Prologue
The scent of cedar garlands and candles in the air...bouquets of holly, red and white carnations with a few sprigs of her signature lavender tucked in them...a tree bedecked with lights... As she hovered above the parlor of Harwood House, Felicity Blanchard looked on with approval at the home that was once to have been hers.
It might be a new century since she’d first worked her magic, guiding Drew Harwood, the fiancé she’d adored, to find new love and happiness with Audra Donaldson, but the thrill of returning at the Christmas season to help other deserving couples never grew old.
The Victorian mansion had changed significantly since her death in 1918. A splendid new modern kitchen had been added at the back, and many of the rooms had been repurposed. As for the grounds, a fashionable restaurant had been built and one of the former barns had been refashioned into an events ballroom. Drew and Audra’s descendants now ran the luxury B&B.
Felicity had expected that courting in the new century might be easier...but experience had proven her intervention was still necessary. Even in modern times, couples still seemed to have trouble getting out of their own way... For instance the former high school sweethearts, Savannah Taylor and Harlan Sullivan, really needed a bit of encouragement.
Chapter One
Savannah Taylor loved Felicity’s Ball, Whiskey River’s annual Christmas charity ball. The event was held in a converted barn on the grounds of the Harwood Inn, a short distance from town, and the barn was beautifully decorated. Even though Savannah knew what to expect, the ballroom decorations took her breath away. Lights twinkled throughout, giving the huge ballroom a fairy-tale air. Fireplaces resided at either end of the room, their mantels decorated with garlands and colorful ornaments. A huge Christmas tree was centered against a wall with gaily wrapped presents brought by the guests for needy children placed beneath it.
There was seating at tables covered with red or white tablecloths, gold and silver centerpieces with white roses on each one. Tall tables were scattered around the beautiful polished wood dance floor for people to place food and drinks on, or to cluster around and talk.
Large food tables with gleaming white tablecloths were set up on either side of the Christmas tree, loaded with a variety of delicious finger foods, hors d’oeuvres and desserts. Three bars were placed strategically around the room, with ticket tables set up nearby.
For Savannah, this year’s ball was different from previous ones. First of all, her ex-fiancé was there with his new fiancée. Savannah couldn’t begrudge him happiness with another woman. After all, she’d been the one to break the engagement—after she put off the wedding three times. She’d finally realized that while she cared about Brandon, she didn’t love him like she should. She’d already been through one divorce. She had no intention of going through another.
Savannah’s best friends, Avery Burton and Rachel Wood, were also part of the event committee. In fact, they were the ones who’d convinced her that being in charge of operations was right up her alley. After all, Savannah was the office manager for Whiskey River Construction. She could do that sort of thing in her sleep.
But the job had been harder than she’d anticipated, even though she thought everything would work out all right.
Avery was a co-chair of the ball, in charge of promotion, entertainment, and the silent auction. Avery was tasked with finding a band who would play free of charge, and celebrities who would attend. Logan Calloway, local boy turned famous movie star, was Avery’s boss. Somehow Avery had convinced him to not only attend the ball, but to be her co-chair.
Their other friend, Rachel, was catering the event and had planned to stay behind the scenes, but Avery and Savannah had nixed that idea. Avery had presented Rachel with a beautiful emerald-green long, fitted dress just that afternoon and between them they’d convinced Rachel she had to show up and not hide behind her chef’s uniform. Like Savannah and Avery, Rachel’s public presence at the ball was necessary. Besides, it was about time Rachel did something fun.
Savannah left the ballroom and ducked into the chef’s kitchen to check on Rachel. Finding her still in her chef’s clothes, Savannah said loudly, “Rachel! You promised you’d be ready and the guests will be here in an hour or less. Don’t even think about backing out.”
“I’m coming as soon as I can change. Some of us are working.” She held up her floured hands. “I’ve got a million things to take care of here.”
“Excuses, excuses.”
Rachel shrugged and changed the subject. “You look great, Savannah. That color is perfect on you. And the dress suits you.”
“Thanks.” She smoothed her hands down over the soft layers. “I thought it did.” It should, she thought. She’d spent a small fortune on her dress and by God, she was not going to waste it. Savannah glanced down at the beautiful red chiffon and smiled. While she wasn’t exactly a clotheshorse, she loved pretty clothes. And shoes. Never forget shoes. Her dress had a fitted, strapless red bodice, molded to her body, then flared out a little above her knees to fall in ripples and waves to the floor.
