Christmas Treasures

By Sherri Ann

Facing her first Christmas in an empty nest, Riley Miller gives up on the holidays. Her clumsy attempts at online dating suggest she may be destined to remain single. The one man she's secretly wanted has never shown any interest, so what's left? Tim Jenkins has loved Riley as long as he can remember. After losing her, he only dated women who didn't remind him of her. If he can't admit his true feelings now, he may risk losing his chance with her forever. With Christmas season upon them, Riley's circle of family and friends is determined that she will find the path to happiness. Can they create a real Christmas miracle?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dragonfly Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Sep 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9781949187618

Sherri Ann

Sherri Ann is an author of contemporary romance and paranormal fiction. Working out of her home in central Ohio leaves her plenty of time for writing and spending her summers visiting the zoo and gardening.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

A wave of heat rolled over Riley Miller’s scalp, down her neck, and across her shoulders as if she’d breached the surface of a cool pool into the warmth of a summer afternoon.

Someone watched her from the kitchen doorway, and she knew who. Of all nights, why did he have to show up tonight? Nerves low in her belly fluttered when she looked into Tim Jenkin’s eyes.

Find the perfect man yet, Riley?

She didn’t find the question as amusing as Tim, who grinned like a fool. His constant teasing about her decision to try online dating had long ago lost any comedic value.

If the damn men in Riverside didn’t act like children, the entire online ordeal wouldn’t be necessary.

Tim, why are you and Casey here? This is girls’ night. The last I knew, you two had a few dangly bits we females don’t. The guys were welcome anytime, but that didn’t mean she couldn’t tease him, too.

She rolled her eyes when he puckered his lips and made kissing noises. A small spot in her chest warmed at his silly display. Only Tim had the ability to make her smile, no matter what had her down. He wouldn’t do it this time, even if she had to pinch herself hard. How mature. Did you ever grow up after middle school? No wonder you’re still single.

I’m single because I choose to be. Tim turned and walked into the living room. Her two best girlfriends and Tim’s cousin had filed into the foyer, where they brushed off clinging snow and hung up their coats.

Everyone knew about her decision to try dating again, but Tim was the only one who didn’t support her. Sometimes he remained quiet, times like tonight, he behaved like a child and made fun of her.

At least he was in a teasing mood tonight. His silences hurt her more than his words most days. Though why, she didn’t know. She’d given him every opportunity to show more than friendly interest in her since they’d first met, but he’d kept them strictly friends. Pressure squeezed her chest as she remembered the times she’d almost thrown herself at him. There was no way she’d make a fool of herself for anyone, not again. Her college boyfriend was her last mistake.

So far, online dating hadn’t proved to be any different. Men lying about themselves in their profiles, claiming to be something they weren’t. Richer than they really were, younger, more athletic. The list went on and on.

All she wanted was someone honest. As for the package, she wasn’t too picky. She only expected them to take care of themselves. Dark hair seemed the only similarity in the profiles she read through. The entire process was daunting most days.

She hoped her latest match would be the exception to the disasters she’d dealt with in the past. The first had been out for just a good time. The next had been looking for a sugar momma.

The third one had turned out to be married. That one had been interesting, to say the least. After a couple months of online chats and phone calls, they met. A few dates and then he dropped the bomb. I’m married. We had a third, but she moved for work, and we’re looking for a new one. My wife trusts my judgment and I know she’ll love you. Do you like blondes? Not what do you think of ménages, do you like women, or forgive me, but I’m married, and I want you to meet my wife. Just, we’re looking for a third. She’d left that man and situation in the dust.

That was one story she’d keep to herself. She could imagine what Tim would have to say if he ever found out about that date.

Nick was taking things slow. Riley hadn’t even met him in person yet. They had agreed to chat online regularly, but nothing about actually meeting. He requested she not call, claiming phone voices were misleading. Though, so far, he’d made every cyber-date they’d set and talked with her about anything and everything for hours, yet his odd request for no phone calls nagged at her.

Exiting the browser, she powered down and closed the laptop. She moved to the cabinet by the sink, took down five glasses, and grabbed a bottle of red wine. Her nerves jumped when Tim walked into the room. With trembling hands, she pulled a tray from the bottom cupboard.

Need any help?

Riley pulled in a deep breath and counted to ten before speaking. Sure, I have the red wine. Grab the white from the cooler, please.

The kitchen was one of her favorite places in the house she had remodeled soon after her advertising business had officially taken off. Black cabinets drew the eye to the thin black lines streaking white quartz countertops. One choice she’d been uncertain of was the white island with the ebony stained Acacia butcher-block countertop that housed the wine cooler until it was installed. The combination was quite striking, even if she did say so herself. Pops of color from small countertop appliances and other accessories, plus the stainless-steel stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and wine cooler, brought a bit of warmth to all the black and white.

She added napkins and plates to the large tray she’d set on the island earlier and waited for the bottle of white wine.

Tim moved up behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder as he set the bottle down next to the bottle of red.

Her knees trembled, as his body heat soaked into her back when he trapped her between him and the kitchen counter. Why did he do such intimate things, when he kept her safely in the friend box?

Riley, you know I don’t tease you to be mean, right?

She flinched as her chest squeezed. Sometimes. Just wish you didn’t do it so much.

He rested his chin on her shoulder. Forgive me? I’ll try to limit my smart mouth.

She tilted her head enough to rest against his bald head, which she had always found oddly sexy on him.

Of course. Thanks. She’d had a soft spot for Tim since college.

I’m serious, Riley. I am sorry, but I think you can do so much better than those guys you talk with online.

Well, if you have any better guys in mind, please share the info. When he offered nothing but silence, she continued. Yeah, that’s what I thought. I’ll stick with the dating site for a while, thanks. We better get this into the living room before the natives get restless.

Wait. What about Jess’s safety?

She threw back her shoulders, as anger straightened her spine. How dare you! I’ve never done anything that put my daughter in danger. Why do you think no one has met any of the men I’ve gone out with? Not that there have been a lot. Because they weren’t worth meeting her, so they didn’t meet my friends either. Now move so I can take the wine into the living room.

But what if someone were to follow you home?

"Tim, I’m not stupid. They don’t know my address, nor do I come straight home. I didn’t even join the site, until Jess was at the university. Most of the time the date doesn’t last. And Jenn or