Mistletoe Mischief (Falling in Mistletoe #2)

Chapter Twelve

R yler woke up Saturday morning ready to go to town and do some shopping and exploring. She knocked on Neil’s door, but he said he wanted to sleep in a little while, and Alia didn’t answer. She must’ve been wearing her noise-canceling headphones to bed. Kit was the only one game to check out the area. The two of them drove into the town of Mistletoe and parked in front of Kiss My Donut.

“This looks like a good place to start,” Ryler said.

Kit smiled. “I would kill for an oat milk latte. Think they’ll have that?”

“I’m sure with the tourists that role through here they will.”

“Good, because I’ve seen some gorgeous places already, but I need caffeine if I’m going to get to all of them. Between the jet lag and jumping time zones, I’m zonked.”

“Zonked is a word?” Ryler teased. “Isn’t that from Scooby Doo ?”

“That would be zoinks,” Kit quipped.

Ryler appreciated that Kit was best in one-on-one interactions, rather than group settings. They got out of the SUV and walked toward the entrance. Ryler stopped before they went inside to admire the store window of a cute cartoon couple enjoying a latte together. Kit held the door open, and Ryler passed through.

People took up nearly every table and comfy chair in the place, and the inside of the shop was bustling with their conversations. The line was five deep, and Kit and Ryler scooched forward so there was room for anyone who came in behind them.

Ryler recognized the blonde from the tree farm standing a few people ahead of them in the line, and when their gazes met, she waved .

“Who is that?” Kit asked.

“She helped us at the tree farm yesterday. I think her name is Merry.”

“She’s cute,” Kit said.

“And very pregnant.” Ryler laughed.

“Married?”

“Pretty sure.”

“Damn,” Kit said, grinning, “well, there goes my chance to live out my pregophile fantasy.”

“I wasn’t aware that was even a thing.” Ryler laughed.

“Maybe not the true technical term, but it exists.”

“Aren’t you still with Mae?” Ryler asked, studying Kit’s face.

“No, we broke up right after Halloween.”

“How did I not know this?” she asked.

Kit shrugged. “We don’t really talk about relationship stuff.”

That was true. While Kit was fun to be around and was incredibly talented with a camera, they didn’t have deep conversations about love and the meaning of life.

“Are you doing okay? You and Mae were together for a long time.”

“Yeah, you know, we just drifted apart. We met in college, and even though it’s been six years, I wasn’t ready to take the next step. So she ended things, and it’s for the best.”

“How come you weren’t ready for the next step?” she asked.

“We’re on the road so much and gone for a week or more at a time,” he said, shoving his hands in his coat pockets. “If I want to get married, that means sticking in one place and settling down in a house with all the responsibilities that come along with it. I don’t know if I’m ready to do that. I honestly don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to do that.” The line moved, and they both took a step forward before Kit continued, “What about you? Things didn’t work out with that lawyer from your condo?”

“No, things didn’t work out with him. Turns out that people don’t just pause and wait for you to get back when you leave on an extended trip to Bali,” she said with a bitter laugh. “If they don’t hear from you, they tend to move on.”

Kit chuckled. “Strange how that happens.”

“I know, right?” she said, feeling better about what happened with Ollie. It was a learning experience, one she would keep close to her heart so that she didn’t take anyone in her life for granted again .

They ordered their coffees and stepped to the side of the pickup counter. Merry walked over to them with a red-haired woman in tow, smiling brightly.

“Hi, Ryler,” Merry said. “This is my sister, Holly. Ryler is the assistant on that podcast Pike loves so much.”

Ryler’s heart fluttered at the secondhand praise and held her hand out with a smile. “It’s very nice to meet you.” Ryler waved a hand toward her companion. “This is Kit, who is the wizard behind the camera and video shots we use on Instagram.”

Kit shook both their hands and greeted them with a shy “Hi.”

“Hello,” Merry said.

“Hey,” Holly said, splitting her attention between Ryler and Kit. “Are you enjoying your stay so far?”

“Absolutely,” Ryler gushed.

“It’s a beautiful area,” Kit added.

Ryler nodded. “And such a cute town.”

