The Ghosts of Christmas Present — Karen McCullough

Lyndsay Williams reluctantly returns home for Christmas only to find her brother has brought a friend to spend the holidays with them. He's the last man she wanted to meet again. Because her brother Josh asks her to come for Christmas, Lyndsay Williams returns to the house where she grew up. She has no happy memories of the place other than her relationship with Josh, but she'd do anything for him. Her goals for the holiday are to survive the visit, avoid most contact with her cold, mean foster mother, and return as quickly as possible to her budding career as an architect. She's not surprised Josh has brought his wife and father-in-law. She's dismayed to find he also invited his best friend, Aaron. Lyndsey had a crush on Aaron growing up, but after a mortifying incident with him at Josh's wedding, she's avoided contact with him since. Having to deal with Aaron and her foster mother could turn this Christmas celebration into a nightmare. Not everything is what it seems, though. Josh has reasons for bringing together this group of people he cares about. Change is in the holiday air, and it offers the possibility of healing and forgiveness. If Lynsday can let love—the love of family, friends, and one special man—heal the wounds on her heart, there's a happier future waiting for her.