A Marine's Christmas Proposal — Susan Lute

A short story.

When former Marine David Randall leaves behind his military life to take care of his newly orphaned nephew, celebrating Christmas is at the very bottom of his to-do list. His mission is to put their lives back together, but when he discovers the job he had lined up has been eliminated, he takes the only position available - a temp position with the buttoned-down daughter of the CEO of Banks Sportswear. Appearances are not always what they seem. And a growing attraction for his new boss can only spell trouble with a capital T.

A frustrated overachiever, whether playing the spoiled rich girl, or trying to prove to her father she has what it takes to make it in the corporate world, Charlee Banks has until the company Christmas party to come up with a proposal to expand the family business in the domestic market. When she gets a temporary administrative assistant who is a mis-fit for the job if ever there was one, it's not long before she begins to wonder if following in her father's footsteps is what she really wants.

When Charlee hires the wrong man to help with her expansion project, minding his own business is the hardest assignment David has ever taken on. One Christmas tree later, a shattered heirloom ornament, a little boy's tears and a strong Marine's broken heart has Charlee realizing there's one Christmas proposal she'd better get right.