Chapter 1

CHAPTER

ONE

Blakely

Seeing the leaves start to change has added a little pep to my step. Fall is my favorite time of year. It means the holidays, and I love everything about them, especially Christmas. I don’t know what it is, but the magic of the season never fails to put a smile on my face. Also, it’s pumpkin everything, comfy sweaters, and boots. What’s not to love?

“Good morning, Sally.” I smile at the receptionist at the front desk as I walk into Willow River General Hospital.

“Good morning, Blakely,” she replies.

I wave as I make my way to the executive offices where my office is located. I graduated college last June and was lucky enough to land the assistant director of marketing position that had just been vacated. I don’t know if my uncle Brooks had anything to do with my position. He’s an emergency room nurse and has worked here for years. I want to think that I got the position on my own merit, but I wouldn’t put it past my uncle, or anyone in my family, to put a good word in for me.

Willow River, Georgia, is a small town, and we are a big family. It’s hard to find someone in this town who doesn’t know someone that I’m related to. It can be a blessing and a curse at times.

After flipping the light on in my office, I place my purse and my bag on the desk. I grin because today is Friday, and I have plans to go shopping in Harris with my best friend, Isla. We’ve been best friends since kindergarten. She loves the holidays almost as much as I do. That’s why it was easy to convince her to shop with me for a small tree for my office.

I’m barely sitting at my desk when there’s a knock at my door. Glancing up, I see my boss, Hilary, smiling at me. “Good morning.”

“Morning.”

“You have a few minutes?” Hilary asks.

“For you, always.” I beam at her. Hilary is the best boss. She’s been the director of marketing here at Willow River General for two decades. She’s on her way out, and she claims she’s going to groom me to take over her position.

I’m not mad about it.

Hilary steps inside my office and takes one of the two chairs sitting across from my desk. “I’d like you to take point on the Christmas gala this year.”

“By take point, you mean…?” I’m pretty sure I know what she’s asking, and it makes my heart beat just a little faster as my excitement mounts. This is a huge deal, and she’s leaving it all up to me. At least, that’s what it sounds like. It’s why I’m going to need clarification. There is no room for assumption.

“What I’m saying is that I want this to be your event. I’ve told you I plan to retire, and I need to know I’m leaving the gala, which was my idea, my baby, in good hands. I’ll be here for anything you need, but this one is all you.”

I nod slowly, trying with everything I have not to let my excitement show. I need to remain professional. “I know we have the date set. What else is established?”

“Caterers are booked, but we need to confirm the menu. The florist is also booked, and we need to confirm the flowers. The event will be held at Willow Manor, as it is every year.” She smiles.

“I’ll contact M—Kennedy and see what else we need.” I almost called her mom. That could have been bad.

Hilary chuckles. “You can call her mom, Blakely. It’s fine.”

I sit up straighter in my chair. “I’m trying to stay professional.” It’s no secret that I tend to speak my mind. Trust me, there are some stories my family could tell you from when I was younger. I was quite the comedian, if I say so myself. I wasn’t even trying. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned to speak up for myself. I get that from my mom, my aunts, and my grandma. Hell, I might as well throw my dad and my uncles onto that list as well. Their unwavering support made me who I am today.

“We do have one issue. The event photographer went out of business. He retired.”

“I have a photographer connection,” I’m quick to say. Palmer and Scarlett will be all over this event.

Hilary nods. “I thought you might. I know you’re going to excel and the annual Christmas gala will be the best it’s ever been.”

“Thank you for this opportunity. I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t. Please, send me weekly reports. An email is fine, or stop by my office anytime. I’m just down the hall.” She chuckles. “Oh, and you’ll be working with Dr. Thompson.”

I can’t hold my surprise. “Really?”

“Yep. You know we like to have our physicians on committees for the hospital. He didn’t volunteer for one, so we assigned one for him. Well, Tom did.”

Tom is the CEO of the hospital. Surely, there was a committee better suited for Dr. Thompson than this one. He’s grumpy as hell—gorgeous but grumpy. I can’t see him getting into the planning of the gala.

