Christmas in Malsum Pass: Malsum Pass Series, #8

By Kimberly Forrest

There is magic in Malsum Pass…

 

For Allison Harris, the only thing to look forward to around Christmas is the extra money she could earn in tips working the ritzy holiday parties on the mountain. After all, when you're alone, Christmas is just another day on the calendar. But when her car leaves her stranded on the side of the road with a blizzard breathing down her neck, she has no choice but to take shelter in the small town of Malsum Pass.

 

Zachary Pierce is larger than life, with a playful nature that has Allison quickly forgetting her worries as her attraction to the man grows. It's been too long since she's taken a moment and just had fun, but thanks to Zack, Allison feels the spirit of the holiday take hold.

 

Just the scent of Allison told Zack that she was his destined mate, but this blizzard that brought them together won't last forever. He needs to work fast if he wants to keep her, and what better way, than to show her the true magic of Christmas?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimberly Forrest
• Release date: Apr 18, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223125037

Book preview

Chapter One

Pip, no! Allison Harris screeched, turning off the music that had kept her oblivious until now. She took her eyes off the road for a moment to focus on the stowaway currently trying to tunnel into her backseat. Flying stuffing came to a halt as her ferret bobbed his head, joyful clucking noises leaving his throat as Pip hopped around doing a happy dance.

Why are you even here? she huffed, turning her attention back to the road. Sneaky little ninja.

Glancing at the clock on her dash, she frowned. I don’t have time to bring you back home, Pip.

Great. She needed the extra cash she’d earn as part of the wait staff for a Christmas party at one of the swanky places up on the mountain. No way would the guests appreciate her walking around wearing a ferret around her neck like a scarf. But she also couldn’t leave the little sneak in the car. Aside from the cold, what if he slipped past her when she opened the door and she lost him? Biting her lip, she adjusted the rearview mirror to keep an eye on her troublesome pet set on demolishing the seat.

Why would you leave your nice warm nest to come out in the cold?

Pip stood on his hind legs and bobbed a little before returning to his project. The ferret was a master escape artist for sure and loved to go visiting her neighbors in the building, who luckily, were good-natured about her wayward pet.

She was so consumed with the problem Pip presented, that she hadn’t realized her car was losing speed until it started bucking. Jerking her eyes to the display on the dash, she saw the check engine light – that had been on since she bought the used vehicle a few years ago – flashing frantically. The bucking got worse and was now accompanied by a sick sound from the engine that started Allison’s heart pounding with dread. No, no, no. Don’t die on me out here. Please.

Pulling the car over, it gave a few last heroic little lurches, before it stalled. Allison dropped her head onto the steering wheel with a groan. Great. Just great.

Taking a deep breath, she rubbed her hand over the dashboard, saying, Come on, please, please, please, and attempted to restart the car. She had to give her valiant little beast credit since it did try to turn over before it gave what could only be called a death rattle before going still once more.

So much for the promising payday this Christmas party offered. There was no way she was going to make it now. Reaching blindly for her cell phone, she swiped her thumb across the screen to unlock it. No service. Perfect. Well, wasn’t that just the cherry on top of her shit sundae?

Looking out the windows, she grimaced. Trees. Nothing but trees. No houses, no cars on the road, and no super buff fantasy man in a cape coming to the rescue. We’re on our own, Pip.

No answer from her stowaway. A glance into the backseat revealed her furry little demon had finished his demolition project and had curled up in the hole he made to fall fast asleep. Another minute and he’d be snoring, completely oblivious to the turmoil of his pet human.

Allison sighed, wishing her life was as simple as Pip’s, and contemplated her options. She had to still be close to Malsum Pass. She’d seen the sign for the turnoff a moment before discovering Pip. If she just cut through those trees, she’d probably be able to walk right into town. Someone there had to have a phone she could use to call a tow truck. How she’d get home after that, she had no idea. Her bank account was already pretty much empty, and she’d be expected to pay the tow truck driver, so it was doubtful she could afford a ride service as well.

As for the town, she’d never even heard of Malsum Pass until a serial killer had been arrested there. For weeks it had been all over the news, and then again when the trial of Doctor Danielle Hillary was televised. Add to that, there had been the story of Malsum Pass’ very own hero bear that had gone viral on social media – last spring maybe? A boy who had been fishing with his family just outside of town had fallen into the river swollen from the recent thaw and the parents were desperately trying to reach him when, according to said parents, an enormous bear had burst from the tree line straight into the water to grab the back of the boy’s shirt with its teeth and dragged him to shore before disappearing once more into the woods.

