Sugar Plum Season. Mia Ross

      

      Season of Love

      Amy Morgan is determined not to let her injury affect her love for dance. Moving to the tiny town of Barrett’s Mill, she takes over her aunt’s dance studio and begins to organize a children’s Christmas ballet recital. She just needs a little help from handsome lumberjack Jason Barrett. Charming and an all-around good guy, Jason volunteers to build the stage sets. Working together with the pretty ballerina forges a connection he never expected. But is Amy really ready to leave the limelight behind? It’ll take a few dancing candy canes—and a whole lot of faith—to bring them together in joy and love.

      Barrett’s Mill: In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a family legacy leads to love

      He wondered what it would take to make Amy Morgan laugh.

      Then again, he’d barely been able to tease a smile out of her, and they’d been together most of the day.

      Stopping by her office, he knocked on the frame of the open door. “Everything’s put away. I’ll be back Monday with those extra pieces we talked about.” He waved and began backing away. When she called out his name, he paused in the hallway. “Yeah?”

      “Things were so hectic today that we never settled on your hourly rate.”

      “I thought we agreed on zero.”

      Narrowing her eyes, she tilted her head in a skeptical pose. “Where I’m from, strangers don’t do things for free.”

      “Huh,” he said with his brightest grin. “And here I thought we were friends.”

      While he watched, the brittle cynicism fell away, and the corner of her mouth lifted in a wry grin. “I should warn you—I’m not the easiest person to be friends with.”

      “That’s cool. I like a challenge.”

      MIA ROSS

      loves great stories. She enjoys reading about fascinating people, long-ago times and exotic places. But only for a little while, because her reality is pretty sweet. Married to her college sweetheart, she’s the proud mom of two amazing kids, whose schedules keep her hopping. Busy as she is, she can’t imagine trading her life for anyone else’s—and she has a pretty good imagination. You can visit her online at www.miaross.com.

      Sugar Plum Season

      Mia Ross

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

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      There is no fear in love,

      but perfect love casts out fear.

      —1 John 4:18

      For Grandma and Grandpa

      Acknowledgments

      To the very talented folks who help me

      make my books everything they can be:

      Elaine Spencer, Melissa Endlich

      and the dedicated staff at Love Inspired.

      More thanks to the gang at Seekerville

      (www.seekerville.net). It’s a great place to hang out with readers—and writers!

      I’ve been blessed with a wonderful network

      of supportive, encouraging family and friends.

      You inspire me every day!

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

       Chapter Four

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Epilogue

       Dear Reader

       Questions for Discussion

       Extract

       Copyright

Chapter One

      Carpenter Needed.

      Standing outside Arabesque, Amy Morgan studied the sign from the sidewalk in front of her dance studio, wondering if she should’ve added some details. Unfortunately, she admitted with a sigh, she really didn’t have any. She’d spent most of her life at the front of the stage, so she was well versed in choreography, costumes and toe shoes. The more practical elements of set design and construction, not so much. Now that her performing days were behind her, she’d have to learn the mundane aspects of the business, she supposed. She wasn’t exactly looking forward to it.

      “So, you’re looking for a carpenter?”

      Startled by the deep voice that came from behind—and far above—her, she spun into a wall of plaid flannel. Looking up, she saw that it led to windblown brown