Mistletoe Magic at the Christmas Inn (Lights of St. Augustine #4)

Chapter 1

HOLLY

The morning air was crisp and cool as Holly jogged alongside Jack on the familiar beach path.

The sun was just beginning to rise over the Atlantic, painting the sky in shades of pink and gold.

Duke bounded ahead of them, his tail wagging enthusiastically as he chased seagulls along the water’s edge.

It felt good to be back in their routine. After days of rain, stress, and missed opportunities to talk, Holly had missed this. The quiet companionship of their morning runs, the rhythmic sound of their feet hitting the sand, the peaceful solitude before the inn woke up and the day’s chaos began.

“We never got a chance to talk last night,” Holly said, her breath coming easily despite the pace. “About everything.”

Jack glanced over at her, his expression troubled. “So much happened over the previous few days. It’s hard to know where to start.”

“Jane’s scare with the hereditary disease,” Holly said, grateful that at least one crisis had been resolved. “I’m so relieved that turned out to be nothing. I can’t get over Pamela manipulating her like that...”

“I still can’t believe it,” Jack said, anger threading through his voice. “Using a fake disease to scare my daughter. What kind of person does that?” His brow creased tighter. “What was she trying to accomplish because with Pamela, there is always a reason… Some scheme.”

Holly knew exactly what kind of person Pamela was. Someone desperate and calculating. But she kept that thought to herself. Instead, she said, “At least Jane’s okay. That’s what matters.”

“It is,” Jack agreed. Then his expression softened. “And Gabe and Jane. I did see that developing, and watching them together last night...” He smiled slightly. “They’re good for each other.”

“They are,” Holly said warmly. Then her smile faded. “I’m just worried about Gabe. The shrapnel, his career ending...”

“How are you holding up with all that?” Jack asked gently.

Holly felt tears prick her eyes. “I feel terrible,” she admitted.

“I’m trying not to smother him with motherly worry about the shrapnel near his artery.

But Jack, I hate myself for being relieved.

Relieved that he can’t go into combat anymore.

What kind of mother is relieved that her son’s career is over? ”

Jack reached over and squeezed her hand. “The kind of mother who loves her son and has spent years terrified every time he deployed. Holly, that doesn’t make you a bad mother. It makes you human.”

“But he’s devastated,” Holly said, her voice catching. “His entire identity was wrapped up in being a SEAL. And I’m secretly grateful he won’t be putting himself in danger anymore. That feels wrong.”

“It’s not wrong,” Jack said firmly. “You can be sad for him about losing his career and still be grateful he’ll be safe. Those two things can exist at the same time.”

Holly nodded, wiping at her eyes. Jack’s understanding meant more than he probably knew.

They jogged in silence for a few moments, the only sounds the crash of waves and Duke’s joyful barking as he discovered something interesting in the surf.

“And then there’s Victor,” Holly said finally, bringing up the elephant neither of them had fully addressed yet.

Jack’s jaw clenched. “Victor Martin. My old nemesis, who is still trying to ruin my life because he’s hanging onto old grudges.”

“Why?” Holly asked. “I mean, I know you’ve told me bits and pieces about what happened with your business in Charleston. But why is he still coming after you? Why does he hate you so much?”

Jack ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every line of his body. “Honestly? I think it goes back to high school. We were competitors even then. Sports, grades, and girls. But I never thought it was serious. I thought it was just teenage rivalry.”

“But it wasn’t?” Holly prompted.

“Apparently not,” Jack said bitterly. “When we both ended up in the construction and restoration business, the competition continued. But I never sabotaged him. Never tried to destroy him. I just did good work and built a reputation. To be honest, I had forgotten about Victor.”

“And he couldn’t stand that you were successful,” Holly guessed. “Or that you’d forgotten about him.”

“More than that,” Jack said. “He couldn’t stand that I was happy. That I had Pamela, had Jane, and had a business I loved. So he set out to take it all away.”

Holly felt a surge of anger on Jack’s behalf. “And Pamela helped him do it.”

