A Thousand Wishes: A Romance Christmas Story (Madison Creek Town Series Novella Book 4) Read online

  Madison Creek Township

  novella

  A Thousand Wishes

  By

  Jackie Castle

  Castle Creations Books

  A Thousand Wishes

  Copyright 2019 by Jackie Castle

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the author.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

  Find out more about the author at Jackie Castle’s Story World,

  To keep updated on new releases, sign up for the Castle’s Story World Newsletter

  Or email her at [email protected]

  Cover art created by Castle Creations

  Castle’s Other Works

  Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Romance Series:

  Snow Belle

  Secretly In Love (novella)

  Raining Fools

  Sun Kisses

  Candy Lane Christmas (novella)

  The Grimwood Legacy Billionaire Series

  My Beastly Billionaire

  My Charming Billionaire

  My Wayfaring Billionaire

  More to come…

  Lavender Vale Farm

  Merciful Love

  Graceful Harmony

  Blessed Gifts

  ~*~

  For Fantasy Lovers

  The White Road Chronicles Fantasy Series

  The White Road Tales Novellas

  The Sentinels Archives: Through the Portal

  Dedication:

  To my mom who helped me find joy in creating simple things.

  Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

  Isaiah 40:26 (NIV)

  About the Book

  A starry night, a whispered prayer and a heartfelt wish, lead to a Christmas romance neither of them saw coming.

  The challenge between the Allender siblings begins, and McKenna is determined to sell more Christmas trees than her older brother. The dare is enough incentive, but the bonus makes it all worthwhile especially when she wrecks her car trying to avoid hitting a man who steps out of nowhere into her path.

  Leon Jovino is on a sure path until it divides his heart in two. A starry night, a heartfelt wish, and his head in a fog lead him into a collision with Kenna. He’s determined to help her but doesn’t count on the consequences.

  Then again, his starry wish just might be behind it all.

  Madison Creek Township

  Novella

  A Thousand Wishes

  Every good and perfect gift

  is from above,

  coming down from

  the Father of the heavenly lights,

  who does not change like shifting shadows.

  James 1:17 (NIV)

  Chapter One

  “But I’m supposed to be most important in your life!”

  Leon Jovino cringed at his girlfriend’s high-pitched whine coming through his Bluetooth.

  “Not that silly cook job you’re wasting your talents on.”

  He tucked the coleslaw tray against his hip. With his free hand, he yanked open the walk-in refrigerator and hurried inside before the heavy door closed on him. This was his last task before he was free for the evening.

  The Lakeshore, his Uncle Melvin’s restaurant, the finest one in Madison Creek, had closed an hour ago. Most of the staff had already left. Leon volunteered to stay and get a few items for tomorrow’s menu ready before he left for the day.

  “This job pays my bills and I’m happy here,” he answered in his usual bored tone. He was tired of this same discussion. “I’m learning so much from Uncle Melvin.”

  While he worked, he’d listened to his girlfriend, Marcy Towers, prattle on about her busy modeling schedule. Her stage name was Merci Lace and that was what she’d insisted everyone call her, including him! She didn’t want to risk anyone accidentally calling her by her real name while they were in public.

  Merci.

  He wished she’d give his ears a little mercy by not talking in that high-pitched baby voice she’d also started using, along with her fake name.

  Lace. She thought it had a more delicate feel. Except there wasn’t anything delicate about Marcy. She was vibrant, bold, and… loud. A force to be reckoned with, so to speak.

  When there was a short pause in her diatribe, he asked the only thing he really wanted to know, “When will your stint in New York be over? I had to spend Thanksgiving alone. Tell me you’ll be home for Christmas, right?”

  Actually, he’d spent Thanksgiving with his old employers, the Winters. When Miss Haley found out he had no family staying in town, she’d insisted that he come and be part of theirs. To his surprise, there were several others that Haley called her, “lonesome doves” who had also been invited. A couple of them had worked at the Madison Creek B&B while he’d been the resident cook.

  “Weeelllll,” Marcy hummed, “I was hoping to entice you in coming to New York. You’ll not believe what it’s like here during the holidays. The city is simply amazing. Leo…please? I’ll even buy your plane ticket.”

  Oh, no way would he let his girlfriend pay for his trip. He made decent money and had been able to establish a nice-sized nest egg. Sure he could make more in a larger town, but he loved Madison Creek. And the little lakeside town was also stunning this time of year with the fresh coating of snow and each shop decorated to the hilt.

  Thanks to Councilwoman Karen Borgman-Fairbanks’ prompting. She was determined to make Madison Creek a Must-See spot on everyone’s holiday bucket list.

  “No, I can’t leave Uncle this time of year. We’re so busy, he’s looking to hire extra waitstaff.”

  “Leeee-on!” she wailed, causing him to rip the earpiece out and hit the speaker on his phone. “I thought you loved me. This is where I need to be to further my career. I’m beyond settling for Miss Madison or the Apple Queen parades. I have a real chance to make something of my life. I’ve had a few nibbles on jobs after this one. There might be a chance that I’ll never come back.”

