Tis The Season for Secrets (Village of Yule #2)

23. Juliet

L aughter filled the air. Children playfully chased each other around the makeshift courtyard, packed with snow for crafting their masterpieces, by the Christmas tree at the centre of town, leaving a trail of footprints. Hurrying across the square, Juliet saw that Lyla stood out in the crowd that had gathered for the competition, bundled up in a bright purple scarf and matching earmuffs. After a quick grilling from Kevin and Lyla about where they’d been, they gathered in the designated courtyard around their assigned piles of snow.

Mason had left them to it, due to some workshop issue, and the competition began once Mrs Klaus started the clock. Juliet was surprised to see so many teams participating; she couldn’t imagine her own family taking time to build a snowman.

Kevin and Will pelting each other with snowballs was a nice distraction from everything Juliet had just learned about her family history. It was hard to believe Will was as happy in the Outside as he was here. He’d seemed so serious that first night at the bar, but the bass of his laughter, the way his shoulders shook as he pushed Kevin over into the snow, only made her heart grow even more tender towards him.

She started rolling a small snowball, packing it tightly until she needed Lyla’s help in growing it with each revolution. They stepped back, admiring their creation. The light from the bright moon cast a silvery glow on the snow-covered landscape.

“That should be big enough for the base! Time for the middle part!” Lyla joined the two parts with some extra snow, giving their snowman an hourglass shape. They began to gather more snow for the head, and Juliet went to the long table set up with accessories for the participants to choose from and picked out a brightly coloured pink and red scarf and matching hat. They adorned the snowman with the accessories, creating a face with rocks for eyes and a big smile made of pebbles.

As they revelled in their snowy accomplishment, Juliet realised she’d almost forgotten about the morning’s events. She glanced at Will and Kevin, struggling to put the giant head of their snowman on, and it hit her: Mrs Snow was missing something very important.

“We need a carrot for the nose!” she exclaimed, while Lyla gave Mrs Snow some false lashes.

“You’re right!”

Juliet bent over to pick up a carrot, only to hear a plop as her phone dropped out of her pocket and into a puddle of melted snow at their feet. She cursed silently, not likely to find a bag of rice in the sea of snowmen. She dried it as best she could with her gloves and zipped it into her jacket pocket. It wasn’t like anyone could reach her, even if they wanted to; she didn’t have access to Yule WiFi, if such a thing even existed. She’d be home soon enough – what would another few hours away from the world matter?

Will, Juliet, Lyla and Kevin sipped their free mulled wine and ate one too many mince pies as the winners were announced. It was an afternoon Juliet wouldn’t forget, even if there was no way either of their teams was going to win. Some of the snowmen around them looked like they’d been crafted by experts. She was proven right as an elderly couple were announced as the winners– not a shock, since they’d somehow managed to create a miniature sleigh and driver out of snow.

Juliet snuck them all an extra mince pie from a passing tray while photos of the winners were being taken and trophies handed out. She didn’t pay much attention, because the flaky pastry put any she’d had back home to shame. She wished she could get the recipe for Diana.

Mason finally joined them and kissed his fiancée. Lyla grumbled a bit about losing, but Juliet figured it was more to make Mason squirm than out of not winning a silver snowman trophy.

“I have no sway over the judges,” Mason told her with a kiss. “There’s always next year.”

“Fine, but I’m looking forward to you making it up to me,” Lyla said, pinching Mason when he rolled his eyes. They might pretend to bicker more than they got on, but the way they looked at each other made Juliet want to blush.

Will caught her by surprise, wrapping his arms around her waist. It was nice to have her own human heat blanket. “I’m surprised you didn’t get the trophy. I really like how you added that sparkly nail varnish to the end of your sticks.”

“At least we finished,” Juliet said, eying the two blobs beside theirs. “Yours doesn’t even have a head because you and Kevin were too busy torturing each other.”

He grinned. “Let’s get you back home. If you’re away too long, I’m afraid Beth or your father will think I’ve kidnapped you. Though I’m not embarrassed to admit that Margot finding out you disappeared again frightens me more than your dad.” Will shivered, and Juliet internally applauded him for his good sense. Margot had connections even she didn’t want to know about.

“Don’t worry, she knew I was coming home. She’s probably distracted by your friend Harvey trying to seduce her into working with him,” Juliet reassured him, knowing Margot got tunnel vision when it came to client recruiting. Juliet hated keeping secrets from her, and wondered if she’d ever be able to tell her. If everything went well with Will’s friend, Harvey, then perhaps she’d find her way here someday. Margot would die of excitement if she learned about a secret land.

Back at the Klaus cabin, Juliet took the longest and hottest shower of her life. She wasn’t sure if she had any skin left when she stepped out. Not that it mattered, because she could finally feel her toes again.

“I got your phone working again, though I’m not sure you want to look.” Will, sitting on the edge of the bed, handed her a steaming cup of coffee.

Wrapped in a white fluffy towel, Juliet sat by the fire, letting the heat sink into her bones. He remembered exactly how she liked it – black with extra sugar. The sweet, sharp scent revived her further; she couldn’t wait to take a sip of the steaming liquid, even though it burnt her tongue. Taking the phone from Will, she found she had missed several calls from dear ol’ dad. She didn’t even know how he’d got through; her phone showed she had no signal.

“Mr Frost has probably returned to the estate and is wondering where we are,” Will said softly, reviving the topic she’d avoided for the last twenty-four hours.

“I wouldn’t be too concerned. If he thinks we’re together, then he’ll consider it a win. Us sleeping together means he has leverage over you,” Juliet told him. She knew her dad too well.

“I don’t recall us doing much sleeping.” Will brushed her hair over her bare shoulder, planting a kiss on her neck. “And this is not exactly how I do business.”

“I thought seducing those in your charge was your speciality,” she teased, putting down her mug so she could wrap her arms around his neck.

“Only you.” His gaze darkened as his hands rested on her waist. “And if you keep talking about my seducing skills, then we won’t be getting back any time soon.”

“I’m not sure if you’re from a fairytale or a nightmare.” She kissed him, hoping to soak up some of his cheerful optimism before she ventured into the lion’s den back home.

“Can’t it be both?” He smirked devilishly, and Juliet lost herself in his hungry kisses, easily forgetting what awaited her back home.