Mommy's Kissing Santa (Holliday Islands Resort Book 10) Read online

  Mommy’s Kissing Santa

  Holliday Islands Resort, Book 10

  Kit Morgan

  ANGEL CREEK PRESS

  Mommy’s Kissing Santa

  (Holliday Islands Resort, Book 10)

  by Kit Morgan

  © 2019 Kit Morgan

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without permission in writing from the publisher. All characters are fictional. Any resemblances to actual people or livestock are purely coincidental.

  If you’d like to keep up with Kit’s books and other fun happenings, then sign up for her newsletter at www.authorkitmorgan.com or text COOKE to 22828

  Created with Vellum

  License Note

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Welcome to the

  Holliday Islands Resort Series!

  After growing his Alaskan resort empire into the “honeymooner’s paradise of the world,” Gordon Holliday is ready to retire. But there’s no way he can cruise the globe in his luxury yacht until his sons are groomed and polished into proper executives to take his place. There’s just one catch: He’s convinced their biggest current job requirement is marriage!

  To help find the perfect matches for his nine, billionaire playboy sons, he secretly enlists the help of a high-end matchmaker, Evelyn Reese of True Love Connection, Inc. (TLC.net). She visits the islands under the auspices of becoming a future investor and begins to work her magic. What ensues is a delightful romp of sizzling new business “partnerships” and dates, laugh-out-loud mayhem and sweet holiday attractions. You won’t want to miss a single one!

  Check out our series page where you’ll find:

  Book 1: The Dashing Groom – Jo Grafford

  Book 2: Dancing to the Altar – Christi Bortner

  Book 3: Love Came Prancing – Danni Roan

  Book 4: Her Christmas Vixen – Ginny Sterling

  Book 5: Comet’s Blazing Love – Jenna Brandt

  Book 6: Cupid Takes a Wife – Marie Higgins

  Book 7: Donner Let Her Go – Amelia Adams

  Book 8: Blitzen the CEO – Lisa Prysock

  Book 9: Rudolph’s Runaway Bride – George McVey

  Book 10: Mommy’s Kissing Santa – Kit Morgan

  Join us at the Chat, Sip and Read group on Facebook for parties, live chats, giveaways and other festivities surrounding the launch of this sweet holiday romantic comedy series: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChatSipandRead

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Epilogue

  And there’s more …

  About the Author

  Want to get in on the fun?

  Chapter One

  The Holliday Mansion, Vixen Island, Christmas day …

  “More cider?”

  Evelyn Reese smiled at her partner in crime Gordon Holliday. “Yes, thank you.”

  He smiled back and headed for the tables laden with all kinds of catered delicacies, including beverages.

  But she didn’t feel like drinking more. This was a Christmas celebration and she wanted to have something more traditional, something that hit home.

  It was a heady experience sitting in the corner of this massive gathering room tonight, watching the nine sons of one of the richest men in America with their fiancés – all of which she’d matched up. It was also a big fat feather in the cap of her high-end matchmaking service, True Love Connections. The business had been growing already, ever since her daughter Clarice implemented her special algorithm earlier that year. Since then, they’d seen over 90% successful matches for their clients.

  Granted, that same algorithm almost ruined Clarice’s life. But Rudy Holliday, one of Gordon’s nine sons, had saved the day by proving to her that she’d already been with the right man. She just had to let him into her heart so he could prove it. To think she came so close to marrying that snake Winthrop (aka Freddy Jones) made Evelyn’s skin crawl. How dare the man blackmail her little girl the way he had! But Rudy assured her ol’ Winthrop wouldn’t be preying on any more unsuspecting women any time soon. She smiled at the thought.

  “What is it?” Gordon asked as he handed her a mug of hot apple cider.

  “I was just thinking about your son and his heroics on Clarice’s behalf.”

  “That’s my boy. And he’s not the only one.”

  “No, he’s not. I must say, Gordon, you’ve raised a fine batch of young men.”

  “Thank you.” He held up his own mug. “A toast, then – to our children. Clarice is a beautiful, talented young woman. You must be very proud.”

  “I am.” She stared at her cider. “Though her ordeal cut it close.”

  “I knew Rudy would take care of it.” He held his mug out to her.

  She smiled at him. “To our children.”

  Their mugs clinked together and they drank. “Mmm, this isn’t bad,” he said.

  “You’ve never had hot apple cider before?”

  “Not in years.” He sighed and glanced around the room in his mansion. She knew he didn’t come here often, and wondered if he was reminding himself of the layout of his own house. He was the richest man she’d ever met – she was still overwhelmed at the opulence of the Holliday empire.

  A few months ago she’d have laughed at the thought of flying to Alaska’s Prince William Sound, where nine islands, each bearing the middle name of one of the billionaire’s sons (named after Santa’s reindeer), had been made into a honeymooner’s paradise. That took a lot of work and a lot of money. She still marveled at the man’s ingenuity and business savvy.

