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    The Christmas Reunion
    The Christmas Reunion
    The Christmas Reunion
    Ebook117 pages1 hour

    The Christmas Reunion

    By Lyncee Shillard

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    About this ebook

    Five years ago, Joleigh Nelson turned her back on the only man she'd ever love to save her father and unborn son's lives. Now that man may be the only one who can save her home, the New Forks animal reserve.

    Spencer Thompkin has spent the last five years in an emotional wasteland.  Unable to let anyone in after Joleigh disappeared without a word.

    On a routine foreclosure of an animal reserve, he finds not only Joleigh but a son he never knew about.

    Can he get over the feelings of betrayal and help Joleigh save her home – the animal reserve? Or will the heartless lawyer part of him prevail leaving Joleigh homeless and without her son?

    A Christmas Reunion may not even be enough to save the animal reserve and restore their love.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLyncee Shillard
    Release dateNov 23, 2018
    ISBN9781386477129
    The Christmas Reunion
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      Book preview

      The Christmas Reunion - Lyncee Shillard

      Prologue

      Spencer Thompkin glanced across the car at his fiancée, Joleigh Nelson. She shifted nervously, pulling a strain of hair through her fingers.

      The late summer sun still warmed the afternoon to the mid-eighties.

      He should have suggested they ditch his mother's party and hike to their favorite picnic spot. Nothing his mother, Marva, could have to say would beat an afternoon of good wine, cheese, and ham roll-ups with Jo.

      Why do you think Marva insist I come today? Jo’s voice was riddled with worry and uncertainty, staring out the window. Usually, she goes out of her way to make sure I don't accompany you.

      Don't worry about my mother. Think of this as our farewell party. In three weeks, I'll start at Hampton, Crowley, and Bedford. Guilt burned like a hot knife in the pit of his stomach as he watched her fingers twist the ends of her deep caramel colored hair. He covered her hand with his and tried to convince himself that he wasn't using her as a pawn in the war between Marva and him. After tonight we never have to see her again. We'll build our life together in Dallas. The offer is outstanding. He squeezed her fingers. This would the final play in the long saga between him and his parents. He'd won. To ease the guilt, Spencer added, You can go to school full time. It's time to fulfill your dream.

      You, a couple dozen kids, and a bowl of ice cream every night is all I need. Joleigh turned toward him. Deep lines creased her brow. Marva won't let it end easily. You're her son. A mother fights for her children when she thinks they are in harm's way. Marva sees me as a threat. I should have stayed at the apartment. She pulled her hand away and ran it over the floral skirt of her sundress. I don't want there to be a scene.

      Spencer pulled off the road and stopped the car. Remorse coiled through him, forcing the air from his lungs. Jo was the opposite of him and his mother in every way, yet he repeatedly forced her into their sick game. I've told you before, don't let Marva scare you. There is nothing she can do to us. He held her heart shaped face in his hands, pulling her close. Her swirling deep blue green eyes reminded him of the ocean before a storm. He looked forward to the end of the evening, to the final good-bye to Marva. A thrill rushed through him at the thought of the shock on his mother's face when he delivered the news.

      Joleigh's sigh dampen the rush with repulsion. It wasn't fair to use her tonight, but he wanted out of his mother’s grasp. Wanted Marva to see she'd lost and his love for Joleigh prevailed. He brushed his lips along her forehead and drew a deep breath as he closed his eyes. The light fragrance of Joleigh's strawberry scented shampoo offered him reassurance, not that he doubted his love for the small woman next to him in the car. There was nothing he wouldn't do for her. Tonight, was really about them, not Marva. He laced his fingers through the silky strands of her hair and cupped the back of her head. He wouldn't allow Marva to ever pull them apart.

      Her fingers curled tight into the material of the back of his shirt, as she pressed her cheek into his chest. I love you, Spencer. Promise me you'll always remember that.

      There's no need. You'll be there every day to tell me. He moved her gently away. The only way he could explain Joleigh's effect on his life was in some overused lame card line.

      She was his lifeline in the stormy waters of life or she was the bright spot in his dark soul. Good thing he'd chosen law because he'd starve as a romance writer. Let's go. The sooner they put in an appearance at Marva's celebration, the quicker they would be done with his mother. He originally refused to attend the party, and now regretted reversing his decision. The desire to see Marva's face when she learned of his engagement and job offer had driven him to ignore his better judgement. Pulling the car back on the road, he promised himself this would be the last time he used Joleigh in a power play with his mother.

      Expensive luxury cars lined the circle driveway, so Spencer parked the Mustang GT on the street. Ready, sweetheart? He brought her hand to his lips. The diamond engagement ring he'd given her two days earlier glittered in the late afternoon sun. He had won the war over Joleigh. They would be married in six months and there was nothing Marva could do about it.

      She drew a shaky breath. Are you sure this dress is okay?

      He smiled as his gaze took in her slender tanned shoulders. Everything about Joleigh was petite. She was like a fairy princess, sweet, delicate, and beautiful. Each time Spencer looked at her he felt the urge to slay a dragon. Tonight, the fiery beast was his mother.

      You're incredible. I'll be the envy of every man there.

      I was thinking I should have brought a tazer. She winked.

      Spencer narrowed his eyes. As much as I'd enjoy using a tazer on Marva, I'm sure Dad would seek legal recourse.

      Not for your mother. It would be to keep all the other women away from you. Joleigh laughed. The sound made his blood stir.

      There isn't a need for that, I'm all yours. Spencer lightly kissed her cheek. Let's go. The sooner we go in, the earlier we can leave.

      JOLEIGH WATCHED SPENCER walk around to her side of the car. The navy polo shirt hugged his broad shoulders. His unruly curly black hair was cut short, but the shiny waves still invited her fingers to play. He opened her door, bending down. The love she saw in his steel gray eyes froze the air in her lungs. She smiled. His eyes were windows to his soul. She had no idea how he was going to be a lawyer, his opponent only needed to look in his eyes to see the truth.

      She reached out and lightly traced the cleft in his chin. I'm so proud of you.

      It was a team effort. I would never have made it through law school or passed the bar without your support.

      His large hand enveloped hers as he helped her from the car. His arm settled possessively around her waist, pulling her closer. They weren't even in the house and he was already shielding her. A dark heaviness settled around her like a wet cold blanket. He thought he protected her from his mother. What he didn't understand was Marva’s poison floated in the air, seeping into your skin until it crawled. Spencer was aware of his mother's toxic tongue, but Joleigh doubted he knew how truly vile the woman was.

      They walked along the drive. Joleigh smiled thinking how excited her father, Ron, would be seeing the sea of expensive cars. He'd rattle on about the history of each make, the engine size, and how best to handle it.

      Spencer led her around the side of the house. The party was on the back lawn. She paused and took in the scene in front of her. Three cream colored canopies had been set up on the lush forest green sod. One offered a vast array of food, a bar had been set up under the middle tent and the longest one, closest to the manmade pond, provided seating. Formally dressed staff members mingled among the guests, offering bite size food and flutes of champagne while others stood stiffly behind the dinner tables fusing over the platters.

      Vases of fresh cut flowers decorated each table. Joleigh had no idea the names of the blooms making up the colorful arrangements. The only flowers she could identify were

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