A Little Mistletoe and Magic: Ho Ho Howls Romance Holiday Edition

by Marianne Morea

  “What did you expect would happen when my best friend and partner in callous moved to bumblefuck?” Amelia eyed her. “Three p.m. is the time I planned to leave to head back to the city on Sunday. You Dirty Diana. It was code.”

  Jenny shook her head, cutting into thick avocado toast covered in lemon-seasoned field greens, a fried egg and bacon. “It’s code, yes…but not for a booty call. The jury is still out on that, though I nearly jumped his bones a couple of days ago.”

  “And?”

  Jenny shrugged. “I’m not ready. I want to, but when it comes down to it, I’m still torn.”

  “You mean you’re still guilt-ridden. Lovey, you have nothing to feel guilty about. Trust me.”

  Eyeing her friend as she ate, it hit her that Amelia hinted at something similar that day in the old house. “Uhm, are you still going to help me unpack my boxes?”

  “Of course. It’s one of the reasons I came, aside from the obvious.”

  Jenny frowned. What obvious?

  “Mmmm! Jen, this French toast is out of this world. I expected lunch, not a brunch fit for royalty. Where did you learn to cook like this?”

  “I needed something to keep myself busy once I got home from rehab, plus the doctor said cooking would help my dexterity, both in body and mind.” She shrugged. “It was either that or Sudoku, and you know how much I hate math. Words are my thing.”

  “Well, it looks like cooking is, too. If this is the kind of fare you plan to serve your guests, you might have a prayer. That’s if you can get anyone worth anything to come this far off the beaten path.” Amelia glanced through the tent’s clear plastic windows. “And if you ever scrub the Addams Family feel off this place.”

  Jen rolled her eyes. “Will you stop already? There’s a healthy tourist trade all year long in Whisper Falls. As for the inn, I love its nineteenth century charm. Once Jack finishes the work, it’ll be beautiful. Like a mini version of the hotel from Somewhere in Time. You know that’s my favorite movie.”

  Amelia put down her fork. “I know. You’ve always been a romantic, and that’s why I agreed to come this weekend. Not for your Christmas Fair, and not to help you unpack your life, but to try and talk some sense into you. I miss you. Jerry says I’m driving him nuts because of it. Even Linda misses you. It’s time to stop being a romantic. Time to stop running from your life. You need to be pragmatic, Jen.”

  There it was in bold letters. Amelia, true to her egotistical nature under the guise of selflessness.

  “See? You can’t even answer me. How do you plan to survive up here?”

  “I keep busy. I have my shop and the people I’ve become friendly with to keep me company.”

  “Like Jack and that purple-haired person?”

  “Tess. She’s been wonderful to me since the day I arrived, so lose the attitude. I’ve called you a half a dozen times in the two weeks since I moved, and you didn’t answer the phone once.”

  “I texted you right away.”

  Jenny looked at her friend, seeing her for the first time. “That’s not the same thing, and you know it. Contrary to pop culture, emojis aren’t actual emotions. Some people need human contact. A voice or a face on the other end of the call.”

  “Hence Jack.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Amelia tipped her champagne flute to her lips. “He’s given you the contact you crave.” She drained what was left in her glass. “Not that I blame you. He is rather dishy, and has quite the package.”

  “Ugh. There’s no talking to you.”

  She nodded. “Exactly. That’s why I text.” Amelia put her glass down. “Seriously, Jen. Your medical bills had to be astronomical. I meant it. How do you plan to survive? Your little shop and this inn aren’t going to provide the lifestyle you’re accustomed to.”

  “Amelia, I am going to say this once and with all the love in my heart. Back off. I am just fine. In all ways, shapes and sizes. Charlie took care of that. Between our health insurance and his life insurance, I don’t owe much, and the sale of the house allowed me to buy this place.” A pang of guilt slashed, and she reached for Amelia’s hand. “I made brunch fit for royalty because you are a royal pain in the ass, but you’re my pain in the ass, and however snobby you come off, I know deep down it comes from the heart.”

  Amelia sniffed, but a teasing smirk tugged at her perfectly-lined lips. “Gee, what an overwhelming compliment.”

  “Ha. You deserved it, snooty patootie.”

