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    Paper Love: A Chicago Christmas, #2
    Paper Love: A Chicago Christmas, #2
    Paper Love: A Chicago Christmas, #2
    Ebook145 pages3 hoursA Chicago Christmas

    Paper Love: A Chicago Christmas, #2

    By Aubrey Wynne

    5/5

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    About this ebook

    Growing up in a Papua New Guinea mission, Joss Palmateer is a gentle soul with a unique view of life. Still adjusting to a new home in the U.S and the sudden loss of her mother, love is the last thing on her mind.

    Sexy physical therapist, Ben Montgomery, meets his sister's friend and the sparks fly. He takes it as a challenge when she ignores his advances, but it's her extraordinary inner beauty that captures his heart.

    With the help of a stray homing pigeon and an old origami legend, Ben sets an unwavering course of romance to win her love.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherAubrey Wynne
    Release dateOct 17, 2016
    ISBN9780997184112
    Paper Love: A Chicago Christmas, #2
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    • 5/5

      Nov 10, 2016

      Joss misses Papua New Guinea, it's where she grew up and it's her happy place. She's now living in the United States and hasn't found her way yet. She's a teacher and loves the job, but she's longing for sunshine and the days her mother was still alive. The last thing she's ready for is a relationship, but when she meets Ben she can't help but like him. He's got a past though and Joss doesn't want to get hurt again.

      When Ben meets Joss it's clear for him that he wants to get to know her better. Joss is reluctant and he needs to find a way to make her realize that she isn't at all like the other women he's dated. He knows from the start that she's the woman for him. How can Ben convince Joss to give him a chance?

      Paper Love is one of the sweetest stories I've ever read. Ben is endearing. He's cheeky and charming, but he also has fascinating hidden qualities that I liked a lot. He enjoys throwing a good party, he loves being a physical therapist and he's very fond of his family. His feelings for Joss are really cute and they melted my heart. Joss is quite serious, but she has a great sense of humor. She takes care of her loved ones and she's incredibly kind and smart. When she meets the dynamic Ben she makes it clear that his normally flirty manners aren't the way to win her heart. It was fun to anticipate what he would do to persuade her. Ben knows he and Joss are made for each other and he wants to show her his heart in an unexpected and creative way, which is wonderfully dreamy.

      Aubrey Wynne has written a fabulous unique love story. Due to her parents being missionaries Joss grew up with faith and she's having a bit of a crisis. That gave the story an interesting angle. Both Ben and Joss have surprising personalities with so many adorable features. I especially loved Ben's passion for origami. Aubrey Wynne enchanted me with his disarming personality. She writes about her main characters like they're people she actually knows, which makes her story extra fun to read. I loved this special romantic novella and highly recommend it.

    Book preview

    Paper Love - Aubrey Wynne

    Chapter 1

    We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us.

    Joseph Campbell

    April

    Joss closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and asked the Lord to send her just one more ounce of patience. Please. They were less than a mile from her house. One ounce would get her to the front door.

    I’m not asking you to fall in love, just get out and mingle, Becky harped for the third time since leaving the grocery store. My brother moved back into town and is staying at my grandma’s old house. He’s hosting a monthly singles’ party to get reacquainted. There are university students and church members, so you might know a few people. It’s the perfect way to get your feet wet.

    I prefer my feet dry, if you don’t mind, Joss answered, trying to hide the smirk. I’m a firm believer in galoshes.

    "You are an odd duck. Who in the world uses the word galoshes anymore? An awkward silence followed. I’m sorry, that was thoughtless of me. It was one of your mom’s words, huh?"

    It’s okay. She’s been gone almost a year. Joss squeezed her friend’s arm. Becky Montgomery had been her first friend when her family moved back to the U.S. and she meant well.

    I’m just saying, the biological clock is ticking away at twenty-five. We’re not getting any younger.

    Well, I dated Greg and you know how that worked out. It’s not my fault there aren’t any eligible single men. Eligible being the key word.

    How would you know? You work, spend the weekends with your dad, and go to church with your family on Sundays. They aren’t all like Greg, you know. Most men have morals.

    Trust me, I’m content for now. After Mom, dating just isn’t a priority for me at this point. I think my dad is having a tough time. Laura and I are focusing on him now.

    You were a rock for your sister. Laura’s really pulled it together. I would have fallen apart too if I’d lost my mom in a car accident. You’d been here nine months, barely used to a new country… Her friend gave a loud sigh. I wish I had that kind of strength. Do you still miss your old life? You don’t talk about it much.

    Like a bird longs for its nest. When we left Papua New Guinea, we made a pact to go back each summer and continue our work until Laura graduated. When Mom died last spring, we cancelled our plans. Now that summer is looming again, I think Dad feels guilty. I don’t think he can face the trip without her.

    She glanced out the window as they turned onto Evergreen Lane. Joss had attended the University of Goroka and received her teaching degree. Her sister, on the other hand, wanted to go into the medical field. The family had returned two years ago after Laura received a full scholarship to the prestigious Olivet Nazarene University. Missionaries weren’t high on the salary scale, so a full ride to a highly regarded college, noted for its nursing department, had prompted several family conferences.

    In the end, the Palmateers had decided the opportunity was valuable enough to move back home to the states—temporarily. The girls always laughed when their parents spoke of back home, since Papua New Guinea was the only home they could remember. To them, a Chicago suburb was much more foreign than a tropical rain forest.

