A Quiet Christmas Alone...Kinda (Blushing Books 12 Days of Christmas 4) Read online

  A Quiet Christmas Alone…Kinda

  The 12 Days of Christmas

  By

  Misty Malone

  ©2015 by Blushing Books® and Misty Malone

  All rights reserved.

  No part of the book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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  Malone, Misty

  A Quiet Christmas at Home…Alone

  eBook ISBN: 978-1-68259-202-1

  Cover Design by ABCD Graphics & Design

  This book is intended for adults only. Spanking and other sexual activities represented in this book are fantasies only, intended for adults. Nothing in this book should be interpreted as Blushing Books' or the Author's advocating any non-consensual spanking activity or the spanking of minors.

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  Table of Contents:

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  About Misty Malone

  Ebook Offer

  Blushing Books Newsletter

  About Blushing Books

  Chapter One

  Todd Henderson was sitting at his desk at work, deep into solving a complex equation, when his cell phone rang. He instinctively glanced at it, and immediately told himself to ignore it. Looking back at his figures, however, he knew it was too late. He’d already lost his train of thought and would have to start the computation over. He groaned as he picked up his cell to see who exactly it was that caused the upset in his concentration. He groaned again when he saw it was his mother.

  He loved his mother dearly, but it was two weeks before Christmas, and time for her to start her yearly attempt to get him matched up with someone this year in hopes he’d be married by next. “Good morning, Mom,” he said in what he hoped was a convincingly happy tone.

  “Hello, Todd. I’m sorry to bother you at work, but I have something I have to talk to you about.”

  He had to stifle a laugh, because Nancy Henderson did nothing by chance. She knew he didn’t always answer his phone in the evening, so if she wanted to talk to him, she always called him at work. “You’re not bothering me, Mom. What did you want to talk about?”

  “Well, dear, since I haven’t heard you mention any new ladies in your life lately, I assume you’re coming alone again for Christmas this year. Am I right?”

  She hadn’t immediately mentioned a lady. This was a bit of a different approach, but he had to be cautious. “Why do you ask, Mom?”

  “Well, you remember the Taggart family that used to live just up from us when you were younger, don’t you?”

  He thought back quickly. The Taggarts had two boys Todd used to play with, and yes, a girl, Bianca, just a couple years behind him in school. She had a crush on him in junior high, before they moved. “Yes, I remember them.”

  “Their daughter, Bianca, moved back into the neighborhood. Their parents died, so it’s just her and her two brothers. They’re both in the military. One is deployed right now in Afghanistan, and the other is stationed in Germany. Since she’s new in the neighborhood and has no family, I thought it might be nice if we asked her to join our family for Christmas. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

  Todd had been giving some thought to Christmas over the last week, knowing his mom would have something planned. It usually just involved one night, and he told himself he could handle any woman, no matter how annoying she may be, for one evening. But this was different. If she’d moved into the neighborhood, Mom would be sure to invite her over more than just once.

  Last year’s fiasco flashed through his head, and he cringed. His mother had invited a ‘lovely young lady from church’, but that’s all she told him. She’d apparently told the lady, however, that Todd was single, but seriously looking, and was very excited to meet her. She showed up with a gift for him, along with cookies and a pumpkin roll she’d baked for him, and a whole week’s itinerary planned for them. She’d made reservations for them at romantic little restaurants in town so they would have plenty of opportunity to get to know each other and see if they were the perfect match, as she and his mother felt sure they were. It had been awful.

  He wasn’t about to do that again this year. “Mom, that sounds like a wonderful idea. She can get reacquainted with everyone, and I’m sure she’ll enjoy meeting all the spouses and children. I’ll have to wait until the next time I’m home to meet her, though, because I’m afraid I won’t be coming home this year.”

  There was silence on the other end of the
phone. Finally, his mother found her voice. “What do you mean you won’t be coming home this year? You know the whole family is always here for Christmas.”

