Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides: Blueberry Point Romance, #5

By D.E. Malone

He values tradition. She's pushing for progress.
Can they find common ground under the Christmas lights this season?

 

Despite an aversion to all things Christmas, plucky publicist Fallon Gale is in charge of taking the Holly Days Festival to the next level. They might not appreciate her vision, but she's determined to drag these tradition-bound locals into this century, despite the handsome, enigmatic son of the festival's founders fighting her at every turn.

 

Marine First Sergeant Kade Behar just retired from active service and returned home to Hendricks. But clashing with the infuriating yet adorable woman who would rather seat Santa and Mrs. Claus in one of those fancy electric pickup trucks instead of his family's heirloom sleigh is not what he had in mind. He's caught between saving the festival from a stranger's nontraditional plans and fighting his growing attraction to her.

 

When Fallon unknowingly enlists help from a Behar family rival for the festival, Kade draws a line in the snow. But 'tis the season for surprises, and with the help of a little holiday magic, snowflakes—and sparks—might fly this Christmas.

 

Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides is a standalone, small-town romance in the Blueberry Point series. If you like characters who feel like friends and a charming community that feels like home, then you'll love this heartfelt holiday story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn Malone
• Release date: Oct 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9781951516161

D.E. Malone

D.E. Malone writes sweet contemporary romances and is the author of the Hearts in Hendricks and Blueberry Point Romance series. She loves traveling to places off the beaten path which inspire the small-town settings in her stories. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, and continuing her quest for the holy grail of bakeries. Visit her website at https://www.demalone.com to subscribe to her newsletter or find her on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram at dmalonebooks.

Book preview

Chapter One

Apatch of blue sky poked through the gray woolen clouds when Fallon Gale glanced through her driver’s side window again. She’d been keeping an eye on the sky ever since she left the Twin Cities, hoping for the snow to hold off until she made it to Hendricks. Driving along the North Shore in December was always a gamble. She’d narrowly missed what she thought was a snow squall that had left the highway thick with slush. But now it was snowing again.

You still there? came her boss’s voice through the speaker.

Fallon focused on the road again as a semi crawled up close to her bumper. I am. This weather has made me skittish. And some people drive like they’re the only ones on the road.

Tell me about it. I’m dealing with the same thing right now. Got a late start this morning, said June. How far do you have to go?

Fallon glanced at the digital map displayed on the console. About fifteen miles.

Did you ever get a hold of Agnes? She left a message for me, but when I called back, the phone wouldn’t connect.

No, I haven’t. Fallon glanced again at the truck behind her. If he were any closer, he’d be attached to her bumper.

Have I told you how much Agnes appreciates what you’ve done so far? asked June. If I have to hear one more time how wonderful you are—

You don’t. She lets me know every time we talk.

June’s friend, Agnes DeLina, was head of the Hendricks Chamber of Commerce. With grant money to spend, she’d hired June’s firm, Endeavor Publicity, to help attract more attention to the town’s Holly Days Festival.

Between you and me, I’m not sure how much more attention a little town festival can get in the middle of winter, especially one all the way up the North Shore, said June.

That’s what she’s paying us the big bucks for though, right? To figure it out? The truck drew more of Fallon’s attention than what was ahead of her. She readjusted her grip on the wheel. Her fingers began to ache.

June huffed. This wouldn’t even be an option if she didn’t have grant money to play with.

You know, June, it’s not lost on me that you assigned me to this project despite knowing my distaste for the most commercial of holidays. She smiled as she said it. June refused to accept this character flaw in Fallon as her boss called it. A long-running joke between them, June enjoyed prodding Fallon to embrace all things Christmas as much as Fallon tried her hardest to avoid them.

It’s good for you, June said simply. Besides, Agnes is a dear friend. I’d only send her the best and like it or not, that’s you. Listen, I’ll let you go. Let me know how it goes with Agnes and the alpaca people.

Fallon giggled. You make it sound like I’m meeting with farm animals in Hendricks.

You’re not? June snorted at her own sarcasm.

"The Behars have an alpaca farm, yes, but…geez!"

The truck behind her signaled to change lanes. Speeding up, the semi kicked up slush. It pelted the side of her car and covered her window and front windshield with a fury as it passed, blinding her.

Where was the road?

Fallon tapped the brake, slowing even more although she was driving much slower than the posted speed limit.

Big mistake.

White-hot panic seized her when her Bronco lost its grip on the road.

