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One Week to Win Her Boss by Barbara White Daille
Single mom Amber Barnett loves family, kids, Christmas…and unfortunately, her boss, confirmed bachelor Michael DeFranco. It’s a crush she really needs to get over. Except, when she’s temporarily forced from her apartment, her only option is to stay at Michael’s private ski lodge, where she’s the housekeeper. No problem. Her handsome boss rarely visits Snowflake Valley unexpectedly, plus he’s spending the holidays with his family. Or so she thinks…
A stormy Christmas Eve reunion leaves Michael seeking the solitude of his lodge, where he finds Amber in residence—and in trouble. Attempting to save her from her matchmaking family, he announces they’re a couple. His good deed backfires when they’re instantly included in each and every holiday event in town. So much for solitude.
Only the more time he spends with the beautiful, cheery brunette, the more he yearns to make things real between them. But he and Amber want different things, and Michael could never be the family man she’s looking for. Or could he?
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Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest. Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom. Barbara also loves writing, reading, and chocolate. You can find her books, blog, and newsletter signup here: https://www.barbarawhitedaille.com
Most of all, when Amber looked at Michael, she loved seeing the perfect daddy for Penny. And the perfect man for her.
Of course, when Michael looked at her, what did he see? A housekeeper.
She needed to remember that.
In the dim light from the table lamp, the baby closed her eyes. Amber slowly rose and backed away from the playpen. She curled up on the couch and covered herself with the afghan she had left there the night before.
Overhead, the sound of footsteps hit the landing, then Michael descended the open, soaring staircase. Her heart soared, too, proving she shouldn’t stay here at the lodge another night. But shouldn’t and wouldn’t were such different things.
“Morning,” he said easily.
She put a finger to her lips. “Merry Christmas,” she whispered.
Michael came closer. “Why are we whispering?” he asked. Mesmerizing brown eyes stared into hers.
“Uh-h-h…” What? She shook her head. “Penny’s asleep. She hasn’t made it through a night without waking up in forever.”
“And so neither has her mom?”
His insight made her eyes fill with tears. Blinking, she forced a laugh. “Well, let’s just say, fingers crossed and this being Christmas, maybe tonight Santa will bring us both the gift of sleep.”
“I doubt even Santa can work a miracle like that one. But we can hope.” He’d kept his voice low, and the husky murmur seemed to vibrate through her. “Want me to light the fire?”
“That’s my job.”
“Not today, it isn’t.”
Ella – thank you so much for sharing One Week to Win Her Boss!
Readers – I hope you enjoyed the excerpt. I’ll be dropping in all week if you’d like to say hello.
Meanwhile, happy holidays to everyone.