Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Five

O n Wednesday, Pike stood between rows of trees at the Winters’ Family Christmas Tree Farm, holding an axe in his hand. Every year, Pike, Anthony, and a bunch of their friends helped the Winters family get ready for the busy opening weekend after Thanksgiving. Most of the townspeople would make their way over throughout the weekend to get their choice of trees, which meant the flocking machine had to be checked, the wreaths stocked, and some precut trees scattered about for seniors who had ordered their trees for delivery. They’d set up the flocking tent and were now split up across the property to cut down delivery orders.

While Nick, who’d been partnered with Pike, walked ahead of him, studying the trees for the best-looking ones, Pike kept searching out Anthony. His business partner was off in the distance with Declan, and Pike watched them curiously. Anthony had been off the last few days, almost as if he were avoiding Pike. Which was strange and hard to do since they worked together.

“You think something is going on with Anthony?” Pike asked Nick abruptly.

Nick peeked his head around a fluffy noble fir, quirking a brow. “How so?”

“He seems more morose than usual.”

Nick followed Pike’s gaze to their mutual friend and shrugged. “It’s the holidays and the first year without his mom. If he’s down, he’s got good reasons for it.”

He knew Nick had a point. Anthony and his mom were close, and losing her devastated him, even if Anthony knew it was coming .

Still, there was this nagging sensation in the back of his mind that thought there might be something more going on.

“I feel like there’s this cloud hanging over all of us.”

“Not me,” Nick said, stepping away from the tree with a nod. “I’m happy as a clam. This is the one.”

Pike rolled his eyes as he lined up with the tree and brought his axe back. “Yeah, I know.” He took a hard swing at the trunk. “Amazing wife.” He dislodged the blade and wound up again. Thwack! “Great job.” Pike let the axe fly again. “Getting ready to buy a house.” Nick caught the tree as it fell with a crack, and Pike grinned, adding playfully, “Fuck you and your perfect life.”

Nick’s brown eyes sparkled. “Don’t be mad, bro. You’ll find someone.”

And there it was. The asinine words of encouragement whenever his singleness was brought up. He couldn’t even be mad about it because Nick really believed it. His friend thought that everyone’s life would work out with a soul mate and a happily ever after, the damn romantic.

Pike wanted that, but he’d also wanted someone who loved him more. It might sound selfish, but he’d always been the one to fall first, fast, and hard. He was an average guy with a big personality, and he didn’t do things half-assed, so if he was going to jump in, he didn’t even consider how deep the water was or if there were sharks. He’d go in blindly and ignore the red flags. Like his ex attending “yoga class” every night after work when the schedule said Mondays and Wednesdays. Pike didn’t think of himself as an idiot, but after being dumped for what his exes considered an upgrade several times—it made a guy wonder.

Pike could keep going out, hitting the bars, but he didn’t want a random hookup with a stranger who would be leaving in a week. In addition, as a thirty-one-year-old man, many of the women hitting Brews and Chews were closer to twenty-one. Dating someone barely out of high school sounded exhausting.

What he needed was someone attractive and around his age who didn’t look at men like meal tickets. That shouldn’t be too hard, right?

Someone like Delilah.

“Well, I’m still waiting,” Pike said.

“It’s the holidays,” Nick said, grinning as he picked up the tree by the trunk. “Aren’t miracles kind of expected? ”

“You keep having hope, Cindy-Lou,” Pike said, stepping out of the way and grabbing the other end.

“How are things going with Delilah?” Nick asked.

“I’m not sure. I think Delilah is an interesting character. She doesn’t care what anyone thinks about her, which I appreciate in a woman.”

“You appreciate breathing in a woman.” Nick laughed.

Pike gasped, pretending affront. “That is not fair. I also appreciate other normal bodily functions.”

“You’re an idiot.”

Pike didn’t argue. If he were a smart guy, he would have already set a date and time to take Delilah out. Instead, he was hoping to catch her and pin her down before she left the bachelor auction planning meeting at the main house today. From everything he’d heard over the years about Delilah’s crush on him, Pike hadn’t expected it to be this hard.

Pike knew that his friends thought he was this confident guy who couldn’t be torn down, but that was all self-preservation. He’d really liked Sally, his ex, but everything he’d said to her had been twisted in a negative way, making him the bad guy. He could have fought it and told the truth, but what good would it do? His friends still loved him, and it wouldn’t get Sally back. Even though they’d been broken up for over a year, during their time together, he’d thought they might be endgame. He’d ignored the red flags and the petty fights because, for the first time, he’d dated someone within the inner circle of their friend group. His relationship with Sally should have cured him of ever wanting to cross that line again, but having brought around enough women his friends despised, Pike still thought dating someone his friends knew and liked was the way to go.