The rear end fishtailed toward the shoulder. She grasped the wheel with both hands, turning it frantically into the spin. But it was useless. Fallon tensed as the slow-motion slide took the car backward, over the shoulder, and into the shallow ditch. There was a muffled whump and a deadening screech until the Bronco stopped abruptly. A wave of snow rose up over her hood and coated the windshield.

Fallon let out a shaky breath as her heart raced.

She relaxed her hands from the death grip on the wheel.

I’m okay…I’m okay…I’m okay, right?

It was quiet except for the hum of the engine and someone talking on the radio. Facing the way she’d come, Fallon caught glimpses of the empty road through the windshield as the dirty slush tracked down the glass.

Wonderful.

She was about to turn off the radio when she heard: "Fallon!"

June was still on the phone.

Where was her phone?

Fallon unbuckled her belt and leaned across the console to feel the floor on the passenger side. Her fingers grazed the smooth texture of her phone case. June’s voice grew louder as Fallon brought it to her ear.

"Hello? HELLO? You there?"

She sank back against the seat. I’m here.

I thought we got disconnected for a second, June said. The honks and squeaky brakes from downtown traffic were in the background. Oh, how she wished for a good traffic jam at the moment instead of this.

June, I just spun off the road. Her voice wavered with adrenaline.

June gasped. What?! Are you all right?

Yes, but I don’t think my car is. She opened the door, but it only budged a few inches. I’m in the ditch and almost up to the window in snow, I think. My door won’t open.

Oh, honey. I’m sorry.

Luckily, I’m close to town. It shouldn’t be too much trouble for someone to come tow me out. She reached across the passenger seat to try that door. It pushed open easily. I’m going to go so I can call someone.

Good idea. Let me know you’re okay once you’re in Hendricks.

Will do, June.

Fallon sat there a moment, letting her heart settle back into its normal rhythm. She leaned against the headrest, thinking.

Her stubbornness usually worked in her favor. Not this time.

Push through the storm, she'd told herself earlier that morning. It’ll have moved on by the time she’d make it to Hendricks. The weather report said otherwise, but she had to make this meeting with Agnes and the people at Loom and Lyre Farms. Time was running out. She’d already postponed once because of another project.

As soon as she tucked her phone into her bag, Fallon moved her seat back to the farthest position. She wasn’t tall, but all five foot six inches of her had to maneuver over the center console, which took some effort. Plus, the wool skirt she wore had no give. Fallon glanced out the front window, which had cleared once the snow slid off. She didn’t want to give a passing motorist a show by hiking the skirt up to her hips.

The door fell open easily since the car rested on a slight incline. She hopped out into calf-deep snow and surveyed the situation as she covered her legs again.

It was even worse than she imagined. She didn’t have to be a car expert to know.

Her front wheel tilted at an odd angle, hinting that it had hit something.

Fallon circled the Bronco, high-stepping through the snow pile created by her slide off the road. Sure enough, a rock outcrop poked ominously through a nearby drift.

Just then the crunch of snow underneath tires made her heart skip. Thank goodness, a good Samaritan.

Her snow boots were no match for the deep snow. It crept over the fur-lined tops as she plowed up the slight hill to meet the driver. She could feel it melting against her wool tights.

The truck pulling onto the shoulder and then turning to point its front end toward her car looked like a snow beast. Its massive grill with slush-covered headlights glowing yellow bore down on her, and she thought for a few seconds that it wouldn’t stop, that it would barrel down the embankment and push her little Bronco into the trees, pinning her between them. But then the truck did stop, brakes rubbing together like the guttural sound of a large forest animal. She shivered against the gust of wind and buried her nose farther into her coat as she waited for the driver to get out of the truck.

Fallon would have been struck by the guy’s size first if it hadn’t been for the red and green helium balloons trying to escape from the cab when he opened his door. For a man that large to move as quick as he did to harness the balloons against the blustery wind was a feat. And the festive colors against the backdrop of winter out in the middle of nowhere was a spontaneous and cheerful spectacle. She caught herself smiling.

Hey there. Fallon flashed a wave as he approached. Thanks for stopping. I spun off when I got passed by a semi.

No one should be passing in this weather, he said, trudging by her to examine the car. Fallon caught a glimpse of high rosy cheekbones and piercing dark eyes above the fleece muffler he wore around his neck.

Fallon hurried to keep up with his long, hurried strides. Something’s wrong with the front wheel on the passenger side.

It was visible from where they were on the shoulder too.

