Chapter 1

      Hadley Monroe leaned against the window seat in the living room of rental unit seven, a clipboard in hand. Her eyes swept the room as she took in the flurry of activity going on around her. As office manager and resident jill-of-all-trades at her family’s real estate company, Monroe Holdings, she often oversaw the preparation of a vacation property for a client. Today, however, was a bit different.

      She glanced over her shoulder briefly, taking in the scenery outside. The bright sunlight streaming through the sheer white curtains gave no clue to the mid-December chill hanging in the air. Less than a half mile from the grassy lawn fronting the two-story town house the frothy waves of the Atlantic lapped at the sandy shore. She smiled as she turned back to the work at hand, reminded once again why she’d chosen to remain in Sapphire Shores after graduation. Her small island hometown just off the coast of North Carolina possessed gorgeous scenery and a close-knit community she doubted she’d find elsewhere.

      Stifling a yawn, Hadley shifted her weight and scanned the room for the familiar face of her friend.

      Belinda Quick, owner of Quick Transformations, rushed around the room with a clipboard of her own. Dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a red T-shirt emblazoned with her logo, she stood out among the purple T-shirts worn by her employees. It was Belinda’s staff that tackled the responsibility of readying MHI’s rental properties between clients. Belinda’s business handled a bevy of tasks, from general cleaning to decorating, and their efficiency had proven a godsend for Hadley on more than one occasion. Having known Belinda since high school, Hadley placed the utmost trust in her.

      Her sneakers squeaking against the recently polished hardwood floor, Belinda sidled up to Hadley. “What do you think? Are we almost there?”

      Hadley drew a deep breath as she looked around again, taking in the meticulously placed Christmas decorations put up by Belinda and her staff. The seven-foot Fraser fir occupying the corner by the staircase leading to the second floor was festooned in red and gold ornaments. The color scheme carried through to the tree skirt, the tablecloth and place mats on the dining room table, and the red and gold velvet bows adorning the balsam garland fastened to the fireplace mantel. “It looks fantastic, B. You’ve done it again, girl.”

      Belinda winked. “You know QT never slacks on a job. Got a few lights strung outside, too.”

      Hadley’s brow wrinkled. “You remembered to only use white lights, right? Because...”

      “I know, I know. Mr. Granger doesn’t like colored lights.” Belinda rolled her eyes playfully. “It’s all good, girl. We only used white lights. On the tree, outside, the whole nine. And no decor on the second floor, just like you asked.”

      Hadley felt a shiver go down her spine, and it wasn’t due to lack of insulation in the rental unit, either. It was the shiver that always moved through her when anyone mentioned Devon Granger’s name. Devon Granger. Her tongue darted out to moisten her bottom lip as she thought of him. That man had a body so solid and a face so handsome, it was if he’d been hewn from a block of marble. She was sure she wasn’t the only woman who found the actor, famous for his performances in action films and Westerns, irresistibly sexy. She was, however, the only woman who’d spent the last four Christmases making sure his every need was met to his satisfaction. Well, his rental property needs, anyhow. Given the chance, though, Hadley knew she’d happily fulfill just about any request he could throw her way...

      “Hadley. Hadley!” Belinda snapped her fingers several times. “Are you still with me, girl?”

      Blinking a few times until her friend’s face came into focus, Hadley smiled sheepishly. “Sorry, B. What did you say?”

      “I said, I’m telling my staff to clear out so you and I can make our final walk-through.”

      “Great. I think we’re done here. He likes his decorations to be pretty low-key.” Hadley hoped if she steered the conversation right back to the business at hand, her friend wouldn’t call her out for daydreaming. Honestly, it’s her fault for bringing up his name.

      No such luck. Belinda’s brow hitched upward, as it was apt to do before she commenced grilling someone for information. “You were fantasizing about him again, weren’t you.” It was a question, yet she posed it as a statement, as if there weren’t any doubt in her mind about the answer.

      Hadley sucked in a breath. Oh, the things I could tell her. She knew there was no point in trying to conceal her plans from Belinda, but that didn’t mean she wanted all eight of her friend’s employees to know her personal business. “Go clear out the staff, B.”

      She shrugged. “Fair enough. But once they leave, I want the dirt, Hadley.”

      Shaking her head, Hadley watched her friend walk away and begin the process of rounding up her employees. She plopped down on the cushion of the window seat, waiting until the last of the staff members had left and watched as Belinda strode back over.

      “Let’s get this walk-through knocked out.” Belinda gestured for Hadley to get up. “And while we do it, you can tell me what you’re plotting.”

      Hadley shook her head as the two of them began walking the property. “You know me too well.”

      “Yep. So you may as well let the tiger out of the sack.”

      Hadley sighed.