Her Mistletoe Man

Carolyn Greene

ALL HE WANTED FOR CHRISTMAS… was to get away from the hustle and bustle of another lonely holiday season. But when Tucker Maddock stopped at what he thought was a quaint country inn, he found himself at a reunion of the big, boisterous Marsh family–who instantly welcomed their "long-lost cousin" with open arms….It was tempting to pretend, just for a little while, that this close, loving family was his own. But there was one small problem–a woman named Ruth Marsh. She was suspicious of him from the start–and so beautiful, he definitely didn't want her to think they were related!And suddenly Tucker could think of something he'd really like to unwrap come Christmas morning….

“The first Christmas kiss of the season is good luck,” Tucker said, pointing to the cluster of greenery that dangled above them.

“Really?” Ruth said doubtfully. “I never heard of that tradition.”

“Neither did I,” he admitted. “I just made it up.”

He touched his mouth to hers then, the movement brief yet decisive. And more than a little pleasurable.

When their lips parted, she met his gaze. Her clear, golden-brown eyes appeared to be smiling, as if she had enjoyed the kiss as much as he had.

The first Christmas kiss under the mistletoe. As far as he was concerned, it was indeed a lucky kiss.

He lifted his head to thank his lucky stars—and the little green ball of leaves that dangled over their heads.

“Oops, I was mistaken,” he told her without a hint of remorse. “That’s not mistletoe…it’s holly.”

Her Mistletoe Man

Carolyn Greene

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

To my agent, Ruth Kagle, who is beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Thanks for believing in me.

Books by Carolyn Greene

Silhouette Romance

An Eligible Bachelor #1503

Her Mistletoe Man # 1556

Previously Published as Carolyn Monroe:

Silhouette Romance

Kiss of Bliss #847

A Lovin’ Spoonful #912

Help Wanted: Daddy #970

CAROLYN GREENE

has been married to a fire chief for more than twenty years. She laughingly introduces herself as the one who lights the fires and her husband as the one who puts them out. They are a true opposites-attract type of couple and, because of this, they and their two teenagers have learned a lot about the art of compromise.

Coming together…mentally, physically and spiritually. That’s what romance is all about, and that’s what Carolyn strives to portray in her highly entertaining novels. Says Carolyn, “I like to think that after someone has read one of my books, I’ve made her or his day a little brighter. You just can’t put a price tag on that kind of job satisfaction.”

Contents

Prologue (#u7b53cfae-1686-5e74-91ee-c20ba8479e26)

Chapter One (#u8963226b-8c2b-554f-b680-f22ca82eea08)

Chapter Two (#ua0f3616f-76cb-52ff-ab71-3c53e7da4aec)

Chapter Three (#u970fcfe7-1faf-5186-b105-e8ac95e125dc)

Chapter Four (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Prologue

The flashing neon light from the sign outside Tucker Maddock’s Alexandria, Virginia, office window seemed to assault him in one-second intervals with its disgustingly cheery message.

Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas.

Yeah, right. He hadn’t had a merry Christmas since…well, there was no need rehashing all the losses he’d endured during what was supposed to be the happiest season of the year. The overtime work did little to ease the discomfort that gripped him lately. As a corporate executive, he was one of the best decision-makers in the business. His troubleshooting skills frequently attracted the attention of corporate headhunters who regularly approached him with employment offers at competing companies. He only wished he could clear away the troubles in his own life as effectively as he did on the job.

Last year had dealt him the final and most difficult holiday blow when a Christmas Eve t