The Carpenter's Christmas (MyHeartChannel Book 3) Read online

  The Carpenter’s Christmas Romance

  Erica Penrod

  Copyright © 2018 by Erica Penrod

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  The Carpenter’s Christmas Romance

  Needing a miracle, Mandy Williams headed to Milwaukie where she hoped to find a stable job and a place to raise her two-year-old son. What she didn’t expect to find was Blake Jessop, her first love. His violet blue eyes still captivate her heart and his peaceful soul is like a siren to her troubled heart. But she broke Blake’s heart and he looks at her like she’s the Grinch who stole his Christmas spirit.

  Blake, a MyHeartChannel star, enjoyed his quiet life mostly behind the camera on the hit channel Tori’s Taking Over. Their latest project, a B&B in Milwaukie was humming along until Mandy showed up as the new manager. Mandy was the girl. The girl he measured every other woman by, the one who haunted his heart.

  Blake and Mandy can’t deny the feelings between them and get caught up in a holiday romance. But is the magic of Christmas strong enough to heal the past and take on the future?

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Epilogue

  Also by Erica Penrod

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Something was off. Mandy Williams looked across the folding table at the man who was supposed to interview her for her dream job. Jeremy Ross’s starched shirt and slacks fit a professional profile, but the way he fidgeted with the edges of his laptop and his eyes darted back and forth from hers to the screen made the situation seem otherwise. He acted like he was a handcuffed suspect in an interrogation room and she was the lead detective.

  Mandy couldn’t say why he seemed so nervous. She was the one being interviewed, the one who had changed her outfit three times and spent an extra fifteen minutes with liquid eyeliner. Maybe he was apprehensive about her situation as a single mother, something she made sure he was aware of through their email correspondence, and regretted their appointment.

  “Thanks for meeting me here, and I apologize for the makeshift office.” They sat in folding chairs. “I thought you’d want to see what you were getting yourself into.” Jeremy’s lip twitched as he grinned, and she was once again caught off guard by his familiarity. Her mind kept telling her that she should know him … or maybe his hazel eyes reminded her of someone?

  “No problem.” Mandy glanced around the construction zone. They sat in what she assumed would eventually be a sitting area adjacent to the kitchen. “This looks like it will be a great space when you’re finished.” She liked the square footage and the bay window.

  Jeremy’s eyes brightened, and he laughed. His shoulders relaxed, and the uneasiness she sensed earlier seemed to have dissipated. “I’m glad you think so. I can’t see it, but my wife assures me this will be just as good as the Whisper Creek Inn.”

  Mandy wondered why the sudden shift in moods, but she smiled at the mention of the local bed and breakfast her parents, Jim and Linda Brown, had managed over the last year. The Whisper Creek Inn was the only other B&B in Milwaukie, Oregon, and like this one, it was also owned by Jeremy Ross. “I know my parents love the place, and the way they’re always booked with guests means they must think so too.” Mandy loved the country charm of the B&B and visited as often as she could, but she’d never met Jeremy in person, although her mom and dad spoke highly of him.

  “Your parents are a lot of the appeal. Don’t get me wrong; the space is amazing thanks to some talented decorators and designers I know.” He chuckled and leaned back in the chair. “But with your mom’s cooking and your dad’s comedic talents and handyman skills, I know that’s a lot of the reason people keep coming back.”

  She shook her head. “Oh, no. I hope he’s not telling his knock-knock jokes to all the guests.”

  “I think so, but they seem to love it. We’re booked solid all through the holidays.”

  The mention of the upcoming season settled in her gut like too much turkey on Thanksgiving Day. This year would be difficult with so many reminders of the mess her life was in. Correction: had been. She’d moved to Milwaukie because she needed her family, even though she hated to burden them. Mandy once prided herself on independence, attempting to fix a leaky faucet before she asked for help, but this was different. Her decision to leave Ted and to become a single mother was still the right thing to do, but she hadn’t been realistic in just how hard the transition would be. Not that Ted had been any hands-on help with their son, but he’d always provided for them and she didn’t have to worry about the financial end of things. But now, thanks to Ted’s refusal to pay child support until ordered by the court, she had to. Prayerfully that would be soon. Never mind the fact that she took care of their child around the clock, kept the house clean, and had dinner on the table every night, even if he didn’t come home to eat it. He didn’t think she’d contributed to their income and therefore didn’t deserve half of their belongings. Mandy reminded him that he’d been the one who’d insisted she quit her job as manager of a prestigious hotel in Portland once they were married and moved to Eugene, but he’d simply rolled his eyes and walked away. There was no choice but to turn to her parents for help.

  “Not too many people put on a Thanksgiving feast like my mom does.” She folded her arms over her stomach.

