for a while there I almost completely forgot all about poor injured Lucy, who was left alone for an inordinate amount of time. In fact, the characters seemed to have realized this at about the same time I did- and thankfully, Lucy was checked on- and was woven back into the story. So- yes, a few too many POVs and characters, perhaps. I also thought that Clemmie and Alice’s issues might have been wrapped up a little faster, as well as the Ross/Douglas/Glenda thread- because all these characters have a long history with their family and prospective partners, whereas Lucy and Ross only just met, and spent precious little time alone. Their banter was not terribly playful or sharp the few times they did have a convo, and their romance was terribly rushed. That said, Morgan is a seasoned pro, and she was able to adeptly bring all the threads together with satisfaction and with a sweet, holiday happily ever after! All’s well that ends well, right? Right! Oh-and just one more thing, Nanna Jean deserves a special mention as she very nearly stole the entire show!! I loved her!

[ladyofthelodge · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Are you ready for a Christmas trip to Scotland? Then this book might be for you. In order to save the marketing company for which she works, Lucy travels to Scotland right before Christmas for a photo shoot and also to drop off a proposal in the hopes of landing a large account for the company. As a Storm Scrooge sails into Scotland, along with family dramas and mix-ups, Lucy winds up staying with the Miller family for Christmas. Lucy gets more than she bargained for as she becomes involved in the family dramas of the Millers and seeks her own resolution, romance, and a Happy Christmas.Once I started this book, I could not stop reading. I felt as if I was part of the Christmas family events and right there in Scotland, snowed in with Lucy and her new family. The characters were well-developed and spirited, and the setting evokes the feeling of Christmas holidays in Scotland. The ending wraps things up nicely, but in the process leads the readers through twists, turns, and tears. There are a few adult intimate scenes that are well integrated with the plot and characters.I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

[fredreeca · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Lucy is determined to land this account. The company she works for is struggling and they need this account to stay afloat. So, she gets a bright idea to show up at the family home of the CEO, Ross. Well, this does not turn out as expected. She is immediately drawn into a family drama and everyone thinks she is Ross’ girlfriend.Well! It’s that time of year. I love Christmas romances and this one is wonderful! There is just something about Sarah Morgan. She takes you away to a magical place with fabulous characters, great setting and the sounds of Christmas.I think my favorite thing about this novel is the setting of Scotland. We have a trip planned next year and I was eating up all the details of this unique country. Add in this funny family and I was hooked! This family had me cracking up on several occasions and of course, the romance is spot on!Need the Magic of Christmas…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A fun read! Make up the name of a girlfriend for your brother, and she appears on the doorstep! Well, the author did that, and I loved the way she ended up at the Miller family Christmas celebration!We are there for the typical family dynamics, and a wise grandmother definitely plays a big roll in helping her grandchildren see what right in front of their eyes.Will these three siblings finally see what others see?A page turner and then a quick read, as I needed answers, and with lots of snow and broken bones, we are there to celebrate! I wanted one of those any cookies!I received this book through Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.