Step out of the winter chill and into the warmth of Fools Gold, California, the charming small-town setting for a new holiday novella from New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery
Famous former NFL stars dont date single working moms like Bailey Voss. Shell allow herself to daydream about Kenny Scotts muscles and killer smile, but wanting more would lead to post-holiday regret. Then Kenny volunteers to run a toy drive with Bailey, and she learns that hes not just hothes also generous, funny, nice. The whole packagetantalizingly out of reach.
The ache of past loss reminds Kenny why he needs to avoid getting too close to anyone. Especially to a gorgeous redhead and her adorable little girl. Mess it up, and hed lose them both. Yet Kenny can only resist Bailey for so long. And as festive spirit spreads throughout the town, hes all wrapped up in Baileys sweet, sexy kisses and determined to make this the first of many Christmases together
YOURS FOR
CHRISTMAS
Susan Mallery
This is for Linda Elliott,
who said yes to the man of her dreams
Waymon (Ray), in 1961 on Christmas Eve.
Since his illness and death in 2008,
Linda has returned to comfort reading,
her first love, with a vengeance.
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER ONE
MOM, EVEN THOUGH I know theres no Santa, is it still okay to have a stocking?
Bailey Voss smiled at her daughter. Being a single mom was often a challenge, but every now and then she thought maybe, just maybe, she was getting it right.
Of course, she told her seven-year-old. Christmas is about being with the people we love and sharing our traditions. A stocking is a tradition.
Chloe beamed. When can we put out our stockings? And decorate the house? Her bright, adorable girl paused. When we move, right? Can we put up our Christmas tree the very first night?
We can, Bailey promised, confident she was going to be exhausted after a long day of moving, but determined to make this the best Christmas ever for her little girl.
Chloe had already been through so much, most especially the loss of her dad over a year ago. But she was happy and thriving now. Bailey and her daughter had made a place for themselves in Fools Gold and they were less than a month from moving into what Bailey hoped was their forever home. Bailey had a great job she loved, Chloe had friends and was doing well in school. A wonderful holiday season was exactly how she planned to finish up her year.
Chloe walked to the calendar attached to the refrigerator and counted out the days.
Seventeen days until Thanksgiving, she said excitedly. Then twelve more days until we move and get our tree and stockings. She hurried over to her mother and hugged her. Its almost Christmas!
Bailey held her tightly, then stroked her hair. Im proud of you, honey, she said, trying to keep from sounding too emotional. Youre working hard in school and youre a big help to me.
Her daughter looked up her. I love you, Mom.
I love you, too, sweet girl. She glanced at the clock on the stove and held in a shriek. We are so late!
Chloe laughed and pulled back, then ran out of the kitchen. Im ready. I just need my coat.
Five minutes later the Voss women were walking briskly toward Chloes school. After dropping off her daughter, Bailey continued on toward city hall, where she worked as Mayor Marsha Tilsons assistant.
Mayor Marsha was the longest-serving mayor in California. She ran her town with an impressive combination of carrot and stick. Bailey was pretty sure Mayor Marsha could twist the devil himself to her bidding. Today was no exception.
Only it wasnt going to be the devil walking through the mayors office doors. Instead they would be visited by a tall, broad-shouldered man who got Baileys heart to fluttering in a way that really couldnt be healthy.
Its just a crush, Bailey told herself as she waited in line at Brew-haha for her morning latte, then realized that talking aloud in a crowd was a sure way to get her neighbors and friends to worrying about her. She pressed her lips together, then felt them curve into a smile as she thought about how being around Kenny Scott made her feel sixteen again.
She knew that having a crush was no big deal. It was a part of life. As long as she didnt act on it, she would be fine. Because throwing herself at the muscular, former NFL player, and Super Bowl-winning receiver, would be foolish and possibly pathetic.
There was no way she was Kennys type. Not that shed ever seen him with a woman, but still. He was gorgeous. Dark blond hair, big blue eyes. He was built like a superhero and strong. A gentle giant of a man. And speaking of big, his hands...
She held in another sigh, placed her order, waved at her friend Patience, who was manning the espresso machine, then moved to wait for her drink.
The truth was that famous former NFL stars didnt date small-town single moms. Especially not those who were battling an extra twenty pounds. Bailey figured she was attractive enough. Shed been blessed with thick red hair and nice skin, but she wasnt like those women in the gossip magazines. She was pretty much the same as everyone else in the normal world. She had a job, she worried about her daughter and much of the time her paycheck barely stretched to cover her bills. She wasnt exactly a hunky-guy magnet.