  “I’m lucky they’re managing the Whisper Creek Inn, and I’m glad they’ve recommended you. I was so worried about getting someone to run this place.” He gestured to the house around them. “After working with Jim and Linda, I was afraid I’d never find anyone half as good as them, so when they said they had a daughter looking for a job, with a bachelor’s degree in hotel management, I was elated.”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat and tried to keep a steady smile. Mandy wanted to be up-front and reminded him about her son. “And you’re still comfortable with me being a single mother while managing the B&B?” Mandy searched his face for the nervousness she’d seen earlier, but his hazel eyes remained sunny and his smile only widened.

  “Of course.”

  On the drive over, Mandy had imagined this conversation and rehearsed what to say during the interview, but she couldn’t recall a single word. Her whole future felt as though it would be determined by whether she got this job or not. There weren’t many employment situations she could think of that allowed her to bring her child to work every day, and she wasn’t sure how she’d afford daycare until things were settled with the divorce. “I know that’s not ideal and that you’d probably prefer an older couple without kids, but I know I can do a good job.” Mandy knew she’d be able to manage the place, even with the unpredictability of motherhood, but there would be a learning curve. If she owned the B&B, she wouldn’t concern herself with how long the process might take, but she didn’t want to let someone else down.

  Jeremy pulled his phone from his pocket. “I’m not worried about that. Your dad said he’d be able to help maintain this place as well, and if you can cook anything like your mom, we’ll be set.” He s
crolled down the screen. “I understand about the kid part. We just had a baby. She’s only three months old.” He turned the phone, and Mandy saw the sweetest little round cherub face looking back at her.

  “She’s adorable. What’s her name?” Mandy was grateful for his understanding. While she knew how to manage reservations, keep records, and do accounting, the cooking part of the job was where she felt the least confident. Although she’d had years of practice, she never felt like she’d even come close to her mother in that department.

  “Ava.” He turned the picture towards himself and his face lit up. Mandy felt a little pierce in her heart. She’d never remembered seeing Ted look at Kade that way. Jeremy gazed off for a moment, and Mandy imagined he pictured his wife and child in his mind. A soft smile crept across his face.

  A knot formed in her throat and moisture collected in her eyes. Crying was never good in front of a potential employer. All she’d ever wanted was for someone to feel the way Jeremy obviously felt about his family for her and her son. Twice now she’d believed she had that kind of love, and both times she’d had her heart broken. But now was not the time to dwell on the past. Mandy had to think about tomorrow, and the next hundred days after that, and so on. Her son needed her.

  “So, what’s your son’s name?” Jeremy put his phone back in his pocket.

  “Kade.”

  “Cool name.”

  Mandy’s heart grew warm, just like it always did when she thought about her little boy. “Thanks.”

  “Anyway, back to the job.” Jeremy sat up and glanced at his laptop. “It’s yours if you want it.”

  “Really?” She forced herself to remain seated and not jump up and down. “I’d love it.”

  Jeremy closed the computer. “Would you like a tour? That way you can appreciate the before and after.”

  “That would be great.” Mandy stood up and smoothed her cardigan. “I’m so excited.”

  “I can officially add you to the payroll the first of December; then I’ll show you the reservation software program and get the office end of the job started then as well.” He met her on the other side of the table. “But we won’t be able to take reservations until the first of January.” He screwed up his face as he gazed around. “And by the looks of this place, I hope we make that deadline.”

  Mandy bit the inside of her lip. She hadn’t realized that the starting date would be another month away, which she should’ve clued in on since the B&B was still under construction. “Okay.” She looked down at the toes of her shoes, wondering if she could stretch her bank account until then if the court didn’t come through. She still needed a place of her own to rent.

  As if reading her mind, Jeremy said, “And you’re welcome to keep staying with your mom and dad until this place is finished.”

  “I don’t want to impose.” She glanced up at him. “And I’m sure the room’s reserved. You said you were already booked.”

  He nodded his head. “Yeah, it is, by you.”

  Her stomach knotted up. “I don’t think I can afford to stay there.”

  “Sure, you can. Your mom and I spoke about you coming a while ago, and you can pay for the rent by helping your mom out. I’m sure she could use some extra help with a full house.”

  She didn’t know what to say. Somehow her mom always found a way to take care of her. “All right. Thank you so much.”

  The front door swung open. “Looks like the crew has arrived.” Jeremy grinned.

  Mandy turned her head just as a man came through the door—and not just any man, but the only other guy she’d ever loved besides Ted. She blinked twice in disbelief as the floor appeared to stretch between them. Time stopped, then shifted into reverse, and the memories spun like a whirlwind through her head. Her heart plummeted to her toes and she couldn’t get any air. The room shrunk like she was Alice in Wonderland and she put her hand down on the table to steady herself.

  “Hey, Jeremy—” Blake Jessop froze in his tracks the second his eyes met hers.

