d="udb9a0058-dd7b-5c5f-8186-541da1404360">
THE GIFT OF CHRISTMAS
In the fifteen years she’s been gone, real estate mogul Bella Biondi forgot how sexy Travis Granger could be. And she can’t afford to remember! She’s back in Briggs to sell her dad’s inn, that’s all. No more tears or heartache, no reminiscing, definitely no kissing.
Travis has other ideas. He’s sure he can crack the hard shell tough-minded Bella’s built around herself. A sleigh ride, a snowball fight, some carols, and the real Bella will emerge. Not this Scrooge who’s out to dismantle a cherished part of the town’s history at all costs, but his childhood sweetheart. The cowgirl. The ice-skater. The girl who loves the holidays in ranch country even more than he does… Can Travis bring Bella back in time to save Christmas?
“Give it up, Bella…”
Travis continued, “You’re too cold, and this seat is way too small for you to act as if we barely know each other. Snuggle up and make yourself comfortable. It’s going to be a long ride.”
She relented and allowed herself to find comfort in the warmth of his body. Being that close to him generated enough heat to instantly do away with her shivers. She hated the undeniable fact she could feel emotions for him after all these years. Living so far away had purged the childhood hurt and had transformed her into a take-charge, hard-as-nails businesswoman who prided herself on being completely in control. Very little fazed her or made her cry anymore. In some circles she was referred to as cold, uncaring and even downright heartless.
Yet here she was on a sleigh, getting all torn up over her close proximity to Travis Granger, so much so that her eyes welled up.
Somehow the words bah humbug didn’t seem right on her lips anymore.
Christmas just happens to be my favorite holiday. Some of my fondest memories center around family, friends, amazing dinners and, of course, presents under the tree. It’s when the magic of Christmas heals all wounds and brings together those I cherish most. A year without celebrating Christmas is hard for me to imagine.
That’s what prompted me to write about Bella Biondi and Travis Granger, the youngest of the Granger men. What if these two childhood best friends were forced to deal with each other but came from opposite sides of the Christmas fence? Could they possibly ever find common ground, or would they simply dig in and never see the magic that’s all around them?
I wanted this book to be both poignant and funny, which brought up memories and emotions I thought I’d lost. Instead, I was able to share my memories with my adult children, which only brought us closer. In the rush of our daily lives, we tend to put off taking the time to tell someone we love our own Christmas story. There’s so much more to the holiday than buying someone a present or decorating a tree. It’s all those past Christmases that make up who we are and what brings us to this moment.
I hope you enjoy reading this story and that it prompts you to share some of your most cherished Christmas memories.
You can visit me at www.maryleo.com, where you’ll find some fun facts about Idaho’s Teton Valley and my favorite Christmas cookie recipes. You can also find me on Facebook, where I’ll keep you informed of my latest books.
Best,
Mary Leo
Christmas with
the Rancher
Mary Leo
MARY LEO grew up in south Chicago in the tangle of a big Italian family. She’s worked in Hollywood, Las Vegas and in Silicon Valley. Currently she lives in San Diego with her husband, author Terry Watkins, and their sweet kitty, Sophie. Visit her website at maryleo.com.
This book is dedicated to everyone who rediscovers the magic of Christmas.
Contents
“This is going to be the best Christmas ever,” Bella said as she and Travis leaned out of the small attic window trying to get a better look at downtown Briggs, Idaho.
“That’s because I get to spend it with you,” Travis whispered.
Bella nudged him, giggling at the absurdity of his statement, as if the magic of Christmas depended on whether or not she was with him.
“That’s just silly,” she told him.
He shrugged