Donner Let Her Go (Holliday Islands Resort Book 7) Read online

  The Holliday Islands Resort Series Book Seven

  Donner Let Her Go

  by Amelia C. Adams

  Copyright 2019 by Amelia C. Adams

  Cover Design by EDHGraphics

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Epilogue

  Also by Amelia C. Adams … click for complete book list

  HOLLIDAY ISLANDS RESORT SERIES

  After growing his Alaskan resort empire into the “honeymooner’s paradise of the world,” Gordon Holliday is ready to retire. But there’s no way he can cruise the globe in his luxury yacht until his sons are groomed and polished into proper executives to take his place. There’s just one catch: He’s convinced their biggest current job requirement is marriage!

  To help find the perfect matches for his nine billionaire playboy sons, he secretly enlists the help of a high-end matchmaker, Evelyn Reese of True Love Connection, Inc. (TLC.net). She visits the islands under the auspices of becoming a future investor and begins to work her magic. What ensues is a delightful romp of sizzling new business “partnerships” and dates, laugh-out-loud mayhem, and sweet holiday attractions. You won’t want to miss a single one!

  Check out our series page at https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0811V8LMF

  Book 1: The Dashing Groom — Jo Grafford

  Book 2: Dancing to the Altar — Christi Bortner

  Book 3: Love Comes Prancing — Danni Roan

  Book 4: Her Christmas Vixen — Ginny Sterling

  Book 5: Comet’s Blazing Love — Jenna Brandt

  Book 6: Cupid Takes a Wife — Marie Higgins

  Book 7: Donner Let Her Go — Amelia Adams

  Book 8: Blitzen the CEO — Lisa Prysock

  Book 9: Rudolph’s Runaway Bride — George McVey

  Book 10: Mommy’s Kissing Santa — Kit Morgan

  Donner Let Her Go by Amelia C. Adams

  Anna Holmes is stunned when her wealthy employer asks her to visit the Holliday Islands Resort to do some book shopping on his behalf. She’s never been anywhere so fancy before, and she’s positive that a country hick from Idaho like herself could never fit in with that kind of glitz and glamour. With some borrowed clothes and her boss’s credit card, she heads off on this new adventure, hoping she doesn’t embarrass herself in some large-scale way.

  Like knocking over an entire display at the bookstore . . .

  Donner Holliday was living the life of a secluded author on Puget Sound when he got the call to return home and take over a portion of his father’s resort. He wants to do a good job for his father, but he doesn’t want to give up writing, and he’s not sure how to juggle both. When he meets Anna Holmes, he realizes that his dreams aren’t complete, not unless she’s part of them, but their differences might be too great for them to overcome.

  With thanks to my beta readers—Amy, Cindy, Dorothy, Joseph, Mary, Renee, Robin, Suzy, and Teresa.

  Chapter One

  Anna Holmes took the envelope from her employer’s outstretched hand, noticing how his fingers trembled more than they had the day before. Getting old was the pits. “What’s this, Cyrus? I thought we weren’t exchanging gifts until Christmas Eve.”

  He chuckled. “Just open it.”

  She sat down on the leather couch nearest his wheelchair and slid her finger beneath the flap, then pulled out the contents. “A plane ticket?”

  “That’s right.” Cyrus watched her, an expression of amusement on his face.

  “I don’t understand. Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  He shook his head. “Only temporarily. Do you remember back when I hired you and I told you I might occasionally have some errands for you to run?”

  “Yes, but that ended up being grocery shopping and dry cleaning, not . . .” She studied the ticket a little closer. She had to be seeing things. “Alaska? Cyrus, why are you sending me to Alaska?”

  “There’s a place there—a resort, actually—with some of the finest shopping in the world, and one of those shops is a bookstore that carries first editions and other rare volumes.” He patted the arm of his wheelchair. “It’s obvious that I can’t get there myself, but you can go for me and take pictures. My dearest wish is to spend my last days surrounded by books.”