“Okay. So, I need to meet with Dr. Thompson. Got it.”

“In the past, he’s just agreed with everything I want to do. I don’t expect any flak from him.”

“So, I’m going to do all the work.” I laugh.

“You’re going to organize, yes. You have the power to delegate, and do so as you see fit.”

“To Dr. Thompson?” I ask.

Hilary shrugs. “Sure, it’s in his contract that he needs to take part. I just never pushed the issue. I don’t know how much help he will be, but if he gives you any trouble, let me know and I’ll take it to Tom.”

“Oh, I’m sure it will be fine.” I wave her off. The last thing I want is the grumpy doctor to be even grumpier by me telling on him. Besides, being able to have free rein with the gala is pretty damn appealing. My mind is already racing with all the ideas I can implement.

“I know we have lots of community events that the hospital is going to have a presence at that you are in charge of. If it gets to be too much, you let me know, and we’ll delegate that as well.”

“I’ve got this.” I’ve been looking forward to all the events since I started. Who cares if I have to put in a few more hours than normal? This is my dream job, and I’m basically living my best life during my favorite time of year. It won’t even feel like work.

“I’m confident that you do.” Hilary smiles as she stands. “I’m here as a resource, and if you need me to jump in on any task, let me know. I know how overwhelming this can be, and you already have a packed workload with the holiday season approaching.”

“Thank you. I’ll let you know if I need anything.” I stand and hold out my hand. “Thank you for trusting me with this. I won’t let you down.” Hilary shakes my hand, then steps out of my office.

I plop back down in my chair and, with shaking hands, dig my phone out of my purse. I fire off a message to my parents in our group chat. My family has several, but this one is just the three of us. We have one with my siblings too.

Me: Guess what?

Mom: You’re dating someone?

Dad: Who do I have to kill?

Me: Dad, I’m twenty-two. I’m allowed to date.

Dad: Says who?

I roll my eyes, but I’m smiling. I could have predicted that’s exactly what my dad was going to say in his reply.

Me: I get to organize the Christmas gala. I’m in charge!

Mom: That’s great, Blake.

Mom: We get to work together. I’m so proud of you.

Dad: Great job, sweetheart.

Me: Thank you. I’m so pumped. Anyway, I need to get back to work. I just had to tell someone.

Mom: Come over for dinner tonight. We’ll celebrate.

Mom: Bring Isla.

Dad: Isla, I approve of.

I can picture him smirking down at his phone.

Me: We’ll be there. Larry will be too.

Dad: Larry? Who the fuck is Larry?

Mom: Declan, language.

Dad: She’s an adult, Kennedy.

Me: Exactly. Larry says hi.

I giggle as I quickly send Mom a message that’s just for her.

Me: Serves him right.

Mom: LOL. He’s going to blow up my phone all day now. Thanks for that.

Me: You’re welcome. Love you.

Mom: Love you too.

Opening my desk drawer, I place my phone inside so there won’t be any distractions and get to work. I have a lot to do in a very short amount of time.

Pulling into my parents' driveway, I see the curtain move in the living room. Without a shadow of a doubt, my dad is the culprit behind it. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. He knew I was kidding, but the thought of some random Larry guy has, I’m certain, had him on edge all day. It was like this when I was dating in high school, but I’m an adult now. I moved away to college, just to Atlanta, but it was a freedom I’d never experienced. Sure, I got my heart broke and made mistakes, but that’s what growing up is all about. My dad wants to protect me, but I’m a big girl. One day, when I bring the man I’m going to marry home with me, I hope he understands that. Until then, I like to keep him guessing.

As I make my way to the front porch, the door opens, and Dad steps out onto the porch. He opens his arms for me, and I step into his embrace. “Hi, Daddy.”

“Missed you,” he mumbles before kissing the top of my head. “Where’s this Larry character?”

“Oh, he’s at my place in bed, keeping it warm until I get home.”

“Blakely,” he warns. His tone is stern and growly. Just like old times.

