Bearing Gifts: Barvale Holiday Tales, #4

By C.D. Gorri

She's making a list, and he's checking it twice…

 

Wade Kettle is raking in the dough, and the females, at his new place of business, Barvale's own Bar None. He's gorgeous, charming, and has the sexiest body Charity has ever seen.

 

The man was number one on her Christmas list! In fact, he was the only thing on it. But what's a curvy waitress gotta do to get some attention from her stud muffin boss when the Bear doesn't even know she's alive?

 

Sigh. 

 

It's nothing but champagne dreams and beer bottle pockets when it comes to love for Charity Smith.

 

He is ready to be taken seriously, but everyone wants a piece of Wade—including the cute little Vixen he hired a few months ago. She's hot alright, but this former playbear is through playing the field.

 

With all his pals finding their fated mates, Wade can't help but think there is more to life than another notch in his bedpost. To prove he's changed his ways, he vows to spend this Christmas alone.

 

But when someone plays Cupid with this year's Secret Santa, the Black Bear is in for a big surprise.

 

Will the Vixen get her Christmas wish, or will Wade mess up his only chance at true love?

 

Sometimes the only way in out of the cold is to come bearing gifts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C.D. Gorri
• Release date: Dec 24, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201482787

Book preview

Bearing Gifts

Bearing Gifts

BARVALE HOLIDAY TALES 4

C.D. GORRI

C.D. Gorri

Bearing Gifts

A Barvale Holiday Tale 4

By C.D. Gorri

Edited by BookNookNuts

Copyright C.D. Gorri, New Jersey 2022

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, places, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either part of the author’s imagination and/or used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to person, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights are reserved. No part of this book is to be reproduced, scanned, downloaded, printed, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of any materials in violation of the author’s rights. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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Dedication

For the gift givers, may your wrapping paper never tear, and your ribbons always sparkle.

Del mare alla stella,

C.D. Gorri

Contents

Blurb

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Epilogue

Have you met the rest of the Barvale Clan Bears?

Other Titles by C.D. Gorri

Beware… here be Dragons!

Excerpt from Purrfectly Mated

Excerpt from Wolf Shield: Guardians of Chaos

Excerpt from Grizzly Lover

About the Author

Blurb

She’s making a list, and he’s checking it twice…

Wade Kettle is raking in the dough, and the females, at his new place of business, Barvale’s own Bar None. He’s gorgeous, charming, and has the sexiest body Charity has ever seen.

The man was number one on her Christmas list! In fact, he was the only thing on it. But what’s a curvy waitress gotta do to get some attention from her stud muffin boss when the Bear doesn’t even know she’s alive?

Sigh.

It’s nothing but champagne dreams and beer bottle pockets when it comes to love for Charity Smith.

He is ready to be taken seriously, but everyone wants a piece of Wade—including the cute little Vixen he hired a few months ago. She’s hot alright, but this former playbear is through playing the field.

With all his pals finding their fated mates, Wade can’t help but think there is more to life than another notch in his bedpost. To prove he’s changed his ways, he vows to spend this Christmas alone.

But when someone plays Cupid with this year’s Secret Santa, the Black Bear is in for a big surprise.

Will the Vixen get her Christmas wish, or will Wade mess up his only chance at true love?

Sometimes the only way in out of the cold is to come bearing gifts.

Prologue

T hanks for coming tonight, Charity, Abigail Jensen, a nurse who worked at the Barvale Senior Center spoke softly as Charity hung her coat and hat on the rack near the desk.

It was already snowing, and she only had a few minutes, but Abigail never called her if it wasn’t an emergency. Charity just had a way with people, and she enjoyed spending her time helping put others at ease if she could. True, she had about fifteen minutes before she needed to leave on time, otherwise she would be late for her shift, and tonight was important.

No worries. You know I enjoy spending time with the residents, Abigail.

I know, but normally you come on the weekends. Mr. K is a special case, and we have tried everything to make him feel at ease. His wife had to have emergency hip replacement surgery, and he is only here while she recovers, but he’s been despondent without her.

Wow, he must really love her, Charity whispered. She shuffled the box that held a single bear claw inside and followed Abby down the hall. Seated in a wheelchair in the middle of his room was an elderly man with white hair and a beard. He had a hand-knitted red scarf draped around his neck, and his hands were clasped together.

Good evening, Mr. K. I brought you a visitor, Abigail announced, and Charity walked in.

Hello, I’m Charity—

I don’t need any charity, I need my Elaine, he muttered grumpily.

I understand. If I had a wife or husband, I would miss her too, but the center isn’t all bad, you know. I usually come by on weekends and bring treats like this and crafts or movies. Sometimes, we play card games and once we had a talent show.

A talent show? And what can you do, my dear? he asked, engaging already, and Charity smiled at the win.

Well, Mr. K, not to brag, but I am a terrible dancer, and I can’t carry a tune, she confided.

I will leave you two to it, Abigail said and turned to leave.

For the next fifteen minutes, Charity chatted with the exceedingly kind Mr. K, answering questions, and getting the older gentleman to open up about his wife. Her recovery was slow going, but he talked to her every single day. That kind of devotion was really touching, and Charity’s heart swelled hoping someday, she would have that kind of love for herself.

So, do you still believe in Santa? he asked.

Oh, I don’t know. When I was little, I used to stay up and wait to hear him, but I never did. I think that would be amazing—

Even now that you are a grownup? I am surprised.

Why? Adults need magic too, she told him.

That is true, my dear. This was so lovely, Charity. Thank you for visiting me, Mr. K said, taking her hand as she stood to leave.

It was my pleasure.

You know, Christmas is in just a few days. I hope you sent your letter to Santa already, he whispered conspiratorially, and she laughed.

I sure did, she replied, and kissed his weathered cheek.

Oh, how nice! I am going to tell my Elaine she must get well faster, a younger woman has her sights on me, he teased.

You do that, and I bet she will be better in no time. You are quite the catch, Mr. K! Charity chuckled.

Seriously, my child, I want to thank you, very much so. I do not know many young women who would stop by to chat with a grumpy old stranger.

You’re not grumpy, Mr. K, just sad, and it is understandable. I bet you’re worried something awful about your wife, and I want you to know I will be praying for her speedy recovery. I am sorry to cut our talk short, though, but I have to go.

I see. Hot date? he asked.

Ha! No, I have to go to work.

And after, is that when you will meet your boyfriend?

Actually, I am single—

I can see from the look in your eyes that is not exactly a choice, is it, Charity?

Well, I have a crush on someone, and tonight I am going to tell him. I’m kinda nervous, she confessed.

My dear, if he has even one brain cell still functioning in his head, he will scoop you up and run away with you. I know quality when I see it, and you have it, child. Yes, indeed, he said and patted her hand. You be a good girl now.

Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr. K. I hope I will get to see you before your stay is over. Merry Christmas, she said, and waved goodbye as she raced to her car.

She did not hear the elderly man whisper his reply softly as he watched her go with sparkling blue eyes, I’ll be watching you, Charity Smith.

He knows if you’ve been bad or good…

Chapter

One

S o be good for goodness sake, Charity mumbled along with the radio station. They’d been playing Christmas carols for weeks now, but she could not get enough of