They set the tree down inside the tent and had barely finished netting and tagging it when Pike’s phone rang. Although he was tempted to let it go to voicemail, he answered his mother’s call.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, honey. Are you still upset with us for driving out to Arizona tomorrow for the holiday?”

Pike grinned. “Nope, have a blast. Give Flora a hug and a middle finger from me.”

“I’m not going to do that,” she monotoned, used to his sister’s and his outrageous behavior toward each other. Maybe it was the fact they were Irish twins and had never really had time to enjoy life without each other that made their love-hate relationship so virile.

“You know that you could have come with us,” his mother said.

“Yes, but I have a business to run.”

“I thought you were taking the weekend off?”

Damn, had he told her that? Stupid.

“True, but I also hate Arizona. It’s hot and dry and full of cranky old people.”

“Be careful who you’re labeling old,” she said, a clear warning in her tone.

Pike smirked. “Not you, Mom. You’re timeless.”

“Mm-hmm. We’ll be back on Saturday, and we’ll swing by with your sister’s gift for you.”

“Her gift? For what?”

“Christmas. She couldn’t wait for you to have it.”

Pike lost his smile. Any time his sister was excited about something, it usually did not bode well for him. “If it’s a snake, I don’t want it.”

“Oh, don’t be silly! As if I’d deliver a snake to you!”

“I just don’t get why she’s so anxious for me to have it unless it is something that will make me uncomfortable.”

His mother scoffed. “Can’t she just be happy that she found something you will love?”

“No, because she’s my sister. ”

“I’m not going to debate your sister’s love with you,” his mother grumbled. “I’ll see you Saturday, and I hope you have a happy Thanksgiving.”

“Happy Thanksgiving. Give everyone my best.”

“I will. I love you.”

“Love you, too. Bye.” Pike ended the call at the same time Clark said, “And that’s the last one! Who is ready to get cleaned up and eat?” The men in the tent cheered, filing out the entrance, and Pike ended up falling into step with Anthony.

“You still put out about your parents ditching you?” Anthony asked, a smirk turning up the corners of his mouth. The ball cap he wore hooded the upper half of his face, obstructing the view of his green eyes. Pike had caught himself wishing for his friend’s big, muscular build and brooding good looks more than once, but being handsome hadn’t brought Anthony any luck in the love department. Pike always felt like a ginger Kevin Hart among his friends: the short, funny guy that women always noticed last, but for whatever reason, Anthony got noticed and his relationships didn’t last.

“No, I’m more concerned about the Christmas present she’ll be bringing home from my sister.”

“Maybe it’s a sparkling new thong you can wear for the bachelor auction.”

“Uh-uh, Merry said no nudity.”

Anthony chuckled. “When have the rules ever stopped you?”

“Alas, my short time moonlighting in an all-male review is done and over with. While I’ll relish the chance of getting back onstage to show the ladies of Mistletoe that I have a lot of love to offer, it will be in a vintage suit.”

“I don’t understand why we can’t wear whatever we feel comfortable in,” Anthony grumbled.

“It’s about putting our best foot forward. You’ve seen what some of these guys wear to Brews and Chews. No woman in her right mind would waste her money on greasy hair and a barbecue-stained shirt.” Pike clapped him on the back. “Look on the bright side, maybe you’ll attract the attention of someone great, and you’ll spend the holidays snuggled up under a blanket, talking about all the Christmas traditions you’ll implement with your future kids.”

Pike could tell by Anthony’s expression that he wanted to say something snarky, but he refrained. His friend had been in a funk lately, especially when it came to dating, and Pike didn’t know how to snap him out of it. If he looked like Anthony, Pike would eat up the attention at the auction.

Pike’s phone went off, and he checked the notifications. It was an Instagram message from Ryler.

We’re in the rental car on the way. Where are the trees? This does not match the pictures!

Pike laughed at the photo he’d attached of sagebrush and rolling hills.

“What’s funny?” Anthony asked.

“Oh, the assistant for Alia Cole. He’s in the valley on the way here and asking where the trees are.”

Anthony’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “You’re messaging with the male assistant, huh? You got something you want to share?”

“Oh, knock it off. Did you really think I’d be organizing all the details with Alia? She’s got people for that. ”

“Yeah? What’s her assistant’s name?”

“Ryler,” Pike said as they cleared the hill and crossed the gravel parking lot toward the main house. He tapped out a response and hit send.

Keep heading north. You’ll find them.

RYLER

“What in the charming Sons of Anarchy town have you brought me to?”