  “Penny for your thoughts?”

  She glanced at him and noticed the concern in his eyes. He had nice eyes … “I was just thinking about how this all began. And now …” She shrugged. “… it’s over. The work is done.”

  He shifted from one foot to the other and took a sip of cider. “I suppose you’ll be going home soon?”

  “Naturally – I have to get back to New York. Lots to do.” She held her mug with both hands, reveling in the warmth as a chill went up her spine.

  “Won’t be the same around here without you. We made a good team.”

  She smiled. “We did.” She offered her mug up this time. “A toast – to teamwork.”

  “To teamwork.” He touched his mug to hers. “Any big plans for New Year’s?”

  She shrugged. “Settling back into my apartment and dealing with the office.”

  He stared at her a moment. “So you plan on leaving in the next few days.”

  “Yes, I think it’s best.” Actually she hadn’t thought at all – he was standing so close and her heart was beating faster than it should. The urge to run to her room was growing, but she didn’t want to move.

  “Evelyn …”

  She looked at him again, not realizing she’d looked away. They’d worked so closely for the last three months that now a huge void would accompany her back to New York. She’d have to work hard to find something to
fill it.

  “Evelyn,” he said again, softer this time.

  “Well, well, look at you two,” Dash said before she could answer. He approached with his fiancé Jovie on his arm. Rudy and Clarice were right behind them.

  “What?” Gordon said. He glanced at Evelyn and back.

  She shrugged again, then noticed the other couples leaving their seats and heading their way too. Soon all nine of them stood grinning at them. Uh-oh …

  “You’re secret’s out, Pops,” Dan said, one arm around Elle.

  “What secret?” Gordon glanced at Evelyn.

  “I’d like to know too,” she said. Though she had an idea. Clarice must have spilled the beans about why she was really at the resort.

  Clarice gave them a Cheshire-cat grin, and Evelyn fought the urge to roll her eyes. Yep, she’d spilled them all right.

  “Don’t worry, we won’t say a word,” Nicholas said with a smile.

  “I still don’t know what you’re referring to,” Gordon said, to Evelyn’s surprise – surely he’d figured it out by now. He was probably just being cagey.

  “But never mind about all that,” Clarice said, still smiling. She glanced upward.

  “What?” Then Evelyn did the same, and her eyes widened. “Oh.”

  Gordon followed her gaze. “Oh!”

  “C’mon, Pops,” Collin elbowed Ashley. “Do it! If anything, kiss each other for pulling this off without any of us being the wiser.”

  Gordon smiled at the sprig of mistletoe, then looked at Evelyn. “It seems our secret is out.” He gave Clarice a pointed look.

  She shrugged and waggled her eyebrows.

  Evelyn’s face grew hot, and she suddenly didn’t know what to do with her free hand. She went back to gripping the mug with both. “Come now, really …”

  “Why not?” Blake said. “Don’t you deserve a congratulatory kiss?”

  “Yeah, you two pulled off the best secret operation in history,” Victor added. “At least where we’re concerned.”

  Rudy grinned evilly at his father and began to chant, “Do it, do it, do it …” The others quickly chimed in.

  Evelyn facepalmed as her cheeks heated even more. And why was her heart racing?

  She felt a finger under her chin and let her hand drop. Gordon’s sons cheered as their father looked into her eyes and shrugged. “We’d better do this or they’ll never leave us alone.”

  She looked at the fruits of their labor, all eighteen of them, and rolled her eyes. “Oh, very well …”

  Before she could say another word, Gordon Holliday, billionaire extraordinaire, gently brushed his lips across hers. Evelyn’s heart stopped as lightning went up her spine. The couple’s cheering faded for a second, everything narrowing down to one thing. Gordon.

  “Was it that bad?” he asked quietly.

  With all the cheering she wasn’t sure she’d heard him right and smiled nervously instead, her cheeks now flaming.

  He put his hand in his jacket pocket, now as red-faced as she was. Good, at least he’d been equally embarrassed by his children. “Okay, show’s over.” He shooed them away, turning back only once most of his sons and their fiancés dispersed. “Sorry about that. But like Vixen said, we did pull off a massive secret operation.”

  She nodded. “That we did.” Good grief, her lips were still tingling! She took a quick sip of cider, but it didn’t help. She had no idea working the last three months with the man would … would what?

  “Mom, are you okay?”

  Evelyn looked at Clarice – she and Rudy still lingered. “Of course.”

  Her daughter glanced at Gordon and back, then smiled. “Good.” She hugged her. “Merry Christmas, Mother.”

  Evelyn held her tight. “Merry Christmas, little bug.” Her throat grew thick. She’d be returning to New York alone. That she already knew that didn’t help – the reality of it hit all over again while her daughter was in her arms. She hugged her tighter still. “I’m going to miss you.”

  “Mom?”

  She drew away enough to look at her. “You’re going to be so happy. I know it.”

