The next day, Declan Jones looked out the window of the limo, on the way to Christmas Cove. It had been a while since he had been back, but a thrill ran through him as they drove through the town square, where the living Christmas tree was perpetually decorated. With Christmas a week away, he couldn’t think of a better place to be. On a whim, he had hopped on a plane and headed here.

“I cannot believe we’re doing this!” Reuben Carter, Declan’s personal assistant, typed frantically on his laptop instead of enjoying the scenery. “You have a press corps meeting scheduled in Los Angeles for tomorrow and you just left!”

“You didn’t have to come.” Declan sighed, looking back out the window. No one was going to ruin this moment for him, especially not Reuben.

Reuben had been assigned as his personal assistant by his agent when he made it big in Hollywood five years before... and he had been a pain in his backside just as long.

“But don’t worry....” Reuben kept typing on his laptop, ignoring Declan’s comment. “I can always have it scheduled here in Christmas Cove.”

“Don’t you dare.” Declan’s head snapped up. “I’m here to relax and enjoy the holidays. I need a break. Which means, no fanfare.”

Reuben scoffed. “And do you think the studio is relaxing? That other stars are relaxing? Fame is fleeting, Declan. And the sooner you learn that, the better.”

Declan turned his attention back out the window, determined to enjoy his precious time in Christmas Cove. Out of all the places on earth he’d always dreamed of returning to, this was it.

“I mean,” Reuben continued, “we don’t even have any reservations. And this close to Christmas, every place is probably booked up for the entire year.”

Declan sighed, ignoring him, and then said to the driver, “The North Pole Lodge, please.”

Reuben huffed, finally closing his laptop. “And what are you planning to do?”

Declan let out a deep breath. “The general manager of The North Pole Lodge, Liam White, is an old friend.” Declan turned his attention back out the window, taking in the sights. “We won’t have any trouble getting a room.” He and Liam had grown up together, gone to school together, even played football together. Liam wouldn’t let him down.

“The North Pole Lodge?” Reuben scoffed. “Seriously? What kind of a—”

“Reuben, just relax. That’s the whole purpose of getting away.” Declan laughed. “Let me enjoy this.”

Reuben huffed as he sat back hard in his seat, clutching his laptop. “It’s probably a dump out here in the middle of nowhere.”

Declan chuckled, shaking his head. Reuben was pouting, but man was he going to get a shock when he saw the lodge. On the other side of the town square, the driver made a left at the road leading to The North Pole Lodge. Lined with evergreens on either side, the road curved toward the right, and then the castle came into view.

“You have got to be kidding me!” Reuben’s eyes were as wide as saucers.

Declan laughed. “I told you there was nothing to worry about.”

“What’s a castle doing out here in the middle of nowhere?” Reuben asked, flailing his arms as he got out of the limo, unable to take his eyes from it.

Declan looked up at the castle and smiled. “This isn’t nowhere. It’s Christmas Cove.”

And it was good to be home.

Ignoring Reuben, Declan headed up the steps and into the lobby. Gasps came from every female within a ten-foot radius—one of the pitfalls of being a famous actor. Although he had been in Hollywood for five years, he had worked hard, acted in several films, and now his star was rising.

Declan looked over at the front desk and there was a beautiful, young brunette woman working behind the desk, so he walked purposefully toward her. She was looking down at something behind the desk and let out a huge yawn, covering her mouth.

“Excuse me, but could we get rooms?”

She looked up and did a double take. “Yes, sir,” she said in a thick Spanish accent, and then cleared her throat. “Yes, of course. How many rooms would you like?” She looked straight into his eyes, waiting.

One corner of Declan’s lips curled into a smile. “Two rooms will be fine. Do you have any available?”

Beside him, Reuben rolled his eyes, but Declan ignored him.

“Sí Señor,” the young woman replied. “Let me check....” She turned too quickly and knocked over her coffee. “¡Oh Dios mío! ¡No puedo creer que acabo de hacer esto!” She immediately grabbed a hand towel and started mopping up the coffee. Then her head snapped up, her eyes wide with shock. “I’m so sorry, sir! I’ll be right with you.”

Declan chuckled. “Take your time. I’m in no hurry.” It had been a while since he had been around a woman so refreshing. So unassuming.

She shook her head, raising an eyebrow at him as she mopped up the coffee. “You are enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Immensely,” he replied, tilting his head to the side, one corner of his lips curling into a smile.

“Well, I’m glad I amuse you.” With the disaster averted, she set the soggy towel to the side.

His lips curled into a mischievous smile. “I’m sorry if I offended you.”

She returned his smile, shaking her head. “No, that’s fine.” Then she turned her attention toward the computer. “Now, for the rooms. Would you like them together, side by side?”

“Yes,” Reuben interjected.

Declan ignored him. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll take whatever you have.”

She nodded, taking a deep breath to gather her composure. “I have two suites with kitchenettes side by side.”

“Perfect!” Reuben chirped, as happy as a lark.

Declan leaned over the counter. “Do you have any rooms farther apart?”

“Hey!” Reuben shouted beside him.

The girl behind the counter giggled, giving him the prettiest smile he had ever seen. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“No! You will not!” Reuben shouted, making a scene.

But the girl squared her shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. “If he is the boss, which I assume he is, then his word is what I will honor,” she said in a thick Spanish accent. Even her voice was beautiful.

“Now listen here—”

“Reuben,” Declan cut him off. “Why don’t you go stand over there... out of the way?”

“Well!” he huffed. “I never!”

“Oh, yes you have.” Declan looked at him, raising an eyebrow, giving him a look that told him he was crossing a line.

The young woman resumed typing, searching the computer. “Is he always like that?” she asked, her voice low.

Declan couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, pretty much.” He studied her features while he was waiting, hoping he wasn’t making her any more uncomfortable than she already was. But there was something very intriguing about her. “So, where are you from?”

“Mexico,” she replied, not taking her eyes from the screen.

“What’s your name?”

Her head snapped up as she narrowed her eyes. Then she shrugged and replied, “Raquel Torres.”

“What a beautiful name.”

A slight blush colored her cheeks. “Thank you.” She looked into his eyes, her face serious. “So, what’s your name?” When she saw the crease form between his eyes, she backtracked, “Sorry, but I need it for the reservations.”

A slow smile spread across his face, surprised that she had no idea who he was. “You don’t know me?”

She shrugged. “Why? Have we met?”

An older woman standing to the side sporting a perfect white bob giggled, and he glanced at her in amusement.

Then Declan’s gaze returned to Raquel. She truly had no idea who he was. “Declan. Declan Jones.”