Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67492 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 337(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Blakely
When my boss tells me I’m taking over the planning of the annual Christmas gala, I can barely contain my excitement. Not only is it a huge opportunity, but I also love all things Christmas.
I’m on cloud nine until I realize I have to work closely with the grumpy doctor, who is my opposite in every way. He loathes the holidays. At least that’s what he says. His eyes tell me a different story.
That’s why I make it my mission to make him fall in love with Christmas. That’s our family motto after all. I’ll make him love the holidays harder than ever before. How hard can it be?
Oliver
My contract states I have to serve on a committee. When I fail to submit which committee I’d like to work on, I’m assigned the Christmas gala. Me… the guy who detests the holiday.
In years past, I let the marketing manager handle it all. I was there if she needed me. She never did. I expected more of the same this year, but it turns out, I get more than I bargained for. I didn’t anticipate her. Miss Ray of Sunshine, assistant manager.
That’s how I find myself attending holiday events and attaching myself to her any way I can. She’s trying to make me fall in love with Christmas. Instead, I'm falling in love with her.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
CHAPTER
ONE
Blakely
Seeing the leaves start to change has added a little pep to my step. Fall is my favorite time of year. It means the holidays, and I love everything about them, especially Christmas. I don’t know what it is, but the magic of the season never fails to put a smile on my face. Also, it’s pumpkin everything, comfy sweaters, and boots. What’s not to love?
“Good morning, Sally.” I smile at the receptionist at the front desk as I walk into Willow River General Hospital.
“Good morning, Blakely,” she replies.
I wave as I make my way to the executive offices where my office is located. I graduated college last June and was lucky enough to land the assistant director of marketing position that had just been vacated. I don’t know if my uncle Brooks had anything to do with my position. He’s an emergency room nurse and has worked here for years. I want to think that I got the position on my own merit, but I wouldn’t put it past my uncle, or anyone in my family, to put a good word in for me.
Willow River, Georgia, is a small town, and we are a big family. It’s hard to find someone in this town who doesn’t know someone that I’m related to. It can be a blessing and a curse at times.
After flipping the light on in my office, I place my purse and my bag on the desk. I grin because today is Friday, and I have plans to go shopping in Harris with my best friend, Isla. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten. She loves the holidays almost as much as I do. That’s why it was easy to convince her to shop with me for a small tree for my office.
I’m barely sitting at my desk when there’s a knock at my door. Glancing up, I see my boss, Hilary, smiling at me. “Good morning.”
“Morning.”
“You have a few minutes?” Hilary asks.
“For you, always.” I beam at her. Hilary is the best boss. She’s been the director of marketing here at Willow River General for two decades. She’s on her way out, and she claims she’s going to groom me to take over her position.
I’m not mad about it.
Hilary steps inside my office and takes one of the two chairs sitting across from my desk. “I’d like you to take point on the Christmas gala this year.”
“By take point, you mean…?” I’m pretty sure I know what she’s asking, and it makes my heart beat just a little faster as my excitement mounts. This is a huge deal, and she’s leaving it all up to me. At least, that’s what it sounds like. It’s why I’m going to need clarification. There is no room for assumption.
“What I’m saying is that I want this to be your event. I’ve told you I plan to retire, and I need to know I’m leaving the gala, which was my idea, my baby, in good hands. I’ll be here for anything you need, but this one is all you.”
I nod slowly, trying with everything I have not to let my excitement show. I need to remain professional. “I know we have the date set. What else is established?”
“Caterers are booked, but we need to confirm the menu. The florist is also booked, and we need to confirm the flowers. The event will be held at Willow Manor, as it is every year.” She smiles.
“I’ll contact M—Kennedy and see what else we need.” I almost called her mom. That could have been bad.
Hilary chuckles. “You can call her mom, Blakely. It’s fine.”
I sit up straighter in my chair. “I’m trying to stay professional.” It’s no secret that I tend to speak my mind. Trust me, there are some stories my family could tell you from when I was younger. I was quite the comedian, if I say so myself. I wasn’t even trying. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to speak up for myself. I get that from my mom, my aunts, and my grandma. Hell, I might as well throw my dad and my uncles onto that list as well. Their unwavering support made me who I am today.
“We do have one issue. The event photographer went out of business. He retired.”
“I have a photographer connection,” I’m quick to say. Palmer and Scarlett will be all over this event.
Hilary nods. “I thought you might. I know you’re going to excel and the annual Christmas gala will be the best it’s ever been.”
“Thank you for this opportunity. I won’t let you down.”
“I know you won’t. Please, send me weekly reports. An email is fine, or stop by my office anytime. I’m just down the hall.” She chuckles. “Oh, and you’ll be working with Dr. Thompson.”
I can’t hold my surprise. “Really?”
“Yep. You know we like to have our physicians on committees for the hospital. He didn’t volunteer for one, so we assigned one for him. Well, Tom did.”