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  Sweet Dreams

  A Christmas in New England story

  Kari Lemor

  Rycon Press

  Sweet Dreams

  Faking it has never been so sweet.

  When Zachary Donahue breezes back into town for his sister’s wedding, he finds himself the unwilling target of her matchmaking. He’s partnered with her best friend, Kelsey, his biggest childhood crush.

  Bridesmaid, Kelsey Ramos, isn’t interested in being set up with her friend’s annoying older brother who used to put frogs and snakes in her backpack. She liked the frogs better than she liked Zack.

  To ensure the bride focuses on her wedding, not them, Kelsey and Zack will have to pretend they’re dating. But when Christmas magic hits the air, there’s no telling which way the wind will blow.

  SWEET DREAMS © 2021 by Kari Lemor

  Cover Art by: Karasel

  Photos: depositphoto

  RyCon Press

  * * *

  First Electronic Edition: Oct 2021

  ISBN - 978-1-954056-12-1

  First Print Edition: Oct 2021

  ISBN - 978-1-954056-13-8

  * * *

  All rights reserved under the International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, organizations, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  Books By Kari Lemor

  Love on the Line – light romantic suspense

  Wild Card Undercover

  Running Target

  Fatal Evidence

  Hidden Betrayal

  Death Race

  Tactical Revenge

  * * *

  Storms of New England – small town contemporary

  Elusive Dreams – Erik & Tessa

  True Dreams – Sara & TJ

  Stolen Dreams – Alex & Gina

  Broken Dreams – Nathaniel & Darcy

  Lost Dreams – Greg & Alandra

  Faded Dreams – Luke & Ellie

  Forgotten Dreams (Christmas novella)

  Sweet Dreams (Christmas novella)

  * * *

  Last Chance Beach World

  Secrets Under the Sun (Nov 2021)

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to everyone who had a hand in getting me to this point in my writing career. My husband and kids, whose support could not be surpassed. I love you all.

  My team of ladies who are the best ever. Meredith, Kris, and especially Emily who shines everything I write until it sparkles.

  The Gems, who make sure to share everything I do with all their readers. I am so grateful.

  To all the amazing readers who have left reviews and made me think I should keep doing this.

  To the fabulous Storm family for inspiring me to keep hanging out in Squamscott Falls with all your friends.

  And to winter in New England, may you always be a thing of beauty!

  This book is dedicated to the Reason for the Season!

  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

  Forgotten Dreams

  Chapter 1

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Kelsey Ramos tugged on the neckline of the pastel dress she was trying on and sighed. Not really her style, but her best friend, Kristan Donahue, was getting married in less than a month, and this was the dress she’d picked out for her bridesmaids on her special day.

  “What do you think?” Kristan asked as she sashayed into the large showroom draped in white satin and lace. Exactly the kind of dress Kelsey pictured her friend getting married in.

  “You look beautiful, Kris.” Kelsey wasn’t kidding. With her long auburn hair and pale skin, Kristan was the epitome of a blushing bride. “I’m sure Mark will trip over himself when he sees you in it.”

  Kristan rolled her eyes as she fiddled with the long lace sleeve. “I don’t want him tripping over anything. And the dress is hardly sexy, but I simply fell in love with it.”

  “It’s perfect for you, hon.” The sweetheart neckline gave a small peek of Kristan’s cleavage, while the rest of the dress snuggled her curves till just past her hips where the fabric flared out and fell to end in a long train.

  Stepping onto the small pedestal so the seamstress could make adjustments, Kristan peeked over her shoulder at the others. Her future sister-in-law, Edele, made a sassy face in the mirror as she examined the dress, and their other friend, Ashley, twirled attempting to get the skirt to swirl out as she spun.

  Kelsey mostly wanted to get back in her jeans. Blowing her bangs off her face, she tucked her short, dark hair behind her ears.

  “Are we done here? I’ve got to get back to the store.”

  She owned Sweet Dreams, a local candy store and bakery in downtown Squamscott Falls, New Hampshire. With it being the first week in December, business had picked up. The surrounding stores had all kicked into high gear with sales and merchandise for the coming holidays.

  Most of Kelsey’s business was consumables, and she had an entire section of gift sets. Boxed mixes of muffins, cakes, breads, soups, and dips. Also jars of local jelly, honey, and sauces. When she combined them in a basket with a fancy bow, they flew off the shelves. Customers didn’t mind paying a few dollars more for the ready-made present.

  Right now, she had a college student working the counter, but hated to leave her there for too long. Luckily, Luci Storm, her baker, was happy to jump in and help if it got crowded. But that meant she wasn’t in the back baking and creating her pastries and delicacies.

  Sweet Dreams provided breakfast pastry for The Inn at the Falls, which Kristan’s family owned and she and her future husband managed. Several other hotels and Bed and Breakfasts had started using them for their continental breakfast as well.