“Wonderful. You’ll have to come by my shop,” Holly said, reaching into her purse and holding out a card for each of them. “It’s called A Shop for All Seasons. It’s about three doors down on the left.”

“Oh, that’s funny,” Ryler said, tapping the card with her finger. “Pike actually suggested that we should check out your shop today and get some ornaments for our tree. He was talking it up big-time.”

“Well, hopefully we don’t fall short of your expectations,” Holly said, smiling. “I’ll be down there in about fifteen minutes, and I’ll be more than happy to help you find everything you need.”

The barista called Holly’s and Merry’s names, and they excused themselves to grab their drinks.

“It was very nice to meet you,” Merry called out, addressing Kit.

“Likewise,” he said.

“See you soon,” Holly said with a wave, before the two women left the shop.

Kit grinned. “I didn’t see a ring on Holly’s finger.”

“Except she’s got a business and family here, so you know she isn’t leaving town for anyone. If you’re going to win her heart, you’ll have to stay here,” Ryler teased.

“I could think of worse fates,” Kit said, stepping forward when their names were called .

When he handed Ryler her coffee, she said, “If you’re thinking about leaving me to chase after your dream girl in Small-town, Idaho, you might want to say something.”

“Are you kidding me?” Kit said, getting the door for her. “I get to go explore the world with my friends and get paid to do it. What is better than that?”

Ryler almost agreed with him, although it would be nice to find someone to love and share her dream with. As they strolled out onto the sidewalk and down the street, Ryler took in the scenery around them. Men were up on ladders, changing over the fall foliage that had been wrapped around each lamppost and stretched across the main road for greenery with red bows and white lights. Although it was just the day after Thanksgiving, it was the first indication that Christmas would be here in just a few weeks.

“You would think they would wait until at least December first,” Ryler said, pointing to the lit Merry Christmas sign the bank was hanging in their window display. “Give Thanksgiving time to breathe.”

“I’m pretty sure in America, Christmas starts on November first,” Kit said, smirking, “and Thanksgiving is just thrown in there because they haven’t figured out how to do away with it yet.”

“Maybe for some people, but I believe that the holidays should have their own time without encroaching on each other,” Ryler said.

“Good for you,” he said, giving her a short, slow clap. “My mom is big on Christmas and starts listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween. She also collects Santa Claus figures and displays them all over the house. It’s kind of creepy if you’re not prepared for it.”

Ryler laughed. “I have my mother’s little nativity scene that she painted as a girl, but it’s tucked away in a box in my closet.”

“You should’ve brought it, and you could’ve set it out to enjoy this Christmas.”

“No,” Ryler said, sharper than she intended and softened her tone to clarify, “I always thought that when I found someplace I wanted to settle down in, I would bring it out to celebrate finally finding my home again.”

“You don’t like your condo in California?” Kit asked.

“It’s just a place to lay my head in between trips.”

“See, you and me, we’re rolling stones,” Kit said, talking more animatedly than she’d ever seen him. “We like to travel, although eventually, we will find a home to settle down, but we’re not in any hurry.”

“I guess that’s why we all love Excursions ,” Ryler said.

“Except Neil and Alia aren’t like us.”

Kit’s firm declaration surprised Ryler. “They’re not?”

“No,” Kit said, averting his gaze, but she wasn’t having it.

“Kit, if you’ve got something to say, share.”

Kit sighed. “Alright, he’s going to murder me for telling you this, but Neil’s been talking a lot about how he wants to buy a place and settle down.”

“Really?” Neil hadn’t said anything like that to Ryler, and she thought they talked about everything. “Is he dating someone I don’t know about?”

Kit shrugged. “I’m not sure. I think he’s just tired of the vagabond lifestyle.”

“And Alia?”

“Oh, she’s been ready to quit the show for a long time. I’m just not sure she knows how to tell you.”

Dread rushed through Ryler’s veins. If Alia left, Ryler could go back to posting scenic and food pics, but people would ask questions and wonder why she stopped posting pictures of herself. They’d built something together, but if Alia and Neil were thinking about leaving, what would that mean for Excursions ?

“How do you know that?” she asked.

“People tend to talk a lot when I’m around,” he said, smiling sheepishly. “I don’t know if it’s because I’m quiet or if they just don’t care, but I hear a lot of stuff.”