  Leon closed the refrigerator door with his back and leaned against the cool metal for a moment. That would be unfortunate. He cared a lot about Marcy. Unfortunately, he wasn’t so sure about this new Merci Lace. Their distance had cooled his feelings for her a little. Maybe if he took a few days… “I’ll think about it. If I do come, I’ll get my own ticket.”

  She squealed and he jabbed the volume button down. He set the phone on the counter while he gave the stainless steel one more wiping. “I’m not making promises, got it? I’ll talk to Uncle and see if he can spare me a few days. And I’ll only come for the weekend. Is there a hotel near where you’re staying that I can check into?”

  “Oh there’s no need,” her voice took on that coy tone.

  “Yes. There is.” He tossed the towels into the laundry basket. “Listen, I need to lock up and head home. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow I have another shoot. Haven’t you listened to anything I’ve told you?”

  Perhaps he’d not listened well enough. There’d been a time when they talked every day, late into the night. They’d share their dreams and aspirat
ions. She’d always wanted to be a model. He should have seen this coming, but he’d reasoned that she was reaching for the impossible.

  Except she really was such a natural beauty with her raven black hair and beautiful blue eyes. She’d been born to model with her trim form and graceful mannerisms.

  He’d fooled himself.

  “That’s right. I’m sorry, Mar…uh…Merci. Sorry. Why don’t you call me, then? Around this time in the evening is perfect.”

  “Okay, Pookie. I love you.”

  He hated it when she called him that.

  “Love you, too.”

  After she hung up, he tucked his phone into the back pocket of his charcoal gray slacks with a disgruntled sigh. Merci wanted him to tell her that he’d move to New York with her. That’s he’d be willing to follow her from city to city on her shoots. She had an offer to model a line of clothing in London. It sounded exciting…except….

  Except he loved his life in Madison Creek. He loved the town. He loved his job. Uncle Melvin gave him run of the kitchen and though his uncle still held the head chef’s position, Leon was second in line.

  Leon liked that he had friends here. Roots. And he also liked that when he had nowhere to spend the holidays, there was always a spot at the Winters’ table. He didn’t even need a personal invite. Mr. Ethan told him to just show up. If he brought one of his special desserts with him, all the better.

  He didn’t tell too many people that most of Lakeshore’s fancy desserts came from the Candy Lane Sweet Shop. Miss Candyce Barkley made the creamiest cakes, the flakiest pies, and the prettiest candies. Why try to top the best? Better to join forces and order from her, than stress over trying to beat her out.

  After locking up, Leon aimlessly strolled toward Main Street. A light snow had fallen earlier, but the skies cleared in the afternoon, melting most of it. However, the dropping temperatures were turning the roads slushy again. He should head to his apartment. The night was quite chilly. Because he lived so close to the restaurant, he usually walked to work. Easier to walk than drive the four slick streets between his work and home.

  “See? It’s festive here, too.” He whispered, admiring the stringed lights hanging across the street from rooftop to rooftop. All the trees were lit up with white, twinkling, glowing balls. Each store had decorated their front windows in various unique ways.

  He needed to go onto the town’s website and vote for his favorite display. The family of snowmen dressed in sparkling shirts and colorful scarves from Glo’s Boutique made him smile. But it was always the Candy Lane display that ended up being his favorite with her enchanting scenes from the Nutcracker or another favorite holiday story. This year, he’d heard that she’d managed to suspend a train track from the ceiling and had the Polar Express circling the holiday displays.

  This was the first opportunity he’d had to check out Main Street at night.

  Despite all the finery and flare surrounding him, his heart felt as if he’d swallowed a fist-sized snowball. Maybe he needed to break it off with Marcy, or Merci. Whoever she was now.

  He missed his old friend. They’d been great pals while he’d been in culinary school and she’d attended the nearby design school. She’d been interested in making her own clothing lines. Then, someone noticed Marcy’s stunning beauty and offered her a chance to stand in the limelight. And she loved it.

  He couldn’t blame her.

  Leon loved it when someone asked to meet the chef and wanted to pat his back for making such a fine meal. That’s why he’d taken the job at his uncle’s restaurant, knowing the clientele would be wealthy people from town and beyond. In the summer, the docks were filled with the nicest boats sailing the Great Lakes. They came to sample Uncle’s fine cuisine.

  Leon loved being part of that. And sure, he could get that and more in New York. Except…thinking about moving to such a…large…place made his stomach hurt.

  He didn’t want to hold Marcy back. Truthfully, he had a feeling she’d not be held back. Maybe he did need to book that plane ticket, go to New York, and… he breathed in deep, wondering if he’d be able to actually break it off with her. They complimented each other so well. Everyone thought they were perfect together.

