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    Christmas Candy: Sweet Christmas Series, #1
    Christmas Candy: Sweet Christmas Series, #1
    Christmas Candy: Sweet Christmas Series, #1
    Ebook124 pages1 hour

    Christmas Candy: Sweet Christmas Series, #1

    By Samantha Jacobey

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    About this ebook

    Life isn't always sweet, even for girls called Candy. 


    Candice Parker's life has never been easy. Plagued by losses and setbacks, each day is a struggle for the petite brunette and her young son. When fireman Gary enters her world, he is one mistake she refuses to make; but after tragedy strikes, she may not have a choice. 
    Gerald Ford has never been what anyone would call settled. Always keeping things simple, he lived a fast and furious lifestyle, with no intentions of slowing down. However, when he inherits his family's ancestral mansion on his thirtieth birthday, he considers the possibility that it's time for a change. Could this complicated young woman be his Christmas Candy? 

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLavish Publishing, LLC
    Release dateOct 31, 2015
    ISBN9781649000286
    Christmas Candy: Sweet Christmas Series, #1

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      Book preview

      Christmas Candy - Samantha Jacobey

      Prologue

      Freeze! Jason pointed his weapon straight at the suspect, who ignored the order. Watching as the man dove into a row of shrubs that ran parallel to the street, he cursed. We need that helicopter, he spoke into a two-way radio and hung it back on his belt.

      Copy that. Air support is en route, a crisp female voice replied.

      Moving cautiously, he approached the spot where the man had disappeared. Dropping to his knees, he shone his flashlight at the base of the greenery, looking for legs. Damn, he muttered, standing and looking for a way around.

      Which way, Parker? a male voice asked over the speaker.

      He ditched me through some bushes, he keyed the mic and explained. Twenty-two fourteen is the house number. Hearing a gun go off, he perked up. Shots fired. Who else is here?

      Air support has arrived. All ground units stay in position, dispatch commanded.

      Taking a step back, Jason stared at the spot for a moment, considering that his suspect might return. Choosing to stand in the shadow of the large oak that grew between the wide yard and the road, he obscured his presence.

      A crescendo of barks surrounded him on all sides as the quiet neighborhood fell into chaos. Sounds of struggle echoed through the darkness. Son of a bitch. His heart pounded in his chest, thumping against his ribs and causing them to ache. Come on, man. Let’s get this guy. Another volley of shots rang out, and he waited for the call.

      Seconds stretched, and his mind wandered for a moment. Sweat trickled down his temple, and a brief image of his wife and daughter flashed through his thoughts before he removed it. Clear head, he reminded himself and drew a cleansing breath.

      An instant later, a body broke through the shrubs fifty feet down and ran straight for him. Raising his weapon, he prepared to fire, stepping into the light and shouting, Stop!

      The muzzle flash from the man’s pistol was the last thing Jason Parker saw before his body fell to the ground, and his blood oozed onto the sidewalk to form a large puddle beneath him.

      One

      Irony

      Tom removed the cigarette from his mouth with gloved fingers. Hey, man, how’s it going?

      Not too bad, Gary replied, giving him a cursory glance. Pulling out his own from his shirt pocket, he flicked a lighter to produce a small yellow flame and protected it from the stiff breeze. After taking a lengthy drag, he returned the fire starter and smoothed the jacket back over his broad chest.

      A bit ironic, don’t you think?

      What is? Gary exhaled a thick cloud, made more dense by the frosty air.

      Firemen who smoke, Tom chortled.

      Yeah, a real riot, Gary snorted with a glance at the large red truck behind them. He had known the other man for over six months, but they weren’t really friends. I’m gonna go for a walk. I got my comm.

      Yes, sir. Tom grinned at his boss knowingly.

      Strolling down the icy walk, Gary made a left at the corner, sniffing the cold air. Arriving at the brightly lit front of the quickie-mart, he smiled at the honey-colored head moving around on the other side of the glass. Hello, gorgeous. Giving the young woman a nod, he mumbled, Good morning, and made a right to locate the medication fixture.

      Up front, Candice loaded cans of beer into a paper sack. You barely made it. She pushed them towards her patron. We don’t sell alcohol after two a.m., she informed him.

