Falling for Holly: A Christmas Love Story

"Holly!", My sister screamed across the living room. She been living with me since she was eight and I was eighteen. It was more of us living in our parents' home.

Our parents had died that year and it been tough for her on Christmas.

It was hard on me.

That was the day we lost them.

They was checking over the inventory in our Christmas Shoppe and the numbers to see how well they did for the whole year up to that point. We ran all year round when we got robbed.

I still do but it is tough.

Everyone knew that Christmas Eve was our biggest sales day because everyone getting their last-minute presents and decorations before the big guy came to visit.

Our parents would do the run-down Christmas morning before getting us all up.

Before I was old enough to watch over my little sister in the morning, Mrs. Hunter, our neighbor that I swear was not human on how old she is and still running around like she a twenty-year-old woman; she would watch us.

Mrs. Hunter came over that morning like old times.

My father tried to give the robbers everything that we had in cash, but that didn't stop them from shooting my parents.

They took nothing at the end.

They just fled after killing them.

Correction they did take one thing and it was something that no one could give back.

My sister and I have been keeping up our traditions with the store, but this year was the hardest for us.

We were losing money, and in the red for about a year and half. I can't keep up with the bills.

It been three years since that Christmas.

We was going on number four and it wasn't getting any easier for us.

We haven't hit Halloween yet and we already feeling the pressure of the store and our parent's death.

On top of all that my birthday is on Christmas.

"Holly!" she screamed from the living room taking me out of my thoughts. I got up from the pile of bills as I walked into the living room when I threw my arms to the side, "What?" She pointed to the television as TMZ was running a story on the hot Blake Lincoln.

The Lincoln's is one of the richest family in New England. He is one of the most single rich playboy men around the world.

He was the oldest of the four brothers and two sisters. All was in the spotlight except for one sister. She kept her name out of the media. We know about her, but we don't know who she is. I give that girl credit. I don't know if I would want to be in the spotlight either.

He was like six feet from what I heard; dark hair, killer eyes of gold, chiseled body, and face with a five-clock shadow.

He was walking god.

We watched TMZ as they announced that he is looking for a wife. Oh lord, here we go. He is going cause every single and not so single woman to go crazy.

I chuckled as I shut the television off, "I think he just like the attention." She shook her head, "I think you should send in your picture to him." I busted out laughing, "Melissa are you crazy. I would never do that. Plus, I need to take care of you, and you are a handful as it is."

Here goes the crazy little sister act. Trying to get me to go out on some date, with some guy. She would have tried to get Austin to date me, but he married. She is going to be the death of me.

I don't need a relationship.

Not when I have so much on my plate.

Blake's Point of View

"Dad, Are you serious?" I stormed into my parent's home.

He popped his head into the foyer as he smirked, "Serious, about?"

I shook my head, "You know what I am talking about. TMZ." His smirk fell, "Oh, you saw that."

I nodded my head, "Yeah dad, kind of hard to miss now that I have all these crazy bimbos looking to marry me."

I shook my head, "It was bad enough before, but now. What the hell were you thinking?"

He placed his hair into his white hair, "Listen, Blake. You are not getting any younger and your mom and I will not be here much longer."

My mother hummed as she walked in and gave me a kiss on the cheek, "I don't agree with your father's method, but he is right. We just want to see you happy."

I shook my head, "What if I wanted to stay single for the rest of my life?" My father shook his head as he walked towards office, "Not an option plus your children will take over after you."

I choked, "Children. Shit, dad. I don't want to get marry never mind have children." He shook his head as he pulled up his email, "You will find a wife and one that we will be proud to have."

I waved my hand around, "And what all about that love crap, blah blah." He chuckled, "I think over time with the right woman you learn to love her."

I groaned, "Dad!"

He been waiting for the day to get marry. I am the oldest and all of my siblings are married and having kids. All of us Lincoln children, all but one.

ME.

I tilted my as my father read email when he teared up. I walked closer to his desk, "Dad. You are okay?"

He nodded his head as he wiped a tear away, "You remember me and your mom mentioning the Winter's."

I nodded, "How can I forget? Every Christmas you two talked about how you all got together as kids and made Christmas the best that you all could."

