Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Holly
You’re not supposed to accept rides from strangers. But I’m not turning down a warm truck and a stranger with kind eyes when I’m stranded in the middle of a snowstorm with nowhere to go.
I need a place to lay my head tonight, and this mountain man seems nice enough. Besides, I have my protective dog with me.
What I don’t expect is for the snowstorm to last so long or for this grumpy lumberjack to be so sweet. But when the snow eases, I’m not so sure I can leave. I think I found forever right here in this cozy cabin.
Hunter
You’re not supposed to pick up strangers on the side of the road. But no one ever said that I couldn’t pick up a stranded Christmas elf. Cute little thing is nearly frozen to death along with that beast beside her.
She’s on her way through town. She’s just stopping by. Problem is, I can’t get her down my mountain until the snow stops falling. Not that it matters. I can’t promise I’m going to let her go.
Nope, I might just have to keep this little elf all to myself. She’s definitely the sweetest Christmas gift I’ve ever gotten, and I plan to make this the best holiday she’s ever had.
If you love a possessive, jealous mountain man who is sweeter than hot cocoa and knows exactly how to spoil his curvy woman, then it’s time to meet Hunter in The Mountain Man’s Christmas Elf. This holiday love story is a stand-alone romance set in Mia Brody’s Courage County which is the perfect place to find your next book boyfriend!
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Chapter 1
Hunter
“I’m not sure that stopping to fuck while running from–what was it again?” Ford, my brother, pauses to ask. I can hear him panting in the background. He’s working out, doing his endless crunches because the man doesn’t have an appreciation for carbs the way I do.
“Ninja assassins,” I answer as I wait for my aging coffee pot to brew. I stifle a yawn. It’s three in the morning.
When I realized how bad his insomnia was from the combat missions, I suddenly developed plot problems for my books in the wee hours. He doesn’t know that I set an alarm clock in the middle of the night so I can call. If it keeps the nightmares and flashbacks at bay for him, I’ll do it.
“Yeah, I just don’t see the hero stopping to fuck her if they’re on the run from ninja assassins,” he finishes completely serious. He knows I’m a best-selling author of dozens of romantic suspense books.
Most readers don’t know that Eva Nightshade, who writes scorching hot romance books, also happens to be a man.
“Not even if she’s super hot and looks kind of like that cute little assistant of yours? What’s her name again?” I shouldn’t needle the bastard.
He growls and lets loose with a string of profanities. “Joy is not your damn concern. You keep your eyes to your fuckin’ self.”
I chuckle, and he swears again. I’ve been after him for months now to talk to his assistant and tell her how he feels. But Mr. Stoic Military Man can’t admit he wants her.
“I thought you needed my help with a question about his Glock,” he grits out, and I hear him adjusting his landline. He won’t even get a cellphone because he hates people that much. “Otherwise, I have things to do.”
“Are you coming to help me board up Mom’s place?” I ask, taking the hint that he needs the subject changed.
“The snowstorm isn’t supposed to hit for a few more days,” he answers. He doesn’t follow the news, so I’m not surprised he doesn’t know about the changed forecast.
“It’s coming faster than they think. Maybe you should see if you can get Joy to visit today. Might do you good to spend Christmas with someone else,” I tell him because I know there’s no way he’s coming to celebrate Christmas with the rest of the family.
Ford isn’t the same guy who left for the military years ago. He was always quiet and withdrawn, but the things he saw changed him. I miss him, the person he used to be.
“I’m going to get Mom squared away,” I say. I sent her a text message last night to let her know I’d be there around midday to help her close her grocery store. I don’t need help from Ford, but I let the invitation hang, unspoken.
“Sounds good. Now about that Glock…” he says before launching into a long discussion about the hero’s weapon of choice. He doesn’t know I already know what he’s telling me. I have countless research and reference books related to military history, weapons, tactical gear, fight moves, and more.
Still, I listen for a solid hour like this is new information. Occasionally, I pause to ask a question but mainly, I listen. Because getting Ford to talk about anything is nearly impossible. By the time we end the call, I have a page of new notes and ideas for how to write the fight scene.
“They’re still going to have sex first,” I tell Ford.
He chuckles, a rusty noise that sounds unfamiliar. “You need to stop writing about other people getting laid and meet a woman of your own.”
“Can’t. Too many deadlines,” I answer rather than tell him I’ve tried online dating a couple of times. Turns out, I’m much better behind a screen than I am in person. No surprise there.
“I’ve got a call waiting. Gotta go,” Ford says. Besides me, there’s no one he talks to other than his assistant. Maybe one of these days, he’ll grab his balls and go for it with her. Fuck, I hope so. He deserves a little bit of happiness.
I end the call just as the first ribbons of daylight are starting to show outside. I finish my third cup of coffee and shuffle into the sunroom where my boys are. These mangy guys are my people. Unlike humans, they don’t judge me for being awkward as hell sometimes.
“Who needs a girl? I got y’all,” I mutter to myself as Leonardo, my German shepherd, nudges my hand with what I imagine to be affection.
I give him some cuddles before reaching for Donatello’s wheelchair. He’s a red Dachshund with a braying bark and endless enthusiasm for exploring.
I didn’t know they made mobility aids for dogs until I met Donny. His previous family didn’t want him when the disc disease caused his paralysis and incontinence. They surrendered him like he was disposable. Just thinking about it has me fuming again.