The Christmas Swap Read online

  Praise for Christmas in Winter Hill

  “A deftly crafted, wonderfully holiday-season-appropriate novel from a gifted storyteller.”

  The Midwest Book Review

  “Intriguing, sweet, and heartfelt, Christmas in Winter Hill is a must-read for all.”

  Urban Lit Magazine

  Praise for A Christmas by the Sea

  “With a sweet ending that neatly wraps up this Christmas novel, Carlson explores second chances through the touch-ups of a small beach house, a budding romance, and a renewal of faith in God.”

  Publishers Weekly

  “This breezy, entertaining read provides the perfect afternoon getaway during a busy holiday season.”

  Library Journal

  “A Christmas story that will warm your heart and have you dreaming of your own enchanted seaside holiday.”

  Family Fiction

  Praise for The Christmas Blessing

  “Delightful prose and an affirming resolution will please readers.”

  Publishers Weekly

  “Novelist Melody Carlson has written a deftly crafted, consistently entertaining, and ultimately inspiring story of love, hardship, and reconciliation that will leave readers filled with Christmas joy.”

  The Midwest Book Review

  Books by Melody Carlson

  Christmas at Harrington’s

  The Christmas Shoppe

  The Joy of Christmas

  The Treasure of Christmas

  The Christmas Pony

  A Simple Christmas Wish

  The Christmas Cat

  The Christmas Joy Ride

  The Christmas Angel Project

  The Christmas Blessing

  A Christmas by the Sea

  Christmas in Winter Hill

  The Christmas Swap

  © 2020 by Carlson Management Company

  Published by Revell

  a division of Baker Publishing Group

  PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

  www.revellbooks.com

  Ebook edition created 2020

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

  ISBN 978-1-4934-2665-2

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Contents

  Cover

  Endorsements

  Books by Melody Carlson

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  1

  2

  3

  4

  5

  6

  7

  8

  9

  10

  11

  12

  13

  14

  15

  16

  17

  About the Author

  Back Ads

  Cover Flaps

  Back Cover

  one

  Emma Daley had always loved Christmas as a child, but . . . not so much as an adult. That was probably because she’d been spending Christmas with her best friend Gillian’s family ever since her parents moved to the other side of the planet. Christmas at the Landerses’ opulent Scottsdale home meant fabulous food, fancy clothes, expensive gifts—at least from them. Emma couldn’t afford that kind of extravagance. And of course, the holidays were never complete without the usual Landers family feud.

  It wasn’t that Emma didn’t appreciate Gillian’s family, or their hospitality, but sometimes she longed for something more . . . or maybe it was something less. So this year Emma had decided to do it differently. She planned to spend her holidays alone. And that was what she’d just told Gillian.

  “I haven’t spent Christmas at home since my parents left,” Emma explained as the two met for coffee. It was the same coffeehouse they’d frequented as ASU college freshmen fourteen years ago. And the same town Emma had grown up in and where she now made her meager living as a substitute English teacher. “I think it’ll be fun to spend Christmas in Tempe.”

  “Fun? To be alone? You can’t be serious.” Gillian set her cup down with a clunk.

  “I know it probably sounds weird, but it’s what I want, and I plan to get a real tree and make a fire in the fireplace—just like Dad would do. Even if it’s eighty degrees outside.”

  “But you don’t understand, Em. You have to spend Christmas with us,” Gillian insisted.

  “Not this year.” Emma looked down at her steaming latte, trying to avoid direct eye contact with her persuasive friend. This would not be easy.

  “But you always spend Christmas with us. Ever since your parents ran off to Africa without you.” Gillian’s fair brows arched. “Or are they coming home this year?”

  “No, they’re not coming home.”

  “I just don’t get them.” Gillian blew on her mocha. “I mean, it’s nice they want to help poor people over there and everything, but to leave their only child and just—”

  “We’ve been down this road before.” Emma stifled irritation. “You know that I love how my parents run the mission school in Uganda. It was their lifelong dream. And in their defense, they didn’t even pursue it until I graduated.”

  “That is exactly why you need to spend Christmas with us. You’re part of our family, Em.” Gillian smiled smugly. “I’m not supposed to say so, but Grant told Mom that he’s thinking about settling down.”

  “Oh, that’s nice. Does your brother have a girlfriend now?”

  “No, silly. Grant has always had a thing for you, Emma. You know that.”

  Emma resisted the urge to roll her eyes like one of her adolescent students. Grant was just one more reason to forgo another Christmas with the Landerses. But how to let Gillian down gently? “Well, I just don’t think I can do—”

  “You still haven’t let me explain everything.” Gillian held up a stop-sign hand. “What you don’t know is that Dad came up with this awesome plan. We are doing a house swap for Christmas.”

  “A house swap?”

  “Yes. You know how Dad grew up in Michigan. You’ve heard him get all nostalgic, whining about how he misses those white Christmases.”

  “A white Christmas?” Emma felt her interest pique.