  Amelia laughed, squeezing Jenny’s hand. “So, do you plan to show me this town of yours? I think we should start with those falls that lured you here. After that we can grab dinner somewhere. Provided there’s a decent restaurant in this one-horse town.”

  Jenny rolled her eyes. Amelia would never change. “The Brasserie has amazing comfort food. Rich soups, and hearty winter specials. Plus they make their own bread. Even you might forget your manners and scrape the bowl dry. I did with their butternut squash soup.”

  “I doubt it, but it sounds like a plan. On that note, I’m going to change into comfy clothes, and put on my sneakers. If we’re going to eat like calorie queens, I’ll need to walk twice my steps to make up for it.”

  Amelia got up from the table, and Jenny watched her walk toward the French doors. “You know, life is too short to count every bite that goes into your mouth, Ames. Trust me on that.”

  Amelia opened her mouth to counter, but realized who she was talking to and shut up. She nodded instead, and went inside to change.

  Watching her friend click-clack her way across the hardwood made Jenny think. Was she just as rude and superficial when she got here? Jack would tell her the truth if she asked. So would Tess. Question was, did she want to know?

  Chapter Eleven

  “You must be Mrs. Mitchell’s assistant.” Amelia addressed the young woman lugging in a box of holiday decorations toward the back door. “I’m Mrs. Tesco.”

  “No, ma’am. I’m Daisy. I work at the beauty parlor across the street, but I’m helping out here for the fair. Loretta is Jenny’s assistant.”

  “I see. Where is Mrs. Mitchell?”

  “She’s outside in the tent with the others.”

  “Others?”

  Daisy nodded. “Tess put the word out and a bunch of us volunteered to help Jenny today. We all want to see the inn succeed.”

  Amelia nodded, and walked through the parlor to the French doors. She watched the hustle and bustle for a minute before Jenny saw her through the glass and waved her out.

  “Wow, what a difference a day makes. You must’ve been up and at it since dawn.”

  “Pretty much,” Jen looked around at the work accomplished. The back garden and courtyard had been transformed into a fairy-like winter wonderland. All silver and white, with splashes of pink and purple.

  “It’s gorgeous.”

  “Thank you, Ames. Considering your middle name is Scrooge, I’ll take the compliment.”

  “I can’t help being scroogie. I haven’t had my coffee yet.”

  Jen smirked, pointing to a table set up outside the tent with coffee and a continental breakfast. “Help yourself. It’s courtesy of Main Street Bake Shoppe.”

  “Courtesy, huh. Like your helper elves?”

  “This town takes care of its own, and Jenny is one of our own now.”

  Both women turned to see Tess standing in the tent door. “I walked over to see if you needed another set of hands. T-minus one hour until the flood gates open.”

  Jenny looked around, proud. “It’s turning out better than I hoped. You were right about the fairyland look, and keeping the red and green to the holly and bows around the ceiling and door.”

  “Have Loretta get one of the guys to hang pink and purple ornaments from the holly boughs to tie it all in.” Tess pointed toward the greenery. “Not too many, but enough.”

  Amelia nodded, impressed. “You’ve got a good eye. I should hire you to decorate the club.”

  “Club?”<
br />
  “Silver Lake Country Club.”

  Tess gave her a tight smile. “I’m not a decorator, but thanks.”

  “Tess, the kids you rallied to help out are amazing. I don’t know any teenagers who’d voluntarily put down their cellphones without parental threats.”

  She laughed. “Well, now you do.”

  “Yes, and that means I can show Amelia around the fair before things get too busy for me here. If I want to market the inn, then the proprietor should be around.”

  “You don’t have to babysit me, Jen. I’m sure I could wander around the booths by myself just fine.”

  Jenny slipped her arm through Amelia’s elbow. “Nonsense. It’s my first fair, too.”

  “Two fair virgins.” Amelia winked.

  Tess smiled at them. “In both senses of the word.”

  “Virgin?” Amelia snorted. “I think you’re about a decade off for that.”

  “I meant fair…as in pretty.”

  “Oh.” Amelia actually blushed.

  “Hey, beauty is my business, so I call it as I see it.”

