Destination Christmas

It’s finally winter vacation for first-year teacher Lexie Knox, and she can’t wait for the festivities to begin—heck she started listening to holiday music in October. However, the minute she steps foot out of school all her carefully laid vacation plans fall apart—starting with her flight.

Her seatmate is an un-festive businessman who does not appreciate her holiday cookies or musical tutu.

But not even a handsome Bah Humbug is going to dampen Lexie’s Holiyay all the way spirit.

Frosty-the-businessman is traveling to Aspen days before Christmas to seal a crucial deal. It’s not like he has any family to spend the holidays with—none that he wants to see that is. But being distracted by an overly festive teacher, no matter how cute, is not on the agenda.

Snowmageddon has other plans.

Could a Christmas detour with an almost stranger be the best present of Lexie's life?

If you love a romance that takes you by surprise and leaves you laughing, then you’ll love Destination Christmas. With all the swoon worthy feels of a sweet romance, this book will give you under the mistle toe feels.

Lexie unrolled a parcel of brown paper along the table she had borrowed from school before Thanksgiving break. She taped the ends down so the wind wouldn’t disrupt her makeshift tablecloth. The apartment was on the small side, and there wasn’t room for a full table inside. She counted her blessings that today had dawned bright and cloudless. Then she began tracing four circles, two on each side, with a black marker. It still looks a little plain.
Instead of placing the names of the School Belles in the center of each circle, like place cards, she decided to artfully write words of inspiration instead: grateful, hopeful, faithful, and blessed. She stood back and admired her work. It was almost complete. She went back inside and returned with a white pumpkin nestled in a bed of silvery eucalyptus and red maple leaves. The sun poured over the table, making the maple leaves look like they were ablaze. There, now that was perfect.
The Belles would be arriving in two hours. The timer buzzed and Lexie rushed into the kitchen, removing the caramel apple pie from the oven. She placed it on the cooling rack, then adjusted the oven temperature and slid the mini acorn squashes in to roast. If she planned it right, there would be enough time to get ready and make the white cheddar macaroni and cheese. The entree was a turkey shepherd’s pie. An easy reheat. She knew the leftovers Mama had sent back with her very early this morning would never get eaten, so she came up with a new recipe that used the best of everyone’s Thanksgiving favorites.

Clad in a towel, with the ends of her hair dripping water onto her shoulders, Lexie looked at her clothes strewn all over the floor. Finding the perfect outfit had descended into indecision paralysis. True, these were her best friends in the world, and she did not need to impress them, but she wanted to look her best. She gave up and decided to dry her hair and put on some makeup.
Finally, just in time for their arrival, she selected a pair of high-waisted jeans, an off the shoulder lacy top, and a blanket scarf for during dinner. Eating on the balcony would be fun, but possibly a tad chilly later in the afternoon. Lexie left the mess in her bedroom and returned to the kitchen. She spooned the macaroni and cheese into the hallowed acorn squash, then placed the dish in the warming tray. The shepherd’s pie was reheating in the oven. All she had to do was make her signature cocktail.

“Lex, you here?” Delilah said, opening the door to their apartment. “Oh my stars.”
Lexie exited the kitchen still stirring a pitcher of apple cider sangria. “What’s wrong?”
“You put up a Christmas tree,” Andie sputtered.
“Of course! December first is tomorrow,” she said, rushing forward to give Andie a hug.
“It looks incredible, but how did you have time?” Delilah asked.
“There’s a service mama uses that delivers a fully decorated tree any time after Thanksgiving. They set it up at ten this morning.”
“It’s incredible. I’m just not sure I’m ready for Christmas,” Andie said.
“Lexie’s been in full holiday mode since November first,” Delilah replied.
Lexie shrugged. It was true, she loved soaking up every second of the holidays. And why shouldn’t she? It was the most magical time of the year.
Delilah set Andie’s overnight bag down, and gave her a quick tour while Lexie finished mixing the cocktail.
It would be so fun to have everyone here for the weekend. On Monday, they’d all be back to their own lives again, but at least now they got to be together like old times. Lexie put the pitcher of sangria in the fridge and checked on dinner. It was heating nicely. She removed the lid so the mashed potato crust would brown. Her phone pinged. Lexie glanced at the text, as she closed the oven door.
“Jade’s here,” she called. “I’m going to go down and get her.”

