It Happened One Christmas, page 1
It Happened One Christmas
A Grumpy & Sunshine, City vs. Country, Billionaire Christmas Romance
Zee Irwin
CER Creative Company Publishing
It Happened One Christmas Copyright ©2023 by Zee Irwin, CER Creative Company Publishing, and its affiliates and assigns and licensors.
The right of Zee Irwin and CER Creative Company Publishing to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, or stored in a retrieval system in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from the publisher and copyright owner, nor otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
This is a work of fiction. All characters and events in this publication are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
Cover from: Bec & Dot
Editing/proofing: JAL Editing
To my mother, who has the patience of a saint.
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Content Warnings
Dear Readers:
I don’t often feel the need to include warnings in my stories, but this particular set of characters grapple with some real-life issues. While I touch on these things lightly, I hope I told their stories with all the grace and dignity they deserved. You’ll read about:
Death of a loved one due to cancer
Physical/emotional reactions to choking on food
Thank you for reading.
Contents
1. The Black Box
2. 122 Days to Go
3. Brightest Spot
4. Raked by Rex
5. Speed Date
6. No Rush
7. Ignited at the Opera
8. The Trouble with Pearl
9. Mother’s wishes
10. Billionaire’s Arms
11. She Isn’t You
12. Close Quarters
13. Vixen
14. No Walk ‘O Shame Here
15. Lady in Red
16. 20K to Stop
17. Apocalyptic Heart
18. Up to the Rooftop
19. The Grand Plan
20. Pure Karma
21. Just a Bug
22. Wants Vs. Needs
23. Her Thanksgiving
24. His Thanksgiving
25. Freedom to Fly
26. Holly Creek or Bust
27. The Best Present
28. Believe Again
29. It Happened on Valentine’s
Betting On Christmas Collection
The Bridal Party Mixer
It Happened Series
Zee’s Welcome to Kissing Springs
The Fated Loves Series
Steele Valley Billionaires Series
The Off-Duty Rescue Ranch
Return to Glendale Falls Series
Also By Zee Irwin
About the Author
Acknowledgments
The Black Box
Rex Buchanan
This was it. The moment I’d been looking forward to ever since the board forced me, well, asked me to take over as CEO of Buchanan Energy thanks to my brother, Richard’s, meltdown, breakdown, or whatever he wanted to call it.
I pushed through the conference room door at the Bellamy Brothers Architecture firm and barely noticed my buddy Brooks and his twin Archer before my eyes landed on the 3D model on the table. “There it is,” I quickly took in the overall impression. “Stunning, at first glance,” I said appreciatively, almost gushing.
“Hey, Rex. Thanks for coming today. We hoped you’d like it,” Brooks greeted me.
I wasn’t usually a gusher, but damn, I’d been working hard to make this project happen and finally it was within reach. The model sat on a marble slab and I read the silver plaque attached. “Rendering of the new lobby for the Buchanan Building.”
“Should we give you the grand tour?” Archer asked, gloating over the design as he picked up a laser pointer.
“By all means.” I rubbed my hands together while the three of us crowded the table.
Brooks took over, always the showman, the twin out front working with the clients, while Archer was more of a behind-the-scenes type of guy, engineering some of New York’s top redesigns in modern skyscrapers today.
“Welcome to the new Buchanan Building. As you enter through a glass sphere here,” he paused while Archer pointed the laser toward the fresh addition we would put at the front of the building my father had built back in the 70s.
“A living greenery wall will welcome visitors and workers alike to the modern era. Gone will be the days of the dark lobby with tired brown tile, tan walls, and brass fixtures. Instead, an airy space filled with light, and furnished with a minimalist white and gray palette will shine,” Brooks finished his spiel.
My pants just grew tighter. Couldn’t help it. This was what I lived for. Buying up New York real estate and remodeling, reselling or leasing for a profit was my passion. Not sitting behind a desk on the fortieth floor trying to run an energy company I couldn’t care less about.
We had a deal, Richard and I. He was the one fascinated by the company our father, Patrick Buchanan, had built, and was happy to take over the helm. Sure, we came from old money made from decades in gas and oil, but after Dad passed away, Rich successfully ushered in a new era for the company, with a focus on clean energy.
After he stepped down and I took over the leadership of the company, I decided to do what I did best. I implemented plans to bring in a new look to the company headquarters. I could imagine Patrick in his grave, smiling at me. He was always proud of my gains and achievements among the city’s elite real estate circles.
