In the picturesque town of Winter Grove, the tenacious Alicia Whittaker faces off against her best friend's snobbish brother, Zeke Brighton, when his disapproval of his sister's boyfriend threatens to upend their Christmas.
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Tenacious college stud...
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Zeke
The chime of his phone startled Zeke out of his dream. He hadn't realized he'd dozed off in his train seat or that his phone had slipped out of his hand. At least no one had stolen it—though he wasn't too surprised. Winter Grove seemed like the kind of goody-two-shoes place where people returned wallets with the cash still inside.
He looked at the screen. It was a message from a number he didn't recognize. He had a good guess, though, who it might be, especially when the message preview read...
Please listen. It wasn't what it looked like...
He swiped at the screen—harder than was necessary—and dismissed the message. He'd block the new number later.
He didn't know why she was still trying.
He told her he was done.
He slid his phone into the pocket of his coat and turned back to the frosted window. The train was pulling into Winter Grove station. It was an old-fashioned little station, thoroughly decorated, practically dripping with lights, baubles, and wintergreen garland.
It was like the place was trying to rub in the fact the town was the holliest and jolliest place in the world.
Zeke grimaced, his scowl reflected in the icy glass.
The train gave a heave and stopped. All around, people leaped to their feet, pulled down their carry-ons, and headed out to the platform. Zeke lingered, unwilling to fight through the crowds just to be the first out into the cold. He missed the temperate weather of San Francisco... but the idea of going back made his chest ache.
Once the train car was almost empty, he got up and made his way towards the exit. But an old couple was ahead of him, blocking the way. They were taking their time descending from the train car, assisted by staff.
Zeke stifled a sigh. Already irritated, he just wanted to get out of there.
"Sorry, dear!" the wife cheered to him. She was entirely decked out in festive wear—bright red coat, holly patterned scarf, her white cotton-puff hair tucked into an emerald sequin beret. "We move a bit slower these days. We'll be out of your way in a jiff."
"It's fine," Zeke said, taking a deep breath. If he wasn't careful, he'd turn into a real Scrooge. "Take your time."
"That's so kind of you, sonny!" the husband said with a chuckle, his white mustache twitching. He had made it to the platform and turned back to help his wife. "Believe me, if we could move faster, we would! We can't wait to be back in Winter Grove!"
"Yes, we come here every year!" the wife chirped, wobbling as her husband and two porters helped her off the train car. "We've visited for the past fifteen years, in fact! We never miss the opening night of the Christmas Tree Festival. It's the highlight of our holidays!"
