Gnome Sweet Home

A Sweet Holiday Romance Short Story

By: Tia Marlee

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Noelle Winters spent ten years building her dream life as a travel photographer. Millions of followers, exotic locations, the career she always wanted. So why does coming home to Firelight Falls, Texas feel less like failure and more like relief?

Cole Brennan never left his hometown. As a firefighter, he's exactly where he wants to be—serving his community and helping organize the town's beloved twelve days of Christmas festival. His life is simple, steady, and full.

When Noelle's mother volunteers her to photograph all twelve festival events, Cole does what he does best—he helps. Gnome scavenger hunts, sprinkler mishaps, and stolen moments over firehouse coffee weren't part of the plan. Neither was seeing his best friend's little sister as the guarded, talented woman who might need Firelight Falls as much as it needs her.

But Noelle's only home for two weeks. Two weeks to figure out what comes next. Two weeks to remember what home feels like. And two weeks to fall for a man who makes her smile like she means it.

In a town where everyone knows your name and garden gnomes mysteriously appear in unexpected places, two people will discover that sometimes the best adventures happen when you stop running.

A sweet, small-town Christmas romance about coming home and learning that the greatest journey is the one that leads you back to where you belong.