  “I know that, Mom, and I’m sorry, but this year I’m going up to my cabin. You know I spent several weekends this summer adding insulation and putting in a new chimney and fixing up the fireplace so I could use it year around.”

  “I know, but you have all winter to go there. You don’t go over the biggest holiday of the year.”

  “Mom, I’m sorry, but I am. I’ve been so busy at work these past few months that I desperately need a little down time. You know I love the family and the big family celebration every year, but this year I’m just plain worn out. I’m looking forward to an extended time away from the rat race that’s become my life lately.”

  “But why?”

  “Mom, I’ve told you before, I’m not happy with my job.”

  “But you make good money, and they love your work. Your father says you’re going to make partner in a few years, which is wonderful. To be a partner in an important engineering firm at your age is quite an achievement. What more could you possibly want?”

  “That’s just it, Mom. I don’t want more. I want less. I’m considering moving back to a small town, getting back to what I’m familiar with. Life in the city is not for me.”

  “But you would be giving up so much.”

  “I might be, but I’d also be gaining a lot. I’d be gaining the small town atmosphere I prefer, and a lot less pressure. I hate going to all the parties I have to attend here, and meeting all the important people it’s vital I meet to promote my job. I want a simpler life.”

  “Have you given notice yet?”

  “Not yet. I need to take some time and think it all through, and make sure following my heart to a simpler life is what I want. I like the idea of less stress, less pressure, less time in a suit at a fancy party.”

  “Less money.”

  “Yes, I know it would also mean less money. I don’t think that’s as big a factor to me as it would be to most people, though. I’ve made arrangements to take three weeks off work, and an additional five weeks where I’ll be working from the cabin.”

  Another pause, before she spoke again. “Couldn’t you start your time alone after Christmas, son?”

  “No, Mom, I really can’t. I’m exhausted, mentally and physically, and I’m sure I wouldn’t be a good guest right now. This is really weighing on me and I need to think it through.”

  “But everyone will be disappointed if you’re not there, Todd.”

  “I’ll call my two sisters and brother and explain it. I’m sure they’ll understand. I’ll talk to Dad, as well. I need time alone.”

  She wasn’t happy about it, but she didn’t have any way of changing his mind, so she urged him to keep in touch so they at least knew he was okay while he was there. He promised he would, before sending his love to the family, and ending the call.

  He sat back in his chair, thinking about what he’d just done. To be honest, he was a little surprised. He’d already had the vacation time approved and had recently arranged to work from the cabin afterward, but he hadn’t planned on going there until after the holiday. Now that he said it out loud, though, it sounded very appealing, especially when he pictured Bianca Taggart waiting for him.

  He found his mood lightening as the day went on. He even found himself whistling on the drive home that evening. Now that the decision was made, he was getting stoked.

  The first thing he did when he got home was wrap the gifts he’d gotten for his family. He always did his shopping early, as the last couple weeks were filled with horrible holiday parties he felt forced to attend. He wrapped everything, packed them all in a couple rather large boxes, and set them by the door. He’d mail them the next day, and they should arrive in time for Christmas.

  When that was done, he packed what he’d need for eight weeks at the cabin. Tomorrow was Friday, and he would leave right after work. Two months ago, he’d arranged to take the last two weeks off before Christmas, and now he was glad he’d done that. At the time he did it simply to get out of some of the parties he knew he would be expected to attend. If he was on vacation and out of town, he could dodge the parties without upsetting his bosses. Now the quiet time alone would be priceless.

  He left early the next morning, stopping at the post office before he got to work. He worked through lunch, wanting to be sure everything was in place and ready for his extended absence from the office. He wished everyone a good holiday season before leaving that evening, and when he left work he headed straight for the cabin.

  He made two stops along the way; once for dinner, and once in the little town close to the cabin to get some groceries. The weather was good now, but they were calling for snow, and lots of it, over the weekend. He wanted to be sure he was at the cabin with his cupboards and refrigerator stocked before he got snowed in.

