Sugar Plum Season

Season of Love

Amy Morgan is determined not to let her injury affect her love for dance. Moving to the tiny town of Barrett’s Mill, she takes over her aunt’s dance studio and begins to organize a children’s Christmas ballet recital. She just needs a little help from handsome lumberjack Jason Barrett. Charming and an all-around good guy, Jason volunteers to build the stage sets. Working together with the pretty ballerina forges a connection he never expected. But is Amy really ready to leave the limelight behind? It’ll take a few dancing candy canes—and a whole lot of faith—to bring them together in joy and love.

Barrett’s Mill: In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a family legacy leads to love

He wondered what it would take to make Amy Morgan laugh.

Then again, he’d barely been able to tease a smile out of her, and they’d been together most of the day.

Stopping by her office, he knocked on the frame of the open door. “Everything’s put away. I’ll be back Monday with those extra pieces we talked about.” He waved and began backing away. When she called out his name, he paused in the hallway. “Yeah?”

“Things were so hectic today that we never settled on your hourly rate.”

“I thought we agreed on zero.”

Narrowing her eyes, she tilted her head in a skeptical pose. “Where I’m from, strangers don’t do things for free.”

“Huh,” he said with his brightest grin. “And here I thought we were friends.”

While he watched, the brittle cynicism fell away, and the corner of her mouth lifted in a wry grin. “I should warn you—I’m not the easiest person to be friends with.”

“That’s cool. I like a challenge.”

MIA ROSS

loves great stories. She enjoys reading about fascinating people, long-ago times and exotic places. But only for a little while, because her reality is pretty sweet. Married to her college sweetheart, she’s the proud mom of two amazing kids, whose schedules keep her hopping. Busy as she is, she can’t imagine trading her life for anyone else’s—and she has a pretty good imagination. You can visit her online at www.miaross.com.

Sugar Plum Season

Mia Ross

www.millsandboon.co.uk

There is no fear in love,

but perfect love casts out fear.

—1 John 4:18

For Grandma and Grandpa

Acknowledgments

To the very talented folks who help me

make my books everything they can be: Elaine Spencer, Melissa Endlich and the dedicated staff at Love Inspired.

More thanks to the gang at Seekerville

(www.seekerville.net). It’s a great place to hang out with readers—and writers!

I’ve been blessed with a wonderful network

of supportive, encouraging family and friends. You inspire me every day!

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Carpenter Needed.

Standing outside Arabesque, Amy Morgan studied the sign from the sidewalk in front of her dance studio, wondering if she should’ve added some details. Unfortunately, she admitted with a sigh, she really didn’t have any. She’d spent most of her life at the front of the stage, so she was well versed in choreography, costumes and toe shoes. The more practical elements of set design and construction, not so much. Now that her performing days were behind her, she’d have to learn the mundane aspects of the business, she supposed. She wasn’t exactly looking forward to it.

“So, you’re looking for a carpenter?”

Startled by the deep voice that came from behind—and far above—her, she spun into a wall of plaid flannel. Looking up, she saw that it led to windblown brown hair, tanned features and a pair of hazel eyes shot through with gold. When their owner smiled, they sparkled with honest male admiration, and her polite response flew straight out of her head.

Once she regained some of her usual composure, she carefully straightened to her full height, which was still a foot shorter than his. “Yes, I am.”

The smile warmed, and he offered her the biggest hand she’d ever seen. Covered in scars, some old and others more recent, it clasped hers with a surprisingly gentle touch. “Jason Barrett. My day job’s building custom pieces out at the sawmill, if you’d like some references for my work.”

“Amy Morgan.” When she registered his name more clearly, she asked, “Are you related to the Barretts who founded the town and run Barrett’s Mill Furniture?”

“Yeah, I am.” He pointed across the street to the trolley facade of the town’s famous diner. “I made the new planter benches for the Whistlestop and replaced the park benches and seats around the old gazebo in the square.”

Amy had admired the handmade pieces many times and was impressed with his obvious skill. “They’re very nice. You did them by yourself?”

“Start to finish.” Cocking his head, he grinned. “I take it that means you’re looking for someone who’s good at working alone.”