One Walk in Winter Read online

  Nothing’s ever been handed to Olivia Santini, and she’s proud of her work ethic. After seven years as the assistant manager of the Evergreen Resort and Spa, she has ideas to improve the bottom line and increase reservations. When her manager resigns, Olivia puts in her résumé and waits for the interview. The job is practically hers—all she needs is the paperwork.

  Hayley Boyd Markham is the youngest Markham, the only girl, and the most spoiled. An artistic soul in a family of business-minded type As, she’s always felt like a bit of a screwup. After an embarrassing party situation, her father puts a hold on her allowance and gives her an ultimatum: Spend the winter as manager of the Evergreen Resort and Spa and show him it can turn a profit. Only then will he reconsider her future (and her inheritance).

  A chance encounter in the woods is filled with chemistry and promise, and though neither Olivia nor Hayley is looking for love, they both feel the possibility. Until they get to work…

  Praise for Georgia Beers

  The Do-Over

  “You can count on Beers to give you a quality well-paced book each and every time.”—The Romantic Reader Blog

  “The Do-Over is a shining example of the brilliance of Georgia Beers as a contemporary romance author.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “[T]he two leads are genuine and likable, their chemistry is palpable…The romance builds up slowly and naturally, and the angst level is just right. The supporting characters are equally well developed. Don’t miss this one!”—Melina Bickard, Librarian, Waterloo Library (UK)

  Calendar Girl

  “Calendar Girl is a perfect masterclass on how to write a breathtakingly beautiful romance novel…Georgia Beers had me captivated from the start with this story. Two skilfully crafted characters, an enthralling plot and the best kissing scene ever!”—Kitty Kat’s Book Review Blog

  “Calendar Girl by Georgia Beers is a well-written sweet workplace romance. It has all the elements of a good contemporary romance…It even has an ice queen for a major character.”—Rainbow Reflections

  “A sweet, sweet romcom of a story…Calendar Girl is a nice read, which you may find yourself returning to when you want a hot-chocolate-and-warm-comfort-hug in your life.”—Best Lesbian Erotica

  The Shape of You

  “I know I always say this about Georgia Beers’s books, but there is no one that writes first kisses like her. They are hot, steamy and all too much!”—Les Rêveur

  The Shape of You “catches you right in the feels and does not let go. It is a must for every person out there who has struggled with self-esteem, questioned their judgment, and settled for a less than perfect but safe lover. If you’ve ever been convinced you have to trade passion for emotional safety, this book is for you.”—Writing While Distracted

  Blend

  “Georgia Beers hits all the right notes with this romance set in a wine bar…A low-angst read, it still delivers a story rich in heart-rending moments before the characters get their happy ever after. A well-crafted novel, Blend is a marvelous way to spend an evening curled up with a large glass of your favorite vintage.”—Writing While Distracted

  “You know a book is good, first, when you don’t want to put it down. Second, you know it’s damn good when you’re reading it and thinking, I’m totally going to read this one again. Great read and absolutely a 5-star romance.”—The Romantic Reader Blog

  “This is a lovely romantic story with relatable characters that have depth and chemistry. A charming easy story that kept me reading until the end. Very enjoyable.”—Kat Adams, Bookseller, QBD (Australia)

  “Blend has that classic Georgia Beers feel to it, while giving us another unique setting to enjoy. The pacing is excellent and the chemistry between Piper and Lindsay is palpable.”—The Lesbian Review

  Right Here, Right Now

  “The angst was written well, but not overpoweringly so, just enough for you to have the heart-sinking moment of ‘will they make it,’ and then you realize they have to because they are made for each other.”—Les Reveur

  Right Here, Right Now “is full of humor (yep, I laughed out loud), romance, and kick-ass characters!”—Illustrious Illusions

  “[A] successful and entertaining queer romance novel. The main characters are appealing, and the situations they deal with are realistic and well-managed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good queer romance novel, and particularly one grounded in real world situations.”—Books at the End of the Alphabet

  “[A]n engaging odd-couple romance. Beers creates a romance of gentle humor that allows no-nonsense Lacey to relax and easygoing Alicia to find a trusting heart.”—RT Book Reviews

  Lambda Literary Award Winner Fresh Tracks

  “Georgia Beers pens romances with sparks.”—Just About Write

  “[T]he focus switches each chapter to a different character, allowing for a measured pace and deep, sincere exploration of each protagonist’s thoughts. Beers gives a welcome expansion to the romance genre with her clear, sympathetic writing.”—Curve magazine

  Lambda Literary Award Finalist Finding Home

  “Georgia Beers has proven in her popular novels such as Too Close to Touch and Fresh Tracks that she has a special way of building romance with suspense that puts the reader on the edge of their seat. Finding Home, though more character driven than suspense, will equally keep the reader engaged at each page turn with its sweet romance.”—Lambda Literary Review

