Desires of Christmas Present
(A Christmas Carol Book 2)
by Lexi Post
Sometimes not knowing is better…for everyone.
Spirit of Christmas Present, Kentucky born Coco Baker, has
just been given the assignment of her career, but she must partner with a
Scottish upper class snob, who thinks he knows what’s best for their living
client. Despite him, she’s determined to do well on this case and find out what
the arrogant man is hiding.
Ian Fergusson has carefully cultivated a standoffish
presence in the afterlife, letting no one get close for fear of them
discovering his greatest failing in life. When he’s required to work with the
vivacious Coco, both his desire and his fear escalate.
Unfortunately, Coco won’t leave well enough alone and to
protect her, Ian finds himself forced to face his past and risk his heart and
soul…again.
Excerpt:
Coco
turned around in her chair. Ian Fergusson stood just inside the door. His tall,
broad-shouldered physique looked hard beneath his golf shirt even while
relaxed. His face was equally hard as were his steel grey eyes. His angular jaw
and sharp nose with a slight hook downward would have been enough to warn
anyone to stay away, and beneath his short red hair were equally sharp ears.
Everything about him was unrelenting.
He looked
down his nose at her before raising his gaze to Cameron who had stood at his
entrance. “I was informed that you needed me for a case. I can come back when
you’re done.”
Her boss
held out his hand and smiled. “No, come in. You’ll be working with Coco on this
one.”
Ian raised
an eyebrow and strode forward to clasp Cameron’s hand. “I was unaware you ever sent
two spirit guides on one case. I have always worked alone. I complete my
assignment successfully that way.”
Cameron
nodded as he sat again. “Please.” He motioned toward the other chair.
“I’m
good.” Ian waved him off.
Coco
gritted her teeth. That was so like him. He thought he was above them all and
could do what he wanted. She turned her gaze to Cameron. “Why do you need two
of us?”
Ian
frowned. “Yes. I can’t imagine a case so difficult that it takes two spirit guides.”
A team
player he was not, but she’d already known that.
Cameron
studied her, then Ian. When his gaze drifted between them, it was obvious that
whatever he was about to say was important. Finally, he spoke, but didn’t make
eye contact with either of them. “Your case is my wife.”
Shocked,
she sat forward in her chair. “Your wife? But I thought—”
Ian
interrupted her. “I was of the understanding that we were not allowed to take
assignments directly related to us.”
Cameron’s
gaze moved to Ian. “We aren’t. However, this case has been given approval by Remiel.”
“I didn’t
realize special dispensation was possible.”
Seriously?
She swallowed an exasperated sigh. “That’s exactly what Cameron just said.”
Dimwit. She shook her head at Ian.
He didn’t
even acknowledge her, his gaze riveted to Cameron.
Her boss
stared Ian down, which gave her a certain amount of satisfaction. Cameron’s
voice was hard. “This is a unique circumstance, Ian.”
Her new
“partner” had the grace to back down. Shoot, how was she going to control him
if he tried pulling that crap on her? Maybe she needed to channel Cameron’s deep
tones.
The
silence grew awkward so she jumped in. “What can we do for your wife?”
Cameron
finally stopped glowering at Ian. Maybe he didn’t like her partner either. That
had to suck to not like your own employee. When she was alive, she had times
when just being nice to her fellow workers was tough.
“Holly has
stopped her deep mourning thanks to the spirit guides I sent to her last
Christmas, but she has failed to join the living. She goes to work and does her
errands, but beyond that, she stays by herself. It’s become worse with the
Christmas season.” Cameron paused. “It’s critical that she begin to socialize
again.”
Ian
nodded, but Coco wanted more. “If your wife has stopped her mourning, why is
she not socializing? Do you know? That might help us with our approach.”
“I believe
it’s because she doesn’t want to intrude on other people’s lives. She thinks
everyone else has the perfect life. Also, people who have come into our shop
have shown her pity and she hates that.”
Coco could
hear the pride in Cameron’s voice. Rumors around the lounge had it that Cameron
and Holly had one of those rare loves that only happen to one in a hundred couples.
She’d seen many perfectly matched couples both while alive and in her new
existence. If what her boss and his wife had once had was even better than that
then she would do whatever it took to help Holly.
She
glanced at Ian. He remained absolutely still, staring at Cameron. Did the man
have no reaction? No feelings? His appearance seemed to grow more distinct,
intense. She blinked. Nope. He was still a hard statue.
When she
looked back at her boss, he was studying her, but he quickly moved his
attention to Ian. “Do you have any questions?”
“Yes,
one.” He paused and spared her a brief look. “If you have Coco, who is quite
capable of handling a case, then why do you need me to accompany her?”
Her mouth
dropped open in astonishment. Was that a compliment from “Mr. Holier Than Thou”?
The man did nothing but argue with her about anything and everything when they
came into accidental contact with each other. Now he complimented her?
Cameron’s
mouth had opened and closed a couple times before he gave voice to his
thoughts. “Coco, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to talk to Ian alone.”
She rose.
“Of course. I’ll drop in and see how Holly is.” She looked at Ian. “If you are
still on the case, just find me when you’re ready.”
“He will
still be on the case.” Cameron’s hard tone sent a shiver down her spine. He was
an easy going boss, not like her last one, but he did have a certain tone that
made a person want to hightail it out of his office.
“Great.”
She didn’t mean the word in any way, but she also didn’t want to piss off
Cameron. Phasing, she floated down through the floor, anxious to meet the woman
who had captured her boss’s heart.
Buy Links:
If you haven't read Pleasures of Christmas Past, you may want to start with that one. Just sayin' ;-)
Always, Lexi
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