  Anna glanced around at the walls of the room—walls made entirely of bookshelves except for the windows and the fireplace. “This doesn’t cut it for you?”

  He laughed, the sagging skin beneath his chin wobbling back and forth. “You tease me, but you know how I feel, Anna. That’s why I hired you—we’re kindred spirits. How could one or two rooms be enough when there are one hundred and thirty million books in the world?”

  That seemed like an oddly specific number. “Did you Google that?”

  “Yes, I did. Mind-boggling, isn’t it? And that number grows every day. Imagine it—right now, authors the world over are hunched in front of their computers or typewriters or notebooks, jotting down the words that will someday spark our imaginations and take us on flights of fancy reaching far beyond our own realms.”

  It really was a thrilling thought. “And are you ever going to publish your novel?” Anna asked gently.

  He shook his head. “No—it was never meant for the public eye. But you, my dear—I’ve left you a copy in my will. I trust you with it and no one else.”

  “Me?” She blinked. “But . . .why?”

  “Because we’re kindred spirits, remember?” Cyrus leaned forward a little. “I’m telling you about it now so I can be sure you understand my instructions. You are the only one who can read it—you’re not to share it with anyone. Is that clear?”

  His look was intense, and she nodded. “Of course. I just don’t understand why.”

  He settled back with a sigh. “There are things that live in the mind and heart of a man that he doesn’t wish the world to discover—things he would like to share, but knows he will be mocked if he does. This novel is one such thing, a collection of my thoughts and feelings that would never be appreciated by someone who knows me as I am now. But you, Anna—you know what it means to be layered, to have many interests, to slog through the mundane moments of life waiting for the glimmers of magic to happen. Am I right?”

  Anna smiled, glancing down at the carpet and then back up again. “You just described my job at the library perfectly. Slogging through the hours, watching the clock—thank goodness I can come here and hang out with you afterwards or I’d never survive it.”

  Cyrus laughed, slapping his hand on the arm of his wheelchair. “Who would have thought that an old man like me would be a breath of fresh air to someone young and spry like you?”

  “I knew from the moment we met that we’d be good for each other.” She turned the ticket over in her hands. “So, back to this . . . You want me to visit this bookstore and send you pictures? That seems kind of . . .”

  “Odd? Well, yes, it is, but it will make me happy. I’m also sending along a list of books I’d like you to purchase, and a credit card with a ridiculously high limit. You’re to buy anything and everything you think I might like, and you’re to pick out a few things for yourself as well.”

  Anna was shaking her head before he even finished his sentence. “I can’t, Cyrus. I can’t spend your money on myself—I mean, I know you’re crazy rich and you can afford it, but you’re already so generous to me. I c
an’t take any more without feeling like a moocher.”

  “Crazy rich, am I?” He waved his hand in the air. “Yes, I’m crazy and I’m rich, and this is what I want to do with my money. Don’t you worry, my dear—I’ve finalized my will, and I’ve seen to the needs of my unfortunate nephew and I’ve left bucketloads to various charities. No one will go without because of this little shopping spree. And if it makes me happy in my last days, why deny me?”

  “But . . .” She wanted to say that maybe he’d end up living forever and he’d want that money someday. That maybe someone would invent a cure for old age. That maybe he really wasn’t getting weaker every day. She couldn’t ignore the truth, though—he’d lived a good, long life, and he was now slowing down. It broke her heart to think of it, but if she could do this one thing for him, she could show him how much his friendship had meant to her over the last few years.

  “All right. I’ll go and I’ll shop and I’ll bring you home books upon books.” She held up her phone. “I still have your inventory, so I’ll know not to buy doubles of something you already own.”

  “Good. You know how frustrated that makes me.” He regarded her curiously. “I think this trip will be good for you, Anna. You’ve been cooped up far too long—working all day, coming here in the evenings, never going out. When was your last date?”