I’d say, he said when he spotted the problem. You’re going to need a tow.

She nodded since she’d already come to this conclusion.

Where are you headed? He pulled his phone from his pocket, not looking at her, and pulled off a glove to poke at the screen. His hand was tanned.

Hendricks. For a meeting.

Do you want the bad news or the worse news? He put the phone to his ear.

Fallon looked skyward in exasperation. Of course there was no good news. She shrugged.

The bad news is Bart is probably backed up until Sunday pulling people out.

Bart?

He wouldn’t meet her eyes but instead some distant point over her shoulder. Bart Oltman. He owns the garage in Hendricks.

Understandable, but it didn’t make standing out here in the freezing cold any easier. And the worse news?

I’m guessing you have a bent tire rod under there. And I’d bet Bart doesn’t have one of those laying around. He scanned the sky. Weather like this? It’ll be a few days at least before he gets the parts from Duluth.

Dread seeped into her already frozen bones. Days?

Hope you were planning to stick around for a while.

I wasn’t.

He finally looked at her, a passing glance, before he took the phone away from his ear and punched in some more numbers.

I can give you a ride into Bart’s. At least you can wait inside where it’s warm.

Her fingers were already going numb. She’d forgotten her gloves on the dash.

I’d appreciate that.

Fallon heaved a sigh as she made her way back down the embankment to her car to grab her valuables and lock it. Meanwhile, her good Samaritan got back into his truck to wait for her.

But when she opened the passenger door of his truck, Fallon scrutinized the impossibly high seat from where she stood. There was no way her wool skirt would allow her to climb up there without hiking the thing up to her hips again.

Her face flamed. This is really embarrassing.

He leaned over, cocking his ear toward her as he held on to the balloons by their trailing silver strings. Excuse me?

Can you look away for a second? I can’t get into the truck without…not…I have to lift my skirt a little.

Despite her mortification Fallon almost laughed at the look on his face. His attention diverted to her lap momentarily before he jerked upright, his eyes popping, and turned away so abruptly there was a thud when his forehead met the driver’s side window.

Tell me when, he croaked.

Fallon checked the road before she inched up the skirt. Luckily, there was a handlebar to grab, but the truck was still ridiculously high even with the running board to give her a boost.

Almost there. She fell across the seat while looking for something to pull herself upright again. Her legs flailed while her feet struggled to find footing somewhere inside the truck.

I can’t even think about how I look right now.

Thankfully, this guy was true to his word. He was as far against his door as he could go, still looking through the window.

Finally, her foot found the space under the glove compartment and she braced herself there while pulling herself upright. She yanked down her skirt and pulled her coat over her knees again. Okay. I’m good.

Note to self: Never again wear a skirt on a winter road trip.

He nodded as his throat rippled from swallowing. Without so much as a glance in her direction, he turned the ignition and the truck roared to life.

They rode in awkward silence for the first few miles.

Fallon cleared her throat. Thanks again for this. I’m Fallon, by the way. Fallon Gale.

He gave her a once-over and a quick, impersonal smile before his attention turned back to the road. For a second, she thought he wasn’t going to say anything.

Kade, he answered simply.

Do you live in Hendricks?

He glanced again at her and took a moment to answer. Then he nodded. Yes.

Obviously, he wasn’t the talkative type. At least the drive was a short one. She settled back into the seat and watched the snowy landscape drift by.

They arrived at a red-roofed building on the outskirts of town fifteen minutes later. Fallon expected Kade to drop her off and that would be that, but to her surprise, he unbuckled his seatbelt and hopped out of the truck.

Inside, the lobby smelled of pine cleaner and exhaust. A young woman with a purple streak running through her otherwise chestnut hair hunched over a computer behind the counter. She looked up as she and Kade came in and gave a quick wave, her thick silver bangles clanking together.

Hi, Kade.

Hey, Sara. I take it Bart hasn’t been in much today.

Sara shook her head, her straight bangs falling over one eye until she pushed them back. I haven’t seen him since I got here.

Kade nodded. This here is Fallon. Her car is fifteen miles west, right off the highway, within a half mile of the Lakeshore Mini-Mart. She’ll need a tow. Might have a bent axle.

Sara winced. Even she knew Fallon’s situation sounded bleak.

I’ll give him a call. I think he’s in Twin Rivers, so he can stop on his way back.

He acknowledged Fallon for the first time since they’d gotten back on the road. Do you know anyone in town? For a place to stay? he asked.

Fallon could ask Agnes.