Tinsel Me, Baby! Read online

  Tinsel Me Baby

  A Forever Safe Christmas Book 9

  Claire Ashlynn

  Copyright

  Copyright © 2019 by Claire Ashlynn

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Also by Claire Ashlynn

  Tinsel Me Baby

  Celeste Michaels and her best friend, Natalie win a Christmas Mountain Vacation in Helen, Georgia. It’s what she needs to relax and find some peace. Who would have thought a blizzard could bring her the one person she’s missing in her life.

  Eull Maier has a successful business and a good life. He doesn’t need anyone, and he’s enjoying the peace and quiet. Like a blizzard, Celeste comes into his life and turns it upside down. He never would have known that she was the piece that is missing from his world.

  Will they be able to realize that they are meant to be?

  Can they find their happily ever after?

  This is a short, sweet, and steamy Insta-love Novella with a guaranteed HEA. It’s part of the Forever Safe Christmas Series.

  Prologue

  Eull Maier

  Helen, Georgia

  I toss down the mail in front of my brother, Klaus. "Anything good in the e-mails?" I ask.

  He looks up at me from the computer monitor. "Actually, there is something I want to run by you. I radio station out of Florida asked if we wanted to participate in a free giveaway. It would get us some free publicity." He answers.

  "Really, what are we supposed to put up?" I respond skeptically. I'm not sure if I like the idea of companies asking for freebies. Klaus and I have worked to get our small cabin resort going and making a profit. We have ten cabins total ranging in sizes of two bedrooms to large five-bedroom chalets. We have put our heart, blood sweat, and hard-earned money into this place. uncle Hans left it to us when he passed.

  Our Dad used to bring us up here and leave us every summer. Our uncle taught us everything we needed to know about being boys. He taught us how to bait our tackle, how to ride a horse and the upkeep of one. We’d build forts and get lost all day in the woods. He was like a second Dad for us.

  The resort was a dump when we got a hold of it. It needed a lot of time and elbow grease to get it to its splendor that it is now. Every cabin has had their bathrooms and kitchens updated as well as refinished hardwood floors. They each have hot tubs sized based on the size of the cabin. This is not counting maintenance upkeep, like new roofs and the plumbing and electrical brought up to code.

  "How about the two-bedroom cabin by the creek. We could just do it for Christmas, like five days, four-night stay. We don't get too many reservations for Christmas week." Klaus reasons.

  Of course, I give in. It’s a good idea, just not one I thought of. "Fine, only for two people. We don't run a charity." I usually leave the office part of the business to Klaus. I’m good at not dealing with people. I prefer to work with my hands in the peace and quiet of the woods.

  “I’m throwing in a sleigh ride so we can get some use of the new sleigh we just bought. I hope we have the weather for it.” He says as he types a response to the e-mail that he was reading.

  “If you want, it’s your idea so you’re going to host it. Maybe we can get more couples to book if we promote it as a romantic holiday vacation.” I suggest.

  “Yeah, that’ll work. I can put a spin on it with the hot tub and romantic setting.” Klaus states talking more to himself as he types. I’ve lost him to his work so I head out to work with the animals.

  Chapter One

  Celeste Michael

  Jacksonville, Florida

  “Come on, you asshole, really! Can’t you see that I’m in this lane!” I scream at the passing car as I blare the horn. "And a TGIF to you too!" The sun beats down on my small Nissan Frontier. The weather is frightful this December with a new record high of ninety degrees. It’s supposed to be cool enough for sweaters, hot chocolate, and warm leggings.

  “Celeste, really. You’ve got to calm down. You’re going to have a coronary if you let the traffic stress you out.” My best friend and roommate, Natalie, says trying to calm me down. I hate downtown Jax’s morning commute. People just don’t think when they drive.

  “I am calm,” I grit through my teeth as another car tries to speed by in the slow as hell bumper to bumper traffic.

  “Here, let’s listen to some Christmas music. This should get you in a better mood,” she responds as she turns the dial to a holiday channel on the satellite radio. I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus fills the car with its cheer. It seems to help, a little. I do love the holiday season. All the warm and fuzziness of it all. One hang-up is not really having a family to share this time of year with. Don’t get me wrong, Natalie is close to me as a sister, growing up in the same foster home, we became very close. I became a foster child when my parents died in a car crash and both sets of my grandparents were already in nursing homes at the age of nine. With no other family to take me in, I was put into the system. Most people don’t want to adopt older children, they want babies. I floated around from foster home to foster home until I was fourteen when I was sent to a group home. That’s when I met Natalie. We've been together ever since. Thick as thieves, me and my bestie.

  A horn blares and jars me out of my musing. It’s not for me, but the car in the next lane. I just shake my head and ignore it.

  "So, what should we do for Christmas? I was thinking we can get a small tree this weekend and decorate it." Natie says.

