Page 28 of My Greatest Joy

Mom shoos my negativity away. “Don’t stress about it, sweetie. Once she participates in the fun activities we have to offer, she’ll change her mind. Is she going to the festival?”

“I think it’s the main reason she’s visiting.”

“Well, I know how passionate you are about the holiday, so you’re the perfect person for the job. Take her around and allow her to experience the most magical time of year with you. I’m sure she’ll adore it.”

“You say that, but you haven’t met her. I’ll do my best.”

Dad laughs while standing to make a fresh mug of coffee.

“Well, maybe you could bring her over for dinner one night? We’d be happy to chat with her.”

“Maybe. I think I’ll need to warm her up to the idea of meeting my family first. No need to throw her to the vultures right away.”

Mom laughs. “Pfft. She’d be singing ‘Jingle Bells’ by the time she leaves here.”

I nearly choke on my pie. “Highly doubtful. It’s more than obvious she isn’t having a good time.”

“Give the girl a chance. She’s been stuck with you for days,” Mom says with a sly smile.

“I’m not sure if that’s a dig or a compliment,” I say around a mouthful.

“Me neither,” Mom tells me.

Once Dad and I finish eating, I carry our plates to the sink and quickly rinse them. “Does Lucy need her driveway cleared?”

“Nah. Bart took care of it already,” Dad explains.

Bart works for the farm and lives on the south side of the property, so he’s closer. “Great, then I can go home and shower.” I grab my jacket and put on my gloves. Before I grab my scarf, I turn to my mom.

“Do you happen to have some ground coffee for Fallon?”

“Of course. You know we stock up on that around here,” she singsongs, heading toward the pantry. “Do you need filters too?”

“Yep.”

“A coffee pot?” Mom peeks her head from the doorway and meets my eyes.

“No. I have one tucked away somewhere. I’m sure it still works.”

“If for some reason it doesn’t, let me know because I have an extra.”

“Thanks, Ma.” I give her a kiss on the cheek as she hands over the bag of supplies. Fallon is going to be so excited.

Once in the truck, I make my way across the property to my house. I call Jasper, the owner of the only heating and cooling company around here.

When he answers, I fill him in on the problem with my pilot light.

“I’m backed up, but I can put you on my waitlist. Might be a couple of days, though.” He sounds as tired as I am.

“I figured as much. I have a fireplace, so I’m not freezing, but it’s not enough to warm the whole house. Anyway, I appreciate your help.”

“No problem. I’ll come and take a look as soon as I can. Now, getting parts is a whole other issue.”

“I know how it is,” I offer before we say our goodbyes. Honestly, I should’ve remembered to get the furnace serviced months ago, but it slipped my mind once the season started. On the rest of the drive, I call every hotel in Maplewood Falls. The inns and bed-and-breakfasts are also rented until after the new year. As I suspected, nothing is available.

When I arrive home, exhaustion takes over. I grab my things, then make my way inside. Dried paw prints are on the floor, and I follow them toward the living room.

Fallon’s fingers fly across the keyboard, and she doesn’t stop until she finishes her thought. Then she looks over her shoulder at me. I move toward the fire and warm my ice-cold hands. I’m proud of her for keeping it lit all day.

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