  Mine

  “From the eye-catching cover, appropriately named title, to the last word, Georgia Beers’s Mine is captivating, thought-provoking, and satisfying. Like a deep red, smooth-tasting, and expensive merlot, Mine goes down easy even though Beers explores tough topics.”—Story Circle Book Reviews

  “Beers does a fine job of capturing the essence of grief in an authentic way. Mine is touching, life-affirming, and sweet.”—Lesbian News Book Review

  Too Close to Touch

  “This is such a well-written book. The pacing is perfect, the romance is great, the character work strong, and damn, but is the sex writing ever fantastic.”—The Lesbian Review

  “In her third novel, Georgia Beers delivers an immensely satisfying story. Beers knows how to generate sexual tension so taut it could be cut with a knife…Beers weaves a tale of yearning, love, lust, and conflict resolution. She has constructed a believable plot, with strong characters in a charming setting.”—Just About Write

  One Walk in Winter

  Brought to you by

  eBooks from Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  http://www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement on the copyright of this work.

  Please respect the rights of the author and do not file share.

  One Walk in Winter

  © 2019 By Georgia Beers. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-542-4

  This Electronic Original Is Published By

  Bold Strokes Books, Inc.

  P.O. Box 249

  Valley Falls, NY 12185

  First Edition: October 2019

  This 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 persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.

  Credits

  Editors: Lynda Sandoval and Stacia Seaman

  Production Design: Stacia Seaman

  Cover Design By Ann McMan

  By the Author

  Turning the Page

  Thy Neighbor’s Wife

  Too Close to T
ouch

  Fresh Tracks

  Mine

  Finding Home

  Starting from Scratch

  96 Hours

  Slices of Life

  Snow Globe

  Olive Oil & White Bread

  Zero Visibility

  A Little Bit of Spice

  Rescued Heart

  Run to You

  Dare to Stay

  What Matters Most

  Right Here, Right Now

  Blend

  The Shape of You

  Calendar Girl

  The Do-Over

  Fear of Falling

  One Walk in Winter

  Acknowledgments

  Spending my entire life in the Northeast, I am no stranger to winter. Snow, ice, wind, blizzards, subzero temperatures? All very familiar to me. And while I don’t hate winter (like a lot of people I know), it’s always been kind of a mixed bag for me. I hate being cold, but I love the white freshness of new fallen snow, the way it seems to offer a clean slate. I don’t enjoy driving in winter weather, but big, fluffy flakes falling quietly from the sky? One of the most beautiful sights I can think of. And walking through the woods in the winter can be mesmerizing. It can be poignant, make you look inward. But could it be life-altering? I decided I wanted to find out. I hope you enjoy the journey as much as I did.

  As always, thank you to Radclyffe, Sandy Lowe, and everybody at Bold Strokes Books who make working with a publishing company an absolute dream and utterly stress-free.

  Finishing the edits on this one was bittersweet, as it was my last book with my longtime editor, Lynda Sandoval. I will miss her knowledge, her wit, and her tendency to make me a better writer with every book. My copy editor, Stacia Seaman, has the sharpest eyes of anybody I know, and I am eternally grateful that she helps make me look like I actually know what I’m doing.

  Thank you to my friends: Melissa, Carsen, Rachel, Nikki, Kris, and more, who get me, hold me accountable on word counts, help me with titles, talk me up when I need it or off the ledge when I need that. Writing can be super lonely, even for an introvert like me, and having my peeps close by makes me feel supported and lucky to have them in my corner.

  Finally, and always, I am eternally grateful to my incredible readers whose emails and messages give me confidence when I need it and haul me out of the mire when I feel stuck. Thank you never seems like enough, so I’ll keep writing.

  Chapter One

  “Oh, my God, I love the first snowfall!”

  It didn’t matter that there was nobody around to hear her. Olivia Santini threw her arms out to the sides and turned in a slow circle with her face toward the sky. Big, fat, fluffy flakes of snow landed softly on her cheeks and eyelashes, and she stuck her tongue out to catch a couple. While she knew that in another two months, she’d be ready for the snow and the cold to silently slip away, leaving spring in its place, the first snowfall of the season really did hold a special place in her heart.

  Her dog, Walter, obviously thought this spinning in a circle thing was a fun new game and that the appropriate course of action was for him to jump on his person, barking happily. Which he did.

  Olivia fell to the ground laughing, grabbing at her dog with mittened hands, kissing his furry black-and-white head. Walter rolled on his back in the snow, and she patted his white belly as he squirmed with that level of joy reserved for dogs and toddlers.

  “Okay, buddy,” she said, with a final pat. “Let’s get moving.”

  She never leashed Walter on their morning walks, as they’d only run into other people maybe twice and Walter didn’t have a mean bone in his body. He wanted to be friends with everybody. It was early: barely seven in the morning, light enough to see, but no sun yet, thanks to the recent time change, which Olivia hated. Their walks in the summer were much brighter and sunnier, but there was something about this particular morning. The impending sunrise had tinted things a calm, serene blue. The snow, the trees, the sky. Everything had this veil of peace, and Olivia realized it was more of a feeling than an actual sight. She inhaled and held the fresh morning air in her lungs for a few seconds before letting it out.