The boy had been waterlogged and suffered mild hypothermia but otherwise was unharmed. The bear, however, had become an overnight sensation with news crews once again bombarding the tiny town and curious tourists making Malsum Pass a hotspot in the hopes of laying eyes on the bear. Most of the residents had refused to be interviewed – both for the trial and for their local furry hero – but the news had shown some footage of the main street. Allison was pretty sure she’d seen a diner in one of those clips.

Come on, sleepy head, Allison said, reaching back to pull Pip out of his nest, his body hanging limp in her hand until she deposited his warm weight around her neck. He yawned, but otherwise snuggled in close to resume his nap. Let’s go find a phone.

Allison knew she had made a big mistake when she’d walked at least a half mile through the woods with no sign of civilization. The only sounds she heard were Pip snoring, her chattering teeth, and her boots crunching through the dusting of snow over leaves. Bad enough that snow had begun to fall, accompanied by a rather icy wind that stung her cheeks, but now the sun was rapidly setting as well, adding an ominous feel to her surroundings. Stopping, she pulled out her cell phone and checked again for service. Still nothing.

Pulling the sides of her coat together since the zipper was broken – the story of her life apparently – she hugged her middle. Press on or go back? she asked her snoozing pet. No advice from that quarter. If she went back, it would be fully dark before she reached the road, only to be standing there for who knew how long waiting for a car to go by that she could flag down. However, if she pressed on, she may just find that the town was just beyond those trees…

Pip’s head suddenly popped up, a whining sound coming from him that she had never heard before and he burrowed deeper into her coat. Every muscle in Allison’s body froze as her skin began to prickle with fear. Something was out here with her.

Nearly dropping her phone from shaking hands, she managed to turn the flashlight app on. Moving in a slow circle, she illuminated her surroundings. Nothing she could see, but she still felt like someone or something was watching her. Swallowing hard, she forced herself to put one foot in front of the other. Please be just ahead, she mentally chanted, please.

An owl hooted and Allison jumped, her phone hit the ground, and Pip, deciding the coat alone didn’t afford near enough protection, scurried down the neck of her shirt, his little claws scratching against her bare skin. Placing a supportive hand across her pet who was now firmly lodged against her belly, Allison bent for the phone and almost collapsed to her knees as a low howl set her bones to shaking with fear. As her fingers fumbled to grab up her one link with civilization, her mind began conjuring all sorts of gruesome visions starring her being mauled by some wolf as an evil owl looked gleefully on, waiting his turn to pick over what was left, her remains discovered months, maybe even years later…

Do you need some help, ma’am?

Ahhh!

Clutching her phone to her chest, Allison turned to locate the owner of that voice. Oh, thank God. An older man, probably in his fifties, tall, with faded red hair and beard, dressed in a heavy winter coat, jeans, and work boots stood just beside a tree. Allison closed her eyes for a moment, nearly giddy with relief. Help had arrived.

A quick jolt of fear nipped at the heels of her relief. After all, a serial killer had been apprehended here. No – she quickly squelched that thought. Doctor Hillary hadn’t lived here; she’d been caught when she attempted to murder someone from here. Hell, she wouldn’t be surprised if this poor man was suspicious of her and her motives for wandering through the woods.

Wow, are you a sight for sore eyes. Allison waved her phone. No cell service and my car broke down. I was trying to find the town. I thought it was closer.

The older man’s eyes narrowed and his nostrils flared slightly as he took her in from hat to boots but made a motion for her to follow him. Not far now. Come on, I’ll take you in.

Allison stumbled a little bit, trying to force her still trembling legs to work after the scare she’d had. I’m Allison.

Tarvahl Pierce, the man responded and shot her a smile. Pleasure to meet you.

I thought I heard a wolf howl. Are there wolves in this area?

The man grunted. Probably just a dog.

Of course, it was just a dog, Allison mentally scoffed. That would teach her to let her imagination run amok. She’d worked herself into a fine tizzy for no reason. Too many horror movies. She nearly chuckled at her foolishness, practically giddy with relief. Her hand stroked Pip through her shirt. Crazy little ninja just got spooked by that owl and she’d let his reaction influence her own.