  Maybe he’d get to New York and find it wasn’t as bad as he feared.

  Except, she didn’t plan to stay there either. She’d let him know the world was open to her. To them, if he wished to tag along.

  “Well, Leon Jovino, you’re the last person I’d expect to run into this time of night.”

  Leon spun around to find Sage Prater standing behind him, her arms filled with a picnic basket and a couple of blankets. She’d cut her red hair short to tame some of her curls, he supposed. It was cute.

  “Good evening, Sage,” Leon grinned. She’d always been a natural beauty, too, except she’d had Nikolai Prater’s heart since they’d been teenagers, it seemed. Nick snagged her up quick, too. Prater hadn’t wasted time wondering and second-guessing his feelings. “Isn’t it kind of cold for a picnic?”

  Her green eyes widened. “Oh no, it’s a perfect night.” She stepped in closer, offering a quick hug and peck on his cheek. “Are you getting a head start on your Christmas shopping? The stores closed an hour ago. Most of them, anyway.”

  “I know. I was just admiring the decorations. They really went all out this year, didn’t they?”

  “There’s a five-hundred-dollar grand prize for the winner, along with bragging rights and a trophy.” She waved her free hand toward the electronic store where she and her husband worked. “We went for techno lighting that pulses to Christmas tunes. I’m already beyond sick of Jingle Bell Rock. I mean, seriously.”

  Leon chucked. “Right. Five hundred does help drive incentive. Well, it all looks amazing. I’m going to be hard put to choose who to vote for.”

  Her lips pursed together. “Why, you’ll vote for us, right?”

  “Um…well..?”

  She started laughing and nudged him with her basket, letting him off the hook. He remembered a time when she’d always been nervous around him and was glad they could be friends now. Nick was a lucky guy.

  “Say, if you’re in the mood to see something amazing, you need to follow me.” She jerked her head, her smile warming his heart. “Come on. Nikolai is waiting. I know he’ll love it if you join us. There is a group of us meeting at the beach for some star-gazing. They say there’s a good chance we’ll get a glimpse of the Northern Lights tonight. Come on!”

  Well, if there were others, then he’d not feel as if he were intruding on a date night. “Okay. Can I help you with that basket?”

  Her grin widened. “Sure. How gentlemanly of you.”

  He laughed and slipped his arm through the straps of the heavy basket, wondering what treats she’d piled inside. This was something else about small towns that he loved. If people noticed you wandering around alone, they were usually quick to invite you to join in their fun.

  New York was too bright to see stars, from what he’d heard. One only had to drive a couple of miles outside of town to enjoy the most spectacular view of the galaxy.

  As they neared the tourist park, he noticed a new Christmas tree lot going up. This one was getting a little bit of a late start, he thought. A small green camper sat beside the tent packed with pines.

  “I heard your hot model girlfriend got a real modeling job. How is that going for her?” Sage asked, keeping the conversation going, just when they’d settled into a comfortable lull.

  “Great from what she was saying when I talked to her earlier. She loves New York.” He left it at that but felt Sage’s probing gaze as they walked along.

  “I heard she changed her name and everything.”

  Leon nodded. “She’s Merci Lace now.” He chuckled to hide his troubled feelings over all the changes. “Wow,” he noticed several shadowy figures standing along the shoreline. “You didn’t say it was a party.”

  Sage’s shoulder shrugged. “Just a few friends.” Cupping her h
ands to her mouth, she called out, “I brought hot chocolate, chips, and Leon Jovino!”

  A few shouts and whoops went up from the group. Leon couldn’t help but smile. At least here, he always felt welcomed.

  Nikolai stood from his camp chair and shook Leon’s hand after someone else took the basket and began passing out cups to everyone. “So glad you’re joining us, Jovino,” he said. “It’s good to break away from work and spend time enjoying God’s beauty.”

  Leon nodded. Miss Haley had gotten him involved in her church and he’d been attending faithfully. Marcy always said she was too busy for that stuff.

  “Oh, look,” Sage exclaimed, pointing out over the still lake at a star zooming across the dotted expanse. From here, they could see thousands of stars. It wasn’t equal to what one could see when out in the country, but the view was indeed stunning, all the same.

  “Everyone make a wish!”

  Leon held his breath and closed his eyes. He wasn’t much for trusting in wishes, but what could it hurt?

  Chapter Two

  “Bad enough that I got a late start,” Kenna Allender said into her phone that she’d tucked between her shoulder and ear. “I need that shipment of trees. When will they get here? You promised I’d have them this morning.”

  “Roy had a flat tire, Sweetheart,” answered her Dad. “He’s getting it fixed. There was something about bending the rim and he needed to replace it. But he promises to be there first thing in the morning. Have you really sold out?”

  Kenna glanced over her shoulder at the tiny tree lot she’d set up at the edge of the tourist park. She would have liked to have secured the grocery store spot lot but had arrived in Madison Creek too late. Well, next year….