The Barbourville Series by Carolynn Carey

Author's Note: This story was originally published in November 2015 as part of the anthology titled Christmas Wishes: Seven Stories of Second Chances. Realizing he’s going to be alone for Christmas, successful businessman Allan Weaver decides on a whim to visit Barbourville, the town where he grew up and went to high school. Twenty years have come and gone since then, but something draws him back... moreAuthor's Note: This story was originally published in November 2015 as part of the anthology titled Christmas Wishes: Seven Stories of Second Chances. Realizing he’s going to be alone for Christmas, successful businessman Allan Weaver decides on a whim to visit Barbourville, the town where he grew up and went to high school. Twenty years have come and gone since then, but something draws him back. Could it be fond memories of Gabby Richards, the girl he crushed on when the two teenagers worked at Travis Tree Farm helping families find their perfect Christmas tree? Gabby has been widowed for years, but she’s content in her small hometown with her career as a high school English teacher. She’s just begun her annual Christmas break when word reaches her that an old friend is in town—and he’s homeless. Should she risk embarrassing him by visiting him at Sonny’s Diner where rumor has it he’s staying free of charge in the apartment above the restaurant? But then she learns that help is needed on the tree farm where she and Allan once worked, and she figures out a way to help Allan earn a little extra money. In the meantime, Allan is amazed at the warm welcome he’s received in his old hometown, and he’s especially thrilled that he and Gabby are reconnecting after all these years. Then he learns that everyone—including Gabby—thinks he’s homeless and broke. When the truth comes out, can everyone’s hopes for a happy Christmas survive? less

Chase Cunningham and Aurora Nolan meet at the side of the road in a near accident as each heads to Barbourville for the first time. Irritated with each other, they go their separate ways, content in the notion that they will probably never see each other again. But of course fate has other plans... moreChase Cunningham and Aurora Nolan meet at the side of the road in a near accident as each heads to Barbourville for the first time. Irritated with each other, they go their separate ways, content in the notion that they will probably never see each other again. But of course fate has other plans. They end up as coworkers trying to pull off a grand opening for the new Barbourville Visitors Center despite well-intentioned interference from one of the most prominent citizens of this small Tennessee mountain town. As they work together, they come to realize that their original impressions of each other were inaccurate, but since Barbourville is just a temporary stop on their way to achieving their dreams, they know better than to get involved with each other—assuming they can keep from it. less