A Highland Ghost for Christmas: Gambling Ghosts Series (1) Read online

  But her heart felt heavy. She had feelings for Cullen, deep feelings she couldn’t deny, and it wasn’t right to spend time with another man. Pulling out her cell phone, she thought about how much fun the last four days had been, hanging out with him.

  Maddy typed: Hey Hank I have to cancel our date next week. I like you. She stopped typing. Hell, that was weak. Hank was hot and funny and when he touched her, he made her world tilt off its axis. I don’t want to lead you on. I’m involved with someone else. I wish you all the very best that life has to offer. Merry Christmas, Maddy. Hank deserved to find a woman devoted to him She hit the send button, rolled over and went to sleep.

  ***

  Cullen stood by the side of her bed. Maddy looked so peaceful when she slept. But what kind of life could they share? He loved her. Oh how he loved her. With every morsel of his ghostly heart, he loved her. Adored her. Worshiped her. Never since Bronwyn had he met such a goodhearted woman. She brought him so much joy.

  But what could he give her?

  He picked up her cell phone to put it on the table and hesitated. Who had she been writing to before she went to sleep? Not the horny toad. He opened it and read her text message to Hank. With a sinking heart, he scrolled to read more of their conversations.

  There was another man, a man with flesh and blood, who wanted to be with her. Cullen cursed in Gaelic, then in English and then in Gaelic again.

  Outside the snow storm kicked up, but it was toasty warm in her room. How he longed to cuddle up with her under the large duvet and make love. A tear trickled from his eye. He hadn’t cried for hundreds of years, but he knew what he had to do.

  He opened Maddy’s phone and using a pen to apply pressure he typed a message to Hank. Hank, if you care for Maddy, come over right now and claim her with a kiss. A big, earth-moving kiss. Address: 235 Bumbleberry Road. My best regrds, Culle, a friend of Maddy’s. Ps. She likes posies.

  16

  Here Comes Santa Clause

  Twenty minutes later there came a knock on the front door. Maddy was too deeply asleep to hear it, so Cullen answered.

  Hank did not disappoint him. A good looking man, he stood tall and proud, with regular enough features and some muscles. In his hand he held a bouquet of pink posies.

  “Maddy?” Hank called.

  Cullen grabbed the arm of his jacket and pulled him inside.

  “What the …?”

  Cullen closed the door and turned on the lights.

  “Maddy? Maddy are you here?” Hank called out louder looking around.

  ***

  Maddy woke to the sound of Hank calling her name from the first floor of her home. That made no sense at all. She stretched and shook her head, but still, she could hear him calling her name.

  “Maddy?”

  Grabbing her silk robe, which had been left on the edge of her bed, she flew down the stairs. In her front foyer stood Hank. Snow covered the top of his blue toque and his cheeks were red from the cold. In his right hand he held her favorite flowers.

  But she had just told him to go away. “Hank?” She slowed as she reached him and stopped in front of him. “What are you doing here?”

  Hank’s eyes softened as she neared, just like in the romance movies. Without a word he lifted her chin and kissed her, lightly at first and then deeper and deeper and deeper. So deep and hot a kiss, she thought the world had stopped.

  17

  Oh Come all ye Highlanders

  CeeCee sang Hallelujah, off-key, as she sucked Cullen back into her office. “You’ve done the right thing, Cullen Macfie.”

  “Aye,” he said feeling the tears wet on her cheeks. “I love her with all my heart and I want her to be happy.”

  A door opened before them, to a staircase of shimmering light. “It’s your time, Cullen.”

  Epilogue

  One year and one day later, first-class angels Cullen and Bronwyn visited the house on Bumbleberry Road. In a pretty, little basinet sitting beside a brilliantly lit Christmas tree lay a newborn baby boy. Stitched onto his blue blanket was the name, “Cullen,” Booker, now double his puppy size, sat on guard beside the child’s bed.

  Hank and Maddy sat holding hands on the sofa, blissfully happy and in love. An engagement and wedding ring adorned Maddy’s left hand, and on the wall hung a picture of their celebration.

  And the angels sang.

  Aknowledgements

  It takes a planet to finish a story. Thanks go to my team:

  Cover Designer: Steven Novak

  Editor: Dr. Philip Newey

  Beta Readers: K’Tee Bee, Gina Smith and Barbara Cassata. I could never do this without you ladies.

  Mimi: …. who wisely suggested I “stick a tree in it.” [grin]

  and PJ, my husband who holds my hand through it all

  A Note from Jo-Ann

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  If you enjoyed the story and want to help the series grow, tell a friend about it and take the time to leave a review (preferably on Amazon and Goodreads).

  Other Books by Jo-Ann Carson

  Gambling Ghost Series (Lighthearted Paranormal Romance)

  A Viking Ghost for Valentine’s Day

  To feed her three children, Widow Abigail Jenkins takes the only job available in Sunset Cove: night cleaner in the notorious, haunted tea-house. She figures the wild, supernatural rumors about the place are pure fiction. After all, ghosts don’t exist.

  Eric Eklund a sexy spirit from Sweden is over a thousand years old. Having missed his chance at Valhalla, the Viking spends his time roaming the world and gambling. That is until he sees Abby whose feisty earthly-spirit turns his ghostly world upside down.

  When the two meet sparks fly, but their romance is interrupted by a poltergeist hunting children.

  What happens when you mix a naughty, Viking ghost built like a Norse god, a strong woman who suffers no fools and a nasty poltergeist? Answer: another fun, Gambling Ghost story.

  A Viking Ghost for Valentine’s is a lighthearted novella filled with love, laughter and just enough ghouliness to thrill and chill you to the bone.

  Buy Link

  * * *

  The Mata Hari Series (A single woman ~ A double life)

  Covert Danger

  Ancient Danger

  Lovin’ Danger

  * * *

  The Vancouver Blues Series (danger waits in the alley)

  Black Cat Blues

  Ain’t Misbehavin’

  * * *

  About Jo-Ann Carson

  Jo-Ann Carson writes romance twisted with suspense and polished humor. Her strong characters take the reader on a fast and fun journey. Currently she’s writing the Gambling Ghost series, a collection of paranormal sweet, romantic comedies guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart, make you laugh out loud and leave you craving a ghost of your own.

  Jo-Ann loves to interact with readers and can be found on social media:

  Website * Blog * Twitter * Facebook

  An Old Fashioned Shortbread Recipe From Scotland

  Many years ago a Scottish lady gave me this recipe and I’ve been using it to bake shortbread every Christmas since then. I hope you love it as much as I do.

  Unfortunately Cullen couldn’t eat it, but he said it smelled perfect.

  * * *

  Ingredients:

  1 lb. butter

  1 cup fruit sugar (though to be honest I usually use regular)

  4 cups white flour

  pinch salt

  * * *

  Cream butter and sugar together.

  Gradually ad flour and knead it into the dough.

  Put the dough in a flat tray. I like to use pie plates.

  Roll (And here is the secret to good shortbread. The term “roll” means to beat the top of the batter with the back of a spoon.)

  Cut into pieces
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  Prick the top with a fork.

  Bake one hour (or until edges brown) at 350 degrees.

  Sprinkle with sugar.