The Grump's Curvy Christmas Crush: A Small Town Holiday Romance

By Kay Sinclair

Dear Santa, please grant this curvy single mom a Christmas wish. Bonus points if he makes wine and looks hot in an ugly holiday sweater.

 

My café is the first stop on the annual Ugly Sweater Wine Walk. Yesterday, I was thrilled about that. Today, I'm in panic mode. Because the vineyard I was supposed to partner with just canceled. Meaning no wine. For the wine walk. And did I mention it's only a week away? 

 

Things only get worse when the new winemaker in our small mountain town — my only hope for a last-minute miracle — is a grumpy scrooge who refuses to help. 

 

What's a woman to do? Certainly not give up. Not when I have a Christmas event to save. 

 

Thus, my master plan to un-scrooge-ify my nemesis is born. 

 

Getting injured and stranded at his vineyard during a snowstorm, though?

 

Nope, that is definitely not part of the plan. And neither is the way he eyes my curves like I'm a sweet treat he can't wait to devour. 

 

***

 

The Grump's Curvy Christmas Crush is a short, sweet, and steamy standalone holiday novella set in the small town of Temptation Falls. If you like grumpy heroes who melt for the right woman and plus-size single moms getting their happily ever after — or you wish the holiday movies on TV had a bit more spice — then you'll love Nash and Charlotte's story. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kay Sinclair
• Release date: Nov 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223334026

Book preview

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Copyright © 2023 by Kay Sinclair.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permission requests, contact [e-mail].

The story, all names, characters, and incidents portrayed in this production are fictitious. No identification with actual persons (living or deceased), places, buildings, and products is intended or should be inferred.

Book Cover by Kay Sinclair.

First edition 2023.

A Love Note

For every person who wishes holiday movies on TV had a little more spice… and a lot more curves.

This one’s for you.

Contents

1.Charlie

2.Nash

3.Charlie

4.Nash

5.Charlie

6.Nash

7.Charlie

8.Nash

9.Charlie

10.Nash

11.Charlie

Epilogue: Nash

Thank you for reading!

About the Author

1

Charlie

Snow drifts softly down outside the window, making Déjà Brew Roasters feel cozy and peaceful. And it’s totally at odds with my current state of mild panic.

The Temptation Falls Tree Lighting Ceremony—and the Ugly Sweater Charity Wine Walk that always comes after, with my café as its first stop—falls on the first Saturday of December every year. Only a week away. And it’s just my luck that my sole wine vendor just dropped out.

And that means no wine. For the wine walk.

Clutching my phone in my hands, I wonder what the hell I’m going to do now. With a frustrated sigh, I give in to a moment of self-pity. I drop my cell, bury my head in my hands, and groan audibly.

Normally I would never let my perfect customer service facade crack at the counter, but the only person here is Mr. Merriman, and he’s facing away from me. Plus, his hearing isn’t too good anymore. With all the fluffy white ear hair framing his fluffy white beard… it’s no wonder.

After my brief pity party, I pull myself together and stare blankly out at the quiet cafe. There’s got to be a way around this. I need to go into problem-solving mode and find a solution. Stat. I rake through my long, curly chestnut brown hair with my fingers and start to braid. With every twist, new possibilities pass through my mind—but unfortunately, each is less feasible than the last.

The bell over the door dings and knocks me out of my ruminations. Three people walk in, shaking snowflakes from their jackets.

I plaster on a plastic grin, but within moments of chatting with the customers, the smile becomes real. I easily fall back into my familiar routine of taking orders, making small talk, and brewing up coffees. The next several hours pass with a steady influx of locals looking for caffeination and pastries, pushing my current dilemma to the back of my mind.

A friendly face enters the shop.

Hey, Rina! The usual? I ask.

She smiles warmly as she approaches the counter. Hi, Charlotte.

I chuckle despite myself. I’ve told you, you can call me Charlie. Everyone else does.

Rina waves a hand in front of her face like she’s batting away the idea. But that’s a boy’s name! I roll my eyes, but she continues, "And yes, please, to my usual. But make it extra extra large. It’s been a day."

You got it. Everything alright?

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Mr. Merriman come to stand behind Rina.

Oh, just mountains of paperwork. Between dealing with tenants and keeping up my real estate listings, I’m stretched pretty thin. Retirement is sounding better and better.

I nod empathetically as I steam the milk for her drink. I hear that.

Mr. Merriman speaks up in his gentle voice. Not to interrupt, ladies, but take it from me: Retirement can get a wee bit boring. If you’re going to do it, make sure you’ve got something else meaningful to fill your days. You need to have a purpose.

Rina turns and nods a greeting to the old man. Oh, I suppose I’d be bored within a month. Still nice to imagine, though! But Charlotte, thirty-three is far too young to start dreaming of retirement. Tough day? She leans against the counter.

I grimace. Thirty-six, actually. And having your wine vendor drop out just a week before the wine walk can do that to you.

Oh no, seriously? What a bummer! she proclaims. Mr. Merriman’s kind blue eyes narrow slightly.

Seriously. I don’t know who else I can partner up with at this point in the holiday season. Everyone’s already got all their events planned.

My brain starts whirring. Maybe I could simply buy wine to sell… but then I can’t donate as much because I’ll need to cover the cost of the products that are normally comped. Plus, I’ll miss out on a new partnership with a local winemaker. Having someone on hand who knows the wine makes the whole experience so much better. Then I can do what I do best: Bring the community together and cultivate the ambiance. And brew the coffee, of course.

Sounds like you’re in need of a Christmas miracle, says Mr. Merriman.

I nod fervently as I add a generous portion of whipped cream to the top of Rina’s drink. I put the lid on and slide it across the counter to her. If Saint Nick could do me a solid this year, it would be very much appreciated. I automatically take Mr. Merriman’s mug from him and refill his black coffee, earning a grateful smile.

I’m not Santa, but is there anything I can do to help? Rina asks.

No, I don’t think so. Not unless you happen to know a winemaker who loves ugly sweaters and Christmas and just happens to have a totally clear schedule for the holidays, I joke. Bonus points if he’s handsome.

Mr. Merriman gives me a cheery wink at my words, lifts his mug to both of us, then walks away and back to his seat. I expect Rina to at least crack a smile, but instead, she looks pensively down at her drink.

Well… funny you should ask, she says slowly.

What do you mean?

Another agent just sold the old Miller vineyard. Do you know it?

I shake my head. "Never heard