Ryler ignored Alia’s apt description of the adorable town, taking in the close buildings and elaborate window displays of each business they passed. Alia’s exclamation was brought on by the group of men sitting outside of the coffee shop called Kiss My Donut, their long, graying beards nearly identical.

“Oh, stop being dramatic. This is beautiful.” Although Ryler had doubts on the drive up that the place existed, Mistletoe was everything she’d been hoping for. Pike’s assurance that the trees were there did not disappoint. Pine trees rose up on both sides as they exited the town limits, the GPS announcing, “In one thousand feet, make a right onto Blue Spruce Way.”

“The mutant cannibals watching us from the trees are laughing,” Alia sang as Ryler took the turn.

“Alia,” she laughed, flicking her cousin’s arm. “I’m going to make you walk to the house.”

“Um, you can’t. If the cannibals and biker gang don’t get me, a bear definitely will,” Alia said, pointing to a large sign that read Bear Country with a huge paw print on it. “You know I look like I’m filled with sweet cream.”

“I don’t want to know what you mean by that.” Ryler laughed.

“I wish the guys would have just flown out here with us.” Alia’s voice trembled slightly, and Ryler’s head whipped her way.

“I’m sorry, did you just say you wished Neil was here? Don’t tell me after years of trading barbs and insults, he’s finally grown on you.”

Alia snorted. “Of course not, but having men around can be helpful. Someone to carry bags. Fetch firewood.” Alia lowered her voice, but Ryler heard her clearly. “Trip them to give ourselves more time to escape from doom. ”

Ryler shook her head, grinning. Alia tended to ridicule her boyfriends, and the strangest thing about it was the meaner she acted, the more they loved her.

“If I didn’t know that your animosity toward Neil was one hundred percent genuine, I’d think you were into him.”

“Which would make you delusional, and I would worry for your sanity,” Alia snapped.

“Relax, I’m only teasing.”

“You have arrived at your destination,” the robotic voice announced as the trees cleared and the gorgeous log home came into view. Ryler pulled up to the two-car garage and parked, twisting in her seat to face her cousin with a grin.

“This is perfect. The profile said it even comes pre-decorated with outdoor Christmas lights. We can get a tree and order some ornaments and garland—”

“When did you become Old Saint Nick?” Alia asked.

“I just think it will be fun to celebrate a traditional Christmas.”

“I think the closest I’ve had to a real Christmas was that first year you came to live with us. Remember we cut down a tree in the front yard and dragged it inside? Mom and Dad came home from that gallery opening and were so pissed off. I think that is the only time I’ve ever seen my mom frown.” Alia used her fingers to pull her skin up to her hairline. “Wrinkles.”

Ryler burst out laughing, remembering that Christmas. After that, her aunt and uncle bought a fake tree, and the staff erected it every year for them, but it never felt like the holidays with just the two of them. Which didn’t bother Ryler because Christmas became a special memory of her parents.

“This year we’re going to make new memories,” Ryler said, stepping out the driver’s side. “We’re going to look up traditions and try them all out, and it will be the start of something we do every year.”

“Alright, Santa Ryler,” Alia teased, opening up the passenger door. “Let’s get inside before we’re carted off by Fae folk.”

“Please, nothing ever happens when the characters first arrive at the rural destination. We have a few hours at least.” Ryler stretched her arms over her head. “Let’s check out the house before we bring in the luggage.”

Alia looked up, squinting at the trees. “It’s getting dark. I say we bring them in now. ”

Ryler rolled her eyes but didn’t argue, grabbing her backpack and large roller from the trunk. Alia grunted as she hauled the first of her massive suitcases out of the back.

“I told you this place had a washer and dryer,” Ryler called over her shoulder. “You didn’t have to bring your whole closet.”

“This isn’t even a quarter of what I needed,” Alia grunted, lifting the second suitcase out and setting it on the ground with a clack. “That’s coming from Amazon tomorrow.”

“Oh lord,” Ryler laughed, stopping at the top of the stairs with her two bags and looking down on her cousin. “You’re about to lose a bag.”

Alia squealed as she chased after her smallest rolling suitcase with the wobbling gait of a woman in stiletto boots. The blush-pink hard-sided case had started to take off down the driveway and she managed to catch it when it hit a rock and toppled onto its side, the sound of plastic scraping across the asphalt.

“Oh no!” Alia lifted the case, running her hands over it like an injured child. “She’s all scratched up.”

Ryler rolled her eyes and continued to climb the stairs, ignoring her cousin’s vocal exertion behind her for as long as possible before she stopped to check on her.

