Merry Friggin' Christmas

By K. R. Hall

Nicholas Whittaker, a man who hates Christmas with a passion, moves to Manitou Springs, Colorado, to start a handyman business and escape the holiday he detests.


But when Natalie Hughes and her five-year-old daughter Lainey move to Manitou Springs after her husband's death, Nicholas finds himself surrounded by the holidays he's tried so hard to stay away from.


Can Natalie and Lainey convince Nicholas that Christmas is a wonderful time of the year and miracles do happen?


Find out in this heartwarming holiday romance.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: K. R. Hall
• Release date: Nov 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223635376

Book preview

Chapter 1

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I’ll be home to take you trick-or-treating, Lainey. I promise, Travis promised over the video call.

Okay, Daddy, Lainey replied.

Tell Daddy you love him, Natalie whispered.

I love you, Daddy, Lainey said before running off to her bedroom.

Travis, are you sure you will be home by Halloween? Natalie asked. Last time, they canceled your leave.

They can’t this time, Nat. It’s the end of my rotation. Two more weeks, and I’ll be home, Travis said.

I’m counting the days, Natalie said.

Staff Sergeant Hughes, we’re ready to roll, a voice in the background called.

I gotta go, Nat. I’ll call you when I get my flight itinerary, Travis said. I love you.

I love you too, Travis, Natalie replied before the video call closed.

Natalie closed her laptop and headed to her four-year-old daughter’s bedroom.

Time for your bath, then bed, Natalie said, entering the room.

Do I have to? Lainey complained.

Yes, you have to, Natalie replied. After I wash your hair, you can play for a few minutes.

Okay, Mommy, Lainey gave in, crawling off her bed.

As the tub filled, Natalie helped her daughter out of her clothes. She tested the water and turned off the faucet.

Time to hop in, Natalie said as she helped her into the water.

Natalie washed Lainey and then shampooed her hair.

Ten minutes to play, Natalie warned.

Okay.

Natalie stepped out of the bathroom to grab her e-reader. When she returned, she sat on the toilet lid as her daughter played in the water. There were twelve minutes left in the chapter she was on. She would get her daughter out after she finished the chapter.

Time’s up, Natalie said as she turned off her e-reader and placed it on the counter.

Natalie pulled the plug from the tub so it could drain. She put the toys in the basket by the tub before picking Lainey up out of the tub.

Can you read me a story? Lainey asked as she was being dried off.

Hmm. You didn’t eat all of your dinner, Natalie reminded.

I don’t like green beans, Natalie pouted.

Step into your undies, Natalie instructed. Well, I supposed I could read you a short story.

Yay, thank you, Mommy.

Arms up. You’re welcome, Natalie replied as Lainey raised her arms.

Natalie pulled the nightgown over her daughter’s arms and head. She hung the towel to dry, then led her to her bedroom. Lainey crawled into bed, and then Natalie tucked her in.

What do you want me to read?

Girl and Unicorn, Lainey answered.

Okay, Natalie replied as she went to get the book from the shelf. The night fell and covered the town…

Before Natalie finished the twenty-one-page book, Lainey was sound asleep. She kissed her forehead, put the book away, and turned on the night light before leaving.

Natalie put the dishes in the dishwasher and started it. Then she tidied up the living room before returning to the bathroom to get her e-reader. Once in her bedroom, she took a quick shower. Put on a nightgown and climbed into her bed.

Natalie turned on the baby monitor, placed her cell phone on the charger, then picked up her e-reader. She fell asleep after reading one page.

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Knocking at the front door woke Natalie from a sound sleep. Looking at the time on her cell phone, she frowned to see it was six. She grabbed her robe off the hook behind the door, sliding it on as she walked to the front door. She hoped whoever it was wouldn’t wake her daughter.

Natalie looked through the peephole in the front door and froze. Two men in military uniforms stood on the stoop. Fear gripped her. Her blood ran cold. She had a hard time breathing. There was only one reason men in uniform would be at her home. She opened the door slowly.

C-can I h-help you? Natalie asked.

"Are you married to Staff Sergeant Hughes?

Yes, I am.

Mrs. Hughes, we’re from Casualty Affairs. May we please come in? one of the men replied.

Oh, yes, of course. Please come in, Natalie said as she stepped back, opening the door.

Natalie shut the door after they entered.

Would you like some coffee? she asked.

No, thank you, ma’am, the other man answered.

