Mistletoe Magic (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 17

seventeen

HOLLY

“Oh shit!” I swore as I stared in the mirror.

I had a date with Chris. At least I think it was a date. Was it a date? Oh my god, I’m a disaster.

I’d brushed my teeth and tamed the bird’s nest on my head, and now I’d barricaded myself in the bathroom trying to make myself presentable. I still didn’t feel one hundred percent, but it was Christmas and I had things to do and places to be. I didn’t have time to be sick and now I was back on my feet, I was getting on with it.

“It’s not a date,” I attempted to assure myself as I swiped the mascara wand across my lashes.

My mind was spinning.

Chris was exactly the type of guy I could fall for, but he was the last guy I should. We didn’t live in Evergreen Lake. Our life, our home, was hours from here, and long distance never worked. But there was something about him that I couldn’t resist. Or maybe it was everything. The way he was with Noelle was sexy as hell. He’d never once treated her like she was in the way or annoying him. Instead, he’d taken her outside and built a snowman. He’d played Monopoly and card games for hours. He’d looked after her when I couldn’t. Not to mention how good he’d treated me.

I’d been disgusting and sick and he didn't flinch. He’d done his best to take care of me without asking for anything in return. I’d been racking my brain trying to figure out a way to repay him for his kindness and his generosity, and every time I came up blank.

I chose my favorite pink lipstick and stained my lips, before smacking them together and blotting it. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone to this much trouble. The only reason I’d even packed my makeup was because I had been expecting to be at the lodge and Dad would’ve expected it. I didn’t even wear it to work. Today, though, I found myself wanting to look nice.

“Hurry up, Mom!” Noelle whined from the other side of the door.

She was getting sick of being cooped up. When we were at home, she spent most of her time running around, playing in the yard, riding her bike, or climbing trees. The kid had worms I was sure. She couldn’t sit still for more than five minutes so this had definitely tested her, and so far, she’d been the perfect angel.

I hurriedly packed everything away, spritzed myself with my favorite Dior perfume, and opened the door. “Okay, I’m ready. Where’s your coat?”

Noelle was a walking, talking rainbow in her purple boots, blue jeans, red sweater, pink scarf and green gloves. Nothing matched, but at the same time, everything fit together perfectly.

She reached for my hand and dragged me through the bedroom to the front door where Chris was already waiting. I shook my head as Noelle stepped up beside him and he helped her shrug on her coat. Where Noelle was a kaleidoscope of color, Chris wore basic blue jeans, a black coat, gloves, and scarf. But there was nothing basic about him. He’d tided up his scruff on his jaw, and I rubbed my legs together imagining what it would feel like scratching the inside of my thighs.

“Are you sure you’re ready to go out?” Chris asked, handing me my red scarf.

“I’m fine,” I said shortly.

“If you’re still not feeling up to it, I can take Noelle,” he offered before hastily adding, “if that’s okay, of course.”

“I’m fine,” I repeated as I wound my scarf around my neck and pulled on my coat.

“Okay. But you look flushed,” he pointed out, and I felt my cheeks burn even more. If only he knew the thoughts responsible for putting the color in my cheeks.

I zipped my coat and clapped my hands together. “Everyone ready?”

“Yes, Mom,” Noelle replied.

“Let’s do it!” Chris cheered, opening the door and ushering us out.

I let Chris lead us down the street, Noelle between us holding our hands. It was cold out. I could feel the tip of my nose turning red, and my chest hurt from breathing in the cold air, but it was so beautiful. The snow was still white and banked up, not yet having been stomped through and turned to cold, gray slush.

“I see it!” Noelle exclaimed as we came in sight of the giant Christmas Tree in the town square. The storm hadn’t been kind to it, but it was still standing proudly looking a little worse for wear, but making the kids smile nonetheless.

“Mom, can I go?” Noelle asked, looking up at me with those wide puppy eyes I thought I’d grown immune to only to realize I was completely powerless against.

At the base of the tree was a group of kids playing in the snow and laughing happily. Obviously, everyone had been getting cabin fever, and now the storm had passed, they were catching up on the missed festive season. Chris and I continued to walk along shoulder to shoulder while Noelle skipped ahead before picking up a pine cone and holding it up proudly.