  “Me too, Mother. Thank you.”

  Evelyn nodded and hugged her again. Her life in New York would never be the same without Clarice. How was she to know that the biggest project of her life would leave her feeling so utterly alone?

  * * *

  The next day …

  Gordon sat back in the plush leather wing chair in his personal quarters and puffed on his Double Corona Regius cigar. He’d been saving it for this moment, once he knew he had all nine of his sons exactly where he wanted them. Engaged.

  “You look exceptionally pleased with yourself, sir.” Jervis, Gordon’s longtime British valet/butler, poured him a glass of Scotch. “I trust you had a good Christmas?”

  “I am and I did.” Gordon looked up at him. “A lot has happened since you ran off on your little sabbatical. I’m sorry I haven’t had time to bring you up to speed, but I’m glad you’re back early.”

  “It’s good to be back, sir,” Jervis said with a bright smile.

  Gordon smiled back. Jervis was a well-mannered, quick-witted sort, fiftyish and single, with short-cropped light brown hair and inquisitive blue eyes – the epitome of a modern-day “personal gentleman.” He could have used his help these last few months, but the man was here now and that’s all that mattered. Besides, with Evelyn leaving, Jervis would fill the void. He looked at his cigar. “How is your mother?”

  “Splendid, sir, thank you for asking. In fact, she said to tell you thank you for the flowers and new television, though we did have a time figuring out where to put the latter. You’ll be happy to know her apartment has now become the film-watching center of the retirement community. That makes her the belle of the ball.”

  “How’s her ankle?”

  “Healing. The doctors say she should be roller skating again in no time.” He moved to hand Gordon his Scotch, stopped and held the glass just out of reach. “Are you sure you’re allowed spirits, sir?”

  “My stomach is fine. One drink won’t hurt. I’ve never felt better.”

  “Very well, sir.” He handed him the drink.

  “Roller skating is a dangerous hobby for an eighty-year old woman, if you ask me,” Gordon went on. “I was hoping the TV would keep her off the streets.”

  “Points to you, sir, for the effort. But I’m afraid my mother will not be deterred.”

  Gordon’s cell phone rang. He ignored it and sipped his drink.

  Jervis picked it up. “Gordon Holliday’s phone.” Screeching spewed from the device. Jervis winced in response and held it at arm’s length. “I’m afraid it’s your ex-wife, sir. She seems most adamant about speaking with you.”

  Gordon sighed. “It was only a matter of time before she got this number. Get me a new one.”

  “Of course, sir. Shall I hang up on her?”

  Gordon took another drag of his cigar. “You know, not even Marzilla can dampen my spirits today. Give me the phone.”

  Jervis’ eyebrows raised, just a flicker. “Are you positive, sir? Surely you remember what happened the last time you spoke with her?”

  “I … hit something, didn’t I?”

  “You hit me, sir. An accident, to be sure, but at least allow me to put sufficient distance between us this time.”

  “Don’t worry, you’re safe.” Gordon took the phone from him and stared at it. The screeching had not yet abated. He smiled and brought it closer, but not quite to his ear. “Hello, Mara, how are you?” he said loudly. “You know, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you were upset.”

  Jervis cringed and took several steps back.

  The screeching stopped for a moment, then resumed clear as day. “HOW DARE YOU?!”

  Gordon glanced at Jervis and back and smiled. “What’s that? I couldn’t quite make it out.”

  More caterwauling. Jervis buried his face in his hands and shook his head. Mara, Gordon’s ex-wife and mother of four of his
sons, had a personal vendetta to make the billionaire’s life as miserable as possible. It seemed to be her only goal in life.

  “What’s that again?” Gordon asked with a grin. He didn’t have to pretend he was missing most of what she said – she was yelling so loud that the phone turned about half her words into static and feedback.

  “I’ll tell you what you … screech … son of a … screech … sack of … screech … COMET, then you … screech … DONNER and CUPID … and then you …screech … and RUDY!!! How could you DO SUCH A THING?”

  “And the dragon claims I never listen to her. There, I just did.” Gordon tossed the phone to Jervis.

  Jervis caught it with a grimace, then brought it cautiously to his ear. “I’m afraid there is some interference on the line, madam. You’ll have to call back.” He pressed the “end” icon, put the phone on silent mode and tossed it over his shoulder into another wing chair. It immediately started vibrating. “You’ll have a new phone within the hour, sir.”

  “Just a number will do, Jervis.” His face twisted in confusion. “Did you hear any requests for money?”

  Jervis’ eyebrows rose again. “No, sir. How unusual.”

  “And she actually mentioned our sons,” Gordon said, perplexed.

  “Most peculiar, sir.”

  “What the devil was she saying?”

  “I’m sure you’ll find out, sir. She is in the vicinity.”

  Gordon shuddered. “Don’t remind me. In fact, didn’t I tell you never to let me take a call from her again?”

  “A momentary slip on my part, sir. I’m terribly sorry.”