Christmas In Silver Bell Falls Read Free

drive and it seemed like the closer she got, the angrier she became.
    On the second day of the trip, when her GPS told her she was less than an hour away from her destination, she called her father and put him on speakerphone. 
    “Hey, sweetheart!  How’s the drive?”
    “She hated me,” Melanie replied.  “She seriously hated me.”
    “I’m not even going to pretend I don’t know who you’re referring to,” he said.  “Are you there already?  Is the cabin in bad shape?”
    “I’m not there yet but I’m driving on this little two-lane road and there is nothing out here.  I mean nothing!  The GPS says I should be there soon but I haven’t seen a city or a town in quite a while.  Where am I supposed to shop and get food?  Or am I supposed to hunt for it?  Because if I am, that’s a deal-breaker and you should have told me.”
    John laughed.  “You seriously need to put all of this in your book.  It’s hysterical!”
    “I’m not trying to be funny here, Dad!  I’m serious!  There isn’t anything around!”
    “You haven’t gotten there yet.  If I remember correctly, there are plenty of places to shop and eat.  You won’t starve and you certainly won’t have to go out and kill your dinner so don’t worry.”
    “But you don’t know that for sure…”
    “Mel, stop looking for trouble.  We talked about this.  It’s going to be good for you.  Your editor is thrilled and promised to give you a little extra time so you’re off to a promising start.”
    “Yeah…I’m lucky,” Melanie deadpanned.
    “You need a positive attitude, young lady,” he admonished.  “I’m serious.  I want you to make the most of this time you have up there.”
    She mentally sighed.  “I’ll try, Dad.  But I’m not making any promises.”
    “That’s all I ask.”
    “Okay, well…let me go because the road seems to be getting pretty winding and hilly and I need to pay attention to it.  I’ll call you when I get there.”
    “Be safe, sweetheart!”
    Hanging up, Melanie frowned at the road.  It was getting narrower and the sky was getting a little bit darker.  A chill went down her spine and attributing it to the cooling temperatures, she cranked up the heat. 
    The GPS began calling out directions to her and Melanie feared she was leaving civilization further and further behind.  “I better hit the New York Times for this,” she murmured.  A few minutes later she hit the brakes and stared at the giant sign on the side of the road.
    “Silver Bell Falls Welcomes You!”
    Melanie frowned and then looked around because she was certain she was hearing things.  Turning down her car stereo, she groaned when she heard the song “Silver Bells” coming from the massive sign.
    City sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in holiday style…in the air there’s a feeling of Christmas…
    “You have got to be kidding me.”  Cranking the radio up to block out the Christmas carol, Melanie slammed her foot on the gas and continued her drive.  It was maybe only a mile down the road when she spotted a small grocery store, a gas station and a diner. 
    And that was it.
    “I guess I just drove through town,” she sighed.  It was tempting to stop and look around but she was anxious to get to the house and check it out first.  Being practical, Melanie had already shopped for enough food and essentials to get her by for the first night.  And besides, she had no idea what kind of shape the house was going to be in.
    “Turn left,” the GPS directed and Melanie did just that.  “Your destination is at the end of the road.”
    Squinting, Melanie looked straight ahead but saw…nothing.  There were trees, lots and lots of trees.  Slowing down, she approached the end of the pavement and saw a dirt road that led through the trees and a small mailbox hidden in the brush.
    “Charming.”  With no other choice, she carefully drove off the pavement and made her way over the bumpy road through the trees.