“She’s a great kid,” Chris commented as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“She has her moments,” I replied, brushing off his compliment but internally beaming with pride.

“Holly?” Chris asked as his pace slowed and his voice dropped.

“Yes?” I replied overly perky, trying to overcompensate.

“I know it’s none of my business, but where’s Noelle’s father? She hasn’t mentioned him at all.” Chris's comment had my neck snapping back so fast that I risked whiplash. This was certainly not a conversation I planned on having today.

“He passed,” I choked out.

“I’m sorry,” Chris replied automatically.

“It was a long time ago now,” I tried to brush it off, keeping my eyes firmly fixed on Noelle up ahead. The last thing I wanted to see on Chris’s face was pity. I didn’t want it and I certainly didn’t need it.

“You’ve done an incredible job with her,” Chris added, and it was awkward. I didn’t want it to be awkward. That wasn’t what this was supposed to be.

“Thank you. I’ve done what any mom would. I do the best I can to give her a normal childhood. She doesn’t have a dad but she’s not the only kid to grow up without one. In some ways she’s lucky. Her dad didn’t choose to leave her. Too many kids I see … let’s just say they have it a lot worse.” I stopped myself from going on a rant. It was one thing I was good at. Getting all worked up over kids who deserved better. Deserved more. Noelle wasn’t one of them. She never would be. I’d make sure of it or die trying .

On the other side of the square, a vendor sold hot chocolate, and it sounded like the perfect excuse to change the subject. “Would you like one?” I offered, pointing to the cart.

“I’m good, thanks,” Chris declined.

“I’ll be right back,” I told him, making a beeline for the cart and leaving him standing there.

I needed a moment and some space. A week ago, I didn’t even know Chris existed, and now I was spilling my guts about my painful past. I reached the cart, ordered a drink, and stepped back while I waited my turn.

“Are you here with Chris?” the lady waiting beside me asked.

She was a colorful character. Despite the chill in the air, she wore a long skirt and a knee-length patchwork coat. Her black leather gloves fiddled with the strap of her purse.

“Ah, not really,” I answered, not wanting to cause trouble.

“Are you sure?”

Who was this nosy woman? Chris said he was single, and I’d believed him. Not that we’d done anything wrong, but we’d definitely thought about it. At least I know I had. And from the hardness digging into my hip last night, I knew Chris definitely didn’t think I was a troll, but we’d never crossed that line. We wouldn’t.

“He’s just a friend,” I declared, not liking how the word tasted on my tongue.

“Are you sure?”

I was quickly becoming annoyed by nosy Nora. What business was it of hers? Before I could answer and put her in her place, she pushed on.

“Because my friends don’t look at me like that.” She shrugged as her name was called and propelled herself forward to accept the paper cup.

I barely noticed her coming and standing beside me. I was too busy staring at Chris trying to see what she saw. He wasn’t watching me. He wasn’t even looking my way. His gaze was firmly set on Noelle and the wide smile on his face melted my icy heart.

Nora elbowed me and I stumbled sideways. “He’s a good one, that one. Horrible what she did to him, but if you’re responsible for putting that smile on his face, then I hope you stick around.”

She didn’t give me a chance to answer. She hitched her purse high on her shoulder and headed back toward the kids throwing snowballs at each other.

“Holly?” My name was called, and I snapped out of the trance I was caught in.

“Thank you.” I accepted my cup and went back to where Chris was standing against the fence.

I brought the cup to my lips and took a small sip, moaning as the chocolate touched my tongue.

“Be careful,” Chris mumbled almost incoherently.

“This is so good,” I gushed, taking another sip.

“It’s real chocolate.”

“Real chocolate?”

“Jason makes it with real chocolate. The hot milk melts it. It’s what gives it that rich taste,” Chris explained.

“It’s delicious,” I told him.

“You okay?” Chris asked, confusing me.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Your encounter with the G squad.”

G squad? What the heck? Chris was losing his mind. “Do I even want to know what the ‘G squad’ is?” I asked nervously.

