A Christmas in the Woodworks

By Lilac Baudelaire and Phoebe P. McPhee

Esme can't wait to spend Christmas in Pinevale, a picture-perfect mountain town that glows with holiday cheer. Imogen, a Pinevale local, is spending the season working as a bartender...and a Zamboni driver...and a ski instructor...and a woodworker.

When the two keep bumping into each other all over town, they can't help but feel drawn together in ways they don't quite understand.

A Christmas in the Woodworks is the sweet, lesbian, Christmas romance that the gays have been waiting for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Painted Hearts Publishing
• Release date: Dec 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215562987

Book preview

A Christmas in the Woodworks

Lilac Baudelaire

Phoebe P. McPhee

A Christmas in the Woodworks

Copyright © 2023, Lilac Baudelaire / Phoebe P. McPhee

Published by Painted Hearts Publishing

Smashwords Edition

About the Book You Have Purchased

All rights reserved. Without reserving the rights under copyright, reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. Such action is in violation of the U.S. Copyright Law.

Unauthorized reproduction of distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

A Christmas in the Woodworks

Copyright © 2023 Lilac Baudelaire / Phoebe P. McPhee

Authors: Lilac Baudelaire & Phoebe P. McPhee

Editor: Lisa Caro

Publication Date: December 2023

All cover art and logo copyright © 2023 by Painted Hearts Publishing

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

Train ∙ Esme —The view outside the train window was idyllic: white peaked trees, and a vast, snow-covered lake. The images blurred past as a sea of white in the corner of her eye when Esme gazed back down at her book. But she could not stop thinking about Pinevale—the picturesque town she was travelling to for Christmas with her family. She could almost hear the jingling bells of sleigh rides and feel the warmth of the chalet fire. It was going to be stunning.

She was especially excited to visit the Pinevale Cultural Centre. Just a couple of months prior, she had applied to work at the world-renowned cultural and arts centre. The thought made her swell with both excitement and anxiety.

She needed something to squash down her nerves. The food and beverage car was a few cars down, and it would be nice to stretch her legs.

When the metal car door swung closed behind her, she turned and looked around. Multicoloured plastic lights draped the walls of the car. In the far corner stood a stout plastic spruce tree decorated with metallic, teardrop-shaped ornaments. When she looked up, she saw a tube-shaped metal cage wrapping around the top of the car. Inside, a tiny motorized train rattled on its track, pulling cars carrying miniature trees. Around the car, speakers played a tinny version of Winter Wonderland.

Esme walked up to the bar and put her book down on the light wood counter. Behind the bar, a woman with a long dark braid was crushing red and white striped candy canes with a black ceramic mortar and pestle. Her crisp, snow-white button-up shirt had the sleeves rolled up to her elbows. She was bent over slightly, and Esme could see the outline of the grey sports bra strap climbing up the woman’s shoulder.

The woman looked up at her. What can I get you? she asked.

Could I have a glass of Pestoni Howell Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon?

The bartender blinked at her. As much as I’d love to serve you that, I can’t. December is Christmas drinks only. She pointed to a small whiteboard hanging on the wall behind her that said MENU in block letters and listed many holiday-pun inspired cocktails. I would recommend the sugar cookini. It comes with a little cookie on the side.

Esme was unsure. She liked the soft profiles of wine more than the sharpness of martinis. Fuck it, she thought. It’s Christmas. Sure, I’ll try that, Esme said with a smile.

She watched the bartender shake the drink in a silver cocktail shaker. Goddamn. The bartender’s arms looked strong, veins sticking out slightly from her forearms, her hands dwarfing the metal cylinder.

The bartender looked down at Esme’s book. "Ooh, The Stepford Wives. That’s a great book; I finished it last month."

No way, really? I’m really liking it so far, but no spoilers, okay?

I would never. The bartender poured the pale, creamy drink into a martini glass with a sugared rim. So I guess you never watched the movies? she asked, passing Esme the glass and a holly leaf-shaped sugar cookie on a porcelain plate with one hand.

Nope.

Well, you have to sometime, promise?

Okay, I promise. Thank you for the martini. And the show, she thought.