  Kristan glided down from her perch like a queen and examined Kelsey’s dress. “Does it need to be taken in anywhere?”

  “I think it’s good as is.”

  One of the seamstresses cocked her head and pinched at the extra fabric on the side. “We can make this more streamlined to your figure. It’ll only take a minute to pin it. Hold still.”

  Kelsey tried so hard not to moan and complain. If she ever got married, she’d want her friends happy to be at their fittings. But who was she kidding? Like she’d ever get married. She was crap at picking guys. Seems almost every one she’d dated was a loser. A few might have been decent, but they’d been too boring, or too rigid. That didn’t mesh with her personality.

  “You know, Zack will be arriving tomorrow.” Kristan’s sly smile flashed her way. Oh, her friend better not be matchmaking again. Especially not with her brother. Kelsey and Zack didn’t always see eye to eye.

  “So early? Your wedding isn’t until after New Year’s.”

  Kristan shrugged. “He’s doing something on Appledore Island. A marine biology thing.”

  Appledore Island was the largest of the Isles of Shoals off the coast and had some marine laboratory on it. That made sense since Zachary Donahue was a marine biologist. Doubtful, she’d run into him much. Which was just hun
ky dory with her.

  “You’ll have to come for dinner some night when Zack’ll be there. So you can catch up.” Kristan’s innocent smile didn’t fool Kelsey at all. Now that her friend was blissfully not-single anymore, she wanted everyone else to join her in being a happy couple.

  She’d have to think again. Kelsey was perfectly fine as a single and didn’t have room or the need for a man in her life. Trying to build up her business took all her time and energy.

  “You’ve told me all about his adventures, Kris, so I don’t need to talk to him about them. As I recall, his traveling all over has been kind of a sore spot for you. I wouldn’t think you’d want to listen as he droned on and on regaling us with details.”

  Kristan’s eyes narrowed. Yep, she’d been caught in her own net. “I was only annoyed because I’d needed help running The Inn, but now that Mark has stepped up to assist me, Zachary is free to wander wherever he likes.”

  Kelsey glanced at the seamstress as she poked what she hoped was the last pin into the dress. “Well, I have to wander back to work so I can pay for this beautiful dress. Your wedding will be gorgeous, Kris. You’ll see.”

  Her friend’s calm face stared serenely back. “Oh, I’m not worried about the wedding. I’ve organized enough of them, I could do it in my sleep. Think about spending some time with Zack while he’s here. I’m pretty sure he had a crush on you back when we were in high school.”

  Kelsey laughed. “Pretty sure he had something, but it wasn’t a crush on me. More like a bad attitude about anyone I dated.”

  Kristan smirked. “Because he had a crush on you and didn’t want you dating anyone else.”

  “Sure, hon, you keep telling yourself that.” Kelsey scurried into the back room to remove the dress, then handed it to one of the salespeople. Comfortably in her old clothes, she waved a goodbye to all the others and skedaddled. Fortunately, the bridal store was only a few blocks from Sweet Dreams.

  As she nipped down the street, she pulled at her coat collar to keep the cold wind from dipping inside. Thoughts of Zachary Donahue drifted through her mind.

  Growing up, he’d always been the annoying older brother who had to pester them whenever she and Kristan had playdates. His pranks had gotten worse as they’d matured and moved onto sleepovers. Frogs in the sleeping bags, ghostly sounds outside the bedroom windows, even hiding their clothes and towels while they were swimming in the lake.

  Once she and Kristan had matured enough to start dating, he’d been overprotective of who they went out with. Kelsey could understand him being concerned about his sister, but not her. Yet, Zack had been quite verbal in his dislike of some of the guys Kelsey had dated through the years. Telling him to mind his own business hadn’t worked that well. To be fair, many of the guys she’d dated had been losers, so Zack had been telling the truth. Didn’t make her like the fact he’d stuck his nose in her business time and time again.

  Since she wasn’t currently seeing anyone, at least he couldn’t critique her choice of men now. Maybe he’d just tease her about not having a guy in her life. Did he have anyone? Doubtful, if his sister was trying to hook him up with her. Kelsey was pretty sure he’d resist that idea if thrown at him.

  As she entered the store and got to work helping a customer, Kelsey was relieved she wouldn’t have to fight that battle alone.

  Zachary Donahue yanked at the front door to The Inn at the Falls and cheerfully stepped into the lobby. The festive holiday decorations sucked him into memories of years gone by. The Christmas tree in the corner. The twin wreaths on the front doors that complemented the greenery along the hearth, archways, and registration desk. The scent of balsam in the air. And his sister standing in the doorway of her office in a green dress with red accents. Heaven forbid Kristan not dress according to the season.

  “I’m hooooome,” he cried out. His voice took on the creepy note of a horror film instead of a holiday movie.

  Kris glanced up and frowned her disapproval. But in seconds, she was in his arms giving him an embrace like she hadn’t seen him in forever. Closer to the truth than he’d like. He hadn’t seen her, or his parents, in almost a year. He’d been back in Squamscott Falls last year at Christmas and had stayed until a few days after the new year. But nothing since then.

