Holiday Serenade, The (14 page)

“There’s a joke there,” Mac drawled from behind her.

“Dear God,” Rhett said, holding the fine–boned, slender dog over his lap in his massive hands.

It squirmed and gave a ruff. Thank God it was potty trained.

Rye came over and sat on the arm of the couch by his friend. “Good thing it’s not a cat, or I’d have to call you a—”

“Rye! Not in front of the kids,” Abbie chastised.

The bad boy country singer didn’t even have the sense to look chagrined. Shaking his head, Rye continued to laugh. “It’s definitely going to be a new act for you. Maybe I’ll get you matching cowboy boots for your birthday.”

“Shut up,” Rhett said, and then winced, likely from the lack of fur, as the dog cuddled close to him and rubbed its head against his chest.

“It doesn’t shed,” she said, trying to sell him on the dog.

“No shit,” Rye commented, running a finger over the hairless body. “Oops, sorry.” He cast a glance to Keith, who stood looking at the dog like it was an alien.

“It looks like a girl,” Keith said.

“You might need glasses if you think that,” Mac said, pulling him close.

“Its mop of hair kinda looks like yours, Mom,” Dustin said, edging away from her as he spoke.

“Thank you very much, Dustin Maven,” she said, putting down the crate and making a move toward him.

“Actually, Dustin, I see what you mean,” Rhett said. “It looks like when your mom blow dries her hair. And since I can kinda see the resemblance, I’m going to call her Annie since your mama’s middle name is Anne. She can be my—”

“Don’t say it,” Abbie warned, thinking he was going to say bitch.

His mouth pursed as he fought not to laugh. “I was going to say
second lady
since she’s a gift from my soon–to–be wife.”

“I already miss the poker babes in their sequined dresses,” Rye said, lurching off the couch when Rhett tried to hand the dog to him.

“That’s because you aren’t the one who’s lucky enough to be engaged to the most beautiful woman in the world. Just you wait—”

“Henry Higgins,” Rye filled in for him.

Abbie sat next to Rhett and patted the poor dog, who didn’t deserve this treatment. “I can return her if you don’t like it. I know Rav—”

“Jane, my new dog walker,
was
looking into breeds,” Rhett interrupted, reminding her to use Jane’s real name.

He’d told her everything about his poker babes, saying it was crucial to their future together. She’d listened, and what she’d learned had surprised her, proving that old adage of not judging a book by its cover, even if it happened to be covered in sequins. For Rhett’s sake, she was going to try and meet them after the holidays. He didn’t expect them to be friends, he’d said, but he hoped they would be friendly. Hearing they were like his sisters had cinched it for her.

“This dog is perfect. Plus, it’s so much nicer since you bought her for me.”

“Sucker,” Rye said, drinking his bourbon.

“You bet,” Rhett responded. “Now, since I’m feeling in the Christmas spirit, why don’t you play my song, and I’ll sing to my sweetheart?”

“Do I have to?” Rye said, dragging his feet to the piano that Peggy had eagerly vacated.

“Be your punishment for talking so badly about this little lady. Abbie and Annie. My two girls.”

“I think I’m going to throw up. In my mouth,” Dustin said from beside her.

Then Rhett started to sing, his voice so off–key the adults winced. Arthur put his hands over his ears. “If I didn’t like to see two young people finally getting together, I’d shove my cane in Rhett’s mouth to stop him.”

Rhett didn’t miss a beat. He just continued looking at Abbie with those golden eyes, holding the dog to his chest. And when he put the puppy on top of the piano, making Rye shoo her aside when she tried to lick his face, Abbie took the hand Rhett held out and cuddled in close.

His holiday serenade had made this one Christmas she’d never forget.

Dear Reader,

There’s simply nothing like the holidays, and Rhett and Abbie’s story seemed tailor–made for miracles, gingerbread houses, and a holiday serenade. These two are dear to my heart, and I’m so glad they finally came together to make a home for themselves and Dustin. I’ve included our family recipe for the gingerbread houses Abbie makes in the story after this letter; this recipe is from the wife of my great–great grandpa who won our family newspaper in a poker game in 1892. I expect he would hold his own with Rhett and Mac at the poker table. If making a house seems too daunting, just make cookies. There’s nothing like the smell of baking gingerbread during the holidays.