Mom, on the other hand, was still a force to be reckoned with. But I was positive when she saw this she’d be on board with my plans to modernize Dad’s building.
“Over here,” Brooks continued. “You’ll see the new shops and eateries planned, turning the old lobby into a multi-use space.”
Archer’s laser jumped from place to place as he listed off the names of the establishments who had already committed as tenants. But he glossed over one space on the corner that seemed out of place. A black box marred the white facade of my beautiful model.
“Wait, what’s over there?” I pointed.
“Ah, yes. That’s the existing Sun-Up Deli. Now over here—”
“What do you mean? I was told all the current tenants on the lobby floor are supposed to have been given an eviction notice. There shouldn’t be a deli in the new plans.”
“It seems when we consulted with your building management, there’s an issue with the lease agreement for the deli.” Archer pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. They’re one way I could tell the two brothers apart. The other way was that Archer liked to dress in 3-piece suits, while Brooks was business casual.
“What issue?” I scowled. Call me spoiled, but when I wanted something, I expected it all to be smooth sailing.
“They have one of the most favorable lease agreements I’ve ever seen.” Brooks shook his head. As a partner in some of my projects, it was familiar territory for him to handle details. “Your father and Mr. Doug Calhoun signed it twenty years ago.”
“Aw hell. I remember Doug, one of my father’s old cronies. He’s still around?”
“Yep. Get this. He pays the original monthly lease amount; there hasn’t been a single increase all this time. And, he has until midnight on New Year’s Eve to either renew the lease or give notice that he intends to vacate. There’s no eviction clause; you’re stuck.”
“What the—That’s crazy. Who would make a deal like that?” My father, of course. He often took care of his friends and their families, even going so far as to put several kids through college. Sure, he was tough in business, but had a heart of gold, too. Everyone revered him.
I sighed and paced over to the window and peered out at the other buildings. “I figured my mother would be the only hurdle to jump, but now this.”
“Miriam scares me.” Brooks agreed, and Archer nodded. “I do not know how you’re going to get her to agree to let you remodel your dad’s building.”
“I’m sure she won’t be too much of a problem, but this…” I stalked back, eyeing the model and determined nothing would deter my plans. “No, there has to be a way, and I’ll find it. I’ll talk to Doug. You just take that black box off.”
I peeked at the time on my watch as a notification arrived for a meeting with the engineering department back at Buchanan’s, another meeting I didn’t want to attend. I really needed to talk to my assistant, Pearl, about scheduling.
“We can’t wait to hear how you
“I have to go, but this is great work, guys. Beautiful.” Again, I sort of gushed as I took one last look at the model, then left. Brooks followed me out to the elevators.
“Hey, I told your assistant to put me on your social calendar next week,” he said.
“Oh yeah? Want to hit the new wine bar Jameson opened on 5th?” Our buddy spent a year touring the best wineries in the world and I’d been looking forward to supporting him.
“Maybe, but first, I told Archer you and I would be his wingmen at one of those speed dating events.”
I practically punched the down arrow button on the wall. “Why the hell would you tell him that?”
“Come on, man, you know he’s been in a slump since Brianne left him last year. He’s finally admitting he’s ready to move on and wants to give this a try.”
“Surely there must be a dozen other ways for a man of his caliber to meet the next love of his life.”
“Oh yeah? Are you an expert on this topic?” He joked. He and my friends knew me too well. I had no plans to get tied down.
“You and Archer have fun, and meet me at the bar after.” I left him hanging there and got on the elevator, escaping his smirk.
I had nothing against the institution of marriage, but with a mother like mine constantly pressuring me to settle down and pass on the Buchanan genes, I rebelled against anything that wasn’t a quick one-night stand.
Ever since Richard’s engagement fell apart, she’d been even worse—Attempting to sign me up for a millionaire matchmaking service, and calling me over for dinner where a friend’s daughter just “happened” to be there.
No, now that I was on to her tricks to get me to tie the knot, I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. Marriage for me wouldn’t happen anytime soon, no matter who fell into my path.
122 Days to Go
Chelsea Calhoun
Mom squeezed me tight until I didn’t think I could breathe anymore. She smelled heavenly, like the warm slices of cherry pie with vanilla ice cream she just served my sister, brother, and me in her diner, and the scent was all the things I loved about home in late August. I never wanted to forget this.
“I’m just moving to New York City. It’s only a few hours’ drive from here,” I parted and reminded her.
