Chapter 1
Kennedy
The red room had always been my parents’ room when we came for holidays. They usually arrived late, but this was the first year they’d canceled entirely. I couldn’t believe Dad didn’t bother telling me they weren’t coming when we spoke on the phone earlier.
I tossed my overnight bag and my briefcase onto the bed, a king size covered in a plush, cream-colored comforter.
It contrasted well with the red wallpaper embossed with an ivy-and-rose design.
When Harrison and I were young, we always tried to sneak into this room to look for presents.
My brother had been, and still was, more adventurous than me.
We butted heads more than I cared to admit, but I loved the big jerk.
There was nothing I wouldn’t do for him, and I knew the feeling was mutual.
“Kennedy,” Gran called. “Cookies are ready. If you want them gooey, get your butt back down here.”
“Coming, Gran!” Smiling, I grabbed my purse, then shut the door and headed back downstairs.
“Get settled?” Gran asked.
“Not really. The view distracted me.”
Gran chuckled. “It was your grandad’s favorite too.” Sadness filled her eyes momentarily before she went on. “He’d love knowing you have taken it over.”
“For this year anyway.” I bit into one of her famous chocolate chip cookies and groaned. “My friends don’t believe me when I tell them these are better than sex.”
Gran barely swallowed her tea before bursting out in a belly-rolling laugh.
We finished off the cooled dozen in silence.
Two dozen more cookies still cooled on the rack.
Gran would save those for Harrison when he arrived.
I took the dirty plate to the sink and washed it, dried it, and put it back in the cupboard.
The kitchen had a dishwasher, but Gran rarely used it.
Harrison and I used to fight to see who got to help her wash them every day. “Gran, have you heard from Happy yet?” I checked my phone, but he still hadn’t replied to my last text.
“No, dear, but I’m sure he’ll reach out when he has a moment.”
That sounded about right. “I need coffee to wash all the sweet down with.” I picked up my purse. “I’m going to run down to the Perky Bean before they close. Do you need me to pick up anything for you?”
I pulled my jacket from the rack by the door and buttoned it up as I waited for her answer.
“Oh, if you would be a dear and pick up another bottle... no, make that two bottles of wine?” She smiled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “I do believe I’ll need it when your brother arrives.”
I laughed. “How about I make it three just to be safe—and the makings for mimosas as well?”
“Perfect. I knew you were my favorite grandchild for a reason.” Her laughter followed me out into the blustery wind.
I took a deep breath, loving being back in the mountains.
In the city, I never truly got to relax.
There was always something that demanded my attention.
Christmas in the Georgia mountains helped me survive the rest of the year.
I hit the auto start on my remote, giving my seat time to heat up, as I padded to my car. I could handle a cooler interior, but this vehicle spoiled me with its fancy heated and cooled seats. I pulled my collar up and sank onto the driver’s seat.
I could already taste the white chocolate macadamia brew with two extra shots of espresso, a pump of sugar-free caramel, three squirts of liquid stevia, and all the whipped cream.
The ride into Creekside Falls took only about ten minutes.
The closest town to us was Dahlonega, where the first gold rush happened in Georgian history.
It also had an amazing local vineyard, whose wine was sold in Creekside Falls as well.
It was Gran’s favorite. I would pick up a couple of bottles for her to enjoy, but a case wrapped under the tree would be a perfect surprise gift for her.
I pulled into the parking lot of the Perky Bean, the open sign blinking a bright pink and purple.
The building was old brick, which the owners had been letting the local high school art classes paint murals on for over ten years.
The awning was black and white, and the sign above it had a large coffee cup on a saucer with a spoon.
I could already smell the aroma and I hadn’t gotten out of the car yet. I parked and took the five steps or so to the shop. I couldn’t help but smile when the tinkle of the bell above the door announced my entrance.
“Kennedy! I wondered when you would be back in town.” Dixie was an old childhood friend—and the daughter of Penny, the owner of the Perky Bean.
I returned the hug she gave me. “Hey, Dixie, it’s good to see you. Back from college for the holiday?”
Her face lit up with joy. “Nah, girl, I graduated that shit a year early. I walked this past May.”
“That’s amazing. I bet Penny is so proud of you.”
Dixie’s smile dropped. “She would have been.” A tear slid down her face, but she wiped it away quickly.
“She passed in February suddenly. She had a urinary tract infection that she ignored for too long. It turned septic, and Mom’s immune system was already compromised, so when she went into septic shock, she passed within a few hours. ”
I wrapped my arms around her. “I am so sorry to hear that. Gran didn’t say anything about it. Your mom was an amazing woman. I’ll miss her.”
