Christmas Joy by B.J. McCall Excerpt Two
Bringing Christmas back to Pinecone is a challenge Joy can’t resist, but all Mayor Ash wants is Joy.
Happy Holidays
BJ
Pinecone has lost its Christmas spirit! Santa Claus tasks Paisley, a spirit Elf, with finding a true believer, the one resident of the town capable of inspiring everyone to delight in the spirit of Christmas. Hmm. Tricky? Not… really.
One touch of Christmas magic later and local storekeeper Joy Blake’s on a quest to revive Pinecone’s Christmas Festival, bringing back the beloved community event of her childhood. Her obstacle is Ash Montgomery, the handsome town mayor who’s focused on the fiscal, not the festive.
Convincing the sexy Ash to bring Christmas back to Pinecone is a challenge Joy can’t resist, any more than she can stop testing the gorgeous mayor’s resolve to never date residents. She’s determined to get what she wants. What he wants is her. Christmas in Pinecone is heating up.
Publisher’s Note: Christmas Joy was available previously for a short time at another house that has since gone dark.
Excerpt
After exchanging a few words with members of the audience, Joy left the town hall. She walked down Main Street, passing several empty storefronts. All the businesses were closed for the evening. Even the restaurants shut their doors by seven. The council meeting had ended before eight. Night was falling and Pinecone was dead quiet.
A pair of headlight’s appeared and a vehicle pulled up. Ash Montgomery climbed out of his SUV. Ignoring him, Joy pulled her key out of her pocket and unlocked her door. She stepped inside the shop.
Ash placed his hand on the door before she closed it. “Joy, don’t take what happened in the council meeting personally.”
“How should I take it, Mr. Mayor? You were indifferent to my effort and time and disregarded my proposal within twenty seconds.”
Although she hadn’t invited him, Ash stepped inside the shop and closed the door. “The financial solvency of Pinecone is my responsibility.”
“A town is more than numbers.”
“Inattention to numbers almost destroyed the town.”
“I don’t want to destroy Pinecone,” Joy said. “I chose to live here. I just opened a business.”
“I’m glad you’re here. The town needs businesses and new ideas.”
Thinking she had the perfect opportunity to talk to the mayor one-on-one about the festival, Joy invited him to join her for a drink. “Coffee or wine? Your choice, Mr. Mayor.”
“I’d love a glass of wine.”
Joy smiled. “I have a nice cabernet. Upstairs.”
He followed her up the stairs leading to the second floor. Before they reached the top, Ash touched her upper arm. “Joy.”
She paused and turned. Because he was on a lower step, they stood face-to-face. “I’m sorry. Every council meeting someone presents an idea and wants the town to pay for it. Our reserves are low. I’m tough on those people and I was tough on you.” He stood close, making Joy physically aware of him as a man, a sexy, delicious male.
“Apology accepted.”
He slid his fingers up her arm. “When you walked into the room tonight, I couldn’t take my eyes off you. I try to be fair to everyone. I’m sorry. I couldn’t allow my attraction to you to sway me.”
Her heart skipped a beat. “But I want to sway you, Mr. Mayor.”
“Right now, I’m dying for you.”
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Christmas Joy – available at Changeling Press, Amazon, B&N, Kobo and iTunes
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