  Amelia’s gaze darted across the street. “I should’ve put two and two together. You own the salon.”

  “I do. In fact, I’ve been trying to get Jen to let me put a holiday streak in her hair. Silvery red to honor both the solstice and the Christmas holiday.”

  Amelia rolled her eyes. “Ugh. More new age nonsense? I thought you gave that up, Jen.”

  “I take it you don’t approve,” Tess replied.

  “Witches aren’t real, and Wicca is a joke. It’s a made up religion, so of course I don’t approve.”

  Tess’s eyes seemed to shift more purple than ever. Perhaps it was the sun, or because Amelia was being particularly annoying.

  “Actually, Amelia, Wicca predates Christianity, and had its beliefs villainized by the church. Do you put up a Christmas tree? Kiss under the mistletoe?”

  “Sure,” Amelia shrugged. “They’re quaint Christmas traditions.”

  “Wrong. They’re pagan traditions. Wiccan traditions. Appropriated by the early church.”

  Jenny stood between the two women. “Okay, kiddies, I’m separating you two for now. I have too much to do right now than play religion referee.” She tugged Amelia toward the exit leading to the coffee cart. “You, go drink some coffee.” She turned with an apologetic look for Tess, but her new friend was already at the tent door.

  “I’m cool, Jenny. No offense, but your friend Amelia needs surgery to remove the designer stilettos stuck up her butt. Just holler if you need me. I’ll be around.”

  Amelia came back with two coffees and two bear claws, holding one of each out as a peace offering. “Sorry, Jen. I didn’t mean to come off as so—”

  “Arrogant? Entitled?”

  Amelia’s pursed her lips. “Yeah. Both of those.”

  “Do me a favor, Ames. Practice what we used to tell the kids. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. It’s easier for me to play your silence off as shy, rather than having to explain why I’m friends with such a—”

  “Bitch?”

  “Well, if the stiletto up your butt fits.”

  “Fair enough.” Amelia gave her a sheepish look. “Speaking of the fair, do participants and their guests get first look?”

  “Go grab your jacket.”

  Amelia pecked Jen’s cheek before rushing inside.

  “Looks like your friend had a small epiphany.” Jack stood in the tent’s door, his warm gaze giving her an even warmer onceover. “You look beautiful, considering.”

  With the late morning sun behind him, he looked handsomer than ever. “Considering what, pray tell?”

  “How much you miss me.”

  Her grin was enough invitation, and he pulled her in close for quick kiss, ripe with promised heat.

  “Who needs coffee when a kiss like that can get your blood going?” She grinned against his lips.

  “You’re not exactly a dirty sleep in. What’s going on?” Jack stepped back, tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

  “Let’s just say I’m learning a lot about my old friend. More than I ever realized.” She wrinkled her nose, looking past her shoulder to the French doors. “Maybe it’s me.”

  Jack snatched the bear claw still in her hand, taking a huge bite. “It is you. You’re a horrible friend.” The mouthful of pastry made his gorgeous grin a little lopsided.

  “Ha. Ha.” She reached up, wiping sugar from the side of his mouth. “Was I that rude when I first got here?”

  Chewing, he shook his head. “Not in the slightest. You were a little wary, but that’s to be expected when you meet strangers. Especially when you’re a city girl. If you were Amelia, you’d have thrown me out of your house the minute I stopped the water from drenching you in your kitchen. Instead, you blushed a gorgeous pink, laughing at the situation. Your humor is down-to-earth, and it’s part of what endeared you to me, and to Tess, and the rest of the town from the start.” He paused, letting a sexy grin take his mouth. “Not to mention how you looked in your wet tee-shirt burrito.”

  He licked bear claw sugar from the pad of his thumb, letting his tongue linger in a tease. Butterflies divebombed Jenny’s belly. Lips parted, she took a step toward him but then stopped, turning him around toward the tent’s door instead.

  “You need to take your sexy self away from here.” She pushed him toward the sidewalk. “I can’t have you driving me to distraction. Not with everything going on today.” His muscled back only made her fingers itch to touch him, so she let go.

  “I drive you to distraction?”

  Jenny exhaled, rolling her eyes. “You know you do.”

  Leaning in, he kissed the end of her nose. “Ditto.”

  “Okay then.” She tamped down the urge to throw her arms around him. “See you later?”

  Jack reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out two red and gold tickets. Holding them up, he winked. “I’m way ahead of you.”

  Taking the tickets, Jenny scanned the front. “The Holly Maze and Mistletoe Arbor.” She glanced up. “I get the maze part, but what’s the Mistletoe Arbor?”

  “It’s a town tradition. A couple enter the Holly Maze at two different entrances. If you make it through and meet at the arbor, you make a wish and seal it with a mistletoe kiss. Legend says it adds a little magic to your romance.”

  She grinned. “A little mistletoe and magic. I love it.” Her smiled faded a bit and she looked over at the French doors again. “What do I do about Amelia?”

  “You’ll be with her all day. I think she can find something to occupy herself for an hour or so.”

  The French doors opened and closed, and Amelia walked over, wrapping a scarf around her neck. “Who needs to be occupied?”

  “You.” Jack didn’t dither. “I have to borrow Jenny for an hour later today.”

  Amelia looked between them. “Like I said. I don’t need a babysitter. I’m sure I can find something to do while you two go play.”

  “Good.” He pecked Jenny’s cheek. “I’ll see you at five pm. We’re doing the maze by lantern light.”

  Amelia grinned at them. “I’ll be run off my feet by then. You steer me to where I can pick up dinner and a decent bottle of wine, and I’ll be fine. As long as we still have a date to unpack boxes later.”

  “I’ll do one better,” Jack replied. “I’ll buy you both dinner at the Brasserie, and then bid you goodnight to do your unpacking.”

  “Deal.”

  “Good.” Jack pecked Jenny’s cheek again. “Have fun ladies. Do the fruitcake toss. It makes a mess, but it’s hilarious.”

  ***

  Amelia put her bags down on the couch and then unzipped her boots, peeling them from her feet. “Oh my God. I feel like I walked ten miles.”

  “I know. For a Christmas Fair in a small town, they really know how to put the ho, ho, ho in holiday.” Jenny grinned, bending to start a fire in the parlor hearth.

  Amelia sat on the cou
ch. “You really decorated this room well, Jen. Though I’m glad Jack took the scaffolding down. It would have killed the mood.”

  “It’ll go back up after New Year’s. There’s still so much left to be done.”

  She nodded. “I’m sure it’ll be beautiful.”

  Jenny straightened to arrange the fire screen. “Is that a change of heart I hear? Do I have the Amelia Tesco seal of approval?”

  “You never needed my approval, Jen. You were always your own woman. I’ve been the needy one in my life. Needing validation from Jerry, from friends…hell, from everyone.” She paused, toying with her sweater cuff. “You’ve had such tragedy in your life, but in terms of knowing who you are, you’ve been lucky.”

  “I think we could both use a drink. Brandy?”

  Amelia nodded again. “Brandy and boxes. What a Saturday night.”

  “You don’t have to help me, Ames.” Jen turned from the sideboard with the decanter in her hand. “I can handle whatever those boxes hold on my own. I’m good. I’ve had an awakening since moving here, and I put my past in the past.”

  Amelia didn’t reply. She took the snifter from Jenny’s hand and then looked at the box Jack left beside the coffee table.

  “Here’s to whatever comes next.” Jenny held up her snifter, and Amelia nodded, holding hers up as well.

  Jenny took a sip of her brandy, and then put the drink on the coffee table. Taking her boots off, she left them beside the Queen Anne chair, and sat crisscross on the floor next to the fire.

  “Here goes nothing,” she said, pulling the box over.

  Amelia looked around. “I thought Linda said there were three boxes of Charlie’s stuff.”

  “There were, originally. The other two were his diplomas and his Juris Doctorate. Awards and framed articles and such.”

  “So you went through them already?”

  “Not me. Linda.” Jenny shook her head. “She put the truly personal stuff into one box, and asked if she could keep the other things. I didn’t see why not.”

  Jenny took the lid off the banker’s box, and put it to side. On the top were drawings the girls made for their dad. Seeing them only made her smile, and that Charlie had them in a prominent enough place in his office to merit packing warmed her heart.