Gingerbread Hearts, page 1
part #1 of A Sagebrush Dude Ranch Christmas Novella Series
Gingerbread Hearts
A Sagebrush Dude Ranch Christmas Novella
Hope August
Hope August Inc
Contents
Olivia and Alex
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Epilogue
Come Back to Sagebrush Dude Ranch
Also by Hope August
About the Author
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright © 2023 by Hope August Inc.
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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. For more information, address: hope@hopeaugust.com.
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Cover Design by James, GoOnWrite.com
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ISBN: 978-1-960048-25-7 (ebook)
ISBN: 978-1-960048-26-4 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-960048-27-1 (audiobook)
Olivia and Alex
Is it too late to write the perfect recipe for a holiday happily ever after?
Olivia, once the chef at a five-star Michelin restaurant, has finally found the place where she belongs: Sagebrush Dude Ranch. Time moves slower in Starlight, Texas, but not during the holidays and not when she’s preparing for a wedding. There is no time for distractions, especially from the likes of her high school flame.
Alex only came to Starlight to work. His next novel was due to his editor at the end of the holidays, and he didn’t even have one chapter complete. What better place to research his western setting than a dude ranch that promised hands-on experiences? Only, he didn’t expect to see the girl who broke his heart.
Seeing one another again stirs up old feelings and unfinished business. As the wedding and the holidays converge, both have to make a difficult choice. Do they run from their past, or make room for the future?
This 30k-word heartwarming holiday short story brings together two popular Hope August series. Don’t miss the Sweet Paradise Resort and Cornerstone Ranch series available now!
Chapter One
“Absolutely not. We can’t wait that long. I put in the order months ago.” Olivia charged through the kitchen, darting around those who were putting together the hors d’oeuvres for the engagement party.
“I’m sorry. There was a delay in shipment due to weather.”
She scoffed. “The wedding is in three weeks. I know for a fact that the bad weather hasn’t been going on since Halloween. If you can’t get me what I’ve ordered by the end of this week, then I’ll find a new supplier.”
Olivia stopped as she surveyed the kitchen. Everyone was pulling their weight. There wasn’t a single person she’d hired who couldn’t handle the tasks they were given. The engagement party was going perfectly, and it was all thanks to her.
“We’ll see what we can do.”
“I hope so. Because I have someone who’s been begging for our business.” She hung up the phone and slipped it into her apron. “Mark! Don’t forget to put the mint on top.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Trini, you need to get those out right away. They’re running low.”
“I thought you left behind your military style when you quit your job at that Michelin restaurant.”
The quiet voice right behind her ear didn’t even startle her. Olivia glanced over her shoulder to find Eve grinning deviously.
“Caught you,” Eve said.
Waving a dismissive hand, Olivia moved through the counters and took a spoon from the saucepan on the stove. She took a taste and nodded to Dean, who had been tending to it. “This is done. Hand it over to Mark as soon as you can.” She met Eve’s triumphant gaze as they both made their way farther into the kitchen. “You know this event is different.”
“Not really.”
Olivia gave her boss a pointed look. “It’s Zoe’s engagement party. Everything has to be perfect.”
Eve laughed. “Zoe and Daniel wouldn’t care if you served Cheetos and Rice Krispies Treats, and you know it.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “That may be, but I’m going to make the next month one to remember. They’re getting married at the place where they met and fell in love—on top of being the place they both want to call home for good.”
“Are you sure you’re not just projecting here? I haven’t seen you out dating anyone recently.”
A huff burst from Olivia’s lips. “That’s because I’m content with the way my life is. I don’t need anyone.” She could feel the intrusive thoughts already trying to claw their way up from her past. There had only been one guy she’d had strong feelings for, and it hadn’t worked out.
It had been for the best, no matter how much her heart still ached from losing him.
“I don’t believe that for a second. You need someone, just like the rest of us. And you’re working too much as it is.”
“From what I recall, you were just like me—a workaholic who didn’t know when to say ‘enough.’”
Eve laughed. “Yeah, and look where that got me.”
“You’re married now.” Olivia tossed her a teasing glance. “So it couldn’t have been all bad.”
“Only because Gabriel was a friend who happened to have feelings for me. Does any of that sound like it would apply to you?”
Olivia rolled her eyes again, choosing to think about the work she had to do that day. Once the engagement party was over, she would have to focus on the preparations for the wedding on top of the regular meals they offered at Sagebrush Resort.