  The proverbial pain she associated with her first love took over, and she couldn’t think of anyone or of anything other than him. That was the reason she never allowed herself to think of Blake. She’d gone twelve years between having her heart ripped out and seeing him again when they happened to run into one another at a restaurant in Portland a little over a year ago. Their chance encounter stirred up the old memories, and it had taken her more than a week to stuff them back in the corners of her mind. Her marriage was already in trouble, and the last thing she needed was to think about what might’ve been with an old flame. But Blake had never been just an old boyfriend; he was who she’d planned to spend her life with before Ted.

  “Mandy?” His eyes were still the same incredulous hue of a twilight sky, when the melted red sunset mixed with the darkening blue sky, casting off a purple haze. He seemed shorter than she remembered. Blake squared his shoulders and cleared his throat. “What are you doing here?” His voice was as welcoming as a rainstorm to a wedding day.

  “Blake!” Jeremy closed the door behind him, scowling at Blake’s rough tone. “I just hired her.”

  Blake turned from Mandy. “She’s working for you?”

  “Yeah, meet the new manager of this place. But I guess there’s no need for introductions, since you two are old friends.” Jeremy smiled at Mandy before he turned back to Blake. “That is, Mandy will manage the place if you don’t scare her off and if you ever get it done. Speaking of, where are the girls?”

  “They’re on their way,” Blake said through gritted teeth.

  Jeremy continued to ignore Blake’s tone. “I didn’t mention that my wife works for Tori Santos and that they’re the ones renovating the house.”

  A little smile tugged on her lips, and in spite of all the drama in her head, she felt a little bubble of excitement in her belly. “You mean the MyHeartChannel Tori’s Taking Over?”

  “That’s the one.” Blake stomped into the room and dropped his tool bag on the floor.

  Jeremy rolled his eyes and shook his head.

  Blake cocked a brow and pulled his mouth into a tight line.

  Mandy glanced at Blake, felt the sting of his contempt, and turned to Jeremy. “How do you know that?” she asked.

  “I met you briefly in a restaurant with Blake a while ago. Obviously, you didn’t remember me, and I didn’t know whether to bring it up or not.” That explained Jeremy’s curious behavior earlier and why she thought she’d seen him somewhere before. “Plus, I wanted you to take the job, and I was worried if you knew about my association with this guy, you’d turn down my offer.”

  Mandy looked over at Blake, who studied his phone like the secrets to the universe were written on the screen. She didn’t know if Jeremy was right or not. If she’d had any idea Blake worked in this small town before she moved in with her parents, maybe that would’ve changed things. But she had no other choice. Until the divorce was final, which was supposed to happen any time, and she had the alimony check to count on, there really wasn’t an alternative. Kade’s sweet face with his button nose and apricot skin came to her mind, and she decided she could handle seeing Blake Jessop now and then.

  “Tell Tori and Brianne I forgot something and I ran back to the shop to get it.” Blake jammed his phone into his pocket and rushed past her like he’d left his house on fire.

  Mandy closed her eyes and let the pain of her misplaced trust in Blake jab her one last time. For Kade, she could do just about anything, even suppress her memories and feelings from the past.

  By the way Blake slammed the door behind him, he wasn’t about to forget the way things ended between them any time soon.

  Chapter Two

  Blake parked his truck in the parking lot next to the riverside and rested his forehead on the steering wheel. His chest hurt, and anger flowed through his veins. He thought he and Jeremy were better friends than this. Jeremy knew who Mandy was, and yet he’d hired her anyway. Blake didn’t recall exactly what he’d to
ld Jeremy about her that night they’d seen her at the restaurant, but surely it had to have been enough for him to know how Blake would feel about working with her in the vicinity. He hadn’t felt like this the last time he’d seen Mandy. He’d only focused on the pain of losing her and not the resentment he’d carried for all these years at her unwillingness to forgive a stupid mistake.

  He got out of the truck, hoping to clear his head. Any moment now, he anticipated a phone call, so he yanked the phone from his pocket and switched it to silent. He knew Tori was expecting him, but he also knew that she was a friend before she was a boss and she’d understand once he explained the situation. Did he really want to explain anything to anyone? Blake was humiliated to still be so buggered up over a decade-old breakup.

  Blake zipped up his jacket and put his hands in his pockets. He cut between two trees and ducked beneath the lowest branch. Their limbs were bare, like they’d shed their colorful foliage robes to be showered in the winter rain. Blake marched towards the riverbank. Decaying leaves crunched beneath his feet, and the damp Oregon air was clammy and cool against his skin. As the anger receded, the truth emerged, and he wasn’t as mad at Jeremy as he was at himself.

  He pulled the hood up over his head as embarrassment flushed his cheeks. He’d thrown a tantrum, stomped around, and slammed the door like he was a child. If Mandy thought he was immature all those years ago, imagine what she thought of him now. He kicked at a rock on the edge of the embankment and watched it drop into the water. If only he could rid his heart of her as easily, or at the very least trade it in for a new one. Because this heart was broken, and no matter how many times he tried to repair it, it always beat the same way for Mandy.