He nodded as he lifted up, "Apparently, they had two children. Holly and Melissa."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Okay. What does this have to do with the TMZ thing?"

He chuckled, "Well, the youngest child had sent an email for her sister to be one of your candidates."

I rolled my eyes, "Great." He sat down as he looked up at me with his eyes tearing, "I didn't know they were murdered."

Shit, I knew they cared about the Winter's but like this.

My eyes went wide, "What?" My dad pulled out a book of photos as he pulled up a picture of the four of them. My parents and the Winter's.

"They owned a store in Gloucester by the water." He chuckled, "They took over when Gary's parents was too sick to operate it."

I sat down, "So, those Christmas decorations comes from their store?" He nodded, "We had an account and is automatic the decorations are sent to us from the house and businesses."

He took a deep breath, "We had to some budget cuts five years ago. We had to stop the account until we got back the money that we lost."

I shrugged my shoulders, "Why didn't you reopened it. I mean we are doing better than we have in years." He tilted his head, "Life got busy but now the girls are struggling."

He sat straight and typed on the computer as he swore under his breath, "According to the newspaper in their area, they are about to lose the store and their childhood home."

I shook my head at him, "Then why not give them a check and help them out." He shook his head then pointed to me, "You are going to Gloucester."

I busted out laughing, "You're nuts."

He can't be serious. I am not going to Gloucester to meet some girl because my father wants me to find love. Screw that.

I have a fuck date later on.

He smirked, "I may be but also I am looking at this as a sigh. Your mother and I lost contact with the Winter's since college, then we had to lose the contract and here we are."

He held up hand out to his computer, "You are in need of a wife and Holly is in of a Prince." I groaned, "Dad."

He is serious about this.

Ugh, He going to kill me before I turn thirty.

He point to me again, "Just go and see if there sparks or what nots." He smirked, "If you don't want to marry her by Christmas then I will drop it."

I could use a vacation.

Maybe find some mermaids by the sea.

HA.

I crack myself up.

I will go along with the crazy plans of his for now.

Shit.

He giving me almost a two-month vacation.

I freaken take it.

I bowed my head, "Fine. I will go but this doesn't mean I am coming home with a wife and a new sister-in-law."

He chuckled as I lifted. Crazy old man. I thought he lost it last year when he did a talent show at the office but this. Now, He completely lost it.

Fuck.

I looked at him, "Do you at least have a picture of her?"

He smirked as he forward the email.

I quickly read the email when I started to walk out of my father's office as I wanted to cry. These girls already lost their parents now they are in jeopardy of losing their home and business.

I looked at the picture of Holly as I stopped in my tracked when my father lifted his eyebrow, "Everything okay, son?"

I pointed to my screen,

"This is Holly?"

He smirked as he sat back, "Beautiful, isn't she?"

Beautiful wasn't the word I would described her.

Amazing, most beautiful woman I have seen on this earth.

Damn it Dad.

Why does your friends have to have the most amazing looking daughter. My cock is pressing against my pants. My heart is doing flips.

Wait!

Why is my heart doing flips?

She had golden hair that ran down her face showing her blue eyes. Her smile was full, and she looked so happy but so much pain in her eyes. Damn, these girls have had a tough time.

Her face was pure and pale. She had an angelic look to her. I hope that her personality is as beautiful as she is.

No.

I am not falling for this.

My father had to pull this crap.

I placed the inventory on the shelves as Melissa is at school.

It is Halloween today and I am taking her trick and treating. We are going as Scooby and Shaggy.

I am the dog.

Which I don't mine. Scooby is one of my old-time favorite cartoons.

I am an old soul, at least that is what my mother use to say.

I sighed as I walked past the picture of my mother and father hung up in the store. I stop and looked up at the picture.

I placed my hand on their faces as I started to tear up, "I don't know what I am going to do."

I heard the bell at the front door as I cleared my throat, "I will be there in a minute."

No one said anything or no noise besides footsteps heading my way.

I started to walk towards the front door when I froze. A man in a ski mask stood in front of me.

I gasped, "What do you want from me?" He doesn't say a word, he just stormed towards me.

God, not again.

Why?

I quickly turned my heel and ran towards to the back door when his footsteps picked up pace. I tried to look back when I tripped over a box.