  It was late when he finally pulled up in front of the cabin, but it felt good to be there. He unloaded the car, which took several trips. His next job was to start a fire, which was an easy task. When he was there the last time this summer he’d chopped and stacked plenty of firewood, and laid a fire ready in the fireplace. All he had to do now, three months later, was light it.

  While the fire got going and warmed the house he put the groceries away, and his clothes. Finally, he grabbed a beer and settled down in front of the fireplace, television remote in hand, and checked the sports channels. He was looking forward to a couple weeks of quiet, with no bosses, no co-workers, no Christmas parties to attend, but lots of rest and relaxation, and plenty of sports on television.

  He enjoyed spending the holidays with his family, but the last few years had been frustrating. Living in the city was not agreeing with him, and he looked forward to returning home to unwind. That was hard to do when his mother was constantly throwing him together with another wonderful girl he just had to meet. When you added the noise and confusion of the entire family, now complete with eight nieces and nephews, it was anything but relaxing.

  He put all that out of his mind for now and enjoyed a replay of an earlier football game before calling it a night and going to bed.

  He slept well, not waking up until mid-morning on Saturday. A quick glance outside confirmed the snow they’d been calling for had already begun. There were only a couple inches on the ground, but the snow was coming down at a steady pace. From experience, he knew up here in the higher elevations it could accumulate quickly. He smiled, glad again that he’d decided to come in last night, ahead of the storm.

  He stoked the fire, opening it up to warm the cabin while he fixed some breakfast. After eating, he put his coat and boots on and went out to bring in enough wood for the day, not wanting to interrupt his day of sports watching to retrieve more. On his third and final trip out to the woodpile he heard something troubling. It sounded like a car stuck in the snow. The snow was now three or four inches deep, so if someone didn’t know what they were doing out here in the snow they could easily get stuck. He had to wonder who would be out here this time of year, and why. There were several cabins scattered throughout this area, but most of them were closed up over the winter.

  He stopped and listened, and heard it again. He looked back toward the cabin, remembering the warm fire and the comfy couch, but the sound continued. Someone was definitely stuck. There was a good chance he was the only other person around today, and he couldn’t just ignore that. Whoever the driver was, though, he’d sure better have a good excuse for being out here in this weather.

  He grabbed his keys from the hook by the door and went out to his pickup. He put it in four-wheel drive before turning around and heading for the road. He went down the hill toward the main road, and sure enough, there was a car, stuck along the side of the road. The driver was gunning it, giving it way too much gas, and the tires were spinning themselves deeper into the snow. He pulled up next to it and jumped out to talk to the driver.

 
To his surprise, the driver was a lady, and not a happy one. He tapped on her window to get her attention, and she jumped, but rolled her window down. He grimaced when he saw her bright red hair. He’d known three ladies with red hair, and they’d all been a challenge. They all reminded him of Lucille Ball. Each one of them had a temper, and an attitude that was very trying. “Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t mean to scare you. I heard you were having trouble and came down to help. My name’s Todd, by the way.”

  “My name’s Lucy.”

  Of course it is, he thought to himself. “Stop giving it gas for a couple minutes and let me see how badly it’s stuck.”

  Without waiting for her response, he went to the back tires and checked them first. He was surprised when he saw the tires, and how much wear they had on them. It was no wonder she wasn’t getting any traction. There was hardly any tread left on them. Since it was a front-wheel drive car, he went to check the front tires, hoping they were in much better shape. Unfortunately, they were in similar condition. He went back to the lady behind the wheel. “Ma’am, how far are you planning on going? You aren’t going to get very far in these hills with those tires.”

  “I’m just trying to get to the snowmobile garage. I know I won’t make it to the cabin, so I planned on parking my car and going on up on the snowmobile.”

  Todd was aware of the garage many cabin owners in the area shared for their snowmobiles. It wasn’t too far up the mountain, but he wasn’t at all sure her car would make it that far on its own. “I brought a chain with me. Let me hook on to your car and pull you out. Then, if you want I can follow you up to be sure you make it to the garage.”

  “Thank you. I would appreciate that.”