Restoring Christmas — Julie Arduini

Holly Christmas left Geneseo Valley and her family's holiday tourist attraction, The Christmas Mansion, as soon as she graduated. Now both her parents have passed, and Holly returns when her uncle requests her help running the mansion. On Holly's first day back, a blunt middle-schooler proclaims Holly hates Christmas. His comment forces her to reconcile the past while planning for the mansion's future.Kevin Holt is invested in offering hope to students with challenges. His best friend's son is in Kevin's class, and Nathan needs guidance. Their community project placement at The Christmas Mansion is an opportunity to make a positive difference. When Nathan blurts out his thoughts to the beautiful co-owner, Kevin wonders if he has what it takes to help restore the mansion to its former glory, mentor Noah, and convince Holly Christmas she's exactly where she needs to be.This story first appeared in the A Christmas to Remember Boxed Set released October 2018.