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Hopefully, this time off will be just the reset I need.
He plops the suitcase on the big king-size four-poster bed. “There you go. I’ll let you get settled in.”
“Thank you, Uncle Bob.”
I shut the door behind him and turn to take a good look at my home away from home. The bed looks cozy. There is a little sitting area to the left with a chaise lounge and a side table placed in front of an Amish electric fireplace. A small desk is tucked in the far corner with Gingerbread Inn letterhead and a variety of colored pens. The nightstand to the right of the bed holds a rustic, tall bronze lamp with a holly-print lampshade. Two bottles of water and an ice bucket sit beside the television that is perched upon a beautifully carved live-edge stand.
That must be Keller’s handiwork.
My cousin is the owner of Keller Harris Design Studio. He makes custom hand-carved furniture, and he is a master craftsman.
I unpack my suitcase and hang my clothes in the mini walk-in closet.
I carry my toiletries into the attached bathroom. It has a small glassed shower and a large claw-foot bathtub. A basket wrapped in cellophane rests on a stool next to the tub.
The notecard reads,Hello from our staff. We hope you have a holly, jolly, and relaxing stay. Please enjoy this gift and our sincere gratitude for choosing to spend your holidays with us.
I remove the twist tie, and a whiff of mint and spices escapes. The content of the basket includes a soy gingerbread candle, a mistletoe bath bomb, peppermint lip balm, a lavender body lotion, a bath pillow, a robe, and a pair of memory foam slippers.
How thoughtful. I should totally make these for the bridal suites at the hotel.
Deciding that a long, hot soak is exactly what I need after a day of travel, I turn the water on and let the tub fill while I undress and pull my hair into a topknot.
I place the terry-cloth robe on the bed, grab my phone, and pull up my meditation app. Then, I return to drop the bath bomb into the water and watch as it fizzes and fills the room with a peaceful aroma of cinnamon. I use the provided matches to light the candle and place it on the stool along with one of the bottles of water.
Once the tub is full, I turn off the faucets, pop my earbuds in, and hit play on my iPhone. The sound of a babbling brook fills my ears as I sink into the warm depths.
I close my eyes and let the tranquil water ease my achy, travel-fatigued muscles.
Bliss.
This is definitely what I needed.
The final Tuttle brother is off on the road to his happily ever after. I cannot believe we’ve almost come to the end of our time in Balsam Ridge—with the exception of the Christmas novella coming later this year.Cozy after Snowwill be a sweet, sexy, short glimpse into the lives of every character you’ve gotten to know and love in this sleepy Tennessee town.
I want to thank you all for coming on this Smoky Mountain adventure with me. When I started the series, I told my publicist I planned to write four books. After she readLife after Wife, she said there was no way I would be able to stop before penning Weston’s and Morris’s books. My response was, “Oh well. Guess I’ll have to kill them off along the way.” However, those two wormed their way into my heart and demanded their stories be told, resulting in my favorite books in the series.
I can’t wait to tell you guys all about the exciting new coastal series I have planned for next year. Buckle up—it’s gonna be a wild ride!
It takes a mighty crew of professionals to get the stories from my head into your hands. They are the best of the best in the business—my artistic cover designer, Sommer Stein; talented formatter, Stacey Blake; keen-eyed proofreader, Judy Zweifel; and my long-suffering and ever-gracious editor, Jovana Shirley (commas are still the devil).
Each one of these women play a pivotal role, and they are invaluable. My uncertain schedule never makes it easy for them, but they always come through. I’m so blessed. I wouldn’t want to publish a book without them.
Autumn Sexton, my amazing publicist and dearest friend—The dedication says it all. You are stuck with me till death do us part. Thank you for going above and beyond to keep me on task.
And last but not least, yet again, thank you to my Miller for being my anchor and the best life partner a girl could ask for. You’re truly an IRL book boyfriend. I love you more.
