Page 1 of Christmas in July

PROLOGUE

LEILANI

Ipeer out the small window of the plane as it departs from the airport. I watch with excitement as the plane quickly soars over the water, leaving behind the small island.Goodbye, Hawaii.

Maybe for now. Maybe for good.

I’ve had too many heartbreaks in that darn place. Maybe on every single island. I’ve tried and I’ve tried to find love to no avail. This time, I didn’t exactly get my heart broken. I wasn’t in love with him, or anything.

But Sam was the only man I’ve ever dated who has been sort of decent toward me. Ignoring the butter knife he pulled on my uncle. And he wasn’t really interested in me at all! He thought I wasmy sister.

I’m happy for her, but the realization still hurts a little.

What’s wrong with me, that I only seem to attract the losers and jerks?

Meanwhile, my dear sister gets it right on almost her first try. Without all the time and energy and searching and trying and failing that I’ve had to suffer through! How is that fair? Heck, I even dated her dude first, to vet him for her. He came pre-dated.

Like a food taster who samples the meal first to check for poison!

I cross my arms over my chest in a grumpy way, vastly annoyed by the whole situation. It has been extremely irritating to watch them making outliterally everywhereand holding hands all the time, gazing at each other with googly eyes. What the heck! And with Uncle constantly making jokes about how I could probably hook up with Sam if he has too much to drink and doesn’t know it’s me!

Ugh. I wanted to vomit! I don’t want to be with a man who thinks I’m my sister.

I don’t want her leftovers, or to borrow any of her happiness.

I want to be with someone who lovesmefor me.

Someone who loves myinsides,which are definitely not identical to anyone else.

So, I had to get away from Hawaii. Had to get away from those lusty lovebirds.

Where am I going? Well, I don’t really know. I just went to the airport and grabbed the first flight out of here.

I spent some time with Sam’s family—his sister Stella, and her husband. They were visiting him for the first time in years, and they shared some meals with our family, to celebrate Kai and Sam getting engaged. (Those two really are the perfect couple! It’s infuriating.)

But Stella and Jack, and even Sam, longed for a place called Snowflake Creek, where they said it’s always Christmas. They couldn’t stop talking about their magical home, and the bakery, and Jack’s childhood home, an estate covered with miles of festive light displays. And all their beautiful, shared memories from growing up there.

How could they be in our stunning Hawaii, with our gorgeous views and miles of sandy beaches, and still yearn for some cold and snowy, weird small town in Minnesota?

When I was standing in the airport with my pink suitcase packed, staring up at the destinations with no clue where to go, I saw an upcoming flight to Minneapolis, and figured it was as good a place as any to start. So, I randomly bought a ticket, and hopped on the plane.

Besides—if men like Sam and Jack came out of Snowflake Creek, it might be worth a visit, right?

They are ridiculously handsome and incredibly kind and loving and loyal.

Heck, I didn’t know men like that existed in our generation!

What is this fantastical place called Snowflake Creek and what do they have in the water that creates nearly perfect Prince Charmings? And are any of them still single? Are they in short supply, do I have to take a number? I am curious, and would like to find out.

“Is this seat taken?” asks a deep voice. I am surprised when I look up to see a blonde man wearing a suit, holding a travel briefcase for a laptop.

“No, please, go right ahead,” I answer, removing my purse from the seat to make room for him.

“Thank you,” says the stranger as he gets situated. I get a whiff of his cologne and it is quite pleasant—not the worst-smelling person to be seated beside for the next few hours.

“Sorry to intrude like this,” he tells me, with a sheepish smile. “The man beside me was snoring like a hippopotamus with nasal congestion. There was a giant snot bubble that kept growing, and growing, and it was about to burst and splatter all over me. You may have saved me from a fate worse than death.”

“Oh, gosh,” I say with a little laugh. “Well, if I fall asleep and start snoring, just wake me up. I apologize in advance for any weird noises or gross bodily fluids.”

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