Let’s sit in the living room then, Natalie said, leading the way.

The men sat on the edge of the couch while Natalie perched on the edge of the recliner.

Allow me to introduce ourselves. I’m Master Sergeant Jack Wallace, and with me is our chaplain, First Lieutenant Reid Trimble, Captain Wallace began.

The Secretary of Defense has entrusted me to express his deep regret that your husband, Staff Sergeant Hughes, was killed in action in Syria early this morning during airstrikes. Two other soldiers were killed, and seven others were severely injured. The Secretary of Defense and I extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family in your great loss, Master Sergeant Wallace said.

Natalie sat frozen. A look of disbelief came over her face.

No, it can’t be. We talked last night. He was coming home. Natalie shook her head.

Is there someone you can call to be with you at this time? Chaplain Trimble asked.

What? Natalie asked, dazed.

Mommy? Why are you crying? Lainey asked as she approached her mother.

I’m sorry, baby. Did we wake you? Natalie asked as she scooped her up and sat the child on her lap.

No, I had to potty.

Ma’am, is there someone you want us to call to come over? Jack asked.

Oh, yes, Amanda. I’ll call Amanda, Natalie said, then turned to grab the landline.

Hi, Natalie, Amanda said as she answered.

A-Amanda, I need you to come over. Th-there are two men here from C-Casualty Affairs.

Oh, God. I’m on my way. I’ll bring Jennifer so she can take Lainey, Amanda replied, before hanging up.

Lainey, sweetie, let’s get you dressed. Auntie Jennifer is coming to pick you up. You get to spend the morning with Julie and Bonnie, Natalie said. If you gentlemen will excuse us for a few minutes.

Ten minutes later, Jennifer took Lainey to her home while Amanda sat in a chair next to Natalie.

Thank you for waiting for us to get organized. I will tell my daughter later when I pick her up, Natalie said. Please continue.

As I stated earlier, your husband, Staff Sergeant Hughes, was killed in action in Syria early this morning during airstrikes, Jack stated. You will be assigned a caseworker to help you through this time. The caseworker will help with the funeral arrangements, receiving your husband’s body, benefits, and relocating.

Travis said that if anything ever happened to him, I would have to move out of base housing, Natalie said, numb to her feelings. How long do we have?

You have up to one year to relocate off base housing. The military will move you to your destination. If you move before the year ends, you will receive an allowance for the remainder of the year, Chaplain Trimble explained.

When the men were assured that Natalie would be okay, they left. When Amanda closed the door behind them, she returned to sit beside her friend. Natalie burst out crying heavy sobs as Amanda held her.

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Over the next two days, Sergeant First Class Kimberly Martin, her caseworker, helped Natalie through endless paperwork. Natalie saw a grief counselor. Lainey woke up during the night crying for her daddy. On the day Travis’ body arrived at the airport, Jennifer took Lainey to her home.

Master Sergeant Jack Wallace and Sergeant First Class Kimberly Martin drove Natalie and Amanda to the Colorado Springs Airport to retrieve Travis’ body.

The black SUV parked on the airport tarmac, waiting. At the sound of jet engines, Natalie looked out the window. She gripped her husband’s dog tags firmly, praying for the strength she needed. The dog tags and Travis’ personal effects had been sent to her.

Is that his plane? Natalie asked.

Yes, I believe so, Kimberly answered.

My soulmate is on that plane, she murmured.

They watched airport workers roll a conveyor belt to the plane’s rear, followed by six solemn Army Soldiers. Tears ran down her cheeks as she watched.

It’s time to go, Jack said as he opened the car door.

Master Sergeant Jack Wallace and Sergeant First Class Kimberly Martin were the first to exit the SUV. They were wearing the Army Service Uniform in the dress Army Blue style. A white-gloved hand reached into the SUV to help the ladies out.

Natalie wrapped her arm around Amanda’s while they stood on the tarmac, steadying herself. Then her eyes locked on the cargo hold and the flag-draped casket.

Oh, God, no! Natalie screamed as reality sank in that her husband was indeed dead.

Amanda tightened her grip on her friend so she wouldn’t fall when she felt her collapse as the casket left the plane. The pallbearers carried the coffin to the hearse.

Please, Natalie said.

The men stopped. Natalie stepped to the casket and put her hand on the flag draped over the top.

I miss you every minute of every day and night. I ache to see your smile again. I play messages to hear your voice again, Natalie said. I love you.

Natalie nodded her head as she