The man leaped on top of me before I could get up. I screamed for help and slammed my fist against him. He did a low chuckled but didn't speak.

He grabbed my wrists as he pinned them against the floor above my head. He pushed himself into me that made me feel his bugle.

My eyes widened, "Don't you dare."

He did another low chucked as he whispered into my ear, "You are mine."

I shook my head as I screamed.

This can't happened.

I need to fight. "HELP!"

Blake's Point of View

I arrived in Gloucester, yesterday.

I wasn't going to track Holly down as soon as I showed up.

My father told me the store is opened all year around. I figure that is where I could find her.

How I am going to play this?

Who the hell buys Christmas stuff all year long?

I entered the Winter's Christmas Shop when I heard a scream coming from the back. I quickly call nine – nine – one then grabbed a bat that I found on one of the shelves.

I smacked my hand on it to make sure it will do damage to whoever hurting someone in the back.

I lifted the bat over my shoulders and quietly made my way to the back.

I froze when I saw a man trying to pull Holly's clothes off. He managed to rip her shirt opened. At least I think it was Holly, she looked like the person from the picture that my dad sent to me.

Her eyes widened and pleaded for help.

I swing the bat and hit the man in the ribs when he grunted. I said with a stern voice as I held the bat ready to swing again, "Get the fuck off of her or I will smash your head in."

He got up off of her and ran out the back.

I went to chase after him but didn't want to leave Holly. I didn't want the man that tried to rape her get away either. I placed the bat down when I turned towards Holly.

I heard the sirens pull up in the front as I went back to Holly.

I bent down as she closed her shirt, "Are you okay?" She shook her head as her body shook. I placed my hands on her arms as I assure her that the man it gone, "You are safe. He is gone and he won't hurt you again."

She nodded without saying a word as I heard the police enter the store. I looked back then yelled, "Back here."

They came back as I quickly let them know what happened, "The attacker ran out in the alley."

A police officer came over with a blanket as he wrapped it around her, "Fuck, Holly. Are you okay?"

She shook her head as she was still in shock. The officer looked up at me, "Blake Lincoln, How the hell are you?"

I tilted my head as I chuckled, I know this prick, "Officer Green. It is always a pleasure to see you. I just wish today wasn't one of those days to see you." He is my brother – in – law.

He smirked then held Holly close to him, "Thanks for saving, our Holly." I nodded as my hand went to her arm, "I heard her scream, and I couldn't allow someone to do that to anyone."

He walked Holly out of the store as I followed as he swore, "Here comes Melissa. She can't see Holly like this."

He right.

Melissa can't see Holly like she is. She is crying, shaking, and confuse. She looks pale and she could get sick any moment. The worst thing of all, is that she is scared out of her mind.

I nodded to him, "I got her. Just call me when Holly is ready to go home." He knew how to get a hold of me as he thanked me.

I ran towards Melissa as she looked worry. I placed my hands on her arms as she shook, "Melissa, your sister is okay. She just getting checked out."

She hugged me as my arms hesitantly went around her, "What happened?"

I looked down at her, "Holly was attack and I stopped it. She is okay. The police is likely going to take her down to the station to get a statement then she will be home."

I watched her blue eyes teared up as she looked like a little version of Holly.

I squeezed her shoulders, "Why don't I take you home and wait for your sister to finish with the police?"

She nodded as we walked toward their house, I think. Melissa looked up at me as she giggled. I lifted my eyebrow, "What so funny?"

She tilted her head, "You got my email."

I rolled my eyes as we got to a little house off of the beach. It was run down but cute.

She unlocked the door and we entered as I looked around. Place was clean but needed repairs. Maybe a few upgrades. I went into the kitchen as I saw a pile of bills laid out.

"Would you like some to eat?" she asked. My eyes quickly scanned over the bills, "No. I am good thank you."

She nodded as she pulled a pot out. For a twelve-year-old she is pretty self-sufficient, oh though these girls had to become self-sufficient at a young age.

I mean, I still have my parents at twenty – nine. I can't imagine what they have been through.

I looked up at Melissa as I lifted a bill up, "You two having money trouble." She hummed, "We are. My sister thinks she hiding it from me but as you can see." I shook my head as I shifted through the bills.

