Chapter 1 The Unexpected Client
In the small town of Evergreen Hollow, snow covered the ground like a soft white blanket. The air was crisp and cold, filled with the smell of pine trees and fresh-baked cookies from the local bakery. Christmas lights hung from every house and shop, making the whole town glow at night. People walked around in thick coats, laughing and talking about the upcoming holiday festival. Evergreen Hollow was the kind of place where everyone knew each other, and holidays were a big deal.
Holly Winters loved it all. She was twenty-eight years old, with curly red hair that she often tied up in a ponytail. Her green eyes sparkled when she talked about Christmas. She wore sweaters with reindeer patterns and boots that crunched in the snow. Holly worked as a matchmaker at Heartstrings Connections, a small office on Main Street. Her job was to help people find love. She believed in happy endings, especially during the holidays.
Holly's brother, Jack, was thirty years old. He was tall and strong, with short brown hair and a friendly smile. Jack played hockey for the Evergreen Bears, the town's minor league team.
The Bears were popular, and their games brought crowds to the arena. Jack had been best friends with Rowan Kane since they were kids. They grew up playing hockey on frozen ponds and getting into trouble together.
Rowan was thirty-two now. He had dark hair, blue eyes, and a jaw that looked like it was carved from stone. He was a star player on the Bears, known for his speed on the ice. But off the ice, Rowan was grumpy. He didn't talk much, and he avoided smiles. Rowan was a single dad to Lily, his six-year-old daughter.
Lily had the same blue eyes as her dad, and she loved drawing pictures of snowmen. Rowan's wife had left them when Lily was a baby, and since then, Rowan focused on hockey and his daughter. He hated Christmas because it reminded him of bad times.
One morning in early December, Holly sat at her desk in the office. The room was decorated with a small Christmas tree in the corner, strings of lights on the walls, and a wreath on the door. Her desk had a computer, stacks of files, and a mug of hot cocoa. The mug had a picture of an elf on it. Holly sipped the warm drink and looked at her calendar. The Christmas Eve gala for the Bears was coming up. It was a fancy party with music, food, and dancing. The team required players to bring dates to look good for sponsors.
The phone rang. Holly answered with her cheerful voice. "Heartstrings Connections! This is Holly. How can I help you find love this holiday season?"
"It's Rowan Kane," a deep voice said. "Jack told me to call you. I need a date for the gala."
Holly's eyes widened. Rowan? Her brother's best friend? She remembered him from family dinners and games. He was always quiet, but kind to her when she was little. "Rowan! Hi! Sure, I can help. Come in for a meeting. How about tomorrow at noon?"
"Fine," he said. "See you then."
Holly hung up and leaned back in her chair. Rowan as a client? It felt strange, but exciting. She could find him a great date. He was handsome and successful. But she knew he was grumpy, so it might be hard.
The next day, snow fell gently outside. Holly wore a red sweater and jeans. She arranged some cookies on a plate for clients. At noon, the door opened, and Rowan walked in. He wore a black coat, jeans, and boots. His face looked serious, like he didn't want to be there. He glanced at the decorations and shook his head.
"This place is too festive," he muttered as he sat down.
Holly smiled. "That's the point! Christmas is fun. So, tell me about yourself. What kind of date do you want?"
Rowan crossed his arms. "I don't want a date. The coach says I have to bring one. It's for the team's image. I'm busy with games and Lily. Find someone who won't expect more."
Holly nodded and took notes. "Okay. Do you like funny people? Adventurous? Quiet?"
"Doesn't matter," he said. "Just someone to stand next to me and smile. No holiday lovers. I hate Christmas."
Holly tilted her head. "Why hate Christmas? It's the best time of year."
Rowan looked away. "Bad memories. Not your business."
Holly felt a pang of sympathy. She knew about his ex-wife leaving around the holidays. "Alright. I'll find you someone. I have lots of clients."
Rowan raised an eyebrow. "You think you can? I bet you can't. People see me as the grumpy guy with a kid."
Holly laughed. "I can! Let's bet on it. If I find you a date, you have to wear a Christmas hat to the gala. If I can't, I'll... be your fake date myself."
Rowan stared at her. "You? Jack's sister? That would be weird."
"Exactly. It'll prove I'm the best matchmaker," she said, her eyes twinkling.
He thought for a moment, then nodded. "Deal. But you'll lose."