  "Sounds like a plan," I respond with a nod. I merge into the exit lane and head down the road to the elementary school we both teach second grade at. "Maybe you can make that buffalo chicken dip I love," I say with hope in my voice and a smile on my face.

  "Only if you make your spinach artichoke dip," she counters.

  "Yum, of course. We can stop by the store after school and grab ingredients for spiked cider." I state as I pull into the parking lot.

  "Caller number five wins!" The radio announcer's voice booms from the radio. We both look at the screen and then each other. "The name of the game is Name That Tune. The caller who can name this song and the artist wins a romantic Christmas vacation to Helen, Georgia. Details include a five-day, four-night stay in a two-bedroom cabin with a hot tub for two. But that's not all, the package includes a romantic sleigh ride. So, folks let's get started." The intro fills the car. The music is a slow tune with a catchy beat.

  "Hmm… it sounds so familiar," Natalie says.

  "Oh my God, I know this!" I shout as I grab my phone and start dialing the radio station.

  "What? Tell me." Natalie demands as she waves her hand in the air.

  I have no time to tell her as the DJ picks up the other end. "K95, your caller number five and live. Can you tell me the name of the song and artist?" A male's voice comes across the line.

  "Last Christmas by Wham!" I shout through the phone excited by the thought that I may have won. My voice fills the car from the speakers.

  "You are...correct!" Shouted the DJ.

  Natalie and I both scream with joy.

  I hear chuckling from the person on the other line. "Well done. Hold for a minute and I'll get your info." The song continues to play on the
radio and in my ear as I wait for him to return with instructions on how to collect my prize. I turn to Natalie and say, "I can’t believe we won. I guess that changes our Christmas plans."

  "I’d say so, wow. Thank God, we're off for the holiday break." She says.

  "Hello, this Sandy. I'm the receptionist for the station. I just need a little bit of information. Your name, please?" A women's voice comes on the phone. It takes me a split second to adjust from different people.

  "Yes, hello. My name is Celeste Michaels." I answer.

  "Great, Ms. Michaels, congratulations on winning. Like the DJ said you've won a mountain cabin vacation for two. The location is in Helen, Georgia. I'll just need your phone number and e-mail address so I can send you the details." Sandy says.

  "Okay, thanks," I reply. I give her the information requested and say goodbye before hanging up.

  I turn to Natalie as she says, "That's wild. Who're you taking?" She asks with a shit-eating grin.

  "Haha, you’re too funny." I laugh, "I think we should still do our thing this afternoon. Christmas is still like three weeks away. We should still keep it festive."

  "Of course. We’ll go buy all the stuff after school today before heading home. We should go or we're going to be late." Natalie says as she opens her car door and the first bell rings as if can hear her.

  The school day passes by quickly. I make it through with minimum casualties. There was only one skinned knee during recess. That’s a new record. Most days are filled with tummy aches, bumps, and scrapes of one kind or another. I love to teach, the faces that the students make when they really grasp a concept and the happiness that they radiate when they have a great day in class is contagious. Ending my week on a happy note of a great day really puts me in the holiday mood.

  I have a high watt smile on my face when I meet up with Natalie in her room.

  “What has got you smiling this afternoon?” she asks as she returns the smile.

  “It was a good day, no, a great day. We had great lessons, and no one got sick or hurt. I call that a win.” I answer still grinning. “How was your day?”

  “My day went alright. We got through most of the lessons with hardly any complaints. The math was a little tricky, they can’t seem to understand the distributive property. What did you do to get them to figure it out?” she looks at me waiting for a miracle.

  “I used manipulatives and had them do it hands-on and continued to reinforce the lesson in small group instruction. Enough shop talk! It’s the weekend. Are you done here?” I’m ready to go and start my weekend.

  “Yeah, just logging off the computer now.” She answers.

  We both head out the door after turning off the lights and walk quickly to our truck. I don’t want to be stopped by admin or anyone else for information. Time to blow this popsicle stand.

  The ride to the store is quick, but we play around inside trying free samples and browsing the aisles, stopping here and there when we come across a good snack food item. I’m such a foodie. Natie loves food too, but more comfort food. I’m the adventurous one and want to try new and bold things. She keeps me down to earth. We buy a small two-foot Fraser fir that comes with its own stand. We always get a small live tree since we moved in with each other. I love the scent as it permeates the small cottage that we rent.

  We get home and start the food. I quickly put the spiced cider in a small crockpot and dial it to high to get it hot fast. I grabbed brie to bake with our dips. After spreading a healthy portion of strawberry preserves on top of the brie, I add some chopped pecans, then wrap it on croissant dough. I pop it in the oven and turn to Natie.

