That Thing You Do (A Crystal Lake Novel Book 2) Read online

  And that was more than just a passing concern for Molly, because a few weeks back, after one too many bottles of wine at game night with her parents and Zach and Jess, she’d volunteered to host for the first time. At the time, she’d felt very adult, and it would have been the first of many firsts.

  The first time she and Nathan would have people over to their new home.

  The first time she would attempt to cook a turkey.

  The first time she would use Nana Malone’s recipe for stuffing.

  The first time she would use her brand-new oven.

  But with the storm, they had to improvise. Molly’s saving grace was that she’d gone to the grocery store before it hit and had bought all the items on the list Nathan had given her. Who was she kidding? He’d be the one cooking the turkey and pretty much everything else. He’d spent a good hour this morning clearing snow from the deck, and instead of using the gorgeous convection oven, the large bird was currently roasting on the barbecue, along with potatoes and veggies.

  The meal would be bare bones, but she’d taken a peek a few minutes earlier, and it smelled heavenly.

  The large fireplace in the great room off the kitchen was fired up for heat, and the table was set with candles. Mama and Petal were curled up in a bed in front of the fire, and for the moment, Molly could relax. Most of the roads in town hadn’t been plowed, and out here on the lake, they were virtually impassable unless you had alternate modes of transportation.

  She smiled, thinking of Nathan. He’d been more excited than he should be at the thought of taking his machine into town and picking up Nana Malone. Her brother and his wife would ride in on their snowmobile, while Beck and Link were taking Beck’s two machines into town to get her parents. Nathan’s parents had their own machine and were expected within the hour.

  It was so Michigan of them.

  She grabbed the jug of water off the back deck and poured herself a glass, sidestepping the wine and beer kept out there to chill. She went back into the house and had just sat down beside the dogs when Petal’s head shot up and she began to bark and wiggle her tail excitedly. It seemed that Thanksgiving was about to start.

  She heard the front door open and had just gotten to her feet when Zach walked in, hands laden with bread and Tupperware containers of sweets. Jess was right behind him, though from the looks of her, she was under the weather. In spite of the cold and fresh air, her cheeks were pale and her mouth pinched.

  “Are you okay?” Molly asked, getting to her feet and taking the container in Jess’s hands.

  “I made it here in one piece, so I guess I am.” She glared at her husband. “Zach seemed to find every single bump along the way, so it’s a miracle I didn’t end up in a snowbank somewhere.”

  Her brother kissed his wife as he passed by and set down two large breadsticks. “Don’t be a wuss, Jess. You like it when I go fast.”

  Her sister-in-law didn’t get a chance to answer, because the rest of the crew arrived, and suddenly, there were Malones everywhere. Molly’s eyes found Nathan immediately, and that feeling she got, like a punch to the gut, hit her, and it was a feeling she didn’t think she’d ever grow tired of.

  “Hey,” he said, pulling her into his arms for a quick hug and kiss. “This is going to be one for the books.” He winked, pressed one last kiss to her cheek and then went to grab drinks for everyone.

  Nathan’s parents walked in about five minutes later, and within minutes, the house was filled with voices, every single one of them near and dear to Molly’s heart. For one crazy second, her heart sped up, and she had to step back, afraid that if she blinked, all this would go away. Was it possible to have more happiness than you deserved? Was there someone up there keeping score?

  They got busy with the food and by candlelight enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast that would have made Martha Stewart proud. Molly watched her family laugh and tell stories and hardly said a word throughout dinner. It was more than enough to sit quietly and revel in this moment. To feel that twinge inside her get bigger, so big, it was near to bursting.

  She honestly couldn’t take it anymore. Molly tossed her napkin on the table and cleared her throat. She looked at Nathan, and when his large, warm hand enveloped hers, she smiled, hoping she wouldn’t ruin the moment and trip over her words or cry.

  She was about to stand and make a toast when Zach pushed his chair back and raised his bottle of beer in the air. He turned to Molly.

  “A toast to my sister and the big lug beside her. Thanks for having us for dinner. This has been more fun than any Thanksgiving I can remember. Let’s hope for a blizzard every single year.”

  Typical Zach speech.

  But then his face changed, and he put his hand on Jess’s shoulder. “Oh, and um, yeah. We’re pregnant.”

  Stunned silence greeted his words, but before anyone could say anything, Molly jumped to her feet.

  “Are you kidding me right now?” The words exploded from her and everyone turned from Zach to Molly.

  “Why would I kid about something like that?” Zach looked at Molly as if she were crazy, which she just might be.

  “Unbelievable.” Molly looked at Nathan. “He does this all the time.”

  Nate, the rat, held up his hands. “This is between you and your brother.”

  “I’ll remember that later tonight when your feet cross over to my side of the bed.”