  “Date?” She almost choked on the question. She certainly hadn’t seen that coming. “Wow. Um . . . I can’t remember.”

  “It wasn’t that one fellow who took you to the movies and didn’t even buy you dinner or popcorn, was it?”

  “Um . . . yeah, I think it was.” Not the most pleasant evening she’d ever spent, that was for sure.

  Cyrus grunted. “Well, I can see how that experience would put you off men, but you’ve got to get back up on that pony.”

  She loved his turns of phrase. “I would, except there haven’t been very many ponies around lately. Most of the men I see at the library are married, and the ones at the grocery store are usually filling up their carts with beer and Doritos. I like Doritos—don’t get me wrong—but guys like that just don’t have the vibe of stability I’m looking for.” Not to mention, they probably lived in their parents’ basements and played video games all night long.

  Cyrus shook a finger at her. “And this is why you’ve got to get out of the house more often.”

  “Alaska is certainly out of the house.” Anna glanced over as Mrs. Irving came in the room with a tea tray. “Need help?”

  “No, my dear. I’ve got it.” The housekeeper carried the tray over to the fireplace and arranged it on the low table near Anna’s elbow. “I couldn’t help but overhear as I listened very carefully walking down the hall. Did you convince her?”

  Cyrus nodded. “I did. Or at least, I think I did. Are you convinced, Anna?”

  Anna looked back and forth between them and sighed. “You’ve ganged up on me, have you?”

  “We thought it might be necessary, yes.” Mrs. Irving smiled. “Go and enjoy yourself, my dear. I promise that we’ll keep him entertained while you’re gone, and we won’t disrupt any of the book cataloguing you’ve done. If someone gets a wild hair idea to move the Dickens to the other side of the room, they’ll be fired immediately.”

  Anna grinned, shaking her head. “Well, as long as you promise . . .”

  “I do indeed.”

  “Then I guess I’m going to Alaska.”

  “Wonderful.” Cyrus leaned forward and handed her a brochure. It was printed on thick, glossy paper and featured the words Holliday Islands Resort on the front. “This is where you’ll be going. I’ve arranged for everything—all you have to do is be ready to leave.”

  “I’ll need to see if I can get vacation time from the library,” Anna began, but Cyrus lifted a hand.

  “I already spoke to your boss,” he said. “Everything’s been squared away.”

  Anna felt an unexpected flash of irritation. “You called my boss?” That seemed a little intrusive, and she wasn’t sure how to take it. She hadn’t thought Cyrus would go behind her back like that.

  “I was being high-handed, I admit, but I couldn’t make you this sort of offer unless I was sure you could accept without consequences,” he explained. “And given that I know Gerald rather well . . .”

  Anna nodded. Cyrus did know her boss rather well. In fact, when Cyrus was looking for someone to help catalogue his private collection part time, he’d called the library looking for a recommendation, and Gerald had sent Anna over to apply. She smoothed down her ruffled feathers and smiled. “I understand. I was just surprised.”

  “I won’t spring anything else on you—at least, not today.” Cyrus grinned. “Now, why don’t you head home and get some rest? Your flight leaves at eight o’clock tomorrow night.”

  “It does?” Anna grabbed the ticket and looked at it again. She’d been so startled by the whole idea in the first place that she hadn’t thought to consider when she’d be leaving.

  “It’s short notice, I know, but the fact is . . .” Cyrus glanced at Mrs. Irving. “My doctor’s appointment this morning was somewhat disheartening.”

  “What . . . what do you mean?” Anna felt her mouth go dry as she asked the question.

  “It seems he thinks I’m ready to sail my ship into the horizon.”

  Anna had already known this, but hearing it coming from someone official like a doctor . . . She pulled in a deep breath. “And you’d like these books as soon as possible.”

  “I would. The books—and to know that you’re having a good time.”

