Christmas on Mistletoe Lane--Includes a bonus short story

by Annie Rains

  “Nope.” Nate chuckled softly. “She promised not to say a word about it too. She said we were grown men, and she wouldn’t interfere. You got through to her, Kaitlyn.”

  “I only told her the truth. I’m so happy for you two but I’m a little sad this means you probably won’t be needing a room here again.”

  Chris wrapped an arm around Nate. “I was thinking we could come back for our one-year anniversary. We certainly can’t stay at your parents’ for that occasion.”

  Nate grinned. “I love the idea.”

  “Me too.” Kaitlyn watched them get into their car and waved as they drove away. She heaved a heavy sigh as she walked back inside the inn. She was expecting two more couples this afternoon. She needed to clean and prepare the now-empty rooms for whoever came next.

  A little excitement buzzed through her. It was so much fun meeting new people and also unexpectedly fulfilling. She’d made a difference in the Trapps’ life. She even felt like she’d helped the Krespos regain a little spark for one another.

  Humming cheerfully, she headed to the laundry room to retrieve some cleaning supplies and then tromped upstairs to clean Mr. and Mrs. Krespo’s room first. An hour later, she entered the room where Nate and Chris had stayed and paused at the small wrapped gift sitting on the edge of the bed.

  “Oh no,” she said, walking up to it and picking it up. She’d have to call and let them know they’d forgotten something. She paused when she saw her name on the tag.

  To Kaitlyn

  She sat on the bed’s edge and peeled off the shiny Christmas paper slowly. Then she lifted the lid off a gift box. Inside were a beautiful ornament and a card. Kaitlyn removed the ornament first. It was in the shape of a house that could’ve been the inn. It appeared to be hand-carved and painted with great detail. She guessed they’d probably purchased it on Saturday night at one of the downtown shops. She couldn’t wait to hang it on the tree downstairs. Next, she opened the card and read as tears welled in her eyes.

  Thank you for being our home away from home. Love, the Trapps.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Over the next two weeks, Kaitlyn ate, breathed, and loved every second of her newfound life. Including the part where she shared a bed with a surly ex-marine.

  Kaitlyn lay back on her bed now for just a moment. Her memory lapped over the sex she and Mitch had early this morning before he’d left to go to the station. It was the kind of sex where you wonder if you’re still asleep. She’d been in the middle of a dream when he’d woken her. Her eyes had cracked open just enough to see him giving her that heart-melting smile of his. Then they closed again, and she’d writhed and moaned at all the things he’d done to her under those covers.

  Even now, her face flushed. As much as she’d like to, she couldn’t lie on her bed and think about him for the rest of the day though. There were things to be done, always, and people to catch up with.

  She tapped the screen of her cell phone and pulled it to her ear, waiting for her best friend’s voice to answer.

  “Finally!” Josie said. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d fallen off one of those mountain cliffs and died.”

  Kaitlyn stared up at the ceiling fan above her. “More like died and gone to heaven. I love it here.”

  “So, it’s booking up?” Josie asked.

  Kaitlyn could hear the tapping of Josie’s computer in the background. The woman could carry on a conversation and write her next article at the same time practically. “It hasn’t slowed down for a second. I don’t even know what day it is half the time because guests are coming and going continually.”

  “Rich people and retirees don’t keep to weekend trips.”

  “I’ve noticed. But we’ve had couples celebrating their anniversaries too. And people staying here on business trips instead of getting a hotel room. I already have a waiting list started. It’s reaching into the New Year.”

  “That’s awesome. How long before you buy out the other guy and it’s all yours?”

  Kaitlyn’s breath and excitement stilled in her chest. That was the plan, the goal, but she wasn’t looking forward to saying goodbye. With the success of the B&B came the termination of her business relationship with Mitch. But what about the other relationship they were swept up in? “Um, well, I’m not sure. He says he’s not in a hurry to be bought out, so…” Kaitlyn absently traced imaginary hearts on her quilt as she spoke. “We’re making steady income now so I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.”

  “And how long until you start sleeping with him?” Josie asked.