Your opinion really matters to me, so I would love for you to post a review and let me know what you think of THE HOLIDAY SERENADE. Additionally, your review helps other readers find my books. If you’re willing, you can write one here.

Okay, you’re probably wondering about Rye Crenshaw, right? Isn’t he totally fabulous? When Rye arrived in THE GRAND OPENING, I knew his story needed to be told, and after this one, I’m even more certain of that. I am working on his story called COUNTRY HEAVEN, which will begin a connected series called Dare River. It will be released in February 2014.

But what about Dare Valley? Oh, trust me, that series is going to continue. In December 2013, I plan to release Grandpa Hale’s story, THE TOWN SQUARE, set in 1960. I like to call it
Mad Men
in a small town with a happy ending.

And after these stories, Rhett’s poker babes are getting their own. More on that later.

In case you missed the other books in The Dare Valley Series, keep reading. I included a brief snippet about NORA ROBERTS LAND, FRENCH ROAST, and THE GRAND OPENING to tantalize your senses. If you want to keep up with all of our exciting news, please sign up for my
newsletter
and connect with me on
Facebook
where we have a lot of fun.

Thanks again for reading!

Lots of light,

Ava

Gingerbread Houses

Recipe by Ava Miles’ Great–great Grandma Miles, circa 1900

Baked by Abbie Maven at Christmas

Gingerbread

1 c. butter

1 c. sugar

Cream these two ingredients.

Add ½ c. hot coffee

¾ c. molasses

5 c. flour

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. soda

¼ tsp. nutmeg

1 ½ tsp. ginger

½ tsp. cloves

Mix the ingredients. Chill for at least 1 hour. Overnight is best.

Icing

4 egg whites

5 c. sifted powdered sugar

Beat egg whites until stiff and slowly add the powdered sugar. Keep covered when not using since the icing dries quickly.

House Dimensions

Roll dough onto a lightly floured surface. Cut the shapes outlined below:

2 Side Walls: 4x6 inches

Roof: 7x8 inches

Base: 10 inches

2 End Pieces: 6.5x6x4

*You can half the dimensions to make a smaller house if you want to start small and practice as you become more adept at assembling. If so, half the frosting recipe too.

Bake at 375 degrees for 3–4 minutes on parchment paper (less time if you use the half dimensions).

Cook pieces in the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Place the frosting in a pastry bag with a small decorating tip. Anchor the base cookie on aluminum foil or parchment paper and use the frosting to glue it down. Secure the end piece and one side wall with frosting and let dry for 30 minutes after propping up. Remove prop and join other side wall and end piece. Prop up and follow earlier instructions. Add the roof next and secure the walls with additional frosting to secure the structure.

Then use your imagination. Add whatever seems to work for your house: gumdrops, chocolate Santas, etc. You can also dye the frosting different colors to decorate the house if you want to go wild—like Abbie does.

If you have leftover dough, form them into gingerbread men or other shapes and bake at 375 for 8–10 minutes. Rhett suggests you make both male and female gingerbread cookies (sugar sprinkles for sequins optional). Enjoy!

Coming Soon

The Dare Valley Series continues…

Book 5: THE TOWN SQUARE
Set in 1960, this novella is Mad Men in a small town.
With a happy ending of course.
Available December 2013

Also Coming Soon
The Dare River Series begins…
Book 1: COUNTRY HEAVEN
Country singer Rye Crenshaw and Tory Simmons’ story
Available February 2014

NORA ROBERTS LAND

Journalist Meredith Hale’s ex–husband claimed her Nora Roberts addiction gave her unrealistic expectations about marriage, and she believed him. All dreams of happily ever after—or Nora Roberts Land as her mother calls it— went up in smoke. But when her family asks her to temporarily help their Dare Valley, Colorado newspaper, she decides it’s time to change her life and prove her ex wrong. She’s determined to find her own small–town Nora Roberts hero, prove that true love exists, and publish a story about her quest.