Alia’s bad moods lately made a lot of sense if she didn’t want to be the face of Excursions anymore. But why wouldn’t she just say something?

“I wish they would be honest if they are both feeling this way,” Ryler whispered.

Kit patted her shoulder. “I’m sure it’s because neither one of them wants to disappoint you.”

Ryler paused in front of the window for A Shop for All Seasons, contemplating Kit’s revelations. The last thing she wanted to do was alienate the people she loved most, and if they were only doing the show for her, she didn’t want to hold them back. Of course, if Alia no longer wanted to be the face of Excursions , Ryler would figure it out .

Or you could come clean, like Neil said. There may be some backlash, but it would free Alia.

And put Ryler in the hot seat.

“I didn’t mean to bum you out,” Kit said.

Ryler shook her head. “No, it’s better if I know.”

The blinds on the door of A Shop for All Seasons were up, and the sign was flipped to open, so Ryler turned the knob and held the door for Kit. The shop smelled of cinnamon and apples, and Ryler experienced another bout of déjà vu. Would that smell always remind her of her mom’s baking and the holidays?

Holly looked up from behind a small counter and smiled. “Long time no see.”

“This place is amazing,” Ryler said, taking in all the colorful décor. The store had shelves of knickknacks and several different Christmas trees with gorgeous ornaments adorning every branch. There were baskets of Christmas plushies and stockings hanging on the wall. Holiday wall art and advent calendars were strategically placed around, catching Ryler’s eye. Her parents had given her a chocolate-filled advent calendar every year on the first of December, but it might be fun to get a refillable one for the future.

“Thank you for saying so,” Holly said, coming around the counter. “We switched over from fall to Christmas yesterday. It’s a lot of work, but it brings others joy, which makes me happy.”

Kit wandered over to one of the shelves, looking at a row of Santa statues, while Ryler headed to one of the trees, admiring the ornaments.

“Do you have some ideas on what you might be looking for?” Holly asked.

“I was thinking about doing some stockings and maybe writing our names on them with a Sharpie.” Holly’s horrified expression caught Ryler off guard, and she giggled, “Or not.”

“Sorry,” Holly said, her slack jaw transforming into a sheepish grin. “I’ve often been told I wear every thought on my face. We offer personalization and could embroider them for you. It takes about a day, and there’s an extra charge, but they won’t look funky.”

“Oh, are we against funky? Because maybe that’s the look I’m going for.”

Holly laughed. “I heard you were a little feisty.”

“Huh. I wonder who told you that,” Ryler mused .

“A red-haired birdie.”

Ryler arched a brow. “Would this redhead happened to be male and bearded?”

Holly touched her nose. “Bull’s-eye.”

“Well, he shouldn’t dish shit out if he can’t take it.”

Holly clicked her tongue against her teeth. “I’ve been telling him that for years, but he still hasn’t learned.”

“Do men really ever learn?” Ryler asked, fingering a glittery red-and-white globe twisted to look like a peppermint.

“Hey!” Kit said.

Both women laughed. “Sorry, Kit. You were so quiet over there.”

“Uh-huh,” he grumbled.

Ryler plucked the ornament off the tree and held it up. “I love this one. Do you have an ornament box I could put my choices in?”

“I do,” Holly said, taking the orb from her. “Let me grab one.”

“Thanks,” Ryler said, following Holly toward the back of the store and waiting outside the door to a back-room Holly had disappeared into. Ryler didn’t want to make things awkward, but her curiosity got the best of her when Holly re-emerged with a cardboard box with slats.

“I’ll set this by the register, and if you fill it up, we’ll grab another.”

“Thank you.” Ryler lowered her voice, trying to avoid Kit overhearing, and asked, “So, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s Pike’s deal?”

Holly set the box down and turned to face her, cocking her head to one side. “You’ll have to be more specific.”

“I mean, is he just a dog who goes after every woman he meets?”

Holly gave her a long, pensive look, and Ryler squirmed under her scrutiny, losing her nerve. “You know what? It’s none of my business, and I am so sorry for being nosy.”

