Solstice Surprise

Solstice Surprise

Gabbi Grey

Copyright © 2021 Gabbi Grey.

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.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously.

References to real people, events, organizations, establishments or locations are intended to provide a sense of authenticity and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

Ablizzard, an urgent plea, a desperate journey, and the most important moment of their lives.

Action movie star Peter Erickson is spending the Christmas holidays ensconced with his in-laws and his new husband. In the wilds of Northern British Columbia, they are as far away from the bustle of the city as they can get.

Thomas Walsh and his famous husband are deeply in love. Although he prefers the intimacy of their city house, he's come home to face the reason he left ten years ago, and to finally tell his parents the truth.

A desperate phone call has the couple scrambling. Will they get back to Vancouver in the middle of a snowstorm in time for their solstice surprise?

Contents

1.Chapter One

2.Chapter Two

3.Chapter Three

4.Chapter Four

5.Chapter Five

6.Chapter Six

7.Chapter Seven

8.Chapter Eight

9.Chapter Nine

10.Epilogue

11.Interested in knowing more about Gabbi?

Chapter One

Thomas

My first Christmas at home in ten years. I should have been more excited, right? Okay, I was excited. But why was I freaking out? My family had met Peter before. Heck, they loved Peter almost as much as they loved me. It didn’t faze them in the least that he was one of the biggest stars in the movie industry. They treated him like family. Hmm, he was more at ease with them than I was.

You’re doing it again.

I glanced over at Peter. I wouldn’t ask what he meant. Yes, I was overthinking things. Stressing. Worrying about nothing. My handsome husband leaned over to press a kiss to my lips even though we were sitting in the living room of my parents’ modest home in Prince George, British Columbia.

Why don’t we go for a walk?

Dubiously, I stared out the window. The dead of winter had come to Canada, and we were far enough north that daylight was at a premium. The stark grays and browns hadn’t been softened by white yet, but the weather forecast was for heavy snow tonight. Possibly even blizzard conditions. A pleasant night to cozy up to the gas fireplace and spend time with the ones I loved. My sister Sarah was in her room texting her best friend from university and my parents were out doing some last-minute shopping.

At December twentieth, they didn’t have much time left. Peter and I had flown up yesterday with extra luggage filled with all the gifts. We’d gone overboard, but this was our first Christmas as a married couple. My family weren’t likely to be wooed or impressed by expensive gifts, but Peter and I had chosen a few things that would hopefully bring smiles.

A walk sounds nice. Such a banal word. But we’ll need to be home before dark.

Is there a park around here?

I was thinking the woods. There’s a nice place just out of town. Kind of secluded. In other words, Peter shouldn’t be recognized, although he didn’t mind—or so he said. Truth was, I thought we both needed a break from the celebrity thing. He’d attended all those charity events leading up to the holidays, and he was fatigued, even if he’d never admit it. Being up here was just what he needed. Time to recharge. Time to center himself. Time for us to be together. I didn’t mind him doing so many events, but the studio had been shooting the second season of Vigilante Justice until three days ago. I’d seen more of Julie Reyes and Cole Hamilton than I had my own husband.

Secluded sounds perfect.

He rose gracefully and offered his hand. I grasped it and let him pull me up. When he wrapped his arms around my waist, I went willingly. Nothing better in the world than Peter Erickson hugs. I was taller by a few inches, so when he ducked his head, it fit right under my chin. His scruff rubbed against my cheek and mine was rubbing against his. Scruff looked sexy on him, and I encouraged him to keep it. On me? Yeah, not so alluring. But after all the eighteen-hour days, the mere thought of shaving made me tired.

I love you. The words slipped easily from me. They were as natural as breathing. He knew, of course. But we never took each other for granted. Never wanted the other to feel unappreciated. In fact, he loved me so much he’d accepted my formerly feral cat Calvin, the orange tabby, into his life. He’d even hired a house sitter so the cat wouldn’t feel lonely. I’d thought a service to visit every day was enough, but Peter insisted Calvin not be lonely. One more reason why I loved him.