Allison was glad she hadn’t decided to turn back. Less than five minutes later, the trees thinned to reveal the backs of several houses.

The man turned and eyed her for a moment before he shot her a smile. Welcome to Malsum Pass.

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Zachary Pierce had chosen to patrol in his wolf form in the hopes that releasing his animal would also release some of his pent-up aggression. He’d been in a foul mood for at least a week now, ever since he’d seen that little girl’s face, her big blue eyes swimming with tears…

He snarled and considered breaking into a full-out run when the wind shifted and he picked up a scent that left him reeling. Find it, find it… His wolf was nearly crazy with the need to go after the scent, his instincts at full alert. A female. But not just any female, his wolf told him. His female. He let out a low howl and broke into a run, his wolf needing to chase, and capture, but instead of killing, the overwhelming drive was to keep. Mine.

Was this the feeling he’d heard other males whispering about? The near insanity that seemed to completely override every other instinct when the scent of your one true mate was near?

He spotted her just as his father, who was also patrolling this area, approached from the opposite direction. Zack inhaled, memorizing the scent of his female, and wanted to growl at another male being so close to her – even one that was long mated. He just barely managed to contain the urge, mostly because there was something not quite right about his woman’s scent. She smelled human, but also something else, something a bit musky. Was she a breed of shifter he’d yet to encounter?

He was aware of wolves, naturally, bears, and big cats. Each had a unique scent, but this was something else entirely. Keeping out of sight, he tried to keep his urges leashed as he observed, rather than launching himself at the female to sniff her thoroughly like his wolf wanted to do so badly it almost hurt.

She was tall, he noticed, with black hair under a knit cap, braided in a long rope down her back, the tail almost reaching her waist. Her skin was bronze, even now in December, leading him to believe it was her natural skin tone. She had high cheekbones and a wide smile that made his breath catch in his chest. She was beautiful, long-legged, and after an initial awkward start, graceful as she walked next to his father. His female. And she was heading into town. Unfortunately, if what he’d just overheard was correct, she wouldn’t be staying long.

Choking down the need to follow her straight into town and immediately stake a claim, Zack backed up and turned in the direction of his place. He needed to be in his human form if he wanted to introduce himself, and that introduction would be a lot less awkward if he was clothed. With excitement heating his blood, he flattened himself into a run. Finally, he had something else to think about – something to look forward to.

Chapter Two

Tarvahl Pierce had been nice enough to walk her to the diner, and he even put in the call for the tow truck before joining her in the booth.

Is there someone you can call for a ride if Mike isn’t able to fix your car tonight?

Allison considered her options. She didn’t have phone numbers for any of her neighbors in her apartment building, preferring just to go down and knock on their doors if she needed to talk to anyone. Her co-workers that waited tables would either be on shift or working that fancy Christmas party for extra cash, the same as she had planned to do. As for the staff at her other job – a car dealership where she answered the phones – they would have left for the night.

Even if she did manage to get hold of one of the wait staff working the party, they wouldn’t be able to come get her until well after midnight. That meant Allison would probably have to get a room for at least one night unless she wanted to stand out in the cold once the diner closed. She mentally tallied the rapidly rising cost. She doubted the bed and breakfast she had spotted across the road from the diner was cheap. Add to that the fee for the tow truck, plus who knew how much in repairs to get her car back… Ah, the joys of living paycheck to paycheck.

This whole situation was depressing. Broke and alone. That was her life. Why hadn’t she realized how few friends she had? Probably because she was working all the time just to afford a place to sleep. How sad was that?

Sure, she’d laugh and joke around with her co-workers, but those friendships, if she chose to call them such, didn’t extend outside the workplace. She had one day off a week. And that day was spent on grocery shopping, laundry, household chores, and running any other assorted errands. That didn’t leave much time for socializing. So even if the occasional invitation for drinks after work was extended, she never accepted. She valued her sleep way too much to deprive herself on purpose.

Stroking Pip absently through her shirt where he was still tucked, probably sleeping, Allison shook her head and attempted a brave smile. I have a few friends I could call, but I doubt any of them will be able to pick me up until morning.

Tarvahl nodded. Lucy, bring me the phone please, he called over his