Alia’s face was ruddy, and her forehead and nose glistened with the sweat of exertion. Suddenly, she stopped halfway up the stairs and bent over the largest bag as she glared up at Ryler, her arm gripping the handle of the second bag behind her. Her third, injured suitcase had been abandoned at the bottom of the stairs.

“You could”—Alia wheezed, her words high and tight between gulps of air—“help, you know.”

“Oh, absolutely not. This is your burden, as I told you multiple pea coats were ineffective and absurd.”

Alia launched the suitcase behind her onto the step next to her, panting. “You’ll be singing a different tune when they pop in the dreary, snowy pics Kit is going to take!”

Ryler rolled her eyes. “You would have been better off with one puffer jacket.”

“I’m not looking like a fluffy marshmallow!”

“Narcissist!” Ryler teased.

“I just care about my image, which is also your image!”

“Please, you’d look beautiful wearing a dress of dead fish. ”

“Ew, why would you even use that example?”

Ryler shrugged. “I could have said ‘wearing a boa constrictor.’”

Alia shivered. “I’ll take the fish.”

Her cousin hefted her bags and grunted the rest of the way up the stairs, making Ryler giggle. Although the clothes changed, packing a suitcase was almost muscle memory for her. Seven pairs of underwear and socks. Several bras and a set of workout clothes. Jeans and tees, a few hoodies, and sweaters. A simple black dress, just in case.

Ryler smiled, remembering her mother dressing for date nights with her dad. She’d never worn jeans, always donning a dress and heels. Ryler would stand behind her, watching her put on her makeup in the vanity mirror. Once, she smiled and said that dressing up made her feel special, which added to the magic of being with her husband.

If Ryler’s aunt hadn’t gotten her into therapy right away or if Alia hadn’t been waiting for her, needing her, maybe her parents’ death would have affected her differently. Although she’d been devastated and missed them every day, she’d been lucky to have had them and equally blessed to have ended up somewhere safe when they were gone.

They hauled their bags up through the front door, and Ryler put in the code, popping open the lockbox to retrieve the two keys inside. Once she unlocked the door and pushed it open, Ryler released a happy sigh as she took in the wooden beams and high ceilings.

“It’s perfect.”

“Great, can I get by you?” Alia slid her bag into the house with a deep breath, and Ryler stepped aside so she could bring the other over the threshold.

“You good?” Ryler smirked. “You’re breathing kind of hard.”

“I’m fine,” Alia wheezed, straightening up. “Want to help me carry my other two bags up the stairs?”

“Um, no.”

“That’s rude,” Alia muttered.

Ryler threw her arm around her cousin and gave her a smacking kiss on her cheek. “But I will ’cause I love you.”

They finished bringing in the luggage and located their rooms on the second floor. Ryler had been about to place an online grocery order, but it wouldn’t be there until Saturday, so she’d scrapped it with the plan of doing her grocery shopping in person .

“I’m going to head to the store and grab a few things,” Ryler said.

Alia groaned. “It’s six o’clock. Can’t we just order food and go out tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. Nothing will be open.”

“What about Starbucks?” Alia asked, hopefully.

“Did you see a Starbucks when we drove in?” Alia shook her head, and Ryler held her hands up. “There’s your answer.”

“You mean we are going to be stuck here until Friday morning with nothing to do?”

“Of course not! I’m going to head into town now and get some groceries. Maybe we could even find a restaurant to hit for dinner.”

“Preferably one that doesn’t serve roadkill,” Alia muttered.

“Let’s go,” Ryler said, holding the door open for Alia, who passed through slowly. Ryler locked up the house, and when they were back in the car, she did a three-point turn in order to get out of the driveway. Alia sat in the front seat, staring out the window, sulking.

“Do you want to look up a grocery store for me? I remember seeing one, but I’m not sure where.”

Alia tapped the screen of her phone, silently searching as Ryler read the signs of businesses they passed.

“Oh! Pike said that Lord of the Fries diner is good.”

“Who is Pike?” Alia asked without taking her eyes off her screen.

“He’s the guy who recommended Mistletoe.”

“What kind of name is Pike?”

“I don’t know, a name his parents gave him?” Ryler heard the edge in her voice and took a deep breath. Alia never paid attention to the details or the people that made their trips possible. “He’s the one who owns the guided tour company. I signed us up for a couple of adventures, like snowboarding, snowmobiling—”

“I found the store,” Alia broke in. “Take a left at the next street.”