Fuck.

They have until Christmas day to get out.

"What are you doing?" Holly asked as she stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. I lifted my hands as I walked towards her, "Sorry, I didn't mean to pried."

She lifted her chin to the side, "Thank you for saving me but you have no right to go through my private things."

I nodded as I stepped towards her, "I am sorry. Like I said."

Melissa shook her head as she snapped at her sister, "You need to calm down, Holly." Holly straighten up, "What are you doing home early from school?"

Melissa bowed her head, "Mrs. Green told me that there was something going on at the store. I picked up my stuff then ran to the store."

Holly snarled at her sister, "Melissa. You can't do that. I was fine." Melissa threw her hands up, "No you were not. Like we are not fine with the store and like we are not fine with the damn house."

Holly bowed her head as she softly said, "Melissa, now is not the time to talk about this with company in our home."

Melissa moved the pot to the sink as she poured out the water and pasta, "It is never a good time Holly. You place the world on your shoulders and never let anyone just take care of you."

She looked up at me as her eyes widened as her voice cracked, "Melissa, why is Blake Lincoln in our kitchen?"

I could answer that, but I don't think this is the time for that.

Melissa shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know maybe he is your Prince." Holly shook her head as her eyes darted around, "Melissa. Why is Blake here?"

I decided to step in and get Melissa out of hot water. I cleared my throat, "I am in Gloucester to escape my father plot about the whole finding a wife thing."

She shook her head as I added, "The reason why I am in your home is because I didn't want to leave your sister here by herself with the attack still out there."

Her eyes widened as Melissa gave me a wink, "Well, she not alone anymore, so you can go." I hummed as Melissa turned her head slightly to me as she mixed her pasta and cheese, "I don't think I feel comfortable leaving you two alone after what I witness earlier."

Am I giving into my father's demands to give Holly a chance.

To see if I can get her in love with me.

To see if I can fall in love.

Melissa place her pasta and cheese into bowls. Three of them as she shrugged, "I think it would be a good idea for Blake to stay here until the catch the guy."

My phone rung as I noticed it was Austin when I held up my finger when I placed the phone to my ear, "Austin Green?" Holly crossed her arms when Austin filled me in, "We didn't catch the suspect and we think that Holly was targeted."

I shook my head as I hummed, "What makes you think that?" Holly rolled her eyes, she fucking brave as hell. She wants to kick me out of her house knowing there this guy running around.

Not tonight baby.

I am staying here.

"I will stay with Holly and Melissa. I planning to stay in town until Christmas Eve." Austin cleared his throat, "Holly is not like one of your, you know?" I shook my head as I clenched my jaw, "I know that Austin."

He sighed as Holly shook her head, "Take care of them." I nodded as I told him, "I will. Call me with updates."

We hung up when Holly waved her finger at me, "There is no way that you are staying here."

I took her arm as I pulled her towards the living room, "Listen, the man wasn't caught, and they think that his attack was met for you and not some random act."

Her eyes widened, "Why would someone want to hurt me?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "I don't know, Princess. But this is the facts. The police are worry, your sister is worry, hell I am worry. I am staying."

She sighed as her arms went to her side, "Fine. You can stay in the spare room. Do you need to get your things?" I shrugged my shoulders, "I can get them later."

Melissa shouted from the kitchen, "Holly we got a Freddy and Daphne costume, and I can be Scooby."

Holly's Point of View

I growled, "Melissa!" She giggled as Blake lifted his eyebrow up at me, "Freddy, Daphne and Scooby going out on the town." I shook my head as we headed into the kitchen, "We do themes every year."

Melissa chuckled, "Remember the eighty Halloween with mom and dad." I bowed my head as Blake tilted his head, "Eighty?" I shook my head, "Please don't remind me of dad trying to sing Beat It."

Blake threw his head back and laughed as he sat at the table when Melissa handed him a bowl. I picked up the bills from the table and placed them back in the folder. Blake held out his hand to the folder as I tilted my head, "Oh no."

He rolled his eyes, "Let me see what I can do to help get rid some of them."

I shook my head as he lifted up and pried the folder out of my hand as I snarled, "Blake, I don't want you helping us out. I don't want to owe you anything."

