A Snow Globe Christmas Read online

  A Snow Globe Christmas

  Ornamental Match Maker Series

  Hayley Wescott

  Copyright © 2018 Hayley Wescott and Sweet River Publishing

  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. Any references to names, characters, organizations, places, events, or incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  http://www.hayleywescott.com

  http://www.sweetriverpublishing.com

  Contents

  You can Get a Free Book!

  About the Ornamental Match Makers Series

  Hayley Wescott

  A Snow Globe Christmas

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Hayley Wescott

  Preview - A Christmas to Remember

  Chapter 1

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  More By Hayley Wescott

  About Hayley Wescott

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  Do you love sweet romance with a Christian tone? Mysterious Ways is a story of childhood friends who learn they’re meant to be together when their paths cross again.

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  About the Ornamental Match Makers Series

  Mrs. Claus is all about spreading Christmas cheer—especially to the many lonely hearts seeking friendship, love, healing, second chances, and that special someone to call their own.

  To help each lovely heroine and dashing hero find their perfect match, Mrs. Claus sends a magical holiday ornament. From a carousel horse, candy canes, or an angel cookie for the tree and more, special moments center around them as the holidays grace the days of our characters.

  This series includes historical and contemporary, heartfelt and humorous sweet romance stories that all end in a festive happily ever after. You’ll want more and more of this series, so be sure to check out our readers group on Facebook.

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrnamentalMatchMakerReaders/

  Find all the books in the series on Amazon.

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  A Snow Globe Christmas

  Ornamental Match Maker Series

  Hayley Wescott

  1

  There were many things Kelsey Patrick loved about living in the Florida Keys. Islamorada truly had become her island home. From the dolphins at the Theater of the Sea, to diving on the coral reefs, Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park and the historic exhibits at the diving museum there was always something fun to do. To top all that off, she’d made a few really great friends. Her work at the Baptist Health Mariners Hospital was just a short drive from her home on Windley Key and she love her job. Most of the time, Kelsey couldn’t deny that her life was pretty perfect.

  Yet, as December rolled around, Kelsey always got homesick. Christmas just seemed different in Florida. Odd even. Stanbury, Connecticut, where she’d grown up, had always delivered on all the Christmas essentials: snow, hot chocolate with marshmallows, roaring open fires. And she couldn’t leave out her family—Mom, Pop, and her big brother, his wife and two kids. Florida with its sunshine and outdoor living was wonderful, but as Kelsey decorated her little tree with artificial snowflakes, she couldn’t help missing the real thing. She imagined she always would as long as she lived far away from the possibility of a white Christmas.

  Determined not to let homesickness or the lack of snow dim her spirits, she leaned over and turned up the Christmas music playing through her wifi speakers. Before she knew it, she was singing along as she draped tinsel and ribbons on the small, but real tree she’d been able to find right at the very back of Calvert’s Christmas tree yard. Jake Calvert had laughed as she’d taken it to the cash register, more used to those who underestimated the space they had at home and purchased the biggest tree they could find. But, even though it was the smallest tree on the lot, it still took up almost half of the floor space in Kelsey’s tiny living room.

  Smiling as she heard the sound of the cat door swing, Kelsey placed the glittering silver star at the very top of the tree and stood back to admire her work. “What do you think, Winston?” she asked the fat tabby cat that had appeared. The big guy was sitting with his paws neatly pulled together, as though he was trying to get them all onto a dime.

  His wide eyes with their huge dark pupils told Kelsey that Winston was already eying up the metallic red bauble at the bottom of the tree. Kelsey bent to pick him up and was rewarded with a low and reverberating purr. “Now, you’re not to launch yourself at the tree, like you did last year, and knock over all my hard work,” she warned him, “or there’ll be no cat treats and toys under it for you on Christmas Day.”

  Winston squirmed and leaped out of Kelsey’s arms, clearly the call of the shiny tree ornaments was too much for him to ignore. Kelsey watched, amused as he began stalking the decked out Christmas tree. This whole thing was bound to end in tears – probably her own – but seeing the old rescue cat behave like a kitten made her happy. It wasn’t long before Winston was hunkering down to pounce, and with a wiggle of his furry behind, he launched himself, capturing his prey with utter delight. Shaking her head, as Winston chased the decoration around the carpet, Kelsey put away the boxes she’d taken the trimmings out of and stashed them away in the coat closet for now.

  Kelsey scratched the cat’s head on her way to the bedroom, where she pulled a large bag of presents and wrapping from the wardrobe, before returning to the now almost gaudily decorated living room. Humming along to the festive songs, she knelt down between her sofa and her coffee table and began to wrap up the last few presents and write her cards for her colleagues at work. She’d just about managed to find the time to wrap her family’s gifts and get them sent last week. It had made her feel closer somehow to her family, knowing that they would receive those little tokens of her love, even if they were unable to all be together this year.

