It’s the week before Christmas in Kasota Springs and
Maggie Allison is sweeping the floors before closing her shop for the night.
But out in the cold darkness three men are keeping a close watch on her
movements. Local farmer Sam Thompson is also there in the shadows, ready to
step in if need be. Sure enough, when Maggie finds herself cornered by Boss
Adler and his men demanding her money and more if she doesn’t cooperate, Sam
comes to the rescue. Trouble is, Boss Adler gets away and everyone in town
expects he’ll be back for revenge. Forced into hiding on Sam’s ranch, Maggie
and Sam discover their distant memories of a childhood friendship promise
something more in the present. But the Thompsons are famous for keeping to
themselves, and Maggie knows it’ll take more than a moment under the mistletoe
to bring Sam to his senses . .
Short and sweet holiday story. Maggie is cleaning up her
store, preparing to close for the night, unaware that she is being watched.
Outside are three outlaws, intent on robbing her and more. All of them are
unaware of Sam's presence. He'd heard the men talking in the saloon and was
ready to step in if necessary. While waiting, he remembers back to his childhood.
He and Maggie were friends in first grade before her parents sent her away to
school. He's never forgotten her and will do what he must to protect her. I
loved seeing him take two of the three outlaws out, and felt his frustration
when the third got away. That particular outlaw is bad news, and both Sam and
the sheriff think that Maggie is in danger until he is caught. Sam insists on
taking Maggie to his home for safekeeping.
I loved both Maggie and Sam. Both of them are outsiders
in their town. Maggie is a combination of bossy and shy and has no friends. She
works in her store, and that is her whole life. For years she has kept a
journal, chronicling her hopes and dreams, though they have dwindled over the
years. Now she has just one wish - to spend a day with a good and loving man. Sam
is the strong, silent type. He is a private man who doesn't share much of
himself with anyone, even the relations who live in the same canyon. Neither he
nor Maggie has ever had a genuine relationship with anyone and have no idea how
to go about it.
I enjoyed the development of the relationship between Sam
and Maggie. Their childhood friendship made it easier for them to give in to
their yearning for a connection. I laughed at the idea that they would pretend
to be married for the time they were together, as that was surely tempting
fate. It was sweet to see Sam's gentleness as he gave in to the urge to kiss
Maggie. I loved Maggie's surprise at the feelings he aroused in her, and her
willingness to explore them further. Each day they were together, the feelings
between them grew stronger.
When danger comes knocking at the door, Sam must find a
way to hold it off long enough for Maggie to get away. The confrontation is
vicious and dangerous. Sam's life is spared only by the arrival of an
unexpected ally. I ached for Maggie, who is left wondering first about his
safety, then about whether there is a future for her with Sam. I loved that she
knew him well enough to understand that anything more would have to come from
him. The ending was sweet and romantic.
The secondary characters were not as well developed, but
each had an essential place in the story. I liked the old lady, Nina, and her
care for Sam and his son. She was quite the character, and I loved how she also
took to Maggie, providing her with excellent advice. The sheriff rubbed me the
wrong way from the beginning and proved my instincts right by the end. My favorite
was Sam's little boy, Wes. He was an adorable child, and I could see that he
was Sam's entire world. I loved how Wes and Maggie took to each other so
quickly.
This was my first book by Jodi Thomas, but it won't be my
last. She has a fantastic way with descriptions. From the blizzard to the
description of Sam's home, it was incredibly easy to picture them as I read. I
could feel Maggie's fear as she fled with Wes, and I felt each blow as Sam was
beaten by the bad guys.
*Originally published in A Texas Christmas (Oct 2011)
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