  “Yes. So, anyway, Dad arranged a house swap with these people in Breckenridge, Colorado. Apparently it’s this awesome ski area. Not that I’m all that interested in winter sports. But Grant invited a friend to come.” Her pale blue eyes twinkled. “Remember that dreamy Harris from last Christmas?”

  Emma nodded. Mostly she remembered Gillian’s obsession with a guy who barely noticed Gil was breathing . . . and then how he left early and an argument erupted between Gillian and her brother as a result.

  “It seems that Harris is really into skiing, so he’s totally down with this Colorado trip. Won’t it be fun, Em?”

  The image of Christmas with snow was truly appealing. Emma had never seen real snow before. Not in person anyway. Still . . . she wasn’t so sure about a destination holiday with the Landerses. So many things could go wrong, and home would be more than a short drive away.

  “So, here’s the deal. I have to take you with us. It’ll balance things out. You can occupy Grant while I occupy his handsome friend.” Gillian giggled.

  Emma knew Gillian well enough not to be surprised or even
insulted by the implication. She was used to being taken for granted by Gillian—it was just Gil’s way. But their friendship had deep roots . . . old ties that Emma couldn’t ignore. But another Christmas with the Landerses? “I don’t know, Gillian. I was sort of planning on using winter break to work on my music. I’ve been working on some new songs and—”

  “Did you have a special gig or something?”

  “No, nothing special, or even for certain. But besides getting a lot of practice time on my guitar, I’m lined up to perform at McCreary’s Pub. They didn’t give me the date yet but promised me something during the holidays.”

  “Oh, you play for McCreary’s all the time. That’s no big deal.”

  Emma resisted the urge to point out that it was a big deal. At least to her.

  “Think about it, Em. A paid ski vacation in Breckenridge, Colorado—and spending Christmas with me and my family. Seriously, how can you turn that down?”

  “A white Christmas does sound cool.” Emma felt her reserve melting.

  “And I almost forgot—Dad already reserved your airline ticket—we’re all going first class so you’ve got to come with us. Everyone will be devastated if you don’t. You’re like part of the family. Please, say you will. Consider it your Christmas present to me this year. Please!”

  Emma softened. “Okay, Gil, you talked me into it.”

  “The clock is ticking, girlfriend.” Gillian set down her coffee mug. “Time to go shopping for some chic winter garb. I hear it’s cold up there. And you and I are going to look like a million bucks.”

  Emma knew it was pointless to resist Gil’s plan to shop until she dropped—Emma, not Gillian—especially since she’d already agreed to spend the day with her friend. Now Gil’s BMW was pointed westward, with Gil’s favorite singer, Gunner Price, blasting through the sound system. Although Phoenix was considered the shopping mecca of the Southwest, it didn’t seem ideal for finding appropriate winter clothes. But this was Gillian—and shopping wasn’t just her hobby, it was her passion. So Emma wasn’t too surprised when Gillian found a ski store with all sorts of winter-friendly apparel.

  “Not that one,” Gillian told Emma with a frown.

  Emma checked out the dark olive-green parka in the full-length mirror. “I like it.” She zipped it up. “It feels snug and warm. Plus it’s been marked down.”

  “For good reason. It’s dull and drab.”

  “I like dull and drab.” Emma pulled her long ponytail out of the collar, turning to check out the back of the coat in the mirror. She liked that it was cut long—it would keep her backside warm and offer some padding if she fell down during a ski lesson, which seemed inevitable.

  “But with your striking black hair and dark eyes, you should be wearing something more colorful.” Gillian held up a bright turquoise coat. “Like this.”

  “No thanks. That is so not me.”

  “Good point. My parka is blue—like my eyes. You need something different. How about this one?” She held up a hot pink jacket with a lot of silver snaps and zippers.

  “Thanks, but no thanks.”

  “But you’d look like an Asian princess in it.”

  Emma laughed. “Will you ever get over that, Gil? My grandmother might’ve been Japanese, but she certainly wasn’t royalty.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I know she was a starving war bride. But you don’t know, she could’ve been a descendant of some emperor or something. I mean, you’ve always had kind of a regal look.”

  “In your imagination.” Emma took off the green parka. “I think I’ll take this one.” She looked at Gillian. “That powder blue looks great on you, Gil. It’s almost the same shade as your eyes.”

  “That’s what I thought too. Plus it shows off my tan.”

  “You’ll be the cutest ski bunny up there,” Emma teased.

  “Are you suggesting I’m a poser?” Gillian struck a pose then laughed.

  Emma tried on a knit hat. “So you really don’t plan to give it a try?”

  “Are you kidding? I don’t want to make a fool of myself. Not in front of Harris. I’ll be waiting at the lodge with my hot cocoa when you guys come down. Hopefully they won’t be bringing you down on a stretcher.”

  “Thanks for that vote of confidence.”

  “I’m kidding. We know you’re the athletic one. I just wish you wanted to be a snow bunny with me. We go so good together, Em. Our looks totally complement each other.”