  Kaitlyn choked on a gasp. It took her a moment before she could even answer. “No holds barred, huh?”

  Josie laughed. “None. Last we spoke, you kissed him and liked it. Soooooo?”

  “I’m pleading the Fifth.”

  Josie gasped on the other end of the line. “You slept with him already and didn’t tell me? I thought we were best friends.”

  “We are.” And Kaitlyn had always called Josie immediately after sleeping with a guy. Josie was her go-to person. Always. But sleeping with Mitch was different. If she told Josie, she knew she’d have to explore how she felt about him, because that’s what they did. Only, Kaitlyn wasn’t sure how she felt about Mitch.

  Or she was and it was a little terrifying.

  She pressed the heel of her palm to her forehead. “I’m in over my head this time, Jo.”

  “You really like him, don’t you?”

  Kaitlyn swallowed. “He’s sexy. He can fix things and cook just about anything. He’s a great listener and…” She shook her head. “He’s a tough ex-marine who’s secretly funny and sweet.” And he could make her toes curl with pleasure. Josie didn’t need that little detail though.

  “Wow.” It wasn’t often that Josie was reduced to one word.

  “So you can see my predicament.”

  “Yeah,” Josie finally said. “This is why I bury myself in work. I’m too busy for my own drama. Let me know how this story ends. I’m rooting for him to fall madly in love with you.”

  “About as likely as you coming to Sweetwater Springs for a visit,” Kaitlyn said hopefully.

  Josie chuckled into the receiver. “I’m not planning a trip just yet. I have fires to put out here in New York. Speaking of which…” She grew quiet on the other end of the line.

  “Yes?” Kaitlyn’s stomach tightened the way it did when she felt the subject turning in a direction she wasn’t going to like. It was in Josie’s tone of voice. The slight hesitation. The way her pitch lowered.

  Goose bumps fleshed up on Kaitlyn’s skin. She braced herself for impact. “What is it?”

  “Well, there’s a little buzz online that Bradley Foster got handsy with one of his leading actresses—that’s all. She posted on social media yesterday but it was taken down quickly. I guess Bradley didn’t like being outed publicly.”

  “Well, good for her. Someone needs to out that sleazeball.”

  “Agreed.”

  Kaitlyn sat up now, nausea rolling through her stomach. She hated to hear even the mention of Bradley Foster’s name.

  “One of these days, he’s going to get what’s coming to him,” Josie said.

  “I should’ve kneed him between the legs so hard he couldn’t function to force himself on another woman again,” Kaitlyn said, which made Josie laugh.

  “Then you’d be in jail right now instead of at a beautiful B and B.”

  “True.”

  The bedroom door opened, and Mitch walked in. When he looked at her, concern etched itself in his features. Kaitlyn realized her eyes were stinging, not from tears but from anger. Bradley used his celebrity status and power to take advantage of people. To hurt people. She’d admired him, and he’d betrayed her trust by pushing himself on her and then lying about what really happened.

  “Sorry,” Mitch said. “I knocked but you weren’t answering.”

  Kaitlyn shook her head. “It’s okay. I guess I didn’t hear you.”

  Josie cleared
her throat on the other end of the line. “Listen, Kaye. Don’t worry about that jerk. Just focus on Mitch and figure out how to keep him around a little longer. Anything that makes you smile is a good thing. You deserve happy—remember that. And Bradley and your old boss deserve a bad case of the crabs.”

  Kaitlyn burst into laughter. Josie was always good for that. “Thanks. I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “You better.”

  They said their goodbyes and disconnected the call. Then Kaitlyn tossed her cell phone on the nightstand.

  Mitch sat down on the bed next to her, the weight of his body tipping her toward him. Not that she planned on going anywhere else right now. Sharing space with him felt entirely too good, like a warm blanket on a cold, snowy night, which was a perfect analogy for her life right now. In some way, she felt like she’d been left out in the cold with the situation in New York. Then Mitch had come along and made her feel safe again. Wanted again.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  “In Sweetwater, yes. Meanwhile in New York, Bradley Foster is groping one of his leading ladies.” She only hoped they kicked harder than she did. Or packed a mean punch. Maybe Mace too.

  Mitch’s body tensed beside hers. She had no doubt that, if she asked him to, he’d drive up the East Coast and make Bradley regret he ever met her.

  He reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, his rough skin brushing against hers. Almost like magic, her worries fell away with just that touch. Mitch seemed to have that effect on her.

  That was just one more reason she was glad he was around.

  * * *

  Since the Lights on the Lake event, there’d been three more robberies downtown. The robberies were small—chump change, really—and Mitch didn’t quite get the point of the thefts. One incident had been the tip jar at the Sweetwater Café. A tip jar couldn’t have held more than twenty bucks. It didn’t make sense that someone would risk taking it and getting caught.

  Mitch pulled his police cruiser to the curb in front of Dawanda’s store and stepped out to go check on her. He also planned to nab a piece of her peanut butter fudge while he was at it.

  Dawanda came barreling out from behind the counter as soon as he walked in, a smile on her face and her vibrant-colored hair poking into the air like an erupting volcano. “My favorite protector. Did you bring your friend?” she asked hopefully.

  “Alex?” Mitch asked, remembering that she’d wanted to read his fortune in the cappuccino.

  “No. Your lady friend. Kaitlyn.”

  Mitch shook his head. “No. Just me this time. Sorry to disappoint.”

  “You never disappoint.” She had to reach up to pat his back and then pointed to a chair. “Sit. I’ll get you some fudge and coffee to go. I know this street is much safer now that you’re on the job.”

  “Temporarily,” Mitch clarified. He didn’t want anybody getting the idea that he was staying.

  “Right. Right.” She headed back behind the counter.

  A few minutes later, she laid a white paper bag of fresh fudge and a foam cup of coffee on the table in front of him.

  Mitch shifted to pull out his wallet. “How much do I owe you?”

  “I don’t charge knights in shining armor.” She shoved her hands on her little hips like he’d insulted her.

  “Well, I’m not taking this for free.”

  “Not free. In exchange, you keep me and my store safe and bring that girl of yours back sometime.” She pushed the paper bag toward him in a not-so-subtle gesture.

  “You are a stubborn woman, Dawanda.” Which seemed to be a theme in his life right now.

  “The best ones are.” She winked and made a shooing motion as more customers entered the store. “Now, if you don’t mind, I have paying customers to attend to,” she teased.

  “Thanks.” He picked up the bag as he stood and then walked back to the cruiser on the curb.

  “Officer! Officer!” someone called just as he reached his car door.

  Mitch whirled to see a woman wearing a heavy jacket and knit scarf wrapped loosely around her neck. He knew exactly who she was the moment he saw her face, drawn tight with distress. She was apparently so upset that she had no idea who he was, however. “What’s wrong?” he asked, bracing himself for her to recognize him at any second and start beating him with her purse.

  “My nephew!” The woman’s hands clasped the side of her face. “I can’t believe I did that. I stepped out of my car just for a second to drop my Christmas cards in the post office collection box. I only stepped a foot away from the car.”

  Mitch’s adrenaline dialed up. “What happened?”

  The woman—Brian Everson’s youngest sister—rubbed her temple and then pointed to a silver car a few spaces up. It was parked just shy of a large blue mail collection drop-off. “He’s locked inside the car. I left my keys in the ignition…So stupid!” Tears started spilling down her cheeks.

  Mitch touched her arm just briefly, then took off toward the car to assess the situation. Sure enough, there was a wide-eyed little boy, who couldn’t have been older than three, sitting in a child’s car seat in the back. Mitch futilely pulled on the passenger door’s handle. His gaze darted to the locks on the driver’s side. All secured.

  He turned back to Brian’s sister. What was her name again? He tried to remember. It started with a p. Priscilla? Pamela? She was the youngest of the five Everson children. Mitch thought she’d been in the same grade as Tuck’s sister, Halona. “It’s okay. Do you have a spare key hidden anywhere on the car?”

  She shook her head. Then the toddler in the back seat, possibly seeing how upset his aunt was, decided to start wailing loudly.

  Mitch gestured back to his police cruiser. “I need to get a tool. I’ll be right back.” A moment later, he returned with a three-foot-long rod called a BigEasy, used for just this purpose.

  He turned back to the woman. Penelope. Yeah, that was her name. Penelope—Penny—Everson. No doubt she hated him as much as her parents did. “I’ll be careful but there’s a possibility this might damage your car,” he warned.

  She nodded hurriedly as the toddler screamed louder. “Please, I just want him to be safe.”

  “Okay.” Mitch worked quickly, and a moment later, he opened the passenger side door. He pressed the automatic unlock button for the back seat, and Penny Everson whipped open the door and went to her nephew.

  “I’m so sorry. I’m so, so, so sorry,” he heard her tell the boy. She released him from his restraint and pulled him to her.

  Mitch was about to turn and head quietly back to his car—and get as far out of Dodge from any member of the Everson family as he could—until Penny called him.

  “Officer?”

  Mitch turned reluctantly.

  She wiped a hand under her mascara-smudged eyes and offered a grateful smile. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would have done if you weren’t here.” She patted the child’s back as he calmed and melted into her shoulder. “I’m not usually so careless. It’s just, the holidays and…It doesn’t matter. There’s no excuse. I made a mistake, and it could’ve been much worse if not for you.” Tears sprung in her bright-green eyes.

  “It happens,” Mitch said. He knew all too well about making mistakes. “Just enjoy the rest of your afternoon. And your holiday.”

  She nodded as her eyes narrowed in. Her grateful smile was still set in place. “You look so familiar.” Her gaze dropped to his name badge. “Hargrove.”

  He watched his last name register. That smile slipped, and confusion twisted her features. No doubt because Mitch wasn’t supposed to be here. He’d made a promise to the Everson family that he would stay away, except for brief visits to see his mom, of course. But he wouldn’t make his home here. That was the deal.

  He was keeping his promise. He didn’t plan on staying, even though wearing a police officer’s uniform contradicted that.

  Penny was still staring at him, gripping the boy now as if she were trying to
keep him safe, possibly from Mitch instead of a locked car now. Or was that just Mitch’s imagination?

  The hero that Dawanda and even Penny made him out to be scattered like dandelion fluff in the wind.

  What could Mitch say? Don’t worry. This isn’t how it looks. I won’t be here long.

  “Thank you again,” she said, briskly this time. Then she turned from him and started loading the boy back into her vehicle.

  Mitch turned as well and slunk back to his car, reminded once more why he couldn’t get comfortable in his hometown.

  * * *

  Laundry had never been one of her favorite chores, and yet it was never done here. There were always linens to wash. Towels. Tablecloths. Not to mention her own clothes.

  Kaitlyn leaned against the front of the washing machine that she’d just loaded with sheets from the guests who’d just checked out, hesitating a little to go back out into the main rooms where she’d have to socialize. Her phone sang “Carol of the Bells” behind her. Turning, she checked the screen, already knowing who it was. The ringtone was one she’d chosen for her parents, although it hadn’t rung since she’d assigned it to their contact a few weeks earlier.

  Taking a breath, she pulled the phone to her ear. “Mom. How are you?”

  “Hello, sweetheart. All is well here. Your dad and I have been busy, busy with work. And you?” her mom asked in return, effectively bringing up the subject of work in one single breath.

  Kaitlyn wasn’t surprised. Work begot achievement, which begot success. And her success determined how much her mother had to boast about with her country club friends.

  “Have you come to your senses yet? Ready to get back to work here in New York?”

  Kaitlyn closed her eyes. So much for the laundry room being her “safe place” here in the inn. “Just the opposite, actually. Did you get the invitation I sent? For you and Dad to spend Christmas here at the Sweetwater Bed and Breakfast? Just say the word, and I’ll reserve a room,” Kaitlyn offered with forced cheer.

  Her mom clucked her tongue into the receiver. “No, no. We have plans to go to the Bahamas this year, remember?”