It was true that she’d left the five-star restaurant to come work for Eve and Gabriel. And yes, it was also true that the work had been more grueling where she’d been before now. But there was still plenty to keep her busy, and she loved every second of it.
She turned her boss around, forcing her to face the door, then gave her a little push. “You know, you should go check on our guests. I’m sure the ones who are not here for the party are feeling neglected.”
Eve gasped and spun around to face her, causing Olivia to jump a little with wide eyes. “That reminds me. We have a very special guest. He’s actually pretty famous, and we wanted to make sure that his experience here was just as amazing as ever.”
Olivia folded her arms and put all her weight onto one foot. “This sounds interesting.”
“Well, he’s one of my favorite authors—Gabriel’s too. And he’s here doing research for a book… and probably to get away from the city. You know how it is.”
“Yeah, sounds about right.” Olivia chuckled. “But what do you want me to do?”
“Well, because of the party, he’s been holed up in his room for most of the day. He checked in a few hours ago. But I’m sure he’s starving. Do you think you could whip him up something special and take it to his room?”
“I’m sure I can have someone deliver something—”
“No, it has to be you. I don’t think sending anyone else would speak as much as us sending the chef.” Eve winked. “You know, because of your history.”
“You mean, because I was a real chef?”
“Have I told you how much I appreciate that you were willing to come all the way out here from the big city to cook for a cute little resort like mine?”
Olivia laughed again. “Okay, you don’t have to lay it on so thick. After the event, I’ll make sure to get him something for dinner and deliver it myself. Will that make you happy?”
“Yes.” Eve gave Olivia a hug then hurried out of the room.
The rest of the party went off without a hitch, but what else did Olivia expect? She was good at what she did. She could juggle this sort of thing with her eyes closed and batons flaming. It had taken her a few years, after she’d dropped out of college, to figure out what she had a talent for, but when she did, she’d soared to the top faster than everyone in the industry. The fast-paced lifestyle simply wasn’t for her, and that was what had ultimately brought her to the small town of Starlight, Texas.
And boy, did she love it.
Olivia made sure the dinner menu was on track before she set to work creating a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich and homemade tomato-basil soup. She topped it with garlic-herb croutons and plated the dish with a sprig of parsley on top.
It might not have been the kind of meal that a famous person would expect from a chef of her caliber, but the second this guy took a bite, he’d know just who he was dealing with.
She put Mark in charge, and then she hurried to the third floor and all the way down to the twenty-second room. It was a suite—one of the bigger rooms that had a kitchenette and a view of the pastures where the horses grazed on warmer days. To have gotten this room, the guy must have really impressed Eve and Gabriel. They didn’t give it to
Olivia rapped her knuckles on the door then waited. She glanced down the hall when a door opened then shut and a couple emerged to head toward the elevator. It was only the first week of December, and already, the decorator had covered the lobby and the exterior with boughs of holly.
Her patience wore thin, and she tapped her foot before knocking again.
The door swung open, and a familiar pair of icy-blue eyes locked with hers.
Chapter Two
Alex would have recognized her if she had been fifty yards away, with her bright-pink hair and football uniform. He’d dreamed of those eyes for the last five years. They were the final thing that he saw before he went to bed, and on the rare occasion when he didn’t dream about them, they were the eyes that plagued his memories when he woke up. It didn’t matter how many people he’d dated since he’d last seen her—none of them made the impact that she had.
Just seeing Olivia had his heart twisting in knots all over again.
The tray in her hands tilted, and she gasped, grappling to steady it. Her cheeks colored as she shoved the tray toward him. “The owners of Sagebrush Ranch would like to thank you for staying with us. If there is anything you might need—”
“Olivia—”
“Don’t hesitate to call the front desk.” Olivia turned on her heel then charged down the hallway without another word.
Alex watched her, wishing he didn’t have a tray full of food. If he could have, he would have chased her down and demanded… what? What could he demand after their last meeting?
She’d ended it with him for no reason at all. It had happened so fast that he still wasn’t sure what he’d done wrong, but he’d been young. He’d made mistakes. If he could go back, he would have asked her to tell him what it was that she didn’t like about him.
Olivia turned a corner and disappeared from view.
“Who was that?”
He sighed, pushing the door open wider so he could enter his room. Jocelyn sat in a chair near the window, her tablet in her lap. She glanced up at him as he entered, stopping whatever it was she’d been working on.
