The Christmas Love List

By Angela Ford and Jennifer Conner

Warm your heart with this sweet Christmas romance. Two city girls, separately, make a change and end up in the same small town.

 

Bestselling Christmas Romance Authors, Angela Ford & Jennifer Conner, team up again to bring you sweet romance in The Christmas Love List where love happens at the most unexpected time, and in the most unexpected way.

 

A quaint little wine shop called Que Syrah Syrah brings an evening of wine and women together, building new friendships. But when a basket is passed around with names of eligible bachelors in town to date, will they draw a name?

Or let fate happen on its own?

Christmas is a time for wishes to come true and Vinegrove is the place for it.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books To Go Now
• Release date: Dec 2, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201443986

Book preview

Note from Authors

Bestselling #1 Christmas Romance Authors, Angela Ford & Jennifer Conner, team up again to bring you sweet romance in The Christmas Love List where love happens at the most unexpected time, and in the most unexpected way. Two city girls, separately, make a change and end up in the same small town...

at the same time.

Kady Randall left Vinegrove at eighteen for California with the promise of a family. When her boyfriend left her at 8 months pregnant, her family became her and her son. At 13, he got involved with the wrong kids and a new start must begin all over again...back in her hometown.

Dakota Timmons grew up in Seattle with a mother and sister who never had the time or love for her, and a father she always knew. Her world was pulled apart at seventeen, discovering he wasn't her father. Ten years later, Dakota finds herself changing her address for a man she's never met. But it's the man in a near-accident on a country road on her way into town that reaches her heart.

A quaint little wine shop called Que Syrah Syrah brings an evening of wine and women together, building new friendships. But when a basket is passed around with names of eligible bachelors in town to date.

Will they draw a name? Or let fate happen on its own? \Christmas is a time for wishes to come true and Vinegrove is the place for it.We love writing romance together!

We hope you enjoy our holiday romance, and all your Christmas wishes will come true!

Ange & Jenni xoxo

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. - W.T. Ellis

Copyright © 2022 Angela Ford – Jennifer Conner

All rights reserved.

Chapter One

"H e’s my father, not yours!"

Dakota stopped at the kitchen doorway, Excuse me?

She’d had enough of her younger sister’s constant I’m better than you. Normally, she ignored Sabrina’s pitiful comments, but this time it stopped her from storming out the door. Dakota’s eyes widened and she turned in shock, Why would you say something so cruel?

Standing against the rich cherry hardwood cabinetry in their family kitchen, her self-righteous expression told Dakota there wasn’t an apology to follow. Sabrina, three years younger, acted as if she were the only child of Neil and Francine Timmons. She easily portrayed the spoiled rich brat. Neil Timmons had made his fortune in real estate, but he was the only one in the household besides Dakota that didn’t flaunt it. Her mother and sister certainly thought they were pretentious. She was more like her dad and nothing like her mother or sister. A modest, simple girl no matter how much wealth surrounded her.

You think you’re better than me. I would never say something so hurtful to you.

She turned to leave when her sister finally spoke.

But it’s true. He’s not your biological father. He’s mine.

Dakota started out the door as Sabrina continued her attack.

Ask him. Ask Mom. You’re not a true Timmons. You never belonged here.

Dakota’s eyes welled with tears. She wondered how one person could be so cold and heartless. Slamming the door behind her, she hit the unlock button. Even her car was modest and economical, and she’d bought it herself. Her mother and sister drove the new shiny, expensive ones in the driveway, but she’d refused her father’s gift on her sixteenth birthday. Dakota had saved the money she’d made babysitting since she was twelve. In her prestigious neighborhood, it had been easy to save five thousand dollars by the time she turned sixteen.

How dare she be so cruel! Dakota turned the ignition for the second time and prayed her beloved car would start. She definitely needed to get away from her sister and that remark.

Not now, baby. Please start for Mama.

She begged her car to start, to get her the heck away from the hurt filling her heart. A knock on her window made her jump. Relief set in to see her dad standing there. A peaceful man, his eyes always gave her comfort. The gentle, caring parent, and the complete opposite of her mom. She felt a strong connection with her dad and knew she’d inherited his modesty and hard work ethic. She opened her car door and stepped outside.

She’s given you some trouble this morning?

Dakota knew he meant her car. He never once told her she should have accepted his gift on her birthday. He respected her decision to buy her own car. But it wasn’t her car that was the problem. It was Sabrina. Neil Timmons loved his daughters and he’d never favor one over the other. Every time the girls argued, he’d soften it with a caring tone and the simple explanation of sibling rivalry. But at seventeen, Dakota could no longer accept that reasoning. Her sister would never change. She knew they’d never be close. Their morals and values were too different. And her sister was cruel. Her words lingered in Dakota’s mind.