War correspondent Tanner McBride has just returned stateside to work for a major newspaper, and the last thing he expects is blackmail. Yet, before he can even unpack, he’s headed to Colorado. His assignment? Make his boss’s ex–wife fall for him and then break her heart. Her article about discovering love à la Nora might air dirty laundry about her marriage to the media mogul, threatening his senate run. The mogul wants Meredith stopped, and he makes sure Tanner has no choice in the matter.

When the two meet, the sparks between them are undeniable. Meredith, who vowed never to date another journalist, begins to succumb. Could Tanner be her Nora Roberts hero? As they work together to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death, the depth of their feelings unfolds and both realize they’ve kept their secrets for far too long. But before the truth can be revealed, their investigation takes a deadly turn, one that might make Meredith’s personal Nora Roberts Land go up in flames.

Buy It Now

FRENCH ROAST

Small–town biz wiz Jill Hale has been in love with her childhood best friend Brian McConnell for as long as she can remember. A falling out led to years of estrangement, but when Brian returns to Dare Valley after trying to make it big as a chef in New York City, Jill’s determined to make amends. She’s convinced that starting a restaurant together will be the perfect win–win situation, allowing her and Brian to work together
and
play together.

After a series of missteps sliced and diced Brian’s career in the Big Apple, he came home to regroup and find himself. He’s convinced that reestablishing his connection with Jill, the girl who got away, will put his life back on track. And when she approaches him with her plan for going into business together, he’s certain it’s the one way he can have it all—his dream job and his dream girl.

Jill and Brian are falling for each other all over again when Brian’s ex sashays into town, intent on sabotaging their reunion. Add in a mysterious investor who’s determined to get Jill on board with his project, and the bond between the couple is tested to the limit. Will their second chance at love implode, or will they find their own recipe for a happy ending?

Buy It Now

THE GRAND OPENING

When Peggy McBride moves to Dare Valley, Colorado, the last thing she wants is to meet a man. If she’s learned one thing from her divorce, it’s that love is a messy business, and as a single mom and the new deputy sheriff, she has her hands full. But when hotel magnate and poker player Mac Maven moves to town, she becomes enthralled by the very last man she would ever consider dating…

Mac Maven has come to Dare with ambitious plans for his new project, the restoration of The Grand Mountain Hotel as a boutique poker venue. Only one person offers him a less than warm welcome: Deputy Sheriff Peggy McBride, who is dead set against gambling. But although Peggy’s a fierce opponent, Mac senses a tenderness and passion within her that he longs to free. Having helped his sister raise her teenage son, he understands Peggy, and can see past her tough–as–nails exterior.

When a threat to Mac’s hotel surfaces, he and Peggy must join forces to find out who’s responsible. Working together ignites the white–hot connection between them, and their cooperation takes a decidedly personal turn. But can Mac convince Peggy to set their differences aside and take a gamble on love?

Buy It Now

About the Author

Ava Miles burst onto the contemporary romance scene after receiving Nora Roberts’ blessing for her use of Ms. Roberts’ name in her debut novel, NORA ROBERTS LAND, which kicked off The Dare Valley Series and brought praise from reviewers and readers alike. Much to Ava's delight, BlogCritics says "It [NORA ROBERTS LAND] captures the best of…a Nora Roberts novel,” while USA Today's Happily Ever After blog praises the series noting its “wonderful, idyllic setting… [and] great characters." Ava continued The Dare Valley Series in FRENCH ROAST, which Tome Tender says “raised the entertainment bar again” and then THE GRAND OPENING, which reviewer Mary J. Gramlich says “is a continuation of love, family, and relationships.” Now, Ava releases the fourth book in the series, THE HOLIDAY SERENADE, with her recognized wit and charm, creating happy endings with humor and heart.