“The owners of the resort sent food up to thank me for staying.”
Jocelyn smiled. “See? I told you staying at a smaller place would be good. They appreciate you here. And I would bet that you’re not going to be recognized by many because no one is going to expect to see you in a place like this.”
“I don’t know about that,” he mumbled as he put the tray on the small dining table.
She chuckled. “All you need to worry about is getting that book started so you have something for your editor in a few weeks. You’re not going to get anything done if you’re pacing the room like you’ve been doing for the last hour.”
“You know I don’t like being cooped up when I need to start a new project.” He wandered to the window and stared out at the resort’s property. This wasn’t exactly the place he had wanted to come to for research either.
It was a little dry and dead looking without the added snow.
“Remind me why we didn’t just go to the mountains?”
“Because you’re writing your book based on a murder at a ranch.” She glanced up from her tablet. “They said you could have a private tour, see what it’s like to be a cowboy. And all that.” Normally, this was when Jocelyn would ask him if he wanted a change, but it didn’t appear that was where her thoughts were headed. Instead, she clicked off her tablet and got to her feet. “Your food smells good. I’m going to get something for myself—”
“No, don’t be ridiculous. You can have it. I’m going for a walk to clear my head.” Actually, what he really wanted to do was see Olivia again. He had unanswered questions. He had a wound that had never really been healed. There was so much he wanted to know at this point that he wouldn’t have been capable of stopping himself even if someone were to physically hold him back.
“Are you sure? They made it special for you.”
He waved his hand through the air, motioning for her to just take it. “If I get hungry, I’ll just go down to the kitchen and ask them to make me another meal.”
Jocelyn smiled. “Okay, sure. I’ll just take this to my room, then. Text me when you get back.”
Alex nodded absentmindedly, turning his attention out the window again. The second the door shut, he spun around and went straight for his suitcase. He dug through it until he found his favorite sweater, and then he pulled on his boots and slipped out the door.
The hallway was busier than it had been when he’d checked in. It appeared people were coming back from their activities or dinner. Probably both. He’d seen the brochure for this place. It was everything someone in his position would want for a research location—just maybe not at Christmastime.
What the owners really should have invested in was a snow machine. Now, that would be a way to make people come back year after year. Snow was synonymous with Christmas. Everyone knew that.
These people could have as many decorations as they wanted. They could play all the music they could get their hands on. But it wouldn’t be the same without snow.
The scent of gingerbread wafting toward him made him stop in his tracks. He’d just stepped off the elevator, and by the smell of it, he’d found the right place. He headed down one hall and stopped as the deliciousness faded.
Wrong way.
Alex backtracked and found himself in the banquet hall. It was a Saturday evening, and from what he remembered, they had a big meal that the guests could take part in once a week. It was one of the activities offered at Sagebrush.
There were cowboys and regular guests alike. All were enjoying their meal, but he couldn’t find any gingerbread out on the table.
A young woman dressed in a waitress uniform walked by, and he reached out to stop her. “I’m sorry, but could you tell me where the kitchen is?”
She glanced up at him with unease. “I’m sorry, is there something not to your liking?”
“Oh, no. Definitely not. I had some food delivered to me, and I’d like to compliment the chef.” That should get him close enough to see her. Perhaps it would give him an excuse to pull her aside and demand she see him later.
The young woman’s brows rose. “Wait, are you—”
“Alex Malone.”
She flushed. “Eve told me you were going to be staying with us. I’m so sorry, Mr. Malone. Of course I can take you to the kitchen, and we can find out who cooked your meal.”
“Thank you.”
“Let me just take this tray to the buffet table, and we’ll be on our way.” She was quick with her work, and soon enough, they were standing in a busy kitchen that was far larger than he’d expected for a resort of this size.
Immediately, he noticed her. She had her dark hair pulled back in a bun at the nape of her neck, and she was speaking authoritatively with someone else.
“If anyone can help you, it’s going to be Olivia. She’d know who made your food. She’s the head chef for the resort. I’ll go get her.”
The woman hurried through the room then tapped Olivia’s shoulder. Olivia waved her off. When the waitress leaned in to say something, Olivia stiffened and slowly faced him.
Her green eyes flashed, and her cheeks flushed like they had back at his room. There was no going back now.
Chapter Three
Breathe.
Just because Alex had to be impulsive and follow you down here, that doesn’t mean you have to speak to him. You can respectfully tell him he needs to leave, and that will be that.