  It was going to be a good day.

  Walter sprinted ahead, bounding through the new fallen snow like a small child. There wasn’t a lot of it—an inch or two—but enough to enamor her dog, who seemed to live for walks and the outdoors and winter.

  “Walter. Don’t go too far ahead.” She could see his furry butt bouncing along the trail about twenty yards in front of her, trotting happily and not looking back.

  Olivia picked up her pace to a jog, following Walter’s tracks, which veered off the path to the right. Probably a squirrel had caught his eye. She never got terribly worried. Walter was part Australian shepherd, and even when he left her behind, he never went far, and he always came back. She was his herd, and a good herding dog always stays close to his herd.

  But it wasn’t a squirrel. Surprisingly, Walter had found another person in the woods. A new friend. One with a camera. Olivia’s initial panic—not everybody loved dogs, especially ones that ran up on you in the trees—eased almost instantly as the stranger, back to her, dropped to a squat and pulled off a glove in order to pet Walter. Olivia could hear the low rumble of a voice as she approached.

  “I’m so sorry,” she said to the stranger, who was dressed in a red parka, the fur-lined hood up. Jeans and low boots were all Olivia could see as she pulled Walter’s leash from her pocket, preparing to clip it to his collar. “He’s really friendly. He just wants to say hi to everybody. We’ve had many discussions about him not being pushy, but…” She indicated her dog, whose entire body was now between the knees of the stranger, his tailless rear end waggling with the happiness of finding a new friend. “As you can see, he’s not big on retaining that information.”

  “Oh, no worries at all.” The stranger chuckled, and the voice was decidedly female, soft and friendly. She pushed the hood off her head so she could see Olivia and held up her camera. “He’s really beautiful. I took a couple of shots. I hope that’s okay.”

  Weird things happened to Olivia in that moment. Her heart rate picked up speed. Her palms began to sweat inside her gloves. Her voice seemed to catch in her throat, and she swallowed hard. He’s beautiful, she thought, as she looked at one of the most stunningly gorgeous faces she’d ever seen in her life. Large eyes the color of spring grass and lined with super-dark lashes focused on her. They were set into a face made of the smoothest-looking skin Olivia had ever seen, almost porcelain in its perfection. When the stranger smiled, high, defined cheekbones became more obvious, and her light brown brows matched the tousled hair on her head.

  “Or not?” The stranger tilted her head, waiting for Olivia to respond. “I mean, I can delete them.”

  Olivia shook herself free of the weird spell she suddenly felt like she was under. “No. No, it’s fine. Sorry.” She smiled as she reached down to grab Walter’s face in her hands. He looked at her with his big, soft brown eyes and she swore to God she could see a human in there sometimes. Then she stood and clipped his leash on. Evergreen Hills was a fairly small town and Olivia had never laid eyes on this woman before, which was a definite pity, because laying eyes on her was a lot of fun. A lot. Trying to yank herself back to being a normal human rather than an ogling creeper, she indicated the camera. “You getting some good shots?”

  “I am. It’s so beautiful out here.” Those green eyes scanned the woods as if they were something brand new, never before seen. “The snow on the bare branches. All the evergreens mixed in. The slow brightening of the sky. The blanket of white that hasn’t been walked on.”

  “Sounds like you’ve never been here before.”

  “I haven’t. I’m also new to this time of day.” They both laughed at that. “I didn’t sleep well last night and was up way too early. Then I saw the snow and just got this urge to walk.” The stranger turned her face so those eyes locked with Olivia’s. “Which is very unlike me, believe me.”
She shrugged as if she didn’t understand it herself.

  “Walter and I walk here every morning.”

  “Every morning? This early?”

  Olivia smiled as the two of them trudged back to the trail and began walking together by unspoken understanding. “Walter doesn’t know what it means to sleep in. He’s always gotten breakfast by six, so he’s usually up around then. He eats, we walk.”

  “The order of things,” the stranger said, with a nod. “I get that. I’m Hayley, by the way.” She pulled a glove off and stuck out her hand.

  “Olivia.” They shook. Hayley’s hand was warm and soft and Olivia tried not to hold on for too long, even though she wanted to.

  “So, you walk here every day,” Hayley said. “I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that you live here.”

  “Your powers of deduction are stunning,” Olivia teased. “Yes. All my life. I’m an Evergreener.”

  “An Evergreener, huh?”

  “That’s what they call us.” Olivia had stopped walking so Walter could sniff a tree, then lift his leg on it. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Hayley lift her camera and aim it their way, then heard her snap a few shots of Walter, she assumed. Then she waited until Olivia caught back up to her. “What about you?”