“Alright,” Ryler said, giving up on convincing Alia this would be fun. “Neil and Kit should be here early afternoon Friday. I figure that will give us plenty of time to get up Friday morning and find a Christmas tree.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Ryler ignored her sarcasm and parked toward the front of the store, noting the limited number of cars. As they exited the SUV, Ryler spotted a woman in a police uniform leaving the store and called out, “Excuse me, Officer? ”

The woman turned their way, her delicate features friendly. “Hi, can I help you?”

“Yes,” Ryler said, moving closer. “We’re staying in a house just outside of town for the holidays, and I was wondering if there is a place we could grab dinner and maybe a drink?”

“Sure, Brews and Chews Bar and Grill. You just follow this road,” she said, pointing to the right, “and it will be on your right-hand side about a mile up.”

“Thank you, Officer”—Ryler read her name tag—“Wren.”

“My pleasure. Enjoy your stay.”

“Not likely,” Alia muttered, but Ryler ignored her snark. They were going to have a great time, even if she had to force the fun down her cousin’s gullet.

Ryler’s phone pinged, and she pulled the device out of her purse. An Instagram notification flashed on the top of her screen, and she noticed @PikenAround, so she clicked on it. She smiled as she read his comment on her picture of the Mistletoe sign.

Mistletoe is ready to give you the warmest welcome! Thank you!

Ryler almost snorted at the professional message. She preferred the funny, candid Pike to the guy trying to play the role of the proper business owner. Ryler couldn’t wait to meet him in person and find out if he was as funny offline. The fact that he was probably expecting a male assistant tempted her like crazy to mess with him, but the last thing she wanted to do was offend him when they would be there for several weeks. Although Ryler planned on staying at least through Christmas, Neil and Kit would probably duck out earlier than that to spend the holidays with their families. Her aunt and uncle were spending the holidays with friends and hadn’t extended invitations to Alia or Ryler to join them, but that was fine. Her aunt and uncle behaved more like doting benefactors than family to their only child, let alone their niece, and while Ryler had felt bad for Alia at first, she realized that her cousin didn’t mind being away from her parents. Their complete detachment was the opposite of Ryler’s upbringing; she was surprised Alia was able to form attachments at all as an adult.

“I need to find the bathroom,” Alia said as they walked through the automatic doors. “I’m feeling a bit nauseous.”

“Do you want me to come?” Ryler asked.

“No, please get started on the shopping. I’m tired. ”

Ryler watched Alia disappear into the bathroom before she grabbed a cart and headed for the produce first. She passed by a cold case with a mirror angled down at her. Ryler saw a woman with an oval face, her wavy hair pulled back in a ponytail with wispy strands escaping the confines. Freckles dotted her cheeks and the bridge of her slim nose, the only feature she shared with her cousin. Her lips were full and her chin slightly pointed. Her generous chest stretched the words on her cropped T-shirt, which brushed the top of her high-waisted jeans. The denim hugged her hips and thighs, showing off the curves that had made her self-conscious in middle school and high school. Being midsize in the fashion world was like being in limbo, especially when it came to certain styles that were so popular. While the hipster pants of the early 2000s were coming back in style, Ryler refused to give up her mom jeans, no matter how many times Alia tried to get her to conform.

She’d never been able to hold a candle to her taller, slimmer cousin, but after her initial bout of teenage insecurity, it didn’t matter. Ryler was a tomboy, practical and driven, and Alia was bougie. They’d never competed over men or accolades, supporting each other instead. That is why their working relationship had lasted so long. They complemented each other well.

Ryler pulled out her phone and leaned across the handle of the shopping cart, tapping out a message to Pike. Made it to our rental. Going to grab some food and catch up on sleep. See you Friday and Happy Thanksgiving.

She slipped her phone into her back pocket again, smiling. The radio in the grocery store was playing holiday music already, large green boughs of garland hanging high on the walls. Cartoon Christmas characters were taped below and above the greenery. Ryler stopped in front of the dairy case and grabbed a carton of eggnog, setting it in the cart.

“Ew, eggnog?” Alia groaned, coming up alongside her. “Don’t make me throw up again.”

“You puked? Why?” Ryler asked.

Alia shrugged. “Probably still hungover.”

Ryler knew that wasn’t it, since it had been two days since Ryler had seen her drink anything. “So, you’re not hungry?”

“I am,” Alia said, grabbing a half gallon of nonfat milk.

“Then how about we get this done fast, go get some food and drinks”—Ryler bumped Alia with her hip—“flirt with a few guys. ”

“Ha, if we find one doable guy in this town, I’ll die of shock.”

I know at least one exists .

The thought of Alia showing interest in Pike, however, didn’t sit well with Ryler.

Are you seriously calling dibs on a man you don’t even know?

“Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.”