Chapter 1

Peppermint Everwarmth’s brother, Wink stood at the front of the chapel waiting for his human bride, his face all aglow with happiness. For an elf-turned human, he was sure handsome standing there in his tux with his shock of blondish red curls sticking out all over. If they were unruly before, they were even more so now. He should have gotten a haircut.

Peppermint’s heart fluttered with envy at his finding the true of love his life. But anxiety perched in her stomach like Mr. Frost blowing a cold winter wind all through her at the though of never getting to see her brother again. Oh, how she would miss seeing his face every day in North Pole Kingdom. The Twinkle Bright factory wouldn’t be the same without his expertise in creating Christmas lights.

Taking Mom’s hand, Peppermint squeezed it, while Mom dabbed at her eyes. Dad’s face on the other hand was all screwed into a look of disapproval. Not that he didn’t love Wink’s fiancé, it was just the whole idea of an elf and a human getting married had put him off ever since he announced Wink was getting married on Valentine’s Day.

Yesterday, when the whole family arrived at the Bar-Z ranch, Zeke, the owner, and Wink’s boss had put them all in the bunk houses. He never suspected they were from the North Pole, and Wink wanted to keep it that way. Good-N-Plenty, Zeke didn’t even know his son-in-law was an elf.

Once they had settled in, Wink showed them around the ranch and how he’d proven himself to be a valuable ranch hand.

His fiancé, Serena, never left his side, preferring to hold his hand wherever they went. Peppermint could tell that she was as crazy about Wink as he was about her.

After the rehearsal dinner, Dad took Wink aside, and in his gruff voice, he’d practically growled at Wink. “You think a relationship like this is going to last very long?” He shook his head but put his hand on his shoulder. “You know, you will always have a home with us if things don’t work out.”

Wink had taken Serena’s hand in his and snuggled her against him. “Dad, I know this is what I want.” Then he walked her back to her house, and the rest of the family all turned in for the night. Except Dad who sat in the front room and stared into the empty fireplace long after everyone else was asleep, except for Peppermint.

She snuck out of bed and sat on the floor beside him and removed his shoes like she’d done so often when he was troubled. Rubbing her strong fingers over his heels, she massaged his feet. How odd it was to see him this tall and his feet so large. It had taken them all several days to get used to the new cumbersome height, but Dad seemed to have the most trouble…probably because of his age.

She let out a breathy sigh. “I hope I find a love like that.”

“But at in North Pole Kingdom,” His stern voice scolded.

“Yes, sir.” She did have her eye on that guy from accounting. He was smart and funny, even if he was a bit nerdy talking about numbers and finances and all. She had often pictured herself in a quaint little house off of Lollypop Lane, raising a whole brood of elflings who looked like their father. It wasn’t like they had any commitments, but her dad seemed to think he was the best option for Peppermint. She could grow to love him, couldn’t she?

Mom tapped her shoulder bringing her back to the inside of the chapel. “Your head in the clouds again, Pepper?”

She shook her head and turned her attention to her brother. If she could capture the look on Wink’s face and hold it in her heart forever, she’d be so swoony, blessed especially if she fell in love with Calypso. Too bad she didn’t already feel that way.

The organ music swelled announcing the incoming bride. All eyes turned to Serena. Her snowy white gown flowed around like a fairy queen atop a frosted vanilla cake. The red roses in her hands sat brilliantly against her fair skin and picked up the dash of color on her cheeks. She didn’t look at anyone except Wink. Would Peppermint ever look at Calypso like that? Maybe.

Her eyes drifted across the aisle when Serena and her father passed, and she caught the eye of the most exquisitely handsome man she’d ever seen. When his blue-green eyes met hers, butterflies started in her stomach and worked their way all the way to her brain, blowing away her romantic musings about a certain elf back home.

Then the guy winked at her. Oh, Holiday Rainbows, that shot an arrow straight through her heart. Who was that guy? She hadn’t seen him when Wink was escorting her family around the ranch. Was he a relative? A ranch hand? Just someone from around town?

All thoughts of what’s his name back home flitted from her brain.