Dad.

She sighed, chewing on her bottom lip, should she even bother to mention what Sabrina said? He reached out, placing a hand on her arm, What’s wrong, Dakota?

She knew her dad noticed her habit. He’d never given her heck for it. Her mother certainly did.

Sabrina said something horrible this morning. She can be so cruel at times. But this time she was just down-right hurtful.

Her dad wrapped his arms around her. She’s only fourteen. I’m sure whatever she said she didn’t mean.

Here we go again, Dad, always the peacemaker. But Dakota couldn’t let it go.

She said you weren’t my biological father.

There was a long pause. Dakota released from her dad’s embrace and stood back.

Dad?

The look in his eyes told Dakota there might be some truth to Sabrina’s remark. Dakota, we need to talk.

Holly outline

TEN YEARS LATER.

Her fingers gripped the steering wheel tightly. Every time she thought of that morning when she was seventeen, emotions of hurt and anger raced through her veins. She laughed out loud as she noticed the firm grip she’d placed on the wheel. Get over it, Dakota! She reminded herself that a new chapter in her life was about to begin, turned up the radio, and pressed the driver’s side window button. The clean, crisp country air filled her senses. The leaves danced elegantly in the air as they fell from the trees. She felt the chilly November air, dreaming of the snow to fall next. She wanted a white Christmas and knew she’d made the right decision when she saw the posting at Country Hospital in Vinegrove, a quaint small town in Washington wine country she’d never heard of before. She drove through the breathtaking scenery slowly without a care of getting lost in all its lushness. Each road she passed held an entrance to the best wineries and vineyards of the northwest. The countryside beauty gave her a calm feeling. She felt it in her bones, knowing this is where she belonged.

Her relaxed state suddenly ended when both hands grabbed the wheel, Oh No! She cried out loud as she hit the brakes and the tires screeched. She heard the gravel on the side of the road ding against the rims as she managed to come to a sudden stop without landing in the ditch. She pushed the gear into Park quickly and jumped out of her car.

The truck that had just pulled out in front of her had stopped in the middle of the road.

You scared the heck out of me! Do you not check before you merge?

Dakota’s short temper heightened. She stood with her hands on her hips in the middle of the quiet country road. She hadn’t seen another car in miles. The truck door opened, and a man stepped out and stood before her. Her anger slowed as she gazed over his athletic build. His T-shirt blended with his muscles beneath it. Perfection crossed her mind as her eyes traveled across his firm, muscular body.

How can a man look so damn good in blue jeans? She swallowed hard. Her fierce words had been replaced with an awkward silence. Slowly her eyes moved up to see him remove the high-crowned, wide-brimmed western hat and hold it against his chest. His Stetson immediately completed that hot cowboy image in her mind. But it was his eyes that almost knocked her off her feet. Aquamarine came to her mind first. The piercing blue-green combination was striking and reminded her of the Pacific tropical seas. Then he smiled, and the sun hit those eyes and a tinge of yellow in the iris made them sparkle. Hit with a touch of magic, his voice brought her back to reality.

Afternoon, Miss. Please forgive me, my mind was elsewhere. Are you all right?

Damn! How can I give him shit now? He’s too damn hot and nice.

Her heart had melted by the pure sight of him. No man had ever done that. Her anger softened, I’m fine. My mind was elsewhere as well. Let’s call it even.

She extended her hand for a truce. He obliged and placed his in hers.

Oh God! Not only did he look and sound good, his rough yet gentle touch ignited fires within her she’d never experienced in her twenty-seven years.

That’s kind of you, miss. I’m Tristan Hart.

The roughness she felt told her he worked with his hands. The gentleness of his handshake confirmed her thoughts; he carried a kind soul. He released her hand slowly which only made her heart ache. She could have held on for eternity. Dakota cleared her throat as she shook that thought.

Dakota Timmons.

Are you new to this area, Miss Timmons?

She nodded to answer his question. For some reason, this man made it difficult for her to speak. Dakota silently laughed with her sudden discomfort. Normally, she’d talk the ear off someone, even a stranger. Her mother always gave her trouble for it. She quickly remembered her ways and rambled.

Yes, I’m headed to Vinegrove Country Hospital to start a new chapter in my life. The countryside is beautiful. I believe I made the right decision.

She silently confirmed it wasn’t just the countryside that was beautiful. She felt like herself again, no matter how strikingly handsome this man was.

"Welcome to Vinegrove. I’m sorry your first encounter almost forced you into the ditch. Please forgive me. I should know better to keep focused; especially when a