A Kiss for Halloween: Holiday Hearts

By AM Vivienne

With Halloween on the horizon, Willow Scott is thrilled to create a haunted house in the children's ward at Redford Hospital. Willow is a beloved nurse, who enjoys playing with the children to make them smile. Her days that much brighter when she meets a handsome volunteer, Omar Sterling.

Omar is studying to become a nurse and spends as much time as he can at the hospital, bringing kids pudding and balloons. When Willow asks him to help her with the haunted house, he can't wait to begin. Willow thinks this man could be the one she finally gets serious about. That is until his ex-girlfriend Ali Zhang arrives at the hospital to have Willow back off her man.

Willow is not one to scare away, especially from a jealous ex. She agrees to a date with Omar for a Halloween event at an amusement park, only to be faced with Ali once again.

Not wanting to deal with the complicated mess, she swears off relationships. Unfortunately, she can't get Omar off her mind. Among girl's nights, parties, and sisterly conversations, will she realize how much she loves Omar? And is he willing to fight for Willow and cast his ex into the past?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purple Peacock Press
• Release date: Oct 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781736316368

Book preview

A.M. Vivienne

A Kiss For Halloween

A Holiday Heart Halloween Romance

First published by Purple Peacock Press 2021

Copyright © 2021 by A.M. Vivienne

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Designations used by companies to distinguish their products are often claimed as trademarks. All brand names and product names used in this book and on its cover are trade names, service marks, trademarks and registered trademarks of their respective owners. The publishers and the book are not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. None of the companies referenced within the book have endorsed the book.

First edition

ISBN: 978-1-7363163-6-8

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Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Willow’s Candy Apple Martini

Bonus Material - Kiss the Cook

Kiss the Cook - Chapter One Excerpt

About the Author

Also by A.M. Vivienne

Chapter One

Chapter Separator

Pulling the ghost sheet over my body, cut with mouth and eye holes, I stuck my arms out and waved them around. OOOOOO, I am coming to get you, I said in a deep voice. The children in the hospital playroom laughed. Considering they’d colored the sheet with unicorns, rainbows, and their crayon handprint outlines, I wasn’t as terrifying as I wanted to be.

Nurse Willow, Sarah, dressed as a superhero, poked my side, We know it’s you! I’m not scared.

Who is this Willow? My voice boomed. I am the all-powerful ghost of this hospital. The three other kids squealed as they ran circles around me. They shot me with invisible ghost killing rays and pushed me into a red plastic chair. Sarah ran around me with her magic rope to tie me. I squirmed in the seat, pretending to be stuck.

James hit my knee with a reflex hammer. I kicked my leg out, then the other boy cast a magic spell on me to keep it there.

You’re trapped! Sarah said, No ghosts are allowed in this hospital. She poked me in the chest with her doll.

My body went limp, a dying groan escaping my lips. The children cheered and high-fived each other.

Gia entered the playroom. When James hugged her, she ruffled his hair. Thanks for supervising while I was gone.

Nurse Gia! We captured the ghost! It was really Willow. Sarah said.

Gia kneeled in front of her. Congratulations! No more haunted hospital.

I pulled the sheet off me. These kids sure do keep you on your toes. James ran back to me, tugging on my pant leg and shooting his ghost ray. I’m grabbing a coffee before I have to start rounds. Do you want anything? I had to yell to Gia over the ghost ray sound effects.

No thanks, Gia said, When was the last time you slept? I swear you never leave this place.

I leave, I’m just on call every other week.

You’re senior enough now to choose not to do that. Wouldn’t you prefer to request another shift schedule?

I shrugged. Seems to work okay for me.

Good on you.

I said goodbye to the kids, then headed to the break room. Once I had a coffee and nibbled on my carrots, it was time for rounds. The first girl I checked on was admitted for stomach pains. The doctors were still running tests to discover the issue. How are you feeling this morning, Vicki?

Like there’s a monster in my tummy. She bared her teeth and growled. At least she could keep her spirits high.

I looked through her chart, then checked her IVs. That must be pretty scary. You’re being so brave though. The doctors will check on you soon. Where are your parents?

With my sister. Daddy’s taking her to my aunt’s, and Mommy’s getting us a good breakfast. She yawned and rubbed her eyes. Her hair was a fuzzy blonde mess. Her pale arms looked so thin. She’d been admitted several times for different issues. It pained me to see her live a childhood like that, but at least I could help her feel more comfortable.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a large black and orange button with a pumpkin on it. Would you like a pumpkin? I hear they help keep monsters away.

Vicki cradled the button in both hands. Thank you!

A man came in rolling a cart with pudding cups, juice, and balloons tied to the handle. He wore gray scrubs, which meant he was a volunteer. The lighter blue ones like I wore were for nurses. With a cool button like that, who needs a balloon?

I love balloons! Sarah squealed.

I shushed her. It’s still early, so let’s be quiet for the others.

She nodded and lightly clapped her hands. Could I please have a balloon?

Since you asked so nicely, he said, I would love for you to have one. As he walked over to her with an orange balloon, she eyed the pudding on the top of his cart. Those look delicious, don’t they? If we ask this kind nurse, do you think she’ll get it for you?

Nurse Willow, may I have a pudding cup? Vicki asked.

I’ll have to check with the doctors to make sure it’s okay, I said, Hopefully, this nice man will still be around later to give one to you and your mom. Does that sound good? She nodded as the volunteer tied the balloon around her wrist. Vicki flicked her hand around making the balloon bounce in the air. Alright, I’ve got other patients to see. I hope you get out of here before I do rounds again. Bye, Vicki.

Bye!

I walked out of the room. The man with the cart followed.

Is this your first day? I asked. I thought I knew all the volunteers. And since when did we serve pudding in the morning?

He laughed, allowing deep dimples to appear on his face. Brown eyes gleamed as he spoke. The other volunteers and I got approval to start a Wacky Wednesday tradition all through October. Surprises at every corner. Dessert for breakfast. Witches teaching children to cast spells.

I couldn’t help smiling back. That sounds fun!

To answer your first question, I’ve been volunteering here for a few weeks, but I float around to different wards.

I stopped at the next room, then handed him a pumpkin button. Everyone I meet gets a button.

He pinned it to his shirt. Thank you very much. The curly hairs of his goatee were neatly trimmed, outlining his squared jaw. A few freckles spotted his smooth, dark skin. His head was shaved, but the hairs were growing back.

My name is Willow Scott. I hope you’ll stick around this ward for a while. I’m sure the kids will love you.

I’m Omar Sterling. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Willow. I tilted my head slightly. Was that a Caribbean accent I detected?

I took one last look at his eyes before continuing my rounds. At the end of my shift, it was past seven. I walked to the bus stop a block down from the hospital wrapped in a puffy jacket and scarf. When I texted the bus number to find out when it would arrive, it said another thirty minutes. I cursed. I loved Redford, but they could not get their bus system organized.

Walking back to the lobby to stay warm, I called my sister, Sasha. I sat in one of the plastic chairs by the reception desk. Crossed my legs, I kicked one foot up. Sasha didn’t answer, so she was probably on a date with Phillip. I then called Andrea, one of my best friends.

Hey, Willow, Andrea said, You really need to get your own car.

Why do you assume that’s why I’m calling?

"Lucky guess. You don’t usually call in the evening unless we have