Stephie's Ultimate Mega Bundle (includes holiday)

Past and present collide when Lucy inherits more than her late uncle's estate. Unearthing a century-old Christmas mystery unveils a timeless love story, granting her more than a homecoming — it's a journey through time.

With skilled contractor Noah Jameson by her side, Pineview Manor transforms into a festive and dazzling haven to host a holiday charity gala aiming to rekindle the Christmas spirit in their beloved hometown of Whispering Pines.

Instead, the joyful endeavor reveals a mysterious collection of memories spanning across generations, unlocking a series of clues and love letters from 1923 whispering both tales of love and heartbreak.

Sparks fly between Lucy and Noah as they embark on a whimsical voyage across ages. The parallel between past and present unfolds in a nostalgic twist of fate, romance, and timeless holiday magic. In a jubilant race against time, they aim to rewrite history uniting new love, and unraveling old-age romance, kindling their own heartwarming story.

Can they prevail on this festive odyssey, where not one, not two, but three love stories for the ages await in the glow of the holiday season? Or will another Christmas pass, buried in secrets?

CHAPTER 1: “Beautiful,” Lucy murmured to herself, taking in the scene. “I’m really going to miss this view.”
The city lay below her, sparkling beneath a fresh layer of snow, as if the whole metropolis had dressed up just for her farewell. It looked like something straight out of a holiday postcard, every building and street shimmering with festive cheer. Amidst the towering skyscrapers and the bustle of city life, her cozy high-rise apartment stood out—its simple holiday decorations hinting at the warmth inside and the stories that had unfolded within its walls.
Lucy Pine lingered by the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking one last look at the city she was leaving behind. The skyline was as breathtaking as ever, but her thoughts were already far away. Tinsel, her ever-sassy cat, purred lazily in her arms, oblivious to the changes ahead. With a deep breath, Lucy reached for the oversized bag on the counter, slinging it over her shoulder with a sense of finality. She paused at the door, casting a fond, bittersweet glance around the empty apartment, then let the door close behind her with a quiet click, signaling the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
The city skyline faded into the distance in Lucy's rearview mirror as she guided her packed SUV through the snow-dusted streets. The car was a mobile storage unit stuffed with suitcases and a few boxes, and Tinsel, her feline partner-in-crime, now curled up in a plush cat bed beside her. As the towering buildings gave way to winding rural roads and dense forests, Lucy glanced at Tinsel, who seemed perfectly content with the adventure ahead.
"Get comfy, Tinsel," she said, more to herself than the cat. "We’ve got a long drive ahead. Whispering Pines is going to be great... I hope."
The highway twisted through a snow-blanketed forest, the road eerily quiet and deserted. Lucy peered through the swirling flakes, trying to make out a turn-off sign that was nearly lost under a layer of fresh powder. With a quick tap on her phone's navigation, she was greeted by the dreaded "NO SERVICE" message. She sighed, shooting a resigned glance at her watch.
"Perfect," she muttered, but she pressed onward into the wintry unknown with a determined grip on the wheel.
As Lucy’s eyes caught the weathered sign for “WHISPERING PINES,” she instinctively slammed on the brakes. Her SUV responded with a slight, heart-pounding skid on the snow-slicked road. For a split second, she felt her stomach lurch, but with a quick flick of the wheel, she shifted into reverse, straightened out, and made the turn onto the almost missed side road.
The dense, snow-covered forest on either side of the road began to thin, and soon, a quaint, rural town appeared on the horizon, nestled like a hidden gem in the white landscape. A “Welcome to Whispering Pines” sign stood proudly at the town’s edge, and Lucy felt a flutter of excitement.
But as she drove closer, that excitement fizzled. The town seemed oddly subdued instead of the vibrant holiday wonderland she’d imagined. The streets were quiet, and the Christmas decorations were sparse and half-hearted as if someone had started decking the halls but had lost interest halfway through. It was as if the entire town had forgotten it was Christmas altogether. Lucy’s heart sank a little –– this wasn’t the festive, bustling town she remembered.
She slowed to let a local cross the street, offering a friendly wave, but was met with a cold shoulder.
Lucy’s eyebrows knitted together, “Okay then... not as friendly as I remember.”
Lucy watched as a shopkeeper lazily attempted to hang a wreath on their door. The festive decoration barely had a chance to hang before it slid off, landing in the snow with a soft thud. The shopkeeper simply shrugged, tossed the wreath onto a nearby bench like it was no big deal, and disappeared inside. Lucy shook her head, fighting back a grin at the scene.
But a loud BANG jolted her as she turned her focus back to the road. Her heart leaped as she spotted a man standing right in front of her SUV, arms outstretched, looking as shocked as she felt.
Lucy’s heart leaped into her throat. She threw the vehicle into park and scrambled out.
“I am so sorry! I didn’t see you! Are you okay?” Lucy exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic as she hurried around the SUV.
Before the man could get a word in, something else snagged Lucy’s attention –– a young woman darting into a nearby alley. Lucy’s gaze followed as the woman leaped into the arms of a waiting man, who spun her around with a hearty laugh. A smile tugged at Lucy’s lips, the moment so unexpectedly sweet that she couldn’t help but get caught up in it.
The man in front of her cleared his throat, dragging her back to the moment. “You should watch where you’re going. We have crosswalks for a reason, you know. You never know when—”
He threw a sarcastic glance at whatever had stolen Lucy’s attention, then smirked. “—a giant gingerbread man might cross the street. Makes a big mess if you hit them. Crumbs everywhere.”
Lucy blinked, snapping her focus back to him. “Right... gingerbread... wait, what?”
The man, clearly relishing the moment, raised an eyebrow. “Just saying, you need to pay more attention. It’s busy around here this time of year.”
Before Lucy could muster a response, he turned on his heel and walked away, leaving her standing there with her mouth slightly open in disbelief. A sudden, blaring HONK from behind her SUV jolted her back to reality. She blinked, taking in the scene –– just in time to see the couple from the alley hurriedly scurrying off in opposite directions.
With a quick, apologetic wave to the irritated driver behind her, Lucy jumped back into her SUV. As she settled into her seat, she caught a glimpse of the man walking away, shaking his head in what she could only guess was a mix of amusement and exasperation.
Lucy muttered to herself as she pulled back onto the road, “Definitely not the Whispering Pines I remember.”