Mistletoe Motel

10. Holly

Chapter 10

Holly

“ I can’t believe we came last,” Holly said, shaking her head in disbelief as she and Mack trudged through the snow toward the Watertown gas station. “Our Santa was clearly the most anatomically correct snowman in the competition.”

Mack snorted, her breath visible in the cold air. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s exactly what the judges were looking for. ‘Most accurate snowman gluteus maximus.’ It was—” She paused, squinting through the heavy snowfall. “Wait. Is that…is that the gas station?”

Holly followed Mack’s gaze and felt her jaw drop. Even from a distance, the gas station stood out like a beacon in the storm. It was as if Christmas had exploded all over the building, leaving no surface undecorated. Strings of multicolored lights outlined every edge and window, blinking in dizzying patterns. A massive Santa waved cheerfully from the roof, flanked by a team of lit-up reindeer. The gas pumps hadn’t escaped the festive treatment either; each one was wrapped in tinsel garlands and topped with a small Christmas tree.

“I guess we know where Maude and Marty get their decorations from,” Holly said, pushing open the door and setting off a cacophony of jingle bells.

The interior was even more overwhelming than the exterior. Every inch of space was crammed with merchandise, creating narrow aisles that wound through the store like a maze.

“Welcome to Millie’s!” a cheerful voice called out. A woman who could only be Millie Mistletoe emerged from behind a tower of Christmas sweaters, each more garish than the last. She bore a striking resemblance to Maude, but where Maude’s enthusiasm was tempered with a touch of world-weariness, Millie seemed to operate on another frequency entirely.

“What can I help you ladies with?” Her eyes sparkled with an almost manic glee as she bounced on the spot, her voice rising and falling in a singsong pattern. “I don’t see a car, so I assume you’re here for presents?”

“Hi,” Holly said. “Yes, we’re just looking to buy a little gift for each other. It’s supposed to be a surprise, though, so we’ll just browse independently.”

“Of course. Let me know if you have any questions and meanwhile…” Millie rushed over with a tray of fudge. “Please enjoy a homemade treat.”

“Thank you, that’s so sweet.” Mack picked up a piece and moaned as she bit into it. “It’s delicious. Do you sell this? I wouldn’t mind taking some back.”

“Oh, yes. It’s a Mistletoe family recipe.” Millie pointed to the counter where various types of fudge were displayed under a glass case. “I’ve got traditional chocolate, peppermint swirl, and maple bacon. Come here and have a taste. You have to try them all before you decide.”

While Mack followed Millie, Holly eyed the shelves that groaned under the weight of countless knickknacks, ranging from the typical to the bizarre. Among the usual baubles and stars were ornaments shaped like pickles, sushi rolls, and what appeared to be a miniature replica of the gas station itself, complete with tiny blinking lights.

She’d expected gas station staples like snacks and car accessories, but they were vastly outnumbered by an eclectic array of gifts and souvenirs. There was a section dedicated to novelty mugs. “Live, Laugh, Lutefisk” proclaimed one, while another said, “I survived winter in Watertown and all I got was this lousy mug (and frostbite).” A rack of T-shirts bearing slogans like “I’m not yelling, I’m South Dakotan” and “Corn is life” made her chuckle, and she browsed through them, wondering if Mack would like one.

In the background, she heard Mack and Millie discuss the fudge, and she found herself tuning out the chatter, her attention drawn instead to Mack’s animated gestures as she spoke. There was something captivating about the way she engaged with people, her genuine interest and quick wit evident even in casual conversation. Holly noticed the way her teal hair that stuck out from underneath her beanie caught the light, how she absentmindedly tucked it behind her ear, and how her infectious smile lit up her whole face.

As she contemplated potential gifts, Holly realized she was subconsciously looking for something that would make Mack laugh, wanting to see that spark of amusement light up her eyes again. She caught herself and shook her head slightly. She had a little crush; there was no point denying that.

Holly was examining a beanie when Mack’s voice whispered, “Find anything good?” her breath warm against Holly’s ear.

Holly jumped slightly as she turned around and quickly hid the beanie behind her back. “Maybe. But it’s a surprise,” she stammered, a little flustered by how close they were standing. She gestured to the bag of fudge Mack was holding. “Is that my present?”

“What? No,” Mack laughed, shaking her head. “Your present is a surprise too. But,” she added, her voice dropping, “I’m always happy to share my fudge with a beautiful woman.”

Before Holly could process the flirty comment, Mack was already reaching into the bag. She pulled out a piece of fudge and bit off half. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eye, she held out the other half to Holly.

Holly hesitated for a split second, her heart racing. There was something undeniably intimate about the gesture. She leaned forward, parting her lips slightly as Mack gently placed the fudge in her mouth.

The sweetness of the chocolate exploded on her tongue, and her breath caught in her throat at Mack’s fingers brushing against her lips.

“Good?” Mack asked, her voice low and slightly husky.

Holly nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She was acutely aware of Mack’s eyes on her lips and wondered what it would be like to close the distance between them, to kiss her… She quickly looked away, her cheeks warming. “It’s delicious,” she said, clearing her throat. “But I need you to step away now, or your gift won’t be a surprise.”

“Oh, of course.” Mack grinned, and if Holly wasn’t mistaken, she was blushing too. “I’ll keep myself busy in the next aisle.”

Again, Millie’s cheerful voice cut through their conversation. “Finding everything okay, ladies? I forgot to mention, we also sell mystery gift bags over there.”

Holly stepped back, feeling slightly dazed. “Yes, thank you.” She tried to calm her racing heart. What was happening to her? She’d known Mack for less than twenty-four hours, and yet she found herself drawn to her in a way she couldn’t explain. “Mystery bags? What are those?”

“Oh, the mystery gift bags are a fantastic bargain! Each one is filled with a random assortment of Watertown treasures. It’s extra fun because you never know what you’re gifting. Could be anything from a snow globe to a packet of our famous cheese curds!”

Holly nodded politely, thinking to herself that it sounded more like a clever way for Millie to offload old stock that nobody wanted. Still, curiosity got the better of her, and she wandered over to check out the bags anyway.

In the corner, she found a mountain of brightly colored gift bags, each tied with a gaudy bow. A hand-painted sign propped against the pile proclaimed in glittery letters: MYSTERY BAGS! $10 each or 5 for $15. Warning: May contain traces of Mistletoe magic!

Holly chuckled and was about to turn away when something caught her eye. Next to the bags was a small rack of beanies, and one in particular stood out. It was black with a touristy slogan embroidered in teal across the front. Without hesitation, she grabbed it, imagining Mack’s laughter when she saw it.

“I’ll take this one,” she whispered as she handed it to Millie.

“Great choice.” Millie winked and hid it behind the counter.

“And I’ll have one of those mystery bags, because why not?”

“Make that two.” With one hand behind her back, hiding Holly’s present, Mack grabbed another mystery bag. “Like you said, Millie, it’s a bargain. Oh, and do you mind if I use your phone?”