A Kiss In The Snow

A Christmas gift straight from the heart of Susan Mallery, one of today’s most beloved writers—a brand-new Fool’s Gold romance!

Cupcake baker Nancee Smith is stunned when search-and-rescue pilot Jesse “Shep” Sheppard strides into her kitchen. The last time she saw the Ghost of Heartbreaks Past was the night before he left her at the altar. He said he loved her, then didn’t even say goodbye.

Now Shep claims he’s done dashing away at the first sign of forever. The romance of Fool’s Gold at Christmas tempts her to have faith—snow glistening on rooftops like great swirls of frosting, twinkle lights in every window—but this time around, she’s the one with cold feet. If promises alone aren’t enough to sway her, Shep will have to show her the love in his heart.

“Susan Mallery never disappoints.” —#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

Praise for Susan Mallery and her New York Times bestselling Fool’s Gold series

“Susan Mallery is one of my favorites.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author

Debbie Macomber

“Romance novels don’t get much better than Mallery’s expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.”

—Booklist

“Touching, insightful, and funny, this lively romance addresses some serious relationship issues as it delivers another satisfying, page-turning winner.”

—Library Journal on Kiss Me

“Heartwarming… Deft characterization and an absorbing story line will keep readers coming back.”

—Publishers Weekly on When We Met

“Ms. Mallery masterfully weaves new characters into the fabric of Fool’s Gold, but always catches us up on the lives of its very unique residents. Fool’s Gold has a certain rhythm that makes it a warm, homey place with a little bit of magic.”

—Fresh Fiction on Thrill Me

“Mallery delivers another engaging romance in magical Fool’s Gold.”

—Kirkus Reviews on Just One Kiss

“The wildly popular and prolific Mallery can always be counted on to tell an engaging story of modern romance.”

—Booklist

“Mallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humor, and small-town shenanigans.”

—Publishers Weekly on Summer Days

A Kiss in the Snow

Susan Mallery

www.millsandboon.co.uk

I’m one of the luckiest authors in the world. Seriously, I have the best readers anywhere. This book is dedicated to the delightful, creative and fun Kim V.R. I’m thrilled that your girls’ week friends, radiation friends and Inez got you addicted to romance, and I adored meeting you.

And…

To reader Paula B.,

who asked that this book be “dedicated to

my son Tom B. for making my dream come true.”

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Praise

Title Page

Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

“HELLO, NANCEE.”

Nancee Smith shrieked, jumped and spun toward the unexpected voice. For a second all she saw was the sheer size of the intruder. The icing spatula she waved seemed woefully inadequate as a weapon. Then she blinked and focused, only to realize she wasn’t in any danger—at least not physically. Emotionally was a whole other story.

“Shep?”

Her throat tightened as she spoke the man’s name. Jesse Sheppard—known as Shep to his friends—had blown in and out of her life for the past ten years. They had more than a past. They were practically a Lifetime movie franchise.

She pressed a hand to her chest—as if that would help her breathing slow. “What on earth are you doing here?”

“Here as in Fool’s Gold or here as in your great-aunt’s kitchen?”

Good question. “How about both?”

His gaze settled on the spatula. “You planning to run me through with that?”

“It’s not sharp enough to do any damage.” Not that she wanted to physically hurt him. Not exactly. She set the icing tool on the counter and waited for him to explain his presence. Which shouldn’t take long. Shep had never been much of a talker.

They’d met her first summer in college. She’d taken a part-time job with the forestry department. Mostly manning the welcome center, where she warned visitors not to feed the bears or light fires outside designated camping areas. Shep had been one of the permanent rangers, and he’d had her from the second their eyes had met.

She supposed every woman had one of those kind of men in their lives, and if they didn’t, they should. She’d tried to play it cool, but there was no way she could resist his broad shoulders or green eyes. He’d been tall, muscled and mostly silent, but when he’d smiled...well, her heart had filled in what he hadn’t said.

They’d spent the summer together. When she’d had to go back to college in September, he’d promised to stay in touch. Only he hadn’t. He’d moved on, and she’d thought she had lost him forever.

Three years later, he’d shown up in her life, only to leave again. Two years after that, he’d done it for the last time. She’d sworn she was over him. Over as in done. With a capital D. Finito.

Yet here he was, in her great-aunt’s kitchen