Once everyone had freshened up and settled in, Lexie brought a tray of her signature apple cider sangria to the living room and invited them to relax. Dinner would be another few minutes, and they could start catching up.
“Here’s to being all together,” Lexie said, filling everyone’s glass. Pieces of apple, slices of lemon, and whole cranberries plopped in along with the ice. She added a cinnamon stick as a final touch and handed out the drinks.
“School Belles,” they said in unison, clinking their glasses.
“I can’t believe it’s been almost four months since we’ve all been together,” Delilah said.
“Time flies when you’re planning a wedding and working,” Jade said. “I hardly have time to catch my breath.”
“But you’re enjoying your class?” Lexie asked.
“I’m happy that I took the job I wanted at the continuation school instead of the one in town that was convenient. They’re a challenge most days, but I’m really enjoying it,” Jade replied. “What about y’all, is middle school everything you imagined?”
“It’s so much more chaotic—” Lexie said.
“And smelly,” Delilah added. “I have eighth grade boys that need a hygiene intervention”
“Oh no.” Andie giggled.
“After lunch it can get pretty stinky in my room,” Delilah said. “But I’m happy with how far we’ve come as teachers.”
“I wish I had a class to call my own,” Andie said.
“Still no luck, huh?”
“Nope. Subbing is inconsistent, but I’m becoming known in the district and getting comfortable in the classroom. Maybe this is for the best. Since I’m not tied to one school I could go anywhere next year.”
“Like Durham?” Lexie asked.
Andie blushed and took a sip of her drink. Durham was where Jake, Delilah’s older brother, was in law school.
“What about you,” Andie said, turning to Delilah. “How’s your hot fireman?”
“I couldn’t be happier,” she gushed. “We had a bit of a rough start and the last few weeks have been challenging. He’s remodeling his house and currently living in a trailer in his driveway, but everything should be done by Christmas. I’m actually thinking of staying to spend it with him.”
Lexie gasped.
“I’ll go home for Christmas, but I’m spending the rest of the break here, with Brad.” Delilah clarified.
“Aren’t you happy I put up a tree? Now you guys will have a cozy holiday space to canoodle in when I’m in Aspen with my parents.”
“You aren’t sticking around to be with your new beau?” Andie asked.
“Derek and I stopped seeing each other two weeks ago. Our schedules were incompatible. He just couldn’t understand how tough it is to fit in dates during the week,” Lexie said.
“Tell me about it,” Jade said. “I’m dead on my feet by Wednesday afternoon.”
“He wanted to go dancing and drinking. I tried a couple of times, but I just couldn’t give my all the next day at school and that really bothered me,” Lexie said.
“Not being at a hundred percent for your students is the worst,” Delilah said.
The timer dinged and Lexie jumped up.
“Dinner is ready y’all. Grab a plate and load it up in here.”

The Belles made their way to the balcony balancing full plates of delicious smelling food, and their glasses.
“Look at your adorable table,” Jade said, stepping onto the balcony. “Where should we sit?”
“At whichever word inspires you the most,” Lexie replied, beaming.
“I’m feeling especially blessed,” Delilah said, “so I’m sitting here.”
“Calling grateful,” Jade said.
“I need all the faith I can get,” Andie said, taking a seat.
That left hopeful for her. Which was perfect. Lexie had been feeling a little lost the last few weeks. A bit of hope was exactly what she needed.
“What’s this?” Delilah asked, picking up a journal from her chair.
“Oh! I thought it would be the perfect day to start a gratitude practice,” Lexie replied. “We don’t have to share or anything. But a little mindfulness helps us stay connected to what’s good. For myself, teaching has shown me that I can get super connected to what’s not going right. I figured y’all might be experiencing the same.”
“I could definitely use this,” Andie said. “Staying positive is a daily challenge.”
“I’m shocked it’s not monogrammed,” Jade teased.
“I didn’t have time,” Lexie said, sticking her tongue out.
“Well, I know what I’m writing for today’s entry.” Delilah said. “I’m grateful for y’all.”

As Lexie watched the first stars appear on the horizon, she flipped open her gratitude journal to the first page and reflected on the day. Her best friends were all together. They’d had a lovely dinner. She and Delilah were able to show them a bit of Clifton. They’d laughed, commiserated, and reconnected. It was everything she had imagined their Friendsgiving would be. For today, Saturday, November thirtieth, she listed all the people, and experiences she was grateful for. Then, underneath it all, she wrote hopeful. She looked up at the brightest star in the sky and made a wish for her true love to find her. The star twinkled as if it were confirming receipt of her request. Then she closed the journal and decided to leave everything up to fate.