“I’m kidding. You know there’s no Larry.”

“Are you trying to give your old man a heart attack? You do realize I’m too young to die,” he says, leading me into the house.

“Who died?” my little brother, Beckham, asks. He steps in front of Dad to hug me. He’s sixteen and almost a foot taller than I am. I wrap my arms around him, returning his embrace.

“No one,” I say as Dad mumbles, “Larry.” Beckham just shakes his head and heads off toward the kitchen.

“Blake!” my little sister, Brooklyn, calls out. I hear footsteps as they carry her down the hall. Brooklyn is four years younger than Beckham. She’s smart as hell, and she’s the spitting image of our mother.

“Hey, Brooky,” I say, returning her embrace.

“Let me in on that,” Mom says. She wipes her hands on a kitchen towel and folds her arms around Brooklyn and me. She finally steps back and smiles. “Did Isla come with you?”

“No, she had a date tonight.”

“Date?” Dad asks. “With who?”

I chuckle. “You do know she’s not your daughter, right?” I ask him.

He shrugs. “Might as well be.”

“Dad, she’s too hot to be my sister,” Beckham speaks up.

“She’s too old for you,” Mom tells him.

“Age is just a number.”

“Six years isn’t so bad. However, she’d go to jail, so I’m thinking you need to at least wait until you're eighteen to shoot your shot,” I tell my brother.

Mom swats at my arm playfully. “Don’t encourage him.” She’s smiling, and I’m pretty sure Beckham is just trying to get a rise out of her.

I think….

“She and I are going shopping tomorrow,” I tell them. “I’m going to look for a Christmas tree for my office.”

“I’m sure we have a small one at the manor you can use,” Mom offers.

“Thank you, but shopping for a small tree and all the ornaments is part of the fun.”

“Are you allowed to have that in your office? Is that not a fire hazard or something?” Dad asks.

“Yep. I’ll make sure it’s unplugged before I leave every day.”

“Do you need money?” Dad asks.

My heart melts. I have the best parents a girl could ask for. “No, but thank you for the offer.” I smile at him.

“Dad, did you know that there is this cool thing called a job? And guess what else? Blake has one. She’s even an adult now. How did you miss that?” Beckham asks.

“All right, smart-ass.” Dad chuckles. “I just want to make sure my kids have everything they need.”

“In that case, I could use some cash. Orion and Caden are picking me up after dinner to go to the movies.” Beckham bats his eyelashes, which has me cracking up. “What? It works for the three of you.”

Dad just shakes his head as he reaches into his wallet for some cash and hands it over.

“Consider that an advance for helping me clean out the garage tomorrow,” Mom tells him.

“Anything for you.” Beckham smacks a kiss on her cheek. “Congrats on the job or whatever,” Beckham says as he turns to me. “That’s why we get Mom's cheesy chicken and rice, so go you. Keep that shit up.”

“Beckham!” Mom scolds, but she’s laughing, so the scolding is useless. My brother just grins and winks at me before loading up his plate.

“This is our favorite, right, Blake?” Brooklyn nods, filling her own plate.

“You bet.” I make my way around the island in the kitchen to do the same.

My little sister just turned twelve. She’s in that stage where she wants to be an adult and loves anything I do, but she still wants to be a kid too. I tell her she has plenty of time to be an adult, to enjoy being young while she can. Not that adult life is bad, but I don’t want her to grow up too fast. She’s ten years younger than me. Watching her grow up has been fun, and I try to be there for her, for both of them, anyway that I can, but damn, her growing up gets me in my feels.

I can’t imagine what our parents feel like. Brooklyn is the baby of the house. The older I get, the faster time seems to pass by. I’ve heard that from my parents and my aunts and uncles, but with each year that passes, I understand that statement more and more.

We eat dinner and catch up. It feels good to spend time with my family. Beckham leaves with our cousins, Caden and Orion, and I spend a little time with Brooklyn in her room. She catches me up on all the drama with her friends while I paint her nails.

It’s a good night—the perfect end to the best day.