    Then last April, their lives had gone topsy-turvy. The unexpected ice storm, the phone call, the highway pile-up. Their faith had brought them through the darkest days. Yet, Dan Palmateer couldn’t seem to imagine the future they had planned without his soul mate. He presented a brave front, but both girls knew that June hung over him like a menacing storm cloud.

    What about you and Laura? Will you both go back?

    Joss smiled at the thought of her sister. She’ll be a one-woman Red Cross Station when she graduates. Nothing will keep her from returning. The modern Clara Barton. Lowering her pitch, she said, Bringing better medical care to the rural villages is my calling.

    I have to admit, my matchmaking efforts are bit selfish. If you find someone here, you might stay. Becky chewed on her lip. He’ll sweep you off your feet, and you’ll never leave his side.

    Joss pushed the worrisome thoughts from her mind. Ha! And with my luck, he would be heading for Alaska. I hate the cold. Beck, I’m confident the good Lord will send me my forever partner when he sees fit. In the meantime,—she wagged a finger at Becky—he has not hired you to do his work for him.

    Her friend let out a belly laugh. That’s funny. I love your sense of humor. I just wish you’d let me fix you up.

    They pulled into the driveway beside her neat, white bungalow. The curtains in the upstairs window swayed gently. Laura must be home from class already. She stepped out of the car, gathering groceries and her purse. Becky rolled down the passenger window and gave a final yell. Just think about it. You still need to get out of the house. It’ll be fun.

    I’m not a hermit, she called back, waving her shopping bags.

    A final honk and Becky was on her way. She pushed open the front door and garlic assailed her senses. Dad was making spaghetti, and the strong scent mixed with tomatoes, basil, and oregano made her mouth water.

    Hello? Is that you, Joss? her father called from the kitchen.

    Hi, Dad. I have the groceries and some Ben and Jerry’s Half-Baked ice cream. She set the bags on the counter and looked around the bright yellow kitchen. Did you finish writing your article?

    Just typed the last period. And what’s the occasion for B&J? He stood up from the table and closed his laptop. Big plans for tonight?

    No, not really. Becky is harassing me to go to her brother’s singles’ party again.

    You need to go and mingle. It’s Friday night, and you are a beautiful, intelligent twenty-five year old, who should be out making friends. Your mother would be horrified to know you sit home with me every weekend. He put an arm around her shoulder and gave her a squeeze. Do it for me, huh?

    And for me. I’d love to meet a handsome man, Laura added, as she plopped down on a stool and picked at the grapes in the fruit bowl. We’ll go together. I heard Ben is a hottie.

    Joss sighed, looking at the two pair of hazel eyes staring her down. The last thing she needed was a hottie. But she had been itching to have a conversation with people her own age. First and second graders were limited in their level of humor and vocabulary. Still, the thought of a group of strangers was daunting.

    With a sigh only a martyr could appreciate, she gave in. All right. We’ll both go to the party. And if we find they have ‘older’ people there, Dad is coming next time.

    Woohoo, Laura cheered, jumping up from the stool, her long, blonde curls bouncing. Call Becky and let her know or I will.

    Well, let’s get supper on so my girls can hit the town! Dan Palmateer lifted the lid on his famous homemade sauce. I’ll be comatose after a second plate of pasta anyway.

    As she walked upstairs to her room, she heard them whispering. Dad, I’m worried about her. She needs a social life, some way to network and find friends. I’m at the university and meet people everyday.

    Be patient. Her role for the last year was keeping this family together. She needs time to adjust to the fact that we don’t…

    Joss didn’t need to hear the rest as she closed her bedroom door and threw herself on the bed. Were they right? Had she been using her family to avoid starting a new life?

    Those first social events she’d attended had been a nightmare. A crowded roomful of people and she’d never felt so isolated. They looked at her like an oddity, a foreigner. But wasn’t she?

    The sadness—no pity—in Laura’s eyes had shown today. Her outgoing little sister had adjusted with ease. That’s it. She slammed the pillow over her face. I swear I will go and have a good time tonight. Then she prayed for divine intervention.

    Chapter 2

    Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.

    Jim Rohn

    With a deep breath, Joss raised her fist then put it down.

    Oh for Pete’s sake, her sister said in agitation, as she knocked at the door herself. What are you waiting for?

    The bass from an unfamiliar song thudded inside the brick ranch home. It looked like quite a splash from what they could see through the picture window of Ben Montgomery’s house. Cars were lined up and down the street, and voices rivaled to be heard over the music.

    Laura tapped her foot to the beat. I am sooo glad we came. This is a party!

    The door opened, and Joss looked up into deep emerald eyes. The man smiled at her, pushed a lock of sandy brown hair off his forehead, and made her stomach flip. Hello, there, came a deep timbre that sent a shiver down her arms.

    She unsuccessfully tried to wipe the stupid grin off her face as he stood back and invited them in, his arm swinging wide. Ladies, you must be the guests Becky has looked for every fifteen minutes. Which one is Joss?

    Closing her eyes, she made a mental note to smack her friend, then opened them and held out her hand. That would be me. And you must be Ben.

    Guilty. And you are little sister Laura? His eyes twinkled as he looked from one sibling to the other. Must be some mighty fine genes in the Palmateer family.

    Laura grinned and shimmied out of her coat. Becky wasn’t exaggerating when she said you were charming, she said in

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