They shook hands. His hand was warm and rough from hockey. As he left, Holly wondered if the bet was a good idea. Rowan was off-limits because of Jack, but it was just fake.
After Rowan left, Holly got to work. She opened her computer and looked through profiles. There was Sarah, a teacher who loved kids. But Sarah hated sports. Next, Emily, a nurse who was funny. But Emily was going away for Christmas. Then, Mia, a baker who loved holidays. But Rowan said no holiday lovers.
Holly called a few women. "Hi, this is Holly from Heartstrings. I have a client who's a hockey player. Interested?"
One woman said, "Hockey? Too rough for me."
Another said, "Single dad? I don't want kids."
Holly sighed. It was harder than she thought. She decided to take a break and walk to the Christmas market.
The market was busy. Stalls sold ornaments, hot cider, and handmade gifts. Children laughed as they built snowmen. Holly bought a candy cane and thought about Rowan. When they were kids, Rowan and Jack would pull her on a sled. Rowan was always protective, like a big brother. But now, he was different – closed off.
Her phone buzzed. It was Jack. "Hey, Hol. Rowan said he's your client. Don't set him up with anyone crazy."
Holly rolled her eyes. "I'm professional. But he's grumpy."
Jack laughed. "Yeah, since Anna left. Give him time."
Holly hung up and went back to the office. She spent the afternoon emailing more clients. By evening, she had two possible matches. She set up phone calls for the next day.
The next morning, Holly met with the first woman, Laura. Laura was pretty, with blonde hair. "Tell me about this guy," Laura said.
"He's a hockey star, single dad, handsome," Holly said.
"Sounds good, but does he like fun? I love Christmas parties."
Holly hesitated. "He's more serious."
Laura frowned. "Hmm. Maybe not."
The second woman, Kate, said no because she was allergic to kids' pets – Lily had a cat.
Holly leaned on her desk. "This is tough."
Days passed. Holly tried more matches. She went to a networking event at the ice rink to meet new people. The rink was full of skaters and hockey fans. She talked to a few women, but none fit.
One evening, Rowan texted: "Any luck?"
"Not yet," Holly replied.
"Told you," he wrote back.
Holly felt determined. She spent hours online, looking for profiles. But as the gala got closer, she started to worry. What if she had to be his fake date?
One night, snow storm hit the town. Holly stayed home in her small house, decorated with lights and a big tree. She baked cookies and thought about Rowan. He lived in a house nearby with Lily. Maybe he needed someone to show him holiday fun.
The next day, she called Rowan. "I have one more try. If not, I'll be your date."
He laughed on the phone, a rare sound. "See? You lose the bet."
Holly's heart beat faster. Fake dating Rowan? It could be awkward, but maybe fun.
But the last match fell through. The woman canceled because of work.
Holly called Rowan. "Okay, you win. I'll be your fake date for the gala."
"Good. Pick you up at seven," he said. His voice sounded a bit happy.
Holly hung up and stared at her reflection. What had she gotten into?
As the week went on, Holly prepared. She bought a red dress for the gala. She told Jack about the bet, but not the fake date part. Jack laughed. "Rowan needs cheering up. Good luck."
Holly wondered if this fake date would stay fake. Rowan was grumpy, but there was something about him that made her curious.
The day before the gala, Holly went to the Christmas tree farm on the edge of town. It was part of her job to scout romantic spots. The farm had rows of green trees, lights strung between them, and a stand selling hot cocoa. Families picked trees and took photos.
Holly walked around, sipping cocoa. Suddenly, she saw Rowan there with Lily. Lily ran around, pointing at trees. Rowan followed, carrying a saw.
"Rowan?" Holly said, surprised.
He turned. "Holly? What are you doing here?"
"Scouting for clients. You?"
"Lily wanted a tree. I said no, but she begged."
Lily waved. "Hi, Miss Holly! Daddy is getting me a tree!"
Holly smiled. "That's nice. Want help?"
Rowan shrugged. "Sure."
They walked together. Lily picked a small tree. Rowan cut it down. As they tied it to his truck, snow started falling.
"Thanks," Rowan said. "See you tomorrow for the gala."
Holly nodded. "Yeah. Fake date time."
He looked at her for a moment, his eyes soft. Then he drove away.
Holly watched them go. This was just the beginning.