Chris chuckled. “Mildred, Bernice and Shelia. The ‘G squad’. They are Evergreen Lake’s gossip queens and know it alls. I don’t think there’s a thing in this town that’s ever happened that they don’t know about. ”

“Interesting,” I teased, tapping my chin. “Maybe I could ask them for some insights into the town’s grumpiest mechanic.”

“I’m the only mechanic,” Chris deadpanned.

“Well then, guess you’re the grumpiest too then.”

“Oompf.” Chris shook his head as a snowball hit him in the center of the chest, followed by an adorable burst of giggles that I’d recognize anywhere.

We spent the rest of the morning wandering around town. People waved to Chris and shot curious looks in his direction but kept their distance, never coming over to say hi or stop him and chat.

As he promised, we stopped for coffee and cookies at Sips on Main before we made it to Read Between the Wines. The moment we stepped into the bookstore a calmness fell over me. It was warm and I quickly shed my coat, hanging it on a hook before venturing down the aisles of books getting swept away. The whole store smelt like cinnamon as I trailed my fingers along the spines. When I rounded the corner I found a wine bar in the back and I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. Wine and books, was there a more perfect combination.

“Do you want to come look with me?” I heard Noelle invite Chris.

“You go ahead. I’ll wait here,” he replied.

“Okay!” Noelle said happily.

I lost track of time.

I don't know how it happened. I’d been so immersed in the books, trying to decide which one I wanted, even the armful I carried wasn’t half the books I’d picked.

I carried them to the register and put them down.

“Find everything you’re looking for?” the lady behind the counter asked. She was younger than I would’ve expected, but you could tell she felt at home here. She had kind eyes and a warm smile .

“More than I was looking for.”

“That’s great.”

“It is. I didn’t realize I was so behind on my reading. Some of my favorite authors have released books I didn't even know about.”

The lady smiled knowingly. “You’re not the first to struggle with that,” she offered kindly. “Life has a way of distracting us. But only in the very best ways. Are you staying in town long? We have book club nights here regularly and even get authors in to talk about their latest works.”

“That sounds charming…” I started, before realization kicked in and my excitement faded.

“Unfortunately, I’m just passing through. The storm…”

“Ah. Well, if your plans change…”

“Thanks.”

“You better get a look at that though,” she offered as she tilted her head and glanced in the direction of the door. Chris was sitting in an old, battered leather chair. He’d shed his jacket and made himself comfortable. But it was Noelle perched in his lap, reading him a book that made my heart stop. It was a memory I wanted to capture forever. I reached into my purse and pulled out my phone, quickly snapping a picture before they noticed and the moment passed.

I took a step toward them and listened. Noelle was reading ‘ The Night Before Christmas’ . Any time she struggled with a word or started to stumble, Chris was there to catch her. He patiently helped her sound out the word and put it together, making her reread the sentence in full. When he lifted his hand and brushed the hair out of her eyes, my own filled with unshed tears.

I forced myself to take a breath and turn back to the counter where the owner was watching on with me. “That’s a beautiful memory for both of them,” she commented, and all I could do was nod my agreement.

“I’ll take that book, too,” I said, my voice cracking. With a shake of my head, I brought myself back to the here and now.

The lady reached across the counter and patted my hand. “That one’s on me,” she offered with a smile that made her eyes twinkle.

She rang up my purchases and it wasn’t until she was sliding the bag across the counter that Chris and Noelle realized what was happening. Noelle clasped the book to her chest, while Chris stood behind her, their jackets draped over his arm.

“You ready? Hey Rubes.”

“Hey Chris. Merry Christmas,” she offered with a festive smile only for Chris to grimace.

“Merry Christmas to you too,” he replied out of obligation. I was quickly learning that while Chris may be the Christmas Grinch, he didn’t miss when it came to his manners.

“Yep,” I said, popping the ‘p’. “Noelle, can you please put your coat on?” I asked, holding my hand out for the book.

She resisted. “Can I please have this book, Mom?” Noelle asked politely, looking up at me.

“It’s already yours,” I told her, only for her to throw herself at me, wrapping her arms around my leg almost knocking me off-balance.