The Christmas Ornament (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)
Chapter 1
one
MADDOX
I’ve been in the car for what feels like forever, and I still have a few hundred miles to go. I’m returning to my hometown, Evergreen Lake, Nevada, to take up the sheriff position there. I never thought I’d be moving back, but when I heard Sheriff Roberts was retiring, something compelled me to apply.
My sister, Sabrina, or Sabbi as I affectionally call her, is pissed I’m leaving because I was her go-to babysitter for when her and Eamon wanted a night out. I’d take my nieces, Monique and Cassie, for the night and the three of us would have an amazing sleepover. Uncle Maddox would fill them up on all the foods my sister never lets them have. We’d watch inappropriate movies for girls of their age and then I’d send them home on a sugar high, and sometimes with nightmares and tears. I’m still sorry for The NeverEnding Story incident; I totally forgot about the part with the horse. Sabbi was pissed for weeks over that movie choice. Now I need to clear with her beforehand what movie we are going to watch.
Packing up my apartment in the city left me feeling morose. Usually, by this time, my house would look like Santa’s village had thrown up, but this year feels different. It’s already the fifth and I don’t have a tree up or any decorations, but that’ll be the first thing I rectify when I get settled. But before I turn my home into a winter wonderland, I need to get there.
Christmas is in the air everywhere I look, and it’s another slap in the face. Christmas is a magical time of year and I’m manly enough to admit, I love the holiday season. There’s this shop in the city I visit every year, and I always come away with a new ornament for my tree. This year’s ornament is different than what I would normally get, but I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
As soon as I held the delicate, glittery crystal in my hand, I knew I had to have it. As I was paying, the lady behind the counter had a knowing smile on her face. It started to give me the creeps, but as I was leaving, she called out to me. I turned to face her, and she mumbled something to me about having a magical Christmas. Nodding at her, I gave a little wave and I left, wondering what that was all about.
After stopping for a quick pee break, I grab some snacks and more coffee. With my goodies in hand, I climb back into my car and hit the road. After a few hours delay due to a freak snowstorm, I finally pass the “Welcome to Evergreen Lake” sign and a sense of calm washes over me. “Finally,” I mumble. This last stretch along the lake into Evergreen Lake is always the worst. The roads are windy, and if you aren’t careful, you’ll crash.
Driving along the icy, windy road, I speed up a little since I’m almost there. I’m aware I’m the sheriff and I shouldn’t be speeding, but I know these roads like the back of my hand. After a million hours on the road, I just want to get there. I want to put my feet up, drink a beer, and start decorating for the holidays, but when I round a corner, it all turns to shit.
There, in the middle of the road, is a fucking huge deer. Slamming the brakes on, I skid along the icy road, somehow, I manage to miss the animal, but my truck skids along the road. I spin the wheel, trying to regain control, but I overcorrect and make things worse.
It’s game over.
My truck runs off the road, and I crash into a snowbank with an almighty bang. My head collides with the steering wheel, and I see stars. Don’t know if I’m grateful or not that the air bag didn’t detonate but either way, it’s left me stranded and disoriented. I blink a few times, and my vision finally clears. “Fuck me,” I groan.
Touching my head, I flinch at the forming lump and when I pull my hand back, there’s red dotting my fingertips, and that’s when I feel a rivulet of blood streak down the side of my face. Wiping at my head, I do nothing but smear blood everywhere.
Reaching for the ignition, I turn the key over but nothing happens. I try again and again but the engine just won’t start. “For fuck’s sake,” I hiss, slamming my palm into the steering wheel in frustration.
Grabbing my phone, I swipe at the screen and, like my engine, nothing happens. “Great, it’s dead,” I groan, tossing the useless device onto the seat next to me. Craning my neck, I look around, trying to gauge how far from town I am, but it’s been a while since I was here and since it’s dark out, I don’t know where exactly I am. There are no streetlights out here and the moon is hidden behind some clouds, I’m shrouded in darkness. In the distance, I see a cottage down by the lake, lights shining in the front windows. From memory, this area is predominately holiday homes so I’m not hopeful anyone will be home right now, but then again, they could just be security lights to give the illusion someone is home.
A chill sets in and I know I can’t stay here, otherwise, I’ll freeze to death—and I refuse to die because I crashed my car into an embankment due to a fucking deer. Reaching over to the passenger seat, I grab my coat and pull it on as I climb out. The wind picks up and I shiver. The evening air is fresh and has that feel like it’s going to snow soon. Pulling my jacket tighter around me, I hustle across the road and down the street. Stepping onto the long driveway, I head toward the cabin and, like I predicted, it’s just started to snow. Flakes fall from the sky and I smile. My smile widens when I see two cars in the driveway. Luck is on my side and relief hits that I won’t be stranded by the side of the road while it’s snowing.
Christmas music filters up the driveway, and I find myself grinning as Wham sings about last Christmas and giving my heart away. Then I think of her . I gave my heart to her a long time ago, and she’s had it ever since … even if I was a dick and walked away. Maybe this Christmas will bring a miracle and I’ll get a second chance, but miracles only happen in the romance books I read. Yes, I read romance, there is more to them than just sex. I’m man enough to admit I love reading smut … just in secret … on my Kindle … where no one can see what I’m reading.
Making the few final steps to the cottage, I raise my hand and knock.