Love on a Snowy Eve: a Sweet Holiday Romance

By Shanae Johnson

Two hearts, one gingerbread house: This Christmas, love is the secret ingredient.

Ginger Evergreen has her eyes on a prize sweeter than any gingerbread house: inheriting the annual Gingerbread House Competition from her retiring mother. There's just one problem—Ginger's whimsical approach has never been taken seriously by the adults in her quaint little town. 

Keith Mauro is a Facilities Engineer at the military base and a stickler for structure and precision. Missing the gingerbread competitions he used to relish with his late father, Keith is hesitant but intrigued by the prospect of partnering with Ginger. She's all tinsel and glitter. He's blueprints and calculations. When they agree to combine forces for the sake of winning, sparks fly high enough to set the roof of their gingerbread house on fire. 

With Keith's strict plans and Ginger's boundless creativity, will their gingerbread house survive their competing ideals? And will this blossoming romance come out fully baked or come crumbling down? Dive into this cozy Christmas tale to find out how the magic of the season brings together two people as contrasting as peppermint and gingerbread, teaching them that the best creations often come from mixing the unexpected.

Love on a Snowy Eve is a part of the Honor Valley Holiday romances; a heartwarming, small town, military romance series that explores the power of love, growth, and healing set during the most magical time of the year! These stories are short and sweet -the perfect length for an afternoon pick me up or an evening escape before bedtime!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Dec 1, 2023

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Ginger Evergreen pushed open the glass door of Evergreen's Holidays and More, her family's year-round Christmas store that was a festive haven even when it was the middle of the summer. A set of bells chimed her arrival, sounding like reindeer hooves on a snowy night. The scent of warm spice and cut pine filled her nostrils, instantly transporting her to holidays long past. Rows of twinkling lights adorned the walls, while Christmas trees in every imaginable size and color reached up to the ceiling.

Her sister, Cin, and cousin, Clove, were already there, sipping on peppermint mochas and conferring over a clipboard. As Ginger moved toward them, her gaze caught her reflection in a hanging ornament—a swirl of ginger hair and twinkling green eyes. She looked so much like her mom, and it filled her with a mix of pride and wistfulness.

Ginger, there you are, Cin greeted her, her eyes flicking up momentarily before returning to the clipboard.

Planning for the annual snowball fight already? Ginger grinned, peeking at the clipboard. It was filled with notes in Cin's crisp handwriting.

Clove looked up and sighed. She's been fussing over every single detail, as usual. Unlike some people, who think life is one big improv comedy show.

Ginger shrugged, her eyes twinkling. Hey, laughter is the best medicine, right?

Cin shook her head. Not when it comes to organizing important events, like the Gingerbread House Competition. Speaking of which, Mom says she wants to talk to you about it.

Ginger's heart soared at the mention. Taking over that cherished event had been her dream for years. Really? She wants me to help out?

Clove and Cin exchanged a glance, a flicker of doubt passing between them. Cin was the eldest of the bunch, with Clove being the youngest. But most times, they treated Ginger as though she permanently sat at the children's table.

Ginger, you know we love you, began Cin cautiously. But, well, you're not exactly the most focused person in the room. I mean, do you remember last year when you decided to add cotton candy to the gingerbread?

Ginger felt a twinge of defensiveness. That was creative flair.

It was a mess, Clove corrected.

A mess that she managed not to be around to clean up, added Cin. You've got to take this more seriously if you want to take over the Gingerbread House Competition for Mom someday.

Though Clove was their cousin, their parents had raised her from a very young age since both of Clove's parents were in the military. She'd spent summers and holidays with them. And when she lost her parents, she came to stay forever and began calling Ginger's mom Mom.

Ginger's eyes strayed to the far corner of the shop, where a group of young kids were admiring a display of handmade nutcrackers. An idea flashed through her mind, a way to prove her point while lightening the mood.

Excuse me a sec, she said, dashing over to the corner.

Her sister and cousin watched, both intrigued and wary, as Ginger grabbed a nutcracker and turned back to the children. You guys wanna see Sir Nutcracker do the moonwalk?

With exaggerated precision, she slid the nutcracker backward across the table, humming a tune that was a cross between The Nutcracker Suite and Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. The kids burst into giggles, their eyes lighting up like the annual neighborhood holiday lights extravaganza that Clove was planning. Ginger reveled in the joy she'd brought to their faces. For her, this was what Christmas was all about.

She turned back to her sisters, holding up the nutcracker like a trophy. See? There's room for creativity and fun, even in the most traditional settings.

Cin shook her head, her mouth curving into a reluctant smile. You're impossible.

And you love me for it, Ginger countered, setting down the nutcracker and returning to the two of them.

Clove's eyes drifted back to the clipboard. You bring joy, Ginger. There's no denying that. But joy isn't the only thing needed to manage a tradition. Can you step up and handle the responsibility, too?

Ginger felt her cheeks flush, stung by the skepticism that always seemed to be her lot. As much as she loved her family, it was moments like these that made her feel as insubstantial as a snowflake.

I'll show you, she said quietly, more to herself than to them. I can bring the joy and keep the traditions alive.

But even as she said it, a seed of doubt nestled itself deep within her. Could she really balance the laughter and the responsibilities, or was she doomed to be the family jester, forever looking up from the kiddie table? The answer eluded her, melting away like sugar in hot tea, leaving only a bittersweet aftertaste.

Ginger left the holiday store and walked the short distance to the town community center. When she entered through the back door, the wooden floorboards creaked underfoot like a welcoming carol. Bright garlands adorned the walls,