Here being Holly Creek, the small town that’s been my home for twenty-seven years, and today being officially the day I was finally off on a grand adventure. It was one I had put off since high school, but suddenly it was difficult to leave. We had been saying goodbye for an hour and were already behind schedule. At this pace, we’d be in the thick of city traffic when we arrived. Then again, when didn’t the city have traffic?
Colt joined in the hug. My brother was so tall now he towered over us by at least a foot. He had grown into his handsome looks, with dark wavy hair and eyes of blue, just like our father—Dr. Oliver Calhoun, may he rest in peace.
“Oh, my Chelsea-Sunshine girl.” Mom cried again, adjusting the sunflower in my hair.
Maisy, my impatient sister, honked the horn from my car parked in front of Flora’s Diner, the restaurant my mother owned and had operated for as long as I can remember.
“Let’s go, Chelsea. Love you, Mom. See you soon, Colt.” She waved, letting her long, golden ponytail hang out the window.
“Yep. As soon as I can get this slave driver to let me have a weekend off,” he elbowed Mom. “I’ll come down to the city and raise hell with you all.”
“Oh, how did this happen?” Mom cried into her apron—again. “You three once were my babies and now you’re all adults. Soon you’ll be bringing your babies to me—”
“Mom. Stop. None of us are having babies yet. Sheesh.” Colt rolled his eyes. At twenty-one, he was still immature and having fun with girls his age in town, and needed several years to grow up before I could see him ever settling down and having children.
“You’re already giving Mom a bad time? Maybe I shouldn’t go,” I teased, sort of.
“Chelsea Ruth Calhoun, you’re going. And I won’t hear another word about it.” Mom wiped away the tears from her blue-green eyes and I thought that might be the end of them, since she used all three of my names. She was putting on a brave face now, and I must, too. “Go on, the city awaits. Oh, and here’s a fresh box of chocolate chip cookies for you and Maisy-girl to share on the way.”
Mom looked behind her at the deep windowsill of the diner, but there was no box sitting there.
“You mean these cookies?” Colt talked through a mouth full while holding out the box stamped with the Flora’s Diner logo on top. I recalled making the new logo for Mom six years ago in one of the night classes I took at a nearby community college. Between those classes and my years of working with her in the diner, I hoped I was prepared for what’s coming next.
“Colt Jacob Calhoun, you give that box to your sister right now. As if you didn’t sneak cookies all day as you worked, my goodness.” Mom was all riled up now, and I chuckled at the camaraderie they shared. I wouldn’t have left her high and dry like this, with just my brother to count on to help run the diner, but things have happened so fast the past two weeks.
Mom always says things happen in threes. In this case, three calls are what it took to start me off on a new adventure this fall.
It all started when Maisy, the smarty pants, made a frantic call home before the start of her fourth year at Columbia University, only two semesters away from graduating with her degree in neuroscience. She was going to share an apartment this year with her best friend, Sophie, a business major. To make ends meet, they searched for another roommate, and found one who was majoring in theater, but on moving day the actress-to-be cancelled.
I assured Maisy it wouldn’t be the end of the world and to keep trying. Then the next day, a call came which none of us expected. Uncle Doug, our dad’s brother, was in the hospital in NYC being treated for a heart condition, Aunt Louisa informed us. Mom fretted for her brother-in-law even though the doctors said he’d be okay, but would have to make some lifestyle changes. Louisa fretted about Sun-Up Deli, the Manhattan deli my uncle owned.
The third thing that happened was a dream come true. A week later, Uncle Doug called, resting at home after leaving the hospital. He asked if I’d help run his deli until his lease ran out New Year’s Eve so he could take some time off to recuperate and plan for his retirement. Of course, Mom cried, but told me I had to do it because of the dream I put off so long ago for her.
That’s how I found myself saying goodbye now to Mom, Colt, and Holly Creek, heading to the big city. I’d miss this place, but I might be back come January. Meanwhile, I would have four months to live the life I always wanted and see where it would lead.
I even had a New York City bucket list of things I’d love to experience. Both fear and excitement rolled through me in a shiver. A lot could happen in one hundred and twenty-two days. I just needed to get in the car and drive away.
I took one last look at Mom with her shoulder length, red-dyed hair. She used to have a stunning red color naturally, like me, but the years added some gray. Now, she liked to say that her hair was enhanced. She looked fabulous since starting a new exercise regime two years ago at my urging, and hardly a trace existed anymore of the tired, depressed woman she’d become after Dad passed away.
I knew she and Colt would manage without me. I hoped.
