Snickerdoodle Surprise

By Ryan Jo Summers

Three sisters inherit their Aunt Sophie's landmark Bed and Breakfast Inn and the resident handyman, hunky Jake Jones. Faced with past due taxes and a large inheritance tax, the sisters waste no time bringing the guests back to the Inn. They gave up everything of their former lives to move to the Lilac Queen Bed & Breakfast and make a go of it. Charly, Emmeline, and Rae Lynn are hopeful the stuffed Snickerdoodle cookie will be the ultimate surprise to bring in the money. In the meantime, the sisters cope with relocating to the inn and their individual reactions to Jake.

Meanwhile, Jake navigates the complex world of three lovely ladies, three kids, two dogs, and a cat all in residence of the Lilac Queen. They have a way of rising his protective instincts, and before long he is seeing the sisters in a new light beyond just as his new bosses. When land developers show up, wanting to purchase the property, Jake does what he's always done. Sophie would never sell her inn, but these lovely nieces are something else. And they have successfully stirred up strong emotions inside him.

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Nov 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781509243907

Ryan Jo Summers

Ryan Jo Summers is an author who writes across the genres. She pens romance novels blending elements of Inspirational, suspense, mystery, paranormal and time travel in any combination. She covers non-fiction as well as fictional short stories and poetry. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her pets, go to the nearby forest and river or gather with friends. She collects wicker baskets, lighthouse figurines and houseplants. She also likes to cook, creating new recipes from old favorites. If she has any time left over, she paints ceramics and acrylics on canvas. She makes her home in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.

Book preview

A sliver of worry nipped at Charly, overriding her initial thought of how Jake looked handsome and cute at the same time when he grinned like that. So this sort of thing had happened before? Why do you think they want to buy it?

She’s a beautiful piece of history sitting on a lovely parcel of land. Some would like her for different reasons. Sophie never wanted to part with her, regardless of anyone’s intent. He paused. I’m hoping you all are feeling the same way.

We do, Emme assured. The lawyer said he’d been approached by prospective buyers since Sophie passed. She led the way back inside, patted Savannah and Ariel on their shoulders on the way to the kitchen. We’re good now, girls. Thank you.

Once Charly, Emme, and Jake reached the kitchen, Charly poured coffee into three mugs and handed one to Jake. I do appreciate you stepping in to help, and I understand your interest in protecting this place, however, we are not helpless or shrinking violets who need defending.

His eyes darkened, and his hand froze with the cup halfway to his mouth. His lips thinned. I never suggested you were. Your aunt was a most capable woman. I assisted her to benefit both of us. This is my home, too. He set down the cup untouched, turned, nodded at Emme and the kids, and walked away.

Even though he never raised his voice or stomped a boot, anger rose in his wake.

Way to go, Char.

Praise for Ryan Jo Summers

An engaging story of three loving sisters who inherit a family inn, along with the seductive caretaker. 

~Diane R.

~*~

Three beautiful sisters, a grand, stately inn, and a handsome caretaker make for relationships and romance as sweet as the cookies they love to bake. It's a wonderful story to read accompanied by your favorite tea and treats! It made me want to read more of their story!

~Cheryl F.

~*~

A book worth curling up with. Ryan Jo never disappoints!

~Carol Marks, Editor and Publisher

Snickerdoodle Surprise

by

Ryan Jo Summers

Christmas Cookies Series

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

Snickerdoodle Surprise

COPYRIGHT © 2022 by Ryan Jo Summers

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Rae Monet, Inc.

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Edition, 2022

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-4390-7

Christmas Cookies Series

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

First, to my Lord and Savior. Thank You for the continued opportunity to spend my time doing something I so enjoy.

May my words bring glory to You.

Second, to my fans, old and new, who spend valuable time reading what I write.

Last, to my sister and collaborator, Susan. Thanks for all the messages each time I got stumped.

Chapter 1

The house stood like a giant purple floral bouquet on a bed of white. Three levels of balconies dressed in gingerbread were trimmed in white lace, turrets swirled in cascading shades of grape and lilac, and a wraparound porch was braced by violet barristers and corbels which looked like adorning jewels. Lavender spun along the posts and railings like silk ribbons. Pops of teal added bright color resembling random peacock feathers. Intermittent spots of white siding sparkled in the sun similar to strings of pearls.

No doubt about it, the old Victorian manor was a grand dame, draped in her regal ornate robes. Emmeline Lancaster let out a long breath as her fingers gripped the SUV’s steering wheel. She studied the scene. A winding stone path led the way to the front door flanked by two black, hammered iron lanterns. Not much imagination was needed to picture her lawn embellished with summer flowers. A carved sign swung in the wintery breeze at the intersection of the driveway and front lawn: The Lilac Queen. A fitting name for the 1886 Queen Anne manor Aunt Sophie willed to the three Lancaster sisters.

I like it, Rae said.

Emmeline glanced over at her younger sister. You would like it. It looks like a giant bag of purple candy. At least the driveway was recently plowed, and the walks shoveled. Beyond the drive and walkways, the fluffy snow easily piled two feet high.

Rae huffed. It does not. She pushed open the car door with the toe of her calf-high boot. Regardless of what it looks like, it’s ours now.

Emmeline shook her head and glanced over her shoulder to the backseat. Jamie, take the dogs out to the backyard. Keep on their leashes. Girls, we need you to help us unload some of this stuff. The air was cold, so it was doubtful Jamie would want to stay out too long.

She looked back as the girls moved lighter bags and boxes out of the way so they could exit the car. She had to admit the kids had traveled pretty well considering they must have felt they were packed like sardines, or like the rest of their things. The kids tumbled out of the car and dusted themselves off and shouldered two bags apiece.

Rae was already shuffling aside things behind her seat to reach the cat carrier holding Smokey. The cat howled mournfully, and Rae stuck her fingers between the bars and cooed. I’ll have you out in a minute, sweet baby boy.

Emmeline rolled her eyes and picked up two cases. ʼTil we know what’s what, you might want to keep sweet little Smokey confined somewhere safe. Sophie’s lawyer said there were no guests now, but we have no idea who or what is inside that monstrous house.

Jake is there—whoever Jake is.

Yes, we inherited not only the bed and breakfast, but we also inherited a Jake to go with it. Can life get any better?

The timing is pretty good for you and Charly. Rae settled Smokey’s carrier on her hip and picked up another bag. With both of you out of work this year, it’s a good time to start over.

Emmeline considered that. She and their older sister, Charlotte, had been laid off and eventually let go from their positions. Charly was married and still had Seth to help her, in addition to her drawing unemployment, and Rae had been working remotely for years in her job as an IT consultant. Aunt Sophie’s passing and willing her Indigo Shores, Maryland, landmark bed and breakfast did seem like a fresh start for divorced Emmeline and free-spirited Rae. All three kids could do their schooling remotely as they settled into the big house and prepared to open for business. It could work.

She slapped her hands together and shouldered the cases. Yes, maybe. She agreed with Rae. We might know more once Charly gets done meeting with the lawyer. In the meantime, she had her baby sister, three kids, and two dogs to get inside and settled. And she had to figure out how to unhook Rae’s compact hatchback from the car haul trailer dolly.

Ariel and Savannah climbed out and stretched, already moaning before they even picked up a bag.

Emme scowled at them and stabbed a finger in their direction.