A Maple Syrup Christmas

By Monique Niemaszyk

Anna, a photojournalist in New York City, has avoided returning home to New Hampshire since her mom died. Now, she suspects that her dad is troubled by something serious. Luckily, her next assignment brings her home for Christmas. Anna's dad shares that a contractor has made an offer on their maple syrup-producing property. He also shares that he needs help organizing the Maple Christmas Fair on Christmas Eve.

An accident at the barn limits her dad's ability to work on the fair and around the business. Anna meets The Maple Barn's handsome property manager and his younger brother, who has Down's syndrome. Keeping the business running smoothly, praying together, and finding joy in holiday traditions help the threesome grow close during this season of hope.

Mysteries have been all around since Anna returned home. The wind wants to deliver a message, or is it her imagination? Christmas miracles are abundant at The Maple Barn, and the wind soon quiets down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 4, 2024
• ISBN: 9798891122314

Book preview

Table of Contents

Title

Copyright

Chapter 1: New York City

Chapter 2: Anna Comes Home

Chapter 3: Anna and Her Dad

Chapter 4: Kris's Accident

Chapter 5: Father O'Toole

Chapter 6: Ice Fishing

Chapter 7: Snowballs and Cookies

Chapter 8: Teddy and Parker's House

Chapter 9: Jeff

Chapter 10: Polish Traditions

Chapter 11: Angels

Chapter 12: Maple Christmas Fair

About the Author

cover.jpg

A Maple Syrup Christmas

Monique Niemaszyk

ISBN 979-8-89112-230-7 (Paperback)

ISBN 979-8-89112-231-4 (Digital)

Copyright © 2024 Monique Niemaszyk

All rights reserved

First Edition

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. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

A very special thank-you to Parker's Maple Barn (www.parkersmaplebarn.com) for a lifetime of memories and the perfect setting for A Maple Syrup Christmas.

Thank you to Sue Dow~In the Loft ([e-mail]) for inspiring part of this book with your creativity.

Thank you to my proofreading team of Gabrielle-Jeanne Berthiaume, Tricia Dwyer, and my wonderful husband, Mark.

Chapter 1

New York City

Anna Kaminski stared blankly at the slowly changing white lights on the display board above the elevator. Today, her leather messenger bag felt heavier as she balanced a cup of hot cocoa in one hand and a gift bag in the other. The New York City office building she worked in was filled with employees bustling about. The chatter in the background wasn't cheerful, but more like the noise of banging tin cans. As she entered the elevator, Christmas music could be heard on the overhead speaker. Anna looked up, but she wasn't sure why. Maybe she hoped some Christmas spirit would seep through the speaker and lighten everyone's mood. The elevator opened to a busy hallway leading to a boardroom with closed doors. Anna knew she was a few minutes late for the meeting, so she entered without going to her office first.

Anna quickly put down her drink and gift bag before taking off her winter coat and hanging it on the back of her chair. The meeting had not started yet, so she took a deep breath and sighed in relief as she pulled her chair close to the table surrounded by a team of photojournalists. Anna's supervisor, Mr. Harman, sat in a black leather chair at the front of the room, his arms crossed on the large mahogany meeting-table. The room was well-decorated for Christmas, with poinsettias on the table and a giant Christmas tree in the corner. Soft instrumental Christmas music could be heard in the background.

May I have your attention, everyone? Good morning. So to begin this monthly meeting, I'd like to draw your attention to the screen behind me. It's time once again to announce the photograph of the month. I have a $50 gift card for the winner, courtesy of our favorite Heavenly Grounds Coffee Shop on Second Street.

Mr. Harman held a gift card and projected the winning photo on the overhead screen. The image was stunning: a scene of snow-covered mountains in the background, and boats decorated for Christmas in the forefront. The dominant color of red and the numerous strings of lights captivated everyone in the boardroom.

Mr. Harman proudly declared, Anna Kaminski's photo of a marina at Christmas in Norway is this month's winner. Well done, Anna.

Anna stood up, pushed her chair away, and walked to the front of the room to accept the gift card.

Thank you. I will gladly accept this gift card to Heavenly Grounds since that photo was rather costly. I took it after resting my rental bike against a telephone pole. It seemed like a good idea at the time, except a few minutes later, I watched it get flattened by a dump truck. I was so shocked; I couldn't react. At that moment, I realized for the first time in my life how much I missed the subways of New York.

Everyone laughed with Anna as she walked back to her seat.

Meanwhile, Mr. Harman got up and walked to a side table lined with a row of Christmas bags. He started handing them out to the seated members of his team.

Okay, everyone. I'm handing out these Christmas gift bags early this year. Inside is your annual gift of a Christmas scarf. This year, they are from Ireland. Thank you, James, for buying our annual international Christmas scarves on your last photoshoot on the Emerald Isle. They are beautifully made.

The team applauded and said, Thank you, James!

Anna leaned forward to speak quietly with her coworker, James, who was sitting across from her. This one is exquisite!

James whispered to Anna, It's called buffalo plaid. For some reason, the red-and-black plaid reminded me of your home state of New Hampshire.

Anna whispered back, Thank you, James. I love this!

James sat back and gave Anna a thumbs-up.

Mr. Harman continued standing to make yet another announcement. And you'll find your Christmas bonuses in these bags as well. Some of you are traveling, so I'm giving them out early for your anticipated expenses. Merry Christmas, team!

Merry Christmas, Mr. Harman! the team sang out.

Everyone put on their Christmas scarves and thanked Mr. Harman. Anna joined the small group and followed them out of the boardroom. Laughter and chatting swelled in the hall before everyone headed to their offices. It didn't take long for the crowd to disperse to their workplaces.

Back in her office, Anna pulled out her desk chair and sat facing her laptop. She fixed the branches of the small artificial Christmas tree on her desk. Then as she stared at the screen on her computer, Mr. Harman knocked on the doorframe. He walked in with a folder in hand. He compassionately looked at Anna. She smiled yet curiously narrowed her eyes at Mr. Harman as he handed the folder to her. Anna looked at the destination of her new assignment with a shy grin.

New Hampshire, Anna read out loud.

With the gentleness of an older father figure, Mr. Harman started to leave but then turned around to explain the assignment. "It's time to go home, Anna. Your dad needs you home for Christmas. I thought you'd enjoy this assignment on ‘The Simple Pleasures of Life at Christmas in a Small Town' before your big assignment in Key West in January. You'll submit your article to Small Town Magazine, one of the fastest-growing periodicals in the Northeast, both online and in print. They are known for their photographs and travel destinations of quaint towns all over New England."

"Thank you. My mom lived by those words of finding happiness in the simple things