Christmas in Cloverton: Cloverton Romance, #11

By Haven Saunders and Marci Wilson

Christmas in Cloverton

Two Short Stories

Welcome back to Cloverton, where the snow falls soft, the lights glow warm, and love has a way of finding its way home.

A Cloverton Christmas
Melissa Carter plans a quick visit. Nothing more. But eight-year-old Sophie Winters has a mission—to bring her dad, Jake, a little joy. When Sophie pulls Melissa into their family traditions, Melissa finds herself laughing, helping revive the town's Christmas Angel Project, and feeling something she didn't expect. Something that makes Cloverton look less like a temporary stop and more like a place she could belong.

The Innkeeper's Christmas
Event planner Maddie Cooper arrives determined to save the fading Cloverton Inn. Stoic owner Jack Dempsey agrees to one last Christmas Eve gala, but when a blizzard hits, they end up sheltering strangers and rescued animals instead. Candlelight. Shared stories. Quiet kindness. And a spark neither of them planned on. Maddie learns that the best holiday miracles aren't the ones you plan. They're the ones that catch you off guard and change everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: MaHanna Media LLC
• Release date: Dec 4, 2025
• ISBN: 9798232377786

Book preview

Christmas in Cloverton

Two Short Stories

Haven Saunders with Marci Wilson

Copyright © 2025 by MaHanna Media LLC

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Contents

A Cloverton Christmas

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

The Innkeeper’s Christmas

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

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Also by Haven Saunders with Marci Wilson

A Cloverton Christmas

Chapter One

Sophie Winters twirled around the living room, the hem of her red-and-green dress spinning out like a Christmas carousel. The smell of cinnamon and pine filled the air, but something didn’t feel right. The Christmas tree was beautiful, the stockings hung, but the house didn’t feel as full of joy as it used to.

She glanced at her dad, Jake, who stood by the fireplace, frowning as he adjusted the garland on the mantle for the third time. He was always busy, always working, and his laugh—his real, booming laugh—had been missing for a while now.

Daddy, Sophie said, her voice sweet but firm, what’s wrong with the garland?

Jake glanced at her, his mouth twitching into a half-smile. Nothing, kiddo. Just making sure it looks right.

It looked fine the first time, Sophie declared, crossing her arms. You’re being fussy.

Jake chuckled softly, ruffling her hair as he passed. You’ve got me figured out, huh?

Sophie nodded, but her grin faded as she watched him head toward the kitchen. Something had to be done.

While Jake washed dishes from their dinner and the house was quiet, Sophie sat at the dining table with a piece of notebook paper and her favorite red crayon. She pressed hard as she wrote, determined to make her words count.

Dear Santa,

I’ve been good this year (mostly). I help Daddy with the farm and keep my room (kind of) clean.

I don’t want toys this time. I want my dad to be happy again. He doesn’t laugh like he used to.

If you can, please bring him someone to make him smile—someone nice and pretty like Mommy was. And maybe someone who likes Christmas as much as me!

Thank you, Santa. I know you’re busy.

Love,

Sophie

Folding the letter carefully, Sophie slipped it into an envelope and tucked it into her school bag. She’d drop it into the big red mailbox outside the town square after school.

If anyone could fix her dad’s grumpiness, it was Santa.

The next day, the square was bustling with activity as the town prepared for the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Celebration. Sophie and Jake arrived early to pick up supplies for the farm’s tree lot. Sophie darted ahead, her excitement bubbling over as she spotted the Cloverton Sweets booth. Olivia Hooper made the best sugar cookies!

As she started pulling her dad toward the booth, she saw a woman she didn’t recognize near the gazebo, holding a clipboard and talking to Mayor Thompson. Her brown hair spilled out from beneath a knit hat, and her eyes sparkled as she smiled politely, though Sophie noticed she seemed a little out of place.

Who’s that, Daddy? Sophie asked, tugging on Jake’s sleeve.

Jake glanced at the woman. Melissa Carter. She grew up here, but I think she’s been living in the city. She came back to help her mom or something.

Sophie squinted at Melissa, her little mind working overtime. The woman looked nice, and Sophie liked her scarf—it was red and fluffy, like Christmas. More importantly, Melissa looked like the kind of person who might make her dad smile.

Before Jake could stop her, Sophie marched over to Melissa, her confidence growing with each step.

Hi! she chirped.

Melissa turned, seemingly startled but amused. Well, hello there. Who are you?

I’m Sophie Winters, she said proudly. And you’re new here.

Melissa smiled. Not new, just back for a little while. I grew up here. My name is Melissa. You might know my mom, Mrs. Carter. She’s a teacher at Cloverton Elementary.

Sophie smiled. She’s the music teacher.

Yes, she is.

I like music class. I’m a great singer.

I bet you are.

Sophie tilted her head, as if assessing Melissa’s Christmas potential. Do you like Christmas?

Melissa chuckled. I do. How about you?

It’s my favorite, Sophie said, her tone serious. What are you doing here?

I’m helping with the festival, Melissa explained. What about you?

Me too, Sophie said quickly. She leaned closer, dropping her voice to a whisper. Do you know my dad? He’s over there.

Melissa followed Sophie’s gaze and spotted Jake, who was talking to Officer Chet Hudson. We used to work together, she said. Before I left for Chicago. He owns the tree farm, right?

Sophie nodded, her grin widening. He’s the best. You should come see the farm. It’s really pretty.

Before Melissa could respond, Jake approached, his hands stuffed in his jacket pockets. Sophie, you’re not supposed to bother people, he said, though his tone was more teasing than stern.

She’s not bothering me, Melissa said, offering a smile. It’s nice to see you again, Jake.

Likewise, he replied, his gaze lingering for a moment before he turned to Sophie. How is your mom? I heard she had surgery.

She’s doing great. Not great enough to resume her volunteer duties, she said gesturing toward the booths going up on the square, but much better.

Is that why you are here? To help your mom? Sophie asked.

Melissa nodded. It is. She hurt her shoulder so she couldn’t help with the Tree Lighting Celebration like she usually does. She asked me to come and help in her place.

That’s really nice of you, Sophie said. Don’t you think that’s really nice, Dad?

Jake nodded. We appreciate you stepping in. He turned his attention to Sophie. Come on, kiddo. We’ve got work to do.

As Jake led Sophie away, she glanced back at Melissa and gave her a big, conspiratorial wink.

Melissa titled her head, as if confused, but then the mayor said something that distracted her. Sophie smiled to herself. This was going to be the best Christmas they’d had in a long time.

Chapter Two

The next afternoon, Sophie sat at the kitchen table with her coloring book open in front of her. But instead of crayons, she clutched a pen and scribbled in her notebook. She titled the page Operation Christmas Dad and began listing her ideas for how to get Melissa involved with their family Christmas traditions.

Step 1: Get Melissa to the farm.Step 2: Make Dad smile.Step 3: (Maybe) make them kiss?

She paused, chewing the end of her pen thoughtfully, before adding a few stars around step three for emphasis.

Whatcha working on? Jake asked, carrying a steaming mug of coffee as he walked into the kitchen.

Sophie snapped the notebook shut and grinned. Nothing.

Jake raised an eyebrow but let it slide. We need to head into town later to pick up supplies for the lighting ceremony. Mayor Thompson wants everything done by tomorrow.

Speaking of that… Sophie began, adopting her sweetest tone. You should ask Melissa to help!

Jake froze, his mug halfway to his lips. Melissa? Why?

"Because she’s really nice, Sophie said, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. And she’s already helping with the festival. She could make it extra special."

Jake frowned. "The lighting ceremony is fine the way it is. We’ve been