The Christmas Campaign
She's his odds-on favouriteRunning for mayor of his Mississippi town wasn't even a twinkle in Peter Elliott's eye. But it could bring Cedar Grove's favorite son one step closer to his dream of building a youth center. He'd better watch out, though. Town councilwoman Nicole Montgomery has just thrown her hat into the ring.The independent, smart-as-a-whip brunette is leagues away from the bookish girl Peter knew in high school. And he knows in his heart that Nicole would make a great mayor. So does his cousin Jake, who could be edging out Peter in his campaign to convince the love-wary beauty that he's the best candidate for her.
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Sheâs his odds-on favorite
Running for mayor of his Mississippi town wasnât even a twinkle in Peter Elliottâs eye. But it could bring Cedar Groveâs favorite son one step closer to his dream of building a youth center. Heâd better watch out, though. Town councilwoman Nicole Montgomery has just thrown her hat into the ring.
The independent, smart-as-a-whip brunette is leagues away from the bookish girl Peter knew in high school. And he knows in his heart that Nicole would make a great mayor. So does his cousin Jake, who could be edging out Peter in his campaign to convince the love-wary beauty that heâs the best candidate for her.
There was something magical about tonight.
Until now, Nicole had been more comfortable around Jake because he was like one of her brothers, always teasing, keeping her off guard. And Peter, well, she certainly hadnât thought of him as her brother, and anytime they veered away from subjects like the mayorâs race or city council business, her words stuck in her throat.
She glanced up, right into his blue eyes, and her heart fluttered. No, definitely not like a brother.
She yanked her gaze away. Her feelings were still reeling from being trampled by her last boyfriend, and she refused to go there. Keep it light.
Focusing forward, Nicole helped Peter load the presents for the shelterâs kids into his truck, hoping sheâd be able to follow her own advice.
We all want to win and we all want to be chosen. It starts in childhood when we want to be picked firstânot lastâfor a team and continues into our adult years when we want to be chosen by someone special.
And when it comes to winning, itâs a given that no one wants to lose. But what happens when winning becomes more important than anything else?
My characters in The Christmas Campaign struggle with these issues. Nicole never worried in high school about being chosen for a teamâbeing a great athlete, she was always the team captain and the one doing the choosing, but when it came to dates...well...her brother took her to the senior prom. And then when someone finally does choose her, after four years it suddenly ends. So when cousins Peter Elliott and Jake OâNeil start paying attention to her, she is more than a little leery.
All their lives, Peter and Jake have competed against each other, and that doesnât change when they get reacquainted with Nicole. Not only that, they are in a contest with half a million dollars at stake.
I loved writing this story and hope you enjoy it, as well.
Patricia
Connect with me at patriciabradleyauthor.com and let me know what you think about the way Nicole, Jake and Peter dealt with their struggles.
PATRICIA BRADLEY lives in north Mississippi with her rescue cat, Suzy. She presents workshops on healthy relationships and writing. But her heart is tuned to writing stories of love and hope with happily-ever-after endings. When sheâs not writing or presenting workshops, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens. She loves to connect with readers on Facebook.
To my friend Joyce Dickey. You have overcome.
Thank you, Kathryn Lye, for your awesome work sharpening this story and catching my many mistakes. And to the wonderful team at Mills & Boon Heartwarmingâthank you. You are the best.
Contents
IT HAD BEEN Monday morning all day, and it was after three on the last day of November. Not even the soft music or small Christmas tree Peter Elliottâs assistant had placed in the corner of his spacious Social Services office lessened the tension in the room.
Peter tented his fingers and searched for the most diplomatic way to say no to the man across from him. No matter what he came up with, Cal Sheridan would not be happy. He decided to go with direct.
âI appreciate that as a foster parent, you and your wife would like to take Logan, but Iâm not separating the twins.â
Sheridan locked his jaw in place. âIt looks to me like itâd be better if at least one of the boys was in a decent home instead of the shelter.â
A dull headache throbbed in Peterâs head. Cal Sheridan had twenty years on him, but no one could make his blood pressure spike like this man, whether it was in Calâs capacity as truant officer for the city schools or voting against him on the Cedar Grove city council. âThe shelter is not the abyss. Sarah Redding provides a warm and loving environment, and theyâve been with her for two years now. Sheâs like a mother to them.â