      The stranger before her only grunted, lifting the bag and stomping out the door, giving the young woman a brief chill. A loud sneeze echoed through the empty room, catching her by surprise. God bless you, she called to the familiar guest.

      Thanks, he muttered, rubbing at his nose that had begun to run. Reaching for a napkin from the condiment counter, he wiped the rough paper across his face. Selecting his usual fix, he carried the green box to the register.

      Allergies or cold? the girl asked.

      Allergies, Gary countered. I’m allergic to Christmas.

      Candy stared at him with wide hazel eyes, appearing stunned. Wow.

      Not really. He chuckled while wafting a hand at the greenery dangling above them. It’s all the decorations.

      A dimple appeared in her cheek when she showed him her full set of teeth, and she nodded. Oh, that makes sense. And it sucks for you.

      Yeah, a little bit. I’ll take a pack of Marlboro Reds.

      Yes, sir. She located them in the bins above her head, stretching to grasp them.

      Thanks. He watched her with a mild ache in his chest. He had been stationed at the firehouse six months prior and had noticed the petite brunette right away. She was a little thick around the middle and not his typical fling, but he had been attracted to her warm personality and didn’t mind the extra pounds.

      He had enjoyed friendly banter with the girl for months, and they had a good thing going. However, around Halloween, he had gotten bold and asked for a date. She had refused, and what’s more, she had backed away. She still treated him ok, but something was missing in her demeanor, and he felt unhappy that it had turned out to be so. He tried again every once in a while, but she hadn’t budged. Their relationship was going nowhere fast.

      Picking up his credit card and the cellophane-wrapped box, he shook them briefly, then tucked them inside the heavy coat. Thanks, he said again, turning towards the door and exiting into the light snow that drifted to the ground outside.

      Candice watched the broad shoulders as they disappeared into the night, a tiny grin on her lips. She liked Gary, or at least she had until he started pushing her to go out with him. Too bad, she muttered, locating her duster and moving between the rows of assorted goods.

      While she worked, her mind wandered to the tall man who frequented her shift. It seemed like he showed up every night, as if he were stalking her. But he seemed harmless even with his persistence in asking her for a date. It’s almost like a game. She chuckled.

      Deep down, he reminded her of someone she had lost, years ago now, with his easy-going manner and rugged good looks—someone she didn’t like to think about. Stop it, she told herself firmly before greeting a couple coming in from the gas pumps. Ringing up their purchases, she forced a smile she didn’t quite feel, her mood darkened by memories of her past.

      A few hours later, the shop’s owner came in, and Candy gathered her things. She bid him farewell, eager to get home and catch a nap before the sun came up. Arriving at the grungy row of townhouses she called home, she let herself in and climbed the ragged staircase before crawling into bed. She fell asleep almost immediately, as exhaustion seemed her constant companion these days.

      Awakening to bright light reflecting off the frost outside, she rolled over and glared at the digital clock. Shit.

      Leaping out of the blankets, she selected a long-sleeved T-shirt with jeans and kept her shower short. Clomping down the stairs, she could hear her mother talking to Dakota in the kitchen. Making a left at the bottom of the steps, she grimaced at the cluttered living room on her right. Ignoring it, she turned again. Dammit, Mom. You let me sleep too late! she chastised as she entered the tiny room.

      I let you get some rest, the older woman replied. Is that a crime?

      Yes, Candy snapped. Daks is my responsibility. You can’t keep doing this. Shaking her head, Lanelle ignored the whining and continued with her dishes.

      Gathering her meal of a cold bologna sandwich and a glass of milk, Candice took a seat and spoke jovially to her son. Whatcha coloring there, kiddo?

      Looking up at her with clear blue eyes, his round face and shocks of ebony hair reminded her of a boy she hadn’t seen in years. Holding up the page so she could see the fire engine, he grinned. Pointing, he said, Woo-woos.

      Yeah, woo-woo. The girl nodded. On the page opposite the large truck lay a police cruiser, and she again thought of her father. Damn. Mentally pushing the images aside, she tried again with her mother, forcing her voice into a softer tone.

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