Page 29 of Evergreen Christmas

“Moments after,” Holly said, grinning.

“It doesn’t matter when she kissed him,” Eve said. “We all know it was a bad move that doesn’t bode well for her.”

Jordyn sat up straighter and folded her hands in her lap. “Excuse me, what do you mean it doesn’t bode well for me?”

The four Nanas fell silent again. Carol Belle stared at the ceiling, Eve looked at the floor, Holly stared out the window, and Kandy twirled her pink hair around one finger and hummed nervously.

“Come on, now,” Jordyn prompted. “You can’t say something like that and then not explain.”

Carol Belle cleared her throat. “I’m afraid we can’t share any more information until after you’ve practiced at least one round of Candy Cane Fishing.”

“But surely, any fallout from my chaste kiss with Nate is more important?” Jordyn shook her head. “You can’t expect me to focus on a Christmas contest when I’m concerned about—”

“Why not?” Carol Belle frowned. “You’re going to have to deal with distractions during every contest in the Christmas competition, so you might as well start practicing now.” She gestured toward a dozen candy canes that she had hooked onto the edge of a glass bowl and set on the table shortly after arriving at Jordyn’s cabin. “Now, do your neck stretches and give it a go, please.” She lifted her wrist and pressed a button on her watch. “I’ll time you.”

Stifling a groan, Jordyn complied. Over the next ten minutes, she completed Carol Belle’s strict regimen of neck stretches, clenