Second Chance Holiday
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: short story (9,500 words)
Series: Carver Ranch
Heat Level: 3
Price: 99 cents
All Maggie Carver wants for Christmas is for things to work out with her long time boyfriend Brock. But with his work schedule and putting her second, it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen—especially because he plans to work on Christmas. She goes back to her family ranch for the holidays, alone and heartbroken.
Brock Wells thought Maggie was the one. That they’d be together through thick and thin. Before she heads home for the holidays, she ends things with him. While he loves her, he isn’t sure it’s worth fighting for any longer.
As the holidays draw closer and the need to spend the days with loved ones becomes overwhelming, can Maggie and Brock find their way back to one another, or will they let their stubborn nature get the best of them?
Praise:
"Lacey Wolfe does it again! I absolutely loved this book – it was fantastically written and a real page turner! I didn’t want it to end!" - LeeAnn (Amazon)
Length: short story (9,500 words)
Series: Carver Ranch
Heat Level: 3
Price: 99 cents
All Maggie Carver wants for Christmas is for things to work out with her long time boyfriend Brock. But with his work schedule and putting her second, it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen—especially because he plans to work on Christmas. She goes back to her family ranch for the holidays, alone and heartbroken.
Brock Wells thought Maggie was the one. That they’d be together through thick and thin. Before she heads home for the holidays, she ends things with him. While he loves her, he isn’t sure it’s worth fighting for any longer.
As the holidays draw closer and the need to spend the days with loved ones becomes overwhelming, can Maggie and Brock find their way back to one another, or will they let their stubborn nature get the best of them?
Praise:
"Lacey Wolfe does it again! I absolutely loved this book – it was fantastically written and a real page turner! I didn’t want it to end!" - LeeAnn (Amazon)
Links
Chapter One
Maggie Rose Carver laced her fingers around her boyfriend’s neck and gazed up into his dark blue eyes. “Please, Brock. Come back to the ranch with me. It’s important we’re together for the holidays.”
Brock stepped out of her grasp, irritation blazed in his features. “I’ve told you several times, I’m not going with you to the ranch. I’ve got an important assignment I have to finish. Work doesn’t stop just because Santa is coming.”
She groaned. There was no way his boss was that big of a jerk and would require him to work. His boss had a family, and she’d met his wife several times. Surely he’d be home with them. “But it’s Christmas and you promised you’d take some time off and spend it with me. You’ve been gone so much lately, I feel like we’ve drifted apart. You can’t stay here and work.”
“I can and I will.” He turned his back to her. “Besides, you know how I feel about the holidays. It’s just an excuse for people to spend a bunch of money. I don’t want any part of it.”
She hated this. How much more can I put up with? Just the thought of returning to the ranch without him made her dread going. “I already told my aunt and uncle you’d be there.”
He spun around, anger evident on his face. “Maggie. Drop it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “What is it with you lately? All you do is fight with me.”
“You never spend any time with me.”
“Maybe because all you do is fight with me. I’m going home.” He zipped his overnight bag shut and slung it over his shoulder. “Come here and hug me.”
Maggie wrapped her arms around Brock, but something in her had a bad feeling. Him walking out her door worried her. Would it be the last time? They’d been having so many problems lately, was it just going to go downhill from here on out? She thought she was going to marry this man, but now she wasn’t so sure. She couldn’t walk down the aisle with a man who had different values than her.
“I love you, Maggie,” he whispered then pulled away. “Call me when you make it to the ranch.”
He walked out of her bedroom and a moment later she heard her front door close. She sat down on her bed and buried her face in her palms. She’d told Aunt Gail he’d be there. Now she’d have to tell them he wasn’t. She could just see her cousins’ faces. Tucker, Nathan, and Braden wouldn’t be happy. Even though they had a little sister named Melissa, they always treated her like one as well. They’d all stepped in when her life had gone downhill.
Maybe it was a good thing she was going back to Carver Ranch for a few days. Not only did she need time to think, but maybe Brock would realize what he had with her.
Yeah right. He’d have to stop working for all of five minutes.
She always thought she’d end up with a rancher—the way she grew up. Somehow she’d given her heart to a corporate man who wanted to climb the ladder as high as he could go.
***
“If you love something let it go. If it’s meant to be, it’ll find its way back to you.” Maggie tightened her hands around the steering wheel.
She loved Brock Wells with everything in her. From the moment she met him, things were different. He was kind, compassionate, understanding, and damn good in the bedroom. Lately, however, he’d been distant. It was as though they suddenly just couldn’t get along.
She flipped her blinker on and turned on to the dirt road to Carver Ranch. She needed the guidance of her Aunt Gail, her mom’s sister. She lost her mother a few years ago to cancer and her father took off when she was a young child. She’d been in touch with him as an adult, but the feeling of betrayal by him never went away.
Her aunt Gail always knew what to tell her to make her feel better. With Christmas a few days away, Maggie wanted a good holiday with family. But most of all, she wanted to spend it with Brock, which wasn’t going to happen.
She parked the car and stared up at the two story farm house. Taking a deep breath, she left the vehicle. Warm apple and fresh spices welcomed her. Aunt Gail must be baking. She climbed the steps to the wraparound porch and wasted not time going inside.
Everything looked the same. A country, comfy themed place. Plaid couches, honey colored wood furniture. Fun little rooster knick knacks scattered throughout. The only difference was the added Christmas lights. The Christmas tree was most likely on the back screened-in portion of the porch. Her aunt liked to have one room she could fully deck out. One day she’d be a grandma, and she’d spoil those kids rotten.
“Aunt Gail,” she called as she made her way slowly through the home.
She took in each square foot she could, already feeling warmth around her heart. She was where she was supposed to be.
Aunt Gail walked out of the kitchen, wearing a blue apron with white ruffles. “Maggie Rose! You’re early. What are you doing here?”
Maggie wrapped her arms around her aunt and snuggled in as close as she could. The woman held her back tenderly. This is what it would be like if her mother was still here.
“I’ve missed you so much.” Aunt Gail pulled back and placed her hands on Maggie’s shoulders. “You look wonderful. Where is Brock?”
Maggie sighed and before she could speak, her aunt’s eyebrow had already lifted.
“What’s going on?”
She’d hoped to have been able to keep it a secret for a little while before her aunt figured out there was trouble in paradise, however the woman was too smart. Maggie supposed being the mom to three mischievous boys would do that. “I left him.” Sort of.
Shock crossed her face. “You what? Come in this kitchen and sit down. Tell me what happened.”
Maggie followed her into the kitchen, where she saw several pies sitting on the counter. The Carvers always had a ton of food. “Can I get a piece of fresh cherry pie?”
“Don’t tell my kids.” Aunt Gail sliced up the pie and put two pieces on separate plates. “Whipped cream?”
“Please.” She was sulking and needed comfort food, and her aunt made homemade whipped cream.
“All right, well give me a second to mix some up.” She gathered the heavy whipping cream and sugar and added the ingredients to her mixing bowl. “Please tell me Brock didn’t do anything bad.”
Maggie rested her chin on her fist. “It just wasn’t working anymore.”
Gail spun the spoon quickly through the bowl. “The last time I saw you two, I was certain you’d be coming here this Christmas with a ring.”
She had too. Things had appeared that way, but then he got a new promotion and work came first. All the time. He traveled a good bit and when he was home, he was on his computer working. When it came to sex, his libido was out the door. They hardly ever slept at one another’s places anymore. This Christmas, she really thought they’d be moving in together, especially since her lease was up the first of January. Boy had things changed. “We just fell apart. Out of sync.”
Aunt Gail brought the plates to the table and set one in front of Maggie. Not only did it look tasty, but the sweet cherry aroma made her mouth water.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Can it be fixed?”
“I don’t know.” She paused and chewed her bottom lip.
“What did you do? I can tell by that look.” She pointed a fork at her sternly.
“I kinda sent him a text before I came here and told him when I got back, I’d get my things from his place.” She stabbed her pie. “I was so upset he wasn’t coming here with me. And he knew how important this was.”
Her aunt lifted a mug to her mouth. “What did he say when you sent the text?”
That was the worst part. “Nothing. I saw he read the message but he never said a damn thing back.”
***
Brock closed the door to his apartment, tossed the keys down, and went straight toward his fridge. This day had gone to shit. Not only had he totally screwed up a new project at work, he was going to have to spend the holidays fixing, but Maggie had left him.
He’d thought they were solid. Sure, it had been a little more difficult lately, but he’d finally found a woman who could be with him through the thick and thin. Yet things had gotten tough and she’d given up. He still couldn’t believe it.
Her lease was up soon, and while they hadn’t made it official, he just assumed she’d come live with him. Then they’d have plenty of time together, which was her number one complaint. It wasn’t like he wasn’t trying.
He held the beer in his hands and stared at it hard. Is this my fault?
He popped the top off the bottle and headed into the living room. Maggie would have her time with her family and they’d deal with whatever issues they had when she got back. He set the bottle on the end table and pulled his phone out to re-read the message she’d sent.
I can’t do this anymore. After I get back from the ranch, I’ll be getting my stuff from your place.
He’d typed a dozen messages back to her, but never sent one. He had no idea what to say. Don’t leave, I love you, had been the main one he wanted to send, but he wasn’t going to force her. Her heart belonged to ranch life anyway.
She was a country girl at heart. All she talked about was riding horses, four-wheeling, and fishing. He’d enjoyed those things when he visited the different places with her. He wasn’t sure he wanted to trade in a suit jacket for a cowboy hat—even if it put a beautiful smile on her slender face.
He set the phone down, once again, not replying. He was a fucking coward. Instead of fighting for her, he was going to let her slip away.
Brock stepped out of her grasp, irritation blazed in his features. “I’ve told you several times, I’m not going with you to the ranch. I’ve got an important assignment I have to finish. Work doesn’t stop just because Santa is coming.”
She groaned. There was no way his boss was that big of a jerk and would require him to work. His boss had a family, and she’d met his wife several times. Surely he’d be home with them. “But it’s Christmas and you promised you’d take some time off and spend it with me. You’ve been gone so much lately, I feel like we’ve drifted apart. You can’t stay here and work.”
“I can and I will.” He turned his back to her. “Besides, you know how I feel about the holidays. It’s just an excuse for people to spend a bunch of money. I don’t want any part of it.”
She hated this. How much more can I put up with? Just the thought of returning to the ranch without him made her dread going. “I already told my aunt and uncle you’d be there.”
He spun around, anger evident on his face. “Maggie. Drop it.” He ran a hand through his hair. “What is it with you lately? All you do is fight with me.”
“You never spend any time with me.”
“Maybe because all you do is fight with me. I’m going home.” He zipped his overnight bag shut and slung it over his shoulder. “Come here and hug me.”
Maggie wrapped her arms around Brock, but something in her had a bad feeling. Him walking out her door worried her. Would it be the last time? They’d been having so many problems lately, was it just going to go downhill from here on out? She thought she was going to marry this man, but now she wasn’t so sure. She couldn’t walk down the aisle with a man who had different values than her.
“I love you, Maggie,” he whispered then pulled away. “Call me when you make it to the ranch.”
He walked out of her bedroom and a moment later she heard her front door close. She sat down on her bed and buried her face in her palms. She’d told Aunt Gail he’d be there. Now she’d have to tell them he wasn’t. She could just see her cousins’ faces. Tucker, Nathan, and Braden wouldn’t be happy. Even though they had a little sister named Melissa, they always treated her like one as well. They’d all stepped in when her life had gone downhill.
Maybe it was a good thing she was going back to Carver Ranch for a few days. Not only did she need time to think, but maybe Brock would realize what he had with her.
Yeah right. He’d have to stop working for all of five minutes.
She always thought she’d end up with a rancher—the way she grew up. Somehow she’d given her heart to a corporate man who wanted to climb the ladder as high as he could go.
***
“If you love something let it go. If it’s meant to be, it’ll find its way back to you.” Maggie tightened her hands around the steering wheel.
She loved Brock Wells with everything in her. From the moment she met him, things were different. He was kind, compassionate, understanding, and damn good in the bedroom. Lately, however, he’d been distant. It was as though they suddenly just couldn’t get along.
She flipped her blinker on and turned on to the dirt road to Carver Ranch. She needed the guidance of her Aunt Gail, her mom’s sister. She lost her mother a few years ago to cancer and her father took off when she was a young child. She’d been in touch with him as an adult, but the feeling of betrayal by him never went away.
Her aunt Gail always knew what to tell her to make her feel better. With Christmas a few days away, Maggie wanted a good holiday with family. But most of all, she wanted to spend it with Brock, which wasn’t going to happen.
She parked the car and stared up at the two story farm house. Taking a deep breath, she left the vehicle. Warm apple and fresh spices welcomed her. Aunt Gail must be baking. She climbed the steps to the wraparound porch and wasted not time going inside.
