ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS BEAUTY (Bourbon Falls Series, book 2)
By Kyra Jacobs
Blurb:
This Christmas will be one for the books if they can open their eyes to the possibilities…
Mia Brooks-French threw everything she had into her marriage…until she walked in on her husband and his assistant. Now she’s shifted her focus to being the best mom possible to her sixteen-year-old daughter, her classroom of third graders, and her family’s struggling bookstore. Even Christmas is shaping up to be a challenge this year.
Unfortunately, businessman and bestselling author Alex Wellingham didn’t get the memo. This Christmas, he’s decided it’s finally time to go after the girl he’d firmly locked away in his memories. But Mia isn’t ready to let college bygones be bygones or risk her heart a second time.
His surprise trip to Brooks Books in flames, Alex accepts help from Mia’s sister, Delaney. The duo concocts a tale guaranteed to buy Alex time with Mia and the bookstore a featured guest for an upcoming charity event. But when snowflakes begin to fly and the fibs snowball, can Alex and Mia wake up and decide if this second-chance romance is the real gift of the season?
Excerpt:
“So, you stuck with elementary ed, huh?”
“I did.” She led him from the landing and stopped at the doorway to her crafting room. “Anyway, it’s not much, but hopefully, it’ll work for you while you’re stuck in Bourbon Falls.”
Alex stepped forward, his gaze slowly scanning the space. She’d never found this room anything but fun and magical in the past, her “creation station” for future classroom projects. But standing here, trying to see it through his eyes, Mia began to worry. The twin-sized bed was covered in a worn, patchwork quilt her nana had made. The desk was secondhand, as was its mismatched chair, neither in pristine shape. She’d never minded, but would he?
Maybe she should have changed out the quilt for something more masculine. Or thrown all the craft supplies on top of the desk into a box and tucked it away until he was gone. Or—
“It’s perfect.”
She met his gaze, surprised at the warmth she found there. And zero judgment.
“Seriously, I would have killed to have a room like this as a kid.”
“But this is my room,” Mia said with a laugh, heat rising in her cheeks.
“It’s all part of the job, right? Planning and testing? You might as well have fun in the process.” He walked to the desk and scanned its contents. “I mean, look at all the great stuff in here—construction paper, markers, crayons. Glue sticks. Wait—do I spy colored pipe cleaners, too?”
She nodded. “There’s even more stuff in the drawers. If you use it in a craft, it’s probably in here.”
“I bet you’re everyone’s favorite teacher. How could you not be when you let them play with all this cool stuff?”
The heat in her cheeks intensified. She looked to the desk with a shrug. “We do have a lot of fun in my classroom. Kids seem to learn more when they’re smiling.”
He stepped closer, a smirk on his lips. “You’ve never been an easy person to compliment, Mia.”
The way her name rolled off his tongue sent a pleasant shiver through her, and she wasn’t quite sure how to feel about that. Nor about the way that spicy cologne was beckoning her to step closer and draw in a long inhale. It hadn’t been like this when they were younger. Things had been simpler then. Platonic. Off-limits.
But now…
No, she refused to let her thoughts go there. Alex may look and smell scrumptious, but he was here for only a day. No sense in letting her imagination run wild over someone who didn’t plan on sticking around. Besides, what would it do to her reputation if rumors started circulating about her having a weekend fling with her daughter under the same roof?
“My students show their thanks through hugs and laughter, that’s really all I need,” said Mia, keeping her voice light. “Speaking of which, I have papers to grade. Why don’t we go downstairs and collect your things so you can get settled in for the night?”
“Sounds good. I have some work to do as well.”
Mia led the way back to the living room, grateful to escape the guest room’s small space. Seriously, that cologne should come with a warning tag. Distracted by her thoughts, she reached for his duffel bag the same time as him.
“I’ve got it,” she said.
“Please, allow me. I’ve already taken up too much of your time tonight.”
He smiled that amazing Alex smile and slung the bag over his shoulder. Then he pulled her into a warm hug and pecked a kiss on her cheek. “Thank you again for your generosity, Mia.”
She froze, surprised by the unexpected contact. When was the last time anyone had kissed her on the cheek? And whoa, had he just kissed her?
For once, she wished she was more like Del, able to jump into whatever called her with reckless abandon. Because what she wanted right now more than anything was a real kiss from the boy she’d had a secret crush on back in college. The boy who’d grown into one fine specimen of a man.
“Hey, Mia?”
“Yes, Alex?”
Shoot, why did her voice have to go and sound so breathy all of a sudden? Maybe that was okay. Maybe he’d take the hint and plant a real one on her lips. Oh man, she hoped he would take the hin—
“Is it, uh, normal to have random people looking in your windows?” he asked.
Oh no.
Mia stepped out of their embrace and turned to find her eighty-three-year-old neighbor peering in from the front porch. Though Margaret Harper had retired from her post as a newspaper journalist twenty years ago, her role as the head of their local rumor mill would likely never cease. Nor, did it seem, would her role as self-appointed matchmaker for the Brooks girls. Margaret waggled her silvery brows and gave them both a thumbs-up.
Mia hung her head with a sigh.
“Welcome to Bourbon Falls, Alex.”
Author Bio:
Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who’s always called Indiana home. Growing up in the Midwest means she’s well-versed in fickle weather, pork tenderloins that don’t fit on a bun, and sarcasm. Putting her Indiana University degrees in Public Management to good use by day means Kyra does the bulk of her writing late into the night. Fueled by caffeine and funny memes, she weaves humor and chaos into her stories, which range from sweet romance to mysteries and even paranormal/fantasy.
When this Hoosier native isn’t at a keyboard, daydreaming through her fingertips, she's likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to bowl, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan. Be sure to stop by kyrajacobsbooks.com to learn more about her novels and ways to connect with Kyra on social media.