  Mom and Pop were heading off to see her brother and his family in Vermont. Gabe had been working there for the past six months, and Kelsey knew that her Mom feared he might not come back. Kelsey had to admit that she thought it unlikely as well. Gabe had always loved skiing and the mountains. Vermont suited him perfectly, and his lovely wife, Allison, was from there. They’d met at university, at Yale no less, and had been inseparable ever since.

  Many people would be jealous of Gabe, for his rugged good looks and razor-sharp brain. His perfect family and his high-flying law career added fuel to that fire. But Kelsey had never felt that way. Mom and Pop had been equally proud of them both and had encouraged them to always do the work they wanted to do. She’d never wanted to be anything other than a nurse, and she was a good one, too, even if she did say so herself.

  Glimpsing up at the window, Kelsey sighed heavily. She never would have thought that she would be annoyed that it was sunny and bright. But, she craved the full winter wonderland that had been her childhood. She had no doubt there would be snow in Vermont, too, Kelsey thought a little bitterly. Of course, she had been invited to Gabe’s place for the holidays, and she was sure that they would have made her welcome in every way. But that trip wasn’t mean to be. She hadn’t been able to get enough time off work and so Kelsey would be spending Christmas with her colleagues and patients at the hospital this year.

  As she placed the carefully wrapped gifts under the tree, Kelsey yawned loudly and stretched her arms and legs. It had been a wonderful but tiring day and even if the weather wouldn’t play ball, at least her little bit of Florida was suitably festive. All the trinkets and ornaments that Mom had dug out to send away with her took pride of place on the mantel, and garlands bedecked every surface she owned. It truly was a real Santa’s Grotto.

  Winston sat at her feet and meowed loudly. “I know. Supper time,” she said with a smile. He wrapped himself around her legs, his tail tickling her behind her bare knees. She wondered how long it would take her to get used to the idea of Christmas in shorts and then she acknowledged that she probably never would. “So, would you like chicken, or tuna?” she asked the cat as she looked at the pouches left in the refrigerator. He didn’t answer, just nudged at her legs impatiently until she placed the dish down on the floor.

  “You don’t care about me one bit, do you?” she asked him. “As long as the food keeps coming, I could be anyone. Still, I love you, and wouldn’t swap you for anything.”

  The phone rang as Kelsey was warming up some left-over kung pao chicken. She knew too much take out wasn’t healthy, but she’d come off almost a month of late shifts in Emergency and Urgent Care Services, and quick and simple was the only option. December provided not only the usual gamut of diving injuries and basic gripes and grumbles, car wrecks and sports injuries, it brought out a cavalcade of drunken idiots, too. But with so many people taking
time off to attend their kid’s pageants and spend time with family, single people like Kelsey were the ones usually called on to hold the fort. She prayed that whoever was calling did not want her to go back in tonight.

  “Hi,” she said cheerfully.

  “Hey Kelsey, I need your help,” Annie Chapman said in a dramatic tone. Annie was a lively and vivacious doctor in oncology, and despite Kelsey only being a lowly nurse, the pair had hit it off from the first moment they’d met. “Secret Santa,” Annie carried on breathlessly. “What do I get Steve in radiography? Of all the people in the hospital I could have pulled out of that hat, I can’t believe I got the one person I’ve barely spoken more than two words to.”

  “Oh, you got Steve,” Kelsey said, smiling, “I wondered who drew his name.”

  “Well, it’s me. And I’m completely stumped. Can you help?” Annie’s voice sounded almost desperate.

  Now this was a problem she could help with. She twisted her mouth as she thought, trying to remember things Steve had mentioned recently. Kelsey felt very strongly that there were always clues as to what people wanted, if you only listened carefully enough. “He’s such a sweetie. So, Steve just bought a house. It’s a cute little bungalow not too far from the beach. I know he bought some furniture so at least he’s made a start on settling in.”

  “Do you think he needs dishes or anything like that?” Annie asked, clearly not impressed at the idea of getting someone something so practical for a Christmas gift.

  “Well, that would be really expensive. You shouldn’t do that. He’s got some mismatched stuff, anyway. I think he’s good with that. He does like beach pictures, though. Isn’t that odd for a guy?” Kelsey laughed lightly shaking her head at Steve’s collection.

  “Hmm. You mean like the ones with all the beach shacks and stuff?” Annie’s voice sounded considerably happier, clearly buying something more decorative was more in line with her idea of what a great gift should be.

  “Yep, exactly that. All shabby and cool. A small print shouldn’t go over the limit.” Kelsey nodded even though Annie couldn’t see her.

  “I feel like I should be looking for something more… um, manly, you know? But if you say this is what he likes, I’m a happy camper. Geez, Kelsey. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Annie said. “Who did you get? No, don’t tell me. I’ll bet you got Dr. Gideon. Everyone else would have made sure they slipped that name straight back in the hat.”