Dixie pulled back and gave me a watery smile. “I did help her create an off-menu menu.” A sparkle came back to her eyes.
I grinned. “You mean like the big S coffee shop?”
“Yup, and you, Miss Kennedy, have a drink on it.” Dixie wiped her hands on her apron, moved back behind the counter. “Mom kept these flavors stocked specifically for you.”
The macadamia nut coffee hit my senses, and I sighed. “She didn’t.” I laughed.
“She did. The white-chocolate-macadamia-nut blend has officially been named the Kennedy.”
The sounds of the coffee grinding, the espresso perking, the milk frothing, and of course the whipped cream getting dolloped on top were music to my ears. Dixie moved and flowed as she put everything together, creating a dance of deliciousness as she went.
“Ta-da! This one’s on the house.” She placed the tall cup on the counter.
I wrapped my hands around the cardboard sleeve, still able to feel the heat from the brew, and inhaled the magical-bean aroma. I took a tentative sip, and my eyes rolled back in my head as I moaned.
“Now I have to have what she’s having,” a deep voice said, startling me, “if it makes her moan like that.”
I glanced over my shoulder to see who that voice belonged to. The stranger winked and flashed a panty-melting smile in my direction. He was hotter than the Kennedy in my hand. I felt a blush rise up my neck.
“Only if you can name the drink,” Dixie replied, flirting. “It’s part of our off-menu menu.”
“Thanks, Dixie, I still need to grab a few things for Gran. I’ll see you soon.”
Dixie laughed. “They just got a new shipment. Betty will love the new red that MayaRosa created for the holidays.”
I raised my cup above my head as I left the shop. “Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow, bright and early.”
I let the door close before Dixie—or the owner of that deep voice—could say another word. I sighed and took a drink of the liquid heaven in my hand.
Right there in the window of Let’s Wine 2gether, the town’s wine shop, was a big display of the MayaRosa Vineyards holiday wine.
A male voice echoed from the back. “Be with you in a jiff.”
“That’s fine, no rush,” I replied as I perused the aisle of wine they had beyond the MayaRosa selection. Gran liked all wine. Red, white, sparkling, pink... It didn’t matter to her. Most people liked one type over others. Not my gran. She liked all of her fermented grapes.
A unique bottle caught my eye, an Italian Moscato called Voga.
It looked like a souped-up posh water bottle.
It was a bit on the expensive side for me, at just over twenty dollars.
A starving journalist leaned toward cheaper brands that were seven dollars or less. Even so, I wanted to splurge a little.
The wine was a quick way to suck up to Gran and Harrison. I needed them liquored up before I dropped my big news on them.
“What can I help you with?” an older gentleman asked as he walked up.
“I’d like a bottle of Voga.” I returned his friendly smile. “And two others you would suggest in the seven-to-ten-dollar range.”
“Any particular blend?”
“Nope, Gran doesn’t have a preference.” I took a sip of my coffee. “Oh, and a case of the MayaRosa holiday blend.”
“That’s a smart choice. Their holiday blends are limited editions.” He put the three bottles on the counter and grabbed a case of the holiday blends from behind it. I was thankful it was a white box with no labeling. “Would you like this one wrapped?”
My eyes widened as I looked at him. “Do you do that?”
“Yes, on special occasions.” He laughed as he rang up my purchases. I tapped my credit card on the pad and cringed internally until it went through.
“Wait here. I’ll get this wrapped up and help you carry them to your car.”
“Thank you.”
I looked around while he did his thing. It was a cute wine shop.
Wine barrels were mounted along the walls, each showing the vineyard logo it came from.
The floors and shelves of the aisles were made from old barn wood and scuffed with age.
It was a wine cellar above ground, with a few more expensive bottles behind glass and key.
I frowned at the bottom of my cup. Looking around, I spotted a trash can and threw the cup in. I pulled my keys out of my pocket and hit the remote start button I so loved.
I cushioned the wine in the back seat with a blanket I kept in the car and buckled it in.
“Kennedy, wait!” Dixie met me with two large to-go cups. “One for now and the chai latte for your gran.”
“Thank you!” I said. “You’re an angel.” I set Gran’s drink into the cupholder in my car. “I’m sure I’ll see you again tomorrow.” I sipped from the second cup and grinned. “An angel!”
She laughed and waved as I pulled out of my spot. Inhaling the amazing coffee aroma, I headed back up the mountain. Snowflakes slowly fell as I turned into the driveway.
“Welcome to Christmas in the mountains,” I said to myself.