The magic of Christmas
Could make her wish come true!
A small-town Christmas wedding. What could be more romantic? Unless you’re a plus-one for hire like single mom Maia MacKenzie. Too bad handsome cowboy Brent Hayes is her new coworker—and completely off-limits! Neither of them can afford to lose their job…or invest in a relationship. But when she sees Brent’s adorable connection with her young son, Maia can’t help wishing for a Christmas miracle.
“Hi. I’m Bobbie-Ann and this is Brett,” Bobbie-Ann said, greeting the two new arrivals and using the fake name Brent’s new boss had selected for him. “Isn’t that cute? Bobbie-Ann and Brett. We sound like a singing duo. Are you on the bride’s side or the groom’s? She and I roomed together in college.” “Groom’s,” the guy answered. “He’s my cousin.” He indicated himself and then his companion. “Name’s Kenny and this is Marla.” “Nice to meet you,” Brent said, speaking to the guy but looking at Marla. Funny. She didn’t look like a Marla. Introductions continued with their four tablemates, and conversation flowed. The women discussed the wedding ceremony, the bride’s dress, the elaborate multitiered cake in the corner and the newlyweds’ honeymoon plans. The men stuck to sports and Kenny’s new Lexus sedan. Brent replied when asked a direct question. Otherwise, he listened and fulfilled Bobbie-Ann’s need of the moment—fetching her a drink from the bar, locating her a fresh linen napkin when she dropped hers and making sure the server got their correct meal tickets. In between, he studied Marla. “We’ve been dating a couple months,” Kenny answered in response to another guest’s question. “We met at a golf tournament. Marla was the VIP driver who took me around.” “That’s cool,” the young man said. “Yeah. It is.” Kenny’s gaze went to Marla. She smiled in return. A platonic smile, though Brent doubted anyone else noticed. “You must meet a lot of interesting people driving for events,” Brent said. “Um, no.” Marla shook her head, sending her long brown waves into motion. “I…it was a one-time job. A friend convinced me.” She laid her hand on Kenny’s arm. “Which turned out well for us.” “What’s your regular nine-to-five?” Brent asked and then gave himself a swift invisible kick when Bobbie-Ann stiffened. He really needed to keep his mouth shut. Except he hadn’t enjoyed himself this much in months. No, longer than that. Certainly not since before the National Finals Rodeo two years ago, when he realized his bull- and bronc-riding career had tanked with zero possibility of him rebounding. Excerpted from A Secret Christmas Wish by Cathy McDavid, Copyright © 2021 by Cathy McDavid. Published by Harlequin Heartwarming.
In the third grade, NY Times, USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Cathy McDavid made it her goal to read every Black Stallion book ever written. Who knew such an illustrious ambition would eventually lead to a lifelong love of all things western, owning a stagecoach pulled by six mules, and a career writing contemporary romances for Harlequin? With over 50 titles in print and 1.3 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world six years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It’s a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
Tour Giveaway
One winner will receive a coffee mug, author bling, and $20 Starbucks gift card (US only)
Ends November 17, 2021