  Emma’s smile felt placating. How many times had she heard that before? Early on in their friendship, she’d worried that Gillian considered her a fashion accessory. But over time, she’d figured out that Gillian was just Gillian. Slightly shallow, yes, but sincere and fun-loving too. And if anyone ever tried to take advantage of Emma, Gillian was always the first one to her rescue. How could Emma not remain loyal to her?

  two

  West Prescott never would’ve agreed to a holiday house swap if his mother hadn’t pressured him into it. And just less than two weeks ago. Most guys in their late thirties didn’t let their parents push them around, but West’s relationship with his mom was special. Now to discover it was actually his stepfather behind this last-minute deal—well, that changed things.

  “So, you’re telling me that Drew dreamed up this half-baked plan?” West asked his sister as he shoved summery clothes into a duffel bag.

  “Yes, but I think it’ll be fun,” McKenzie said on her end of the phone. “And you should see the house, West. Didn’t Mom send you photos? It’s fabulous.”

  “I’ll admit the place looks pretty swanky. But palm trees and eighty degrees don’t sound much like Christmas to me.” He zipped the duffel.

  “Spoken like a true songwriter,” she teased.

  “A songwriter who wants to spend Christmas in his own home.” West went out to the catwalk, tossing his duffel bag down to the first floor. He gazed longingly at the wide-open living room, the tall stone fireplace, the comfortable furnishings. “And it’s all decorated for Christmas here too.”

  “You’re kidding! You decorated for us?”

  “Well, not me personally. I let Gunner Price use my house for his Christmas video six weeks ago. Professional decorators came in and really did a number on my place. You should see it.” He gazed down at the enormous tree, decked out in mountain style with little cabins, miniature moose, snowshoes, and pine cones. He’d liked it so much, he’d actually purchased it—and everything else—from the designer. “We’ve literally decked the halls.” He described the garlands and lights. “And all these old-fashioned lanterns that look like the real thing but use batteries instead of flames.”

  “I don’t know which is more impressive,” McKenzie said. “That Gunner Price was just there or that your house is already decorated for Christmas.”

  “I know. This house has never looked more Christmassy.”

  “Why didn’t you mention it earlier?”

  “Because I’d hoped to surprise you guys at Christmas.”

  “Bummer. Now I feel bad, West. I’m sorry we won’t be there to see it.”

  “Yeah, yeah, well, those Arizona house swappers will probably appreciate it.” West grabbed his backpack on the landing then hurried down the massive wooden staircase. He would’ve slid on the handrail, but the hand-hewn logs were artistically wrapped with a realistic green garland, complete with twinkle lights and red plaid bows.

  “I’m sure the house swappers will love everything there, West. It’s a beautiful home. But, on the same token, my boys are gonna love that amazing pool at the Arizona house. Did you see how big it is? It has a waterfall and a hot tub and—”

  “Yeah, can’t wait to hit the hot tub in ninety-degree heat.” West picked up his duffel bag and gave his big lodge-style house one last look. The Christmas decor was so nicely done. Even the gigantic fake tree looked like the real deal. Palm trees couldn’t begin to compete. “Well, at least I can work on my tan down there in the sunny Southwest.”

  “Now, that’s the spirit, bro. Y
ou better skedaddle if you’re going to meet us at the airport on time. The traffic is something else coming up from the Springs. I’m surprised you can’t hear Jeremy groaning.”

  “I can imagine. But I’ll bet the traffic is mostly on its way into Colorado—not out.” West punched in the security code then stepped out the enormous hand-carved front door. “And they’re predicting a dump of fresh snow before Christmas Eve.” He stepped back to gaze at his home. His manager had encouraged him to buy it after the songs he’d created for Gunner Price’s album went platinum several years ago, and West had never regretted it. Although, as he hid the key in the designated spot, he did regret leaving it—and to strangers too.

  “And while your house swappers are freezing their hind ends off on the slopes, we’ll all be poolside, soaking up sun and sipping on something cool and frosty.” She laughed. “It’ll be rough, but I think you can handle it.”

  “Oh, sure, sis, as long as you’re happy.” His tone turned sarcastic as he crunched through the crusty snow. “You and dear old Drew.” He felt a tinge of guilt for knocking their stepdad. Especially since McKenzie liked him.

  “Oh, West. That wasn’t nice.” She paused at the sound of kids’ voices. “Anyway, I gotta settle a dispute. The boys can’t agree on the video playing in the back seat at the moment. See you in Denver.”

  As he unlocked his Jeep, West knew he’d have to apologize to his sister. She was probably feeling defensive of their stepdad by now. And it wasn’t that West didn’t like Drew. It was simply that he’d never gotten to know him very well. And now he resented how Drew had talked his mom into this whole last-minute house swap biz. West had only agreed because he thought his mom wanted it. He smacked the steering wheel and blew out an exasperated sigh. Why was he being so petty?

  “Get over yourself,” he said aloud. “It’s Christmastime . . . and it’s your family . . . and it’s not worth sulking over.” For Mom’s sake—and McKenzie’s—he needed to get it together before arriving in Denver where they’d be waiting. Otherwise he’d wind up being the Grinch spoiling everyone’s Christmas. Time to straighten up and get into the Christmas spirit!