“I’m just curious about why you’re asking,” Holly said slowly, leaning on the counter with a grin. “Did something happen between you two?”

“Now who’s being nosy,” Ryler said, chuckling, but she knew her cheeks were burning. “A mild flirtation when we first met.”

“I see.” Holly hadn’t lost that amused expression, and Ryler wanted to kick herself for letting her curiosity overwhelm her good sense. What was to stop Holly from running back to Pike and telling him she’d been asking personal questions about him ?

“Pike’s had several long-term girlfriends, but the relationships haven’t ended well,” Holly said softly, heading over to the farthest tree away from Kit, and Ryler followed her, absently studying the ornaments.

“When was his last relationship?” Ryler asked.

“He dated one of Merry’s friends for a while, but they broke up right before the holidays last year.”

Ryler picked up a glass camera with sparkles on it, intending it for Kit. She walked it over to the box, and when she came back, she whispered, “Why did they break up?”

Holly hesitated, probably worried she’d say too much and Ryler would tell Pike. “Sally was looking for something else, and when Pike put his foot in his mouth big-time, it gave her an out. Pike really is a sweet guy, but he can be tactless.”

“I don’t mean to put you in an awkward position,” Ryler said, nodding at a beautiful ornament shaped like a Christmas tree with string lights on the branches that Holly was holding up.

“No, you’re fine. If you’re curious about Pike, I don’t mind sharing. Better you know what you’re getting into with him.”

“Oh no,” Ryler protested, catching herself when her voice rose. “I’m not interested in Pike.”

“You’re not?” Holly asked.

“No, not like that.” Holly touched a plaid shirt ornament that reminded Ryler of Pike but left it on the tree. “I just find him intriguing.”

Holly giggled. “Well, I guess that’s one word to describe him.” Holly reached out suddenly and touched Ryler’s arm. “I don’t want to give you a poor impression of him due to his dating history. Like I said, his last relationship ended because the woman was looking for someone who was a little more financially stable and ready to settle down. Pike wanted to start a business, and at the time was working road construction. She wanted to get married. Be a stay-at-home mom.”

“No offense to your friend but that sounds a little …”

“Shallow?” Holly asked.

“Oh, I am so sorry, there I go again sticking my foot in my mouth,” Ryler said, quickly clarifying, “I just mean dumping a guy because someone else has a better job. You should be with someone because they match your energy and make you happy, not for what they can provide for you financially. ”

“I understand what you’re saying, and we’re all good. I don’t like to mince words either.” Holly held up another ornament, this one a snowman, but Ryler shook her head. Holly put the ornament back and continued, “I think it’s human nature to crave stability and someone that matches what you’re looking for in life. Some might call that shallow but, in the end, they just weren’t meant to be.”

“And he hasn’t dated anyone since?” Ryler asked.

“Well, he tried,” Holly said, leaning around the tree to get closer. “He asked out a friend of mine this week who’s had a thing for him since we were kids, but for whatever reason, she turned him down.”

Ryler’s stomach bottomed out. When they’d met that first night, Pike had said, Just one girl, but it didn’t work out.

Holly shook her head. “He must have been pretty upset, because he didn’t even come back inside where we had been hanging out.”

No, he went to the bar, and I threw myself at him.

Ryler felt like a heel. When he’d said that he’d used the mistletoe on someone, she hadn’t thought it was that serious at the time, but it sounded like he really liked her. He’d been rejected, sad, and vulnerable, and she’d tried to take advantage of him.

“Did I say something wrong?” Holly asked.

“No, of course not.” Ryler smiled. “I was just feeling bad he didn’t get a date.”

Holly laughed. “Oh, I’m sure Pike will bounce back fast.”

I’ll say , Ryler thought, remembering their kiss and what could have happened if she hadn’t told him her name. Was that how he dealt with heartache? Get over someone by hooking up with someone else?

A thought crossed Ryler’s mind that she really didn’t like. When she’d left the bar, it had been filling up. Had he found someone else to scratch the itch?

“I don’t suppose we can keep this conversation between us, can we?” Ryler asked cautiously.

Holly smiled warmly and held out her pinky for Ryler to take, which she did with a chuckle.

“Your secret is safe with me.”