Sherryl Woods - An OBrien Family Christmas

An OBrien Family Christmas

Also by New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sherryl Woods

BEACH LANE

MOONLIGHT COVE

DRIFTWOOD COTTAGE

RETURN TO ROSE COTTAGE

HOME AT ROSE COTTAGE

A CHESAPEAKE SHORES CHRISTMAS

HONEYSUCKLE SUMMER

SWEET TEA AT SUNRISE

HOME IN CAROLINA

HARBOR LIGHTS

FLOWERS ON MAIN

THE INN AT EAGLE POINT

WELCOME TO SERENITY

SEAVIEW INN

MENDING FENCES

FEELS LIKE FAMILY

A SLICE OF HEAVEN

STEALING HOME

WAKING UP IN CHARLESTON

FLIRTING WITH DISASTER

THE BACKUP PLAN

DESTINY UNLEASHED

FLAMINGO DINER

ALONG CAME TROUBLE

ASK ANYONE

ABOUT THAT MAN

ANGEL MINE

AFTER TEX

An OBrien Family Christmas

Dear Reader,

Its almost become a holiday tradition for me to get to spend the Christmas season with the OBriens. They feel like family to me, and at least this is one family whose behavior I get to control!

This years story is the fulfillment of a promise Susie OBrien made to her grandmother, that she would see that Nell had a chance to pay a visit to Ireland with the entire family. What no one expected was that it would also mean a reunion between Nell and an old flame! Add in Matthews off-again, on-again romance with an older womanTraces sister Laila, no lessand you can imagine the familys frenzy. Youll even get a hint of the romance that could be in the wind for Susie and Matthews younger brother, Luke, the last of this generation of the familyor is he?

I hope youll enjoy all the twists and surprises in the story, as well as the chance to catch up with all of the OBriens. And as always, I wish you the many blessings of this joyous season!

Sherryl

To the Outer Banks gangGeorge and Carol Sweda; Kristi, Ron,
Donovan, Carson and Morgan Petrecca; Austin Luchowski; Kim,
Jay, Adam and Jonathan Cerar; and Keri, Tom and Evan Krajewski.
Thanks for all the great summer memories in the big house!

Contents

S hed lost the job of a lifetime because of a man!

Every time Laila Riley allowed herself to think backhow hard shed worked to gain her fathers trust, how desperately shed wanted to prove herself capable of running the bank hed established years ago in Chesapeake Shores, only to throw it all away for what had to have been the most ridiculous fling of all timesit made her a little crazy. She was not the kind of woman who did anything because of a man. She wasnt impetuous or flighty. She was better than that, more sure of herself, more independent.

She allowed herself a sigh. Surely she must have been out of her mind to think that she and much younger playboy Matthew OBrien could possibly have a respectable future. That had to explain her uncharacteristic behavior.

But because shed taken leave of her senses, here she was, back in a tiny office, doing the sort of accounting work that bored her to tears. None of the hoped-for jobs at other area banks had materialized. Her credentials were impeccable. Everyone had agreed on that. But in the current economy, no one was hiring at her level. If that changed, shed be the first person they called. Blah-blah-blah. Shed seen the encouraging words for what they wereso many empty promises.

Within weeks of quitting her job in a huff at the family owned community bank, shed started berating herself for her foolishness and resenting Matthew for his role in it. If only he hadnt been so blasted irresistible, shed thought accusingly. So determined to win her heart. Shed been caught up in the romance of his pursuit.

Even as she was blaming him for all that charm and sex appeal, she was forced to admit that Matthew himself had been totally supportive in the aftermath of her impulsive decision to leave her fathers bank. Hed even foundor created, she suspectedan accounting opening for her at his uncle Micks architectural firm, but she didnt want his handouts. She no longer wanted anything from him, in fact, except to be left alone.

Correction: she wanted sex, but that was out of the question. Lust, combined with loneliness and envy for all the happily married couples around her, was exactly what had gotten her in trouble in the first place.

Ending their misguided relationship within weeks of quitting her job had been her only choice. If shed also packed up and left Chesapeake Shores, it would have been the ultimate trifecta, a complete upending of her life.

But, no, she didnt quite have the will to cut the ties to the town she loved and her infuriating family. So she was stuck here, alone and miserable and working for half a dozen pitiful clients who barely kept her in the rocky road ice cream that lately she craved by the gallon.

Sulking, I see, Jess OBrien Lincoln said, braving Lailas dark mood by stepping into the office uninvited. She looked around, took in the drab beige walls that needed paint, the tiny window with no view and the seriously scarred desk, shook her head, then sat on a chair that had seen better days. Not even the bright posters Laila had framed could save this place, and they both knew it.

I am not sulking, Laila protested. Im working.

Yes, I can see all the work piled up on your desk, Jess noted, her tone wry.

Its on the computer, Laila informed her. Havent you heard? Financial records are computerized these days.

Jess tried to settle more comfortably onto the cramped offices one guest chair, gave up and shrugged. So I hear. Not my forte.

Laila gave her friend a wary look. Why are you here? I hope its not on your cousins behalf. Ive told Matthew

Jess cut her off. Matthew didnt send me.

Despite the convincing tone, Laila wasnt reassured. OBriens were a sneaky lot. Then what brings you by?

I cant stop in to check on a friend?

You could, but lately youve been so caught up in the extended honeymoon phase of your marriage that you barely leave the inn.

Not true. I go out all the time. Will and I are not joined at the hip. He does his thing. I do mine, she declared with a nonchalance that didnt fool either of them. Once Jess had accepted her feelings for Will were real and his for her, shed been a little gaga ever since.

If you say so. Maybe it just seemed to Laila that everyone in Chesapeake Shores was traveling in contented pairs these days. Okay, lets say I believe this is a purely casual visit. Whats up with you? Is everything running smoothly at the inn?

Jesss expression brightened. Were packed, as a matter of fact. Connor gave me this idea a while back about offering specials for small business conferences, and now that the golf course has opened nearby, thats working out really well during the week. Even better, weekends are booked all the way through the holidays with tourists. The word seems to be out that the inn is a great spot for a romantic getaway. It helped that we had a huge spread in a regional travel magazine showcasing how beautiful it is here at Christmas.

Laila was genuinely impressed. Thats terrific. You should be proud of yourself, Jess. Making a success of the inn is a fantastic accomplishment.

Jess grinned. Quite a change from my teenage screwups, huh? And that brings me to one of the things I wanted to discuss with you.

Uh-oh, here it comes, Laila murmured, regarding her accusingly. I knew this wasnt just some spur-of-the-moment visit.

Okay, Ill admit it. I am on a mission, Jess confessed. Two, as a matter of fact. One from Abby and me, and one from Susie. Neither one has a thing to do with Matthew, I promise.