  “It’s good to see you. I’m glad you’re back early.”

  He shrugged. “It just worked out that the marine center on the Shoals was looking for a consultant for a new project.”

  Kristan eased back and smiled at him. “How long is the job?”

  “I’m signed on for five weeks. We’ll see if it lasts longer.” Did he want it to last longer? Christmas in New England was like no place else he’d been.

  “And your company is okay with you leaving them for that long?”

  “It’s slower this time of year, so if I take on this project, they don’t have to lay anyone else off. We hire extra people depending on the work, but can’t always keep them all on permanently.”

  “Whatever the reason, I’m happy you’re home. I’ve got tons of work to do, but you can chat with me in my office while I do it. I want to hear what you’ve been up to.”

  He gave his sister a peck on the cheek. “As much as that sounds riveting, I’ve been in the car for six hours straight. I need to walk around. Can we catch up at Mom and Dad’s tonight? She said she was making Shepard’s Pie.”

  Kristan gazed skyward. “I guess so. Mark and I won’t be able to make it until closer to seven due to an event tonight. Is that too late?”

  “Will the event be over by then?”

  Kris got a sheepish look on her face. “No, but the food service will be and that’s Mark’s area.”

  Was his sister giving up some of her hard won control? “Who’s taking care of the rest of the event? It’s not like my baby sister to leave before every last piece of dust has been swept and tossed out.”

  Making a face at him, she swung her long hair behind her shoulder. “I have qualified staff who can close an event. I don’t have to do everything myself.”

  Zack gave a hearty laugh and hugged her again. “Boy, that fiancé of yours has done wonders for your need to micro-manage. I like him even more now.”

  “Oh, stop. I wouldn’t have needed to do every little thing myself if I’d had my brother taking his place at my side and running the business with me, like Mom and Dad wanted.”

  It was Zack’s turn to gaze skyward. He’d never wanted anything to do with The Inn. It had been a great place for a summer or weekend job, but it had never been his life, like it was Kristan’s.

  “I’m sorry I wasn’t around to help, but let’s face it, Kris, my goals were, and still are, very different from yours. Besides, if I had taken over the manager position, you’d be second fiddle, and there wouldn’t have been any room for Mark. Now, you get to run the place with your true love, and I get to play with my fish.”

  Kristan threw her head back and laughed. “Play with your fish. You used to get so mad when I called it that.”

  Zack patted her on the head like he’d done as kids, and said, “Yes, and I’ve matured since then, so I can look back and laugh on it now.”

  “Oh, I missed you, Zack. Can you please come home to stay? I won’t even make you do anything for The Inn.”

  The thought wasn’t as unpleasant as it had been years ago when he’d first left town. Not that he wanted to help run the family business, but seeing his parents and sister, and possibly even some old friends on a regular basis, sounded pleasant. A boat in the middle of the ocean could get chilly at times.

  “So, little sister, do you have any free rooms for me to use, or are you going to make me sleep in my old room at home with the narrow twin bed and my cross country and hockey trophies?”

  Kris smirked. “Mom threw those trophies out years ago. Sorry, dude.”

  “But it’s still a twin bed, right?”

  Kris nodded. “I think she’s hoping to use it for grandkids someday.”

  “Wel
l, you better get to work on that.”

  “If you stayed on dry land long enough, you might find someone to help you with it, too.”

  “Not happening any time soon. Now, are you taking pity on me with a room, or will I be sporting a back ache for the next month?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “It’s a busy time of year, and we’re full up.”

  “Oh, geez, Kris, I have to—”

  “But lucky for you, there’s one room in the middle of renovations that I can’t rent out. The old wallpaper was torn down, but we haven’t gotten the painters in there yet. As long as you don’t mind that, you can have the room.”

  After grabbing Kristan by the shoulders, he planted a sloppy kiss on her cheek. “You are the best. I’ll toss my bag in there, then take a stroll through downtown.”

  “Hey, favorite brother,” Kristan called out as she backpedaled to the front desk and retrieved a key card. Handing it to him, she continued, “While you’re on your walk, can you stop in at Sweet Dreams and get some of their apple strudel? Mom loves it for breakfast, and they’ll be closing before I can get there. Make sure to talk to the owner because we get a discount.”

  “Sweet Dreams? Isn’t that a candy shop?” He’d seen it briefly when he was home last year but hadn’t gone in.

  “Candy shop and bakery. Luci Storm is the baker there.”

  His stomach growled in response. “Luci Storm? They snagged her? I may have to spend lots of time there while I’m home.”

  Kristan’s eyes gleamed with mischief. Like when she’d put toothpaste in the middle of the Oreos, and he’d taken a huge bite. She swiftly pivoted, but not before he heard her mumble, “That’s what I was hoping for.”