I love you too.

He released me and we headed to the closet in the front hall so we could get our coats. As I was putting on my jacket, he caught me off guard by putting a scarf around my neck, and before I could protest, he’d stuck a hat on my head. Hey. I frowned at him. It’s not that cold outside. It’s, like, minus five.

In English, please.

I did some quick mental calculations. Twenty-three.

He shivered.

I laughed. You’re such a Texas boy.

Via California, he reminded me.

Well, you’re in Canada now. He was applying for Canadian citizenship. Our marriage was expediting the process. You need to learn Celsius.

I need to be in warmer climes.

Again I laughed. Usually this time of year it’s about minus fifteen or even twenty. Today is warm.

He growled. Then grabbed for a cap.

I was quicker and I snagged the cap for myself and stuck the tuque on his head. He looked adorable. Adjusting the cap, I waited while he wound the scarf around his neck and snagged gloves.

You have yours?

I didn’t, so he handed me a pair, rolling his eyes. He was adorable when he was in protective mode. Most of the time we were on equitable footing despite our fourteen-year age gap, but sometimes I let him think he was in charge.

All an illusion.

I snagged the keys to Sarah’s SUV, and we headed out into the nippy air. I’d never had to ask permission with her. I admired her whatever is mine is yours philosophy and tried to emulate that trait.

I disarmed the alarm—truly something unnecessary up here—and Peter hopped into the passenger side and slammed the door. I was a little slower in getting in.

It’s freezing.

Quit grousing. I snickered. This walk was your idea.

Don’t remind me.

The engine turned over, but I needed to plug in the vehicle when we came home. Was supposed to go down to minus twenty-five. Probably a good thing we were taking our walk today. No way my SoCal man would venture out tomorrow. Jacking up the heater, I pulled out of our driveway and headed down the street. The place I was thinking of wasn’t far out of town. Bears were hibernating this time of year, and seeing other creatures was unlikely. Not that I’d say such a thing to Peter. He could handle a huge horse like nobody’s business, but bears terrified him.

Go figure.

You spend a lot of time out there?

A memory flashed. Yeah, Luke and I went out there quite often. Sometimes his friends would join us, but just as often it was the two of us.

I’m sorry. His words were quiet.

They’re wonderful memories. And they were. I grasped Peter’s hand. I’m better at remembering the good times. Those remembrances don’t hurt as much as they used to. Because of Peter. Admitting to Peter what had happened to me the night of my brother’s death had lessened my burden. I still planned to tell my parents, but my heart raced every time I thought of trying to. They never blamed me for Luke’s death, but I’d spent ten years blaming myself. Letting go of that guilt was hard. Even with the loving support of my husband.

Husband.

My heart still soared whenever I heard that word. I’d been in the closet when we met. Hell, so had he. A paparazzi outed us. Best thing that’d ever happened to me, although it didn’t seem so at the time. We played fake boyfriends at first, but later became an actual couple. Within days I’d known he was my soulmate, and I’d been the one to propose after we’d been together a mere month. An early autumn wedding meant we were now approaching our three-month anniversary. Wow, time was flying.

Pulling into the parking lot, I swung into a spot, yanked up the parking brake, then cut the engine. After patting Peter’s thigh, I hopped out.

He was much slower to get out.

What’s taking so long, old man?

Another growl.

He hated being reminded of the age difference. So I did it several times a week, in jest, of course, trying to desensitize him. We had yet to have our first proper fight. Not that I relished the idea. More that it was an inevitability. My parents loved each other, but even they bickered once and awhile.

We met at the front of the SUV and I held out my hand. He reciprocated. Better if it was skin to skin, but in deference to the weather, we’d keep our gloves on.

The path was well-used and the snow compact. Our winter boots made us well-prepared. A shiver ran through Peter and I yanked him close. You sure you’re up for this?

"They’ve offered me a film role that’ll shoot