Everything looked the same. A country, comfy themed place. Plaid couches, honey colored wood furniture. Fun little rooster knick knacks scattered throughout. The only difference was the added Christmas lights. The Christmas tree was most likely on the back screened-in portion of the porch. Her aunt liked to have one room she could fully deck out. One day she’d be a grandma, and she’d spoil those kids rotten.
“Aunt Gail,” she called as she made her way slowly through the home.
She took in each square foot she could, already feeling warmth around her heart. She was where she was supposed to be.
Aunt Gail walked out of the kitchen, wearing a blue apron with white ruffles. “Maggie Rose! You’re early. What are you doing here?”
Maggie wrapped her arms around her aunt and snuggled in as close as she could. The woman held her back tenderly. This is what it would be like if her mother was still here.
“I’ve missed you so much.” Aunt Gail pulled back and placed her hands on Maggie’s shoulders. “You look wonderful. Where is Brock?”
Maggie sighed and before she could speak, her aunt’s eyebrow had already lifted.
“What’s going on?”
She’d hoped to have been able to keep it a secret for a little while before her aunt figured out there was trouble in paradise, however the woman was too smart. Maggie supposed being the mom to three mischievous boys would do that. “I left him.” Sort of.
Shock crossed her face. “You what? Come in this kitchen and sit down. Tell me what happened.”
Maggie followed her into the kitchen, where she saw several pies sitting on the counter. The Carvers always had a ton of food. “Can I get a piece of fresh cherry pie?”
“Don’t tell my kids.” Aunt Gail sliced up the pie and put two pieces on separate plates. “Whipped cream?”
“Please.” She was sulking and needed comfort food, and her aunt made homemade whipped cream.
“All right, well give me a second to mix some up.” She gathered the heavy whipping cream and sugar and added the ingredients to her mixing bowl. “Please tell me Brock didn’t do anything bad.”
Maggie rested her chin on her fist. “It just wasn’t working anymore.”
Gail spun the spoon quickly through the bowl. “The last time I saw you two, I was certain you’d be coming here this Christmas with a ring.”
She had too. Things had appeared that way, but then he got a new promotion and work came first. All the time. He traveled a good bit and when he was home, he was on his computer working. When it came to sex, his libido was out the door. They hardly ever slept at one another’s places anymore. This Christmas, she really thought they’d be moving in together, especially since her lease was up the first of January. Boy had things changed. “We just fell apart. Out of sync.”
Aunt Gail brought the plates to the table and set one in front of Maggie. Not only did it look tasty, but the sweet cherry aroma made her mouth water.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Can it be fixed?”
“I don’t know.” She paused and chewed her bottom lip.
“What did you do? I can tell by that look.” She pointed a fork at her sternly.
“I kinda sent him a text before I came here and told him when I got back, I’d get my things from his place.” She stabbed her pie. “I was so upset he wasn’t coming here with me. And he knew how important this was.”
Her aunt lifted a mug to her mouth. “What did he say when you sent the text?”
That was the worst part. “Nothing. I saw he read the message but he never said a damn thing back.”
***
Brock closed the door to his apartment, tossed the keys down, and went straight toward his fridge. This day had gone to shit. Not only had he totally screwed up a new project at work, he was going to have to spend the holidays fixing, but Maggie had left him.
He’d thought they were solid. Sure, it had been a little more difficult lately, but he’d finally found a woman who could be with him through the thick and thin. Yet things had gotten tough and she’d given up. He still couldn’t believe it.
Her lease was up soon, and while they hadn’t made it official, he just assumed she’d come live with him. Then they’d have plenty of time together, which was her number one complaint. It wasn’t like he wasn’t trying.
He held the beer in his hands and stared at it hard. Is this my fault?
He popped the top off the bottle and headed into the living room. Maggie would have her time with her family and they’d deal with whatever issues they had when she got back. He set the bottle on the end table and pulled his phone out to re-read the message she’d sent.
I can’t do this anymore. After I get back from the ranch, I’ll be getting my stuff from your place.
He’d typed a dozen messages back to her, but never sent one. He had no idea what to say. Don’t leave, I love you, had been the main one he wanted to send, but he wasn’t going to force her. Her heart belonged to ranch life anyway.
She was a country girl at heart. All she talked about was riding horses, four-wheeling, and fishing. He’d enjoyed those things when he visited the different places with her. He wasn’t sure he wanted to trade in a suit jacket for a cowboy hat—even if it put a beautiful smile on her slender face.
He set the phone down, once again, not replying. He was a fucking coward. Instead of fighting for her, he was going to let her slip away.