  Kelsey grinned. She had indeed pulled out the ornery head of the Cardiac Unit to buy for. She didn’t mind. She knew most people were scared of the man newly tapped to take over the entire hospital in the New Year. She’d always found him to be much like her Pop, prickly on the outside, but soft as marshmallow on the inside. She’d never had a problem with him. Since that status was rare, she didn’t want to do anything that would change it. So, even though she felt like she knew how to deal with him, she treaded lightly when things seemed a little strained.

  “Well, it’s a good thing I know he really wants to learn how to dive. I bought him a voucher for one of those try dives down at Duck Key. Believe it or not, I got a half-price Groupon so I didn’t go over the limit even though it seems a little extravagant. I don’t really like giving gift cards, but he’s not the sort to like a bunch of stuff that leads to clutter.”

  “You’re right there,” Annie agreed. “I hear that house of his, the great ice-cube on stilts down by the water only has one sofa and his bed. Now, that’s what I call minimalist.”

  “Given all the glass, I suppose having too many knick-knacks would just make the place look messy,” Kelsey said thoughtfully. “I admire people brave enough to live in such modern architecture, but it’s not for me. I’m a cozy, comfy and trinket-friendly kind of a girl.”

  “Me too,” Annie said emphatically. “Now, I’m off to see if Caspar is still at his store, because goodness knows I’ve no other time to go shopping before the big gift giving Wednesday afternoon. You’re coming in, right, even though you’re not on shift?”

  “Wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Kelsey assured her friend. “I think he said he was opening late on Thursdays and Saturdays before Christmas, so you should be safe enough.”

  “Thanks sweetie, I truly would be lost without you.”

  “Oh, you are still going to be able to make it to my supper party after the gift giving, aren’t you?” Kelsey asked. “I mean, it’s nothing special, just a big tray of lasagna and some appetizers and dessert, of course. And being cramped into my tiny apartment will be an adventure. But, it’s Christmas, and you guys are my Florida family. We’re all working over the festive period, so we need to let our hair down a little, don’t you think?”

  “Hey, I’m coming back with you after the gifts to help you get ready. Wouldn’t miss the Patrick festive Christmas lasagna,” Annie said giggling. “Tell me what you need me to bring and I’ll get it while I’m out now. It was the best night of the year, last year.”

  “Thank you, that means a lot, Kelsey said, touched at Annie’s compliment. “I think I’m good, though.” She paused. “No, hang on a minute. They didn’t have any heavy cream when I went to the store earlier. Could you see if Nielsen’s has any, if you’re going to be next door at Caspar’s.”

  “I can do that. Ooh, I do hope you’re gonna use that cream in your famous cherry trifle. I just love that stuff,” Annie said, not disguising the desire in her voice. Kelsey couldn’t help wondering if she was actually drooling. It made her smile to think her food was so appreciated.

  “I might, I might not. It’ll all depend on whether you get me the cream,” she teased.

  “Oh, I’ll get you that cream,” Annie vowed. The two women laughed and made their good byes, assuring each other that they’d meet up at work the next day.

  Hanging up, Kelsey wondered what it must be like, to be one of those people who left everything to the very last minute. To not have even thought about what you were going to buy someone, the night before that gift was to be given, that would never sit well with Kelsey. Normally her tree would have been up on the very first day of December, and her presents and cards wrapped and delivered across the country a week ago. She absolutely hated that her tree had only gone up today when it was just a week and a half from Christmas. But, because of all the shifts she’d taken at work she didn’t really have much of a choice if she wanted to sleep any. It was done now and her living room sparkled from all the fairy lights as they flashed their bright hues over the glittering tinsel and shiny metallic baubles.

  Feeling weary, Kelsey stretched and yawned loudly. Winston looked at her with wide eyes. “Bed time?” she asked him. He ran straight through to the bedroom and began to stake his claim at the end of the bed. He kneaded the mattress with his paws, then settled down, curling his body up into a tight ball, though he left his legs out in front of him, making him look a bit like a furry shrimp.

  Kelsey slipped off her shorts and tee shirt and slipped on an old night shirt. It had a very faded Mickey Mouse on it and was so misshapen from all the years of washings that it was barely holding itself together. But it was comfortable on the warm nights here in Florida, and so Kelsey would never part with it.

  The sheets were cool as she slipped between them, and it wasn’t long before she had fallen fast asleep. She dreamed of snow falling all around her with fat, heavy flakes landing on her hair and her eyelashes. Wrapped up in a thick coat, with woolen mittens and a hand-knitted scarf and hat she was toasty warm. She twirled around and around, as though she were a ballerina in a music box, turning her face up to the sky and opening her mouth so the snow could land on her tongue, all icy and fresh. It was like Heaven on Earth, and when the alarm sounded Kelsey didn’t want to wake up and face the bright sunshine, or the palm trees, or the sea because there would be no snow again today in Florida.