  She nodded. “All right. I’ll go, and I’ll have a wonderful time and send you pictures. But you have to promise me that you’ll still be here when I get back.”

  He pressed his lips together for a moment before he replied. “Now, Anna, you know I can’t promise you any such thing. Maybe I’ll be here and maybe I won’t. Life and death are all in the hands of the Good Lord, and we must trust Him to know what’s best for us.”

  “Well, I’m going to be super bummed if I get back here with twelve suitcases full of books and you aren’t even here to enjoy them.” Humor was the only thing keeping her from crying.

  “If you bring back twelve suitcases, I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure I’m here,” Cyrus replied.

  “Deal.” Anna stood up, kissed Cyrus on the cheek, and gave Mrs. Irving a smile as she left the room. Then she paused in the entryway to collect herself. Cyrus was dying . . . and he was sending her on a book shopping spree to Alaska . . . and he might die while she was gone. That was so much to take in. She was tempted to turn around and march back in there, refusing to go so she could be there for him instead, but he had nurses and caretakers for every day of the week. What he needed was someone who shared his affinity for books, and that was her. So, she’d go find him something truly rare, a genuine treasure, and she’d bring it home for him.

  And if she happened to detour past Florida and happen upon the Fountain of Youth while she was gone, so much the better. He wouldn’t mind an extra souvenir in with the rest.

  Anna climbed into her car, then sent a quick text. Grabbing a cheeseburger. You want one?

  Nell, her roommate, replied a few seconds later. What I want is a good relationship with my arteries. Then she added, Don’t forget the fries.

  Anna laughed as she started the engine. They both ate on the run and didn’t have a lot of time to cook at home, but they kept saying they were going to try harder. Maybe next week.

  She grabbed the food from the drive-through and went home, her arms full of sacks as she entered the apartment. Closing the door with her foot, she then turned and set everything on the kitchen table. “Dinner.”

  Nell came out of her bedroom, her cell phone pressed to her ear. “That’s exactly right, Mr. Bradshaw. Because the dog’s teeth didn’t puncture any skin or leave a mark, it’s not technically considered a bite.” She paused. “Well, I’m not sure what to call it. A taste? A nibble?”
r />   Anna pulled out the burgers while she listened.

  “We can sue your neighbor for ignoring the leash laws, and we can say the dog menaced you. However, you can’t claim a bite unless you were actually bitten.” Nell rolled her eyes for Anna’s benefit while keeping her tone of voice professional. “That’s right, Mr. Bradshaw. We’ll be in touch in the morning. Have a good night.”

  She hung up the phone, then plopped down into one of the kitchen chairs. “You know what the problem is, Anna?”

  “I can think of lots of problems. Which one do you mean right now?”

  “Here’s the thing.” Nell picked up a fry and gestured with it as she spoke. “Lawyers have a reputation for being underhanded, right? So we get clients who expect us to be underhanded so they can get away with this, that, and the other thing, and then they get mad when we tell them we can’t.” She popped the fry in her mouth, then took a sip of her drink. “I’m tellin’ ya, this whole paralegal thing isn’t for wimps.”

  “I imagine not.” Anna unwrapped her sandwich, sighing when she noticed they forgot to leave off the onions—again. She pulled them out, replaced the bun, and took a bite.

  Nell reached over and stole her onions, putting them on her own sandwich. “So, how was your day?”

  “Weird. Definitely weird.” Anna wiped her hands on her napkin, then reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out the brochure Cyrus had given her. “Can you live without me for a little while?”

  “Probably not, but I’ll try.” Nell’s eyes grew wider as she focused on the brochure, then snatched it from Anna’s hands. “Where did you get this?”

  “Cyrus is sending me there to do some book shopping.”

  “No way.” Nell shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing back and forth. “No way. Do you have any idea what this place is?”

  “Cyrus said it was a great place to shop.” Anna took another bite. She didn’t understand why Nell was getting so worked up.