  “Want to start with a fruit mimosa? The Cider will be a bit too warm. And with the weather being so hot, I’m not sure if I’m up for a hot drink right now. I think I’ll wait until the sun goes down and it cools off some.” I explain as I pull the champagne out of the fridge with some orange juice.

  “Yeah, I agree. It’s too hot right now for a steamy beverage. Something cool sounds great.” She responds with a laugh.

  I make quick work with the drinks and hand her one as I head to the bedroom to change into my comfy leggings and an oversized t-shirt. Tossing back my drink, I finish it in two swallows. I switch glasses from my flute to a stemless wine glass and refill my drink. I tip the pitcher of mimosa at Natalie for a refill and she greedily nods her head yes.

  “Switch my glass, too, please. These flute glasses just don’t hold enough.” She says with a giggle.

  I’m going to have to watch her alcohol intake, she such a lightweight.

  Jumping up from the couch, Natalie says, “Let’s get to it!” She points to the small tree.

  Smiling, I go to the storage closet and grab the plastic tub of Christmas decorations. After I place the container on the coffee table, Natalie opens it and starts digging in it like a two-year-old first seeing Christmas decorations. I grab the small bundle of LED lights from her and begin to untangle it.

  “You know, if we organize this better when we put this stuff away, it wouldn’t be so much trouble to get things set up. They have different types of things to use to separate and store each item.” I muse mostly to myself.

  “But where is the fun? You know, sorting through everything and rediscovering them.” She response.

  I giggle, “You just don’t want to put in the extra work of organizing this stuff.”

  She laughs and nods her head as she sips her drink.

  By the time we have the tree decorated and some knickknacks placed around the communal living space, the timer goes off for our food. We crash on the couch, stuffing our faces while watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

  Three movies in I look at my watch and see that it's almost midnight. “Wow, look at the time.”

  “Time flies when you're relaxing’ and havin’ fun.” She smiles sleepily. “I think it’s time to head to bed.”

  I nod my head in agreement and grab dishes to take into the kitchen. She joins me in cleaning up before we give a small hug and go to our separate rooms to sleep.

  “Night.” We say as we close our doors.

  Chapter Two

  Eull

  I walk into the small cabin that is used as the main building of the resort. It is a bit rustic, but it suits our purpose. There is a very large cabin that we haven’t had a chance to start working on the other side of the parking area. We are working on it to expand our resort to have a small bed and breakfast. That cabin is the largest of all the cabins that are on the property. It has five bedrooms and five and a half bathrooms, and perfect to use for our plans.

  Klaus is at the computer working away on the clicker. ”What’s up?” I ask.

  He looks up startled for a minute. He must not have heard me come in. “Damn, you’re light on your feet. Trying to give me a heart attack? I’m working on our reservations for next week. Which if you’re interested is minimal, as only the winners from that radio station ad.”

  “I really can’t blame people. The weatherman predicts the most snow we’ve had in like the past ten years next week. Would you want to risk being snowed in up here? We may need to reschedule that couple that is coming up.” I muse. We really shouldn’t take the chance of being stuck up here with a couple of whining city folks.

  “No. The weatherman has predicted the great snowstorm of the century every year and it never happens. We shouldn’t back out of a deal, it wouldn’t look good.” Klaus insists.

  “Fine but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I gruff.

  “You really need to get over your aversion to people. We work with the public. They are the bread and butter per se.” He says.

  Ignoring his comment, I ask, “What do you need me to do to get the cabin ready?”

  He pulls out his clipboard and hands it to me. “I would just text this to you, but I know how you like to do things the old-fashioned way.”

  I take a quick scan of the checklist making note of a couple of things that need to be done, like stack wood in
side for the fireplace and check it to make sure it's in working order. I say, “Most of this is done. I’ll head over there in the jeep and stack wood by the fireplace and outside on the porch.”

  “I don’t think they’ll need that much wood. I’m not sure if they even know how to start a proper fire. We may need to decide if we want to upgrade to gas or electric fireplaces. I’m sure they’ll be going into town for shopping and eating.” He says.

  “I’m not taking any chances, I would rather be prepared than have them try to do things themselves and get hurt. And I agree with you about the shopping excursions. I’m sure they won’t want to use the stables or our hiking trails. And a big no to the upgraded fireplaces. Gas lines freeze and power lines go down. We wouldn’t be able to use them if they go out.” I grump in response.

  Klaus gives a small chuckle. “Okay, do what you think we need.”

  I wave at him as I walk out the door and head over to the wood storage barn with the jeep and small trailer. I load it down and take it to the creek cabin. After I stock the porch and wood container in the cabin with wood, I set the fireplace up to be lit. At least that will get them started.

  I give the cabin a one over just to make sure I didn’t miss anything. The couple should be set to go. We provide a full set up kitchen and linen for guests. They are only required to strip the beds and wash the dishes before they check out.

  Chapter Three

  Celeste