“She did,” Jack confirmed. “She left me, married him, and together they destroyed my business. I lost everything. My reputation, my contracts, and my livelihood. I was forced to take a job at an architecture firm until I quit and came back home a year ago.”

Holly said softly. “Yes, and you came back here, helped your family, rebuilt your life.” Her brow furrowed. “That must’ve made him really angry that you managed to find purpose again.”

“Apparently furious enough to try and take the inn,” Jack said. “Because even after destroying my business and my marriage, even after I lost everything, he still can’t let it go. He still hates me for the silly high school feud he started against me when I got a position he wanted in football.”

They had reached the far end of the beach now, the place where they usually turned back. But instead of turning, they both stopped, looking out at the ocean.

“I can’t lose the inn, Holly,” Jack said quietly.

“This place is my family’s legacy. My great-great-grandfather built it.

My father maintained it. My mother has given her life to keeping it running.

And Jane...” His voice cracked slightly.

“This is Jane’s home. Her safe place. I can’t let Victor take it. ”

Holly moved closer, putting her hand on his arm. “You won’t. We won’t let him. Charlie and Logan are working on it. We’ll figure this out.”

“Will we?” Jack asked, his eyes meeting hers.

“Yes. The fight is not over yet, and we’ll use every second of that time to fight,” Holly said fiercely. “Jack, you’re not alone in this. You have your family, you have friends, and you have me. We’re going to save the inn.”

Jack pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “What did I do to deserve you?”

“Made a wish on the wishing tree,” Holly teased.

“Actually, I haven’t done that yet,” Jack told her.

“I must remember to go and do it. The donations go to buying toys for local underprivileged kids.” He smiled.

“On Christmas morning, William hosts the Wishing Tree Christmas breakfast. He moves the huge wishing tree to the local community center, where they have the Christmas day soup kitchen. He dresses as Santa and hands out presents for all the kids and a small something for their parents.”

“Oh, that’s so lovely,” Holly said. “Does he need volunteers to help?”

“Always,” Jack told her. “I’m sure he’ll be glad to have us all there.”

They stood there for a moment, wrapped in each other’s arms, drawing strength from their connection. Then Duke came bounding back toward them, having apparently finished his investigation of whatever had caught his attention.

The great dane puppy was soaking wet, his fur dripping with seawater. He shook himself vigorously, and before Holly or Jack could move away, they were both splashed with cold water and sand.

“Duke!” Holly laughed, trying to shield her face.

Jack was laughing too, the tension of the past few minutes broken by Duke’s enthusiastic greeting. The dog wagged his tail, completely pleased with himself, and bounded around them in circles.

Holly wiped water from her face, still laughing, and looked up to find Jack watching her with an expression that made her breath catch. There was love in his eyes. Real, deep, lasting love.

“Holly,” he said softly.

And then suddenly she was in his arms, and his lips were crushing hers in a kiss that was desperate and tender and full of promise all at once. Holly melted into him, her hands coming up to frame his face, kissing him back with everything she felt but had been too afraid to say.

Duke barked happily, dancing around their feet, but neither of them paid him any attention. There was only this moment, this kiss, this connection between two people who had both been broken and were finding their way back to wholeness together.

When they finally pulled apart, both breathing hard, Jack rested his forehead against Holly’s.

“I hate spoiling our moment,” Jack said, his voice hoarse. “But we have to get back.”

“I know,” Holly answered with a smile, looking up at him.

They held hands as they strolled back toward the inn with Duke chasing the waves that lapped onto the shore.

And neither of them noticed the figure standing far down the beach, partially hidden behind a sand dune, watching them.

The watcher lowered their binoculars, a slow smile spreading across their face. Perfect. This was exactly what was needed.

Jack and his new girlfriend were distracted with each other, and this new relationship was an unexpected gift.

Another pressure point to lean on should the others fail.

Hopefully, Jack would be reasonable, so they didn’t have to break his heart even more by tearing apart his newfound happiness with Holly Bennett.

The watcher turned and walked away, disappearing into the morning shadows, leaving Jack and Holly blissfully unaware that they were being watched or that their happiness was a potential weapon that could be used against them.