He shook his head as he placed his fork into his bowl and Melissa placed my down next to him, "You are not going to owe me anything, Holly. Let me just take a look. I know businesses very well. I may be able to find ways that will help you cut some of these cost."

I rolled my eyes, "Fine."

He smirked as he tilted his head, "Good. When do we get to go tricking and treating?"

I rolled my eyes as Melissa excitedly said, "We leave right before it gets dark."

He nodded as he took a bite of his pasta and cheese, "Good. Since I am here for over a month, why don't I take an overall look at the business and see where you are getting stuck."

I sat back, "Why are you being so helpful."

He up to something.

I can feel it.

He just so happened to show up in my town, he just so happens to show up at the store and now he just so happen to want to stay with me and Melissa.

Something is fishy going on here.

I have a sneaky feeling Melissa has something do with it also.

We ate then got into our costumes. Blake called the hotel and told them he would be by to get his things as well as his car.

Melissa mapped the route so we could pick up his car and things then drive back in his car.

This girl thinks I am stupid. I know she had something to do with Blake being here.

Melissa walked in front of me and Blake as I could see him sneak a peek at me as this costume is skintight, no wonder why Melissa wanted me to go as Daphne.

Beside that everyone knows that Fred and Daphne have the hots for each other.

Even with the dark hair be makes a pretty good Fred. My god. He so hot.

Surprisingly, he is very caring too. Maybe is not this cold-hearted asshole that everyone says he is. He hasn't shown me one once of a cold heart.

Blake would stand close to me as Melissa ran up to the door and get the candy. His hand sometimes went to my back as I tilted my head to him, and he would give me a smirk.

He is definitely up to something.

A car backed fired as I jumped closer to him and Blake pulled me into him, "What is it?" I could smell his cologne which he smelled amazing. Heaven on a walking stick.

He is being so protective by pulling me into him. I hate hearing anything that sounded like a gun shot. I tried not to close my eyes.

I shook my head, "Nothing. Can we head to the hotel now, Melissa?" She wined, "Please just a couple more houses?"

Blake looked down at me as he searched my eyes, "You know what Melissa. I am starting to feel tried. It been a long couple days."

His eyes never left mine.

Melissa did some pouting then agreed to it.

We got to the hotel as Blake kept his arm around my shoulders the whole walk to the hotel keeping me safe.

I avoided eye contact.

Melissa turned her eyes back to me as she looked unhappy then her eyes would light up when she saw Blake's arm around me. She wasn't unhappy about the candy either. It was about the way I reacted when the backfire of the car.

Melissa and I stood in the lobby as Blake went up to his room to grabbed his things as Melissa whispered to me, "You going to tell him?"

I shrugged my shoulders, "There no need to tell him."

She sighed, "What if he was the guy that..." I held up my hand to stop her, "It wasn't." She narrowed her eyes at me, "How do you know?" I shook my head, "I just have to believe it wasn't."

She sighed, "What about your nightmares?"

I rolled my eyes, "You was the one that pushed for him to stay and now you are worry about that." She shook her head, "Holly, you need to tell him."

I looked up at Blake made his way down as he held up his keys, "Are you ladies ready." Melissa and I nodded our heads as he showed us to his car.

His expensive car.

He can't keep this at the house. If there any girls that wants to try to 'win his heart' will be at my doorstep. I don't want that crap at my door. I don't want Melissa to see the craziness.

I looked at Melissa, "Did you clean out the garage like I asked you, too?" She tilted her head, "Two months ago."

I looked up Blake as he looked at me confuse, "Good, if this one wants to stay hidden then the car needs to be hidden." I pointed to Blake as he opened the door for us to get into the car.

We got back to the house as I ran out to opened the garage door. As he pulled in, I looked at my father's old 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air when I pulled the cover off. He been working on that to thing for years with my help of course.

Blake's eyes widened as he got of that car, "Is that what I think it is?" I nodded, "1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, it use to go from zero to sixty under twelve seconds." He titled his head, "It doesn't start?" I shook my head, "My father and I was working on it before he was murdered."

I stiffened up. I didn't want to have this discussion with him. I don't even know him.

He placed his hand on my shoulder, "You can talk to me about it."

I shook my head as I placed the cover back on, "I can't."