Crinkles All the Way

By Ann M. Trader

Benny O’Brien owns his reputation—carefree bachelor and successful computer design engineer with one of Atlanta’s premier firms. In keeping with the Christmas spirit, he agrees to teach a middle school coding club as a favor to a coworker. He expects to debug computer statements...not his heart.
As the new public relations coordinator at the firm, Claudia Banks spends her days strategizing market segments and her evenings relaxing with her close-knit group of girlfriends…or curling up with a favorite book. When her office crush signs on to her school outreach program, she braces for a lesson in irresistible attraction.
The stakes rise when the two come together over the school’s Christmas dance and a mysterious scrapbook. As secrets tug at their hearts, will they choose honesty and go all in for love?

• Language: Unknown
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Dec 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781509243372

Ann M. Trader

I have my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and have taught for sixteen years in North Carolina Public Schools. I am a native North Carolinian, and my family calls the Blue Ridge Mountains home.

Book preview

Benny gazed at the delicate curve of her lips on the rim of her glass and leaned forward. Are you kidding? I can’t wait for dance lesson number two. How does tomorrow afternoon sound?

Whatever you say. After all, you are the one in charge of fun. Claudia put her glass down and folded her arms on the tabletop.

Consider me your personal fun coach.

She smiled, flashing her dimples. I’ll be sure to add that one to the list.

Oh, hell. This ought to be good. He quirked an eyebrow.

You know, the list. Claudia raised her hand in the shape of a ball. One, you swim like a fish, good enough to get a scholarship at Georgia Tech. Two, you glide across the dance floor like one of those ballroom dancers on TV.

Benny shifted his feet beneath the table, his gaze never leaving hers.

Three, you’ve published at least a half dozen articles in leading technology journals.

To be fair, I co-authored them. With Clay.

She smiled, raising the next finger, undeterred. Four, the Sweet Georgia Magnolia blog named you a top twenty bachelor. And five, you’re clearly the master of fun. She fanned her open palm in the air and tossed her hair behind her shoulders. The sparkle in her eyes left him light-headed, mesmerized. Dare I ask, is there anything Benny O’Brien can’t do?

Praise for Ann M. Trader

"CRINKLES ALL THE WAY has everything a reader could want in a holiday romance: a vibrant community, fun supporting characters, a swoony hero, a relatable heroine, and a touch of Christmas magic. The relationship between Benny and Claudia is sweet with plenty of spice, and their connection will have you rooting for them from the start. This book is the perfect little bite of romance to read curled up with your favorite plate of Christmas cookies!"

~Melissa McTernan, author at The Wild Rose Press

~*~

Claudia and Benny are delicious together. Sweet and hot, this romance is both current and timeless. And, who doesn't love a sexy Christmas treat?

~Addie Bealer, member of Lowcountry RWA

~*~

"THE GINGERBREAD COOKIE CODE moves quickly, but it leaves nothing to the imagination and sends you on a steamy ride that is sure to capture your heart."

~D. M. Grant, author at The Wild Rose Press and blogger

Crinkles

All the Way

by

Ann M. Trader

Christmas Cookies

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.

Crinkles All the Way

COPYRIGHT © 2022 by Ann M. Trader

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 Jennifer Greeff

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 978-1-5092-4337-2

Christmas Cookies

Published in the United States of America

Dedication

To those who embrace the possibilities

Chapter One

Benny O’Brien stood on the stepladder in his garage, a can of walnut varnish dangling from his hand and a screwdriver wedged behind his ear. Flannel shirt and blue jeans, he sang along in his head with the country song on his playlist. He glanced down at his best friend, Clay Blackstone, straddling a chair beside the last few boxes of tattered books, outdated toys, and metallic Christmas decorations destined for the thrift store. While rubbing his hands through the glossy winter coat of Rollo, his six-year-old German shepherd, Clay yammered on about something at the office.

Benny nodded at him, gazing down at his overall bib hanging loose over one shoulder, splatters of Winchester-gray paint etched into the faded denim. Remodel and renew. Long ago, he had fashioned a place in his heart for his childhood home in the suburbs of Atlanta, tucking away his memories of shooting hoops in the driveway and traipsing off to the pond with a fishing pole in his hand. He planned to greet the New Year in his old home with…hope. He descended the ladder and planted both feet on the ground, cocking his head.

"Whoa, wait. Come again…? You hope I can do what?" Benny scratched his beard with the back of his free hand.

Jesus. Pay attention, man. Clay grabbed the remote to the wireless speaker.

Don’t turn it— He huffed a sigh. The bridge is the best part of the song.

You can listen later. Right now, I need your attention.

While Clay explained his predicament, Benny strolled over to his worktable, giving the can of varnish a vigorous shake.

…and now it’s my turn to teach the coding class at Saint Augusta School. I need you to fill in for me. Clay pushed off the chair to stand.

Jeez, he said, sliding the screwdriver out from behind his ear and using