  “Come on, guys. Too much information.” Zach chuckled. “What’s gotten into you, Moll?”

  “This is my house. This was my moment, and you just railroaded right over it.”

  “You gotta give us more than that,” Zach said, scratching his head and looking as confused as everyone else at the table.

  “I’m pregnant.” She all but shouted.

  “You’re both having babies?” Millie Malone was breathless as she turned to her husband. “Did you hear that? We’re going to be grandparents. Twice!”

  “Actually.” Zach held up his hand, but before he could speak, Molly butted in. No way was he stealing her thunder again.

  “I’m having twins.” She cocked her head, and hands on hips, glared at her brother as if to say, top that!

  “Shit. Really?” Zach’s grin widened.

  “Yes. Really.”

  “Twins are in every generation of our family,” Millie Malone said, studying her children. “On both sides.”

  “Doc says Jess has two heartbeats.”

  They stared at each other for a long time, so long, in fact, that Nana Malone was able to sneak another glass of wine without anyone reprimanding her. She took a sip and then leaned close to Link. “Things are going to be real interesting around here.”

  “That they are.”

  “You should stick around.”

  “I just might.”

  “Nana, will you please stop flirting with Link and pass the squares?”

  “I sure can,” Nana replied to her daughter-in-law. “As soon as my grandkids sit down.”

  Molly and Zach took their respective seats, and it didn’t take long for the Malone/Jacobs clan to excitedly discuss and congratulate and pontificate over four new babies in the spring.

  It was, after all the fuss and snow and secrets spilled, an atypical family dinner. The bar had been set, and later, as Molly snuggled into Nathan, she couldn’t help but think of all the dinners to come.

  Her cup was full, his feet had crossed the bed to her side, and she’d never been happier. Christmas had come early it seemed.

  “Nate,” she whispered softly, resting her cheek against his chest.

  “Hmm?” He was half asleep, she could tell.

  “I love you.”

  “I know.”

  “This is where you’re supposed to say, I love you too.”

  “I love you too,” he murmured, his arms tightening around her.

  Petal jumped up on the bed, something she’d just learned to do, and tried her best to get between Molly and Nate. She eventually gave up and burrowed into Molly’s b
ack.

  It was the perfect end to a perfect day, and God willing, there would be many more. Molly’s eyes slowly closed while outside the snow began to fall. There was no place on earth more beautiful than Crystal Lake in the winter, and there was no place Molly would rather be. It was another piece of her puzzle, but with the babies coming, there was always room for more.

  And she would keep adding them, as long as they kept coming.

  The End

  Afterword

  I hope you enjoyed coming back to Crystal Lake as much as I enjoyed writing this book. Molly and Nate were so dear to me, and it was fun getting small glimpses of Tucker Simon and Raine Edwards!

  I have a lot planned for this town, including a Christmas novella releasing on November 26th!

  Christmas has always been a favorite holiday of mine, and spending it in Crystal Lake is like coming home for me!

  Read on for a description of A Little Bit of Christmas!

  xo

  Juliana

  A Little Bit of Christmas

  For ex-con, Cash Bodine, surprising his sister at Christmas just got complicated. His plan to blow into Crystal Lake and then leave is squashed when a winter storm settles in, stranding him at a motel outside of town. He has no choice but to hunker down and make the best of it, and while the woman next door intrigues him, he has no desire to get tangled up in her life. He’s not sticking around past the holidays, so why bother?

  Chess Somers stopped believing in Christmas when she was eight and her father left. With an empty bank account, an alcoholic mother in her care, and more bills than she can deal with, she’s not looking for a Christmas miracle—she’s looking to survive. She’s seen the darker side of life and believes there is no hope. So why does the stranger with the dark eyes make her think she’s wrong?

  Pre order your copy today!

  A Little Bit Of Christmas

  Also by Juliana Stone

  A Crystal Lake Novel

  The Thing About Trouble

  That Thing You Do

  A Little Bit Of Christmas

  The Blackwells of Crystal Lake

  You Make Me Weak - Free

  You Drive Me Crazy

  You Rock My World

  You Own My Heart

  The Family Simon series

  Tucker -Free

  Jack

  Maverick

  Teague

  Grace

  Cooper

  The Barker Triplets

  Offside - Free

  Collide

  Conceal

  A Barker Family Christmas

  Standalone Novels

  He’s All that

  About the Author

  USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. She’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.

  I love hearing from my readers, and you can find me by clicking the links below! If you want to stay abreast of all happenings, you can sign up for my newsletter

  http://www.julianastone.com/contact/

  Lastly, if you have the time to leave an honest review of my books at point of purchase, or Goodreads, it would be much appreciated! Every little bit helps!

  Xo

  Juliana

  Please visit me at the my website.

  www.julianastone.com

  or write to me with this email address

  [email protected]

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