White Rose Author Robin Shope

The Christmas Edition: A Journey to Paradise by Robin Shope

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Lucy Collins is desperate. A large newspaper is planning to set-up shop in town, threatening the livelihood of her small, family-run business, The Turtle Creek Newspaper. Only a miracle can save them...but it's Christmastime, the season of miracles. At the staff Christmas party, Lucy makes a wish, and what seems like the answer to her prayer walks in the front door. Joe McNamara a genius when it comes to the written word, and he's gifted with ideas about keeping the newspaper afloat. Lucy finds herself not only falling in love with his talent, but also the man.

Joe McNamara is desperate. He loves everything about Lucy-her fresh spirit, her zeal for the newspaper, and the way she looks at him across the table when they share hot chocolate. But Joe is harboring a dark secret that threatens to tear him up inside. If Lucy ever discovers his part in her fiancé's death, what looks like a promising relationship will unravel like discarded Christmas ribbon. How can he find redemption for his sins and continue to keep the truth from Lucy?

Will the spirit of celebration be enough to heal two hearts? Or will the reality of deception make this the worst Christmas of all?

Excerpt

December 1

The usual winter blizzard blew into southern Wisconsin.

Lucy Collins carefully maneuvered her car through snow that grew deeper with every gust of wind. She parked directly in front of her family-owned business, The Turtle Creek Newspaper, just as her brother, Mike, was making a pass along the drive with the snow blower.

“Hey, Mike! Help me carry these inside, will you?” Lucy called to him as she got out of her heated car. A sharp wind sucked up her words and nearly knocked her off balance.

Mike turned off the blower and cupped his hand around his ear. “What did you say?” His breath circled around his face in the frigid air.

“Help!” Lucy hollered. She popped the trunk and pivoted her body in an exaggerated fashion—the way models do when showcasing prizes on a game show. She stepped to the other side and waved her hands, palms up, along the food trays and her mother’s crystal punch bowl set. Then she flashed her younger brother her biggest smile.

Mike galloped to the car just as another gust of wind hammered snow at them. “It’s freezing out here! Even my nose hairs are frozen solid. You go on in. I’ll get these as soon as I’m finished shoveling the walk.”

“Thanks.” Lucy gave him a kiss on the cheek. She gingerly walked across the crunchy ice crystals and into the warm building.

Passing the reception area, she made her way into the newsroom where the room's low ceilings were decorated with garland and lights. A miniature Christmas tree sat on each of the half-dozen desks in main work area. As she neared the break room, Lucy inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh pine scent from the large Christmas tree that stood in the corner of the break room.  It cast out its scent among the other holiday smells of home baked cookies and pastries. She loved the smell of a real pine tree.

The drone of the newsroom chatter drew Lucy's attention. The employees—her friends, really—were busy readying the next issue and packing boxes for the food drive. The office excitement was like this every year—a tradition that kept Lucy's world in balance.

She smiled, acknowledging each person as she hurried past them. As she reached her dad’s office, Lucy focused her eyes on the huge wreath hanging above the door where Christmas music played on an old stereo turntable.

Reaching her desk, she slowly drew in her breath as she hung her coat and scarf on the back of her swivel chair, and then tugged off her boots, dropping them under her desk.

She let out a breath as she noticed a fresh sprig of mistletoe hanging over the empty desk at the back. That will surely go to waste. Christmas used to be her favorite holiday, but after the disastrous end to her engagement a couple of years ago, this particular holiday now only served as a dark reminder of broken promises.

With a shake of her head, she tried to whisk those thoughts out of her mind. She was not going to fall apart. Not this Christmas. With prayer and a loving family, it was time to start her life again. She’d already resolved to buy her own place right after the first of the year. Working and living with the same people was often stifling, especially when those people were her parents whose personalities matched as well as Jolly Santa and a stressed-out elf. 

Lucy’s mom was the cheerleader as well as the gopher, making sure everyone had what they needed, whereas Lucy’s father focused persistently on getting the next edition out on time.

Each year at Christmastime, however, Harold Collins took off his publisher hat and donned something completely different. The weeks wedged between Thanksgiving and Christmas became about assisting others. She loved it all, and nothing could ever take her away from this life.