It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
…with the grumpiest man in town!
The love of his life left him. The navy discharged him. So former lieutenant Des Gallagher sees no reason to celebrate Christmas—now or ever.
Yet when Natalie Pierce shows up on his doorstep, a bright light enters his gloomy existence. As Des shapes her—and her little son’s—world for the better, she wonders if a scrooge could turn into the perfect Santa…
CARRIE NICHOLS grew up in New England but moved south and traded snow for air conditioning. She loves to travel, is addicted to British crime dramas and knows a Seinfeld quote appropriate for every occasion.
A 2016 RWA Golden Heart® Award winner and two-time Maggie Award for Excellence winner, she has one tolerant husband, two grown sons and two critical cats. To her dismay, Carrie’s characters—like her family—often ignore the wisdom and guidance she offers.
The Marine’s Secret DaughterThe Sergeant’s Unexpected Family
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The Scrooge of Loon Lake
Carrie Nichols
ISBN: 978-1-474-09178-7
THE SCROOGE OF LOON LAKE
© 2019 Carol Opalinski
Published in Great Britain 2019
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.
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Version: 2020-03-02
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This is dedicated to the two Jills.
My agent, Jill Marsal, who believed in my writing
voice before I knew how to plot or write conflict,
and my walking partner, Jill Ralph, who not only
pulls me away from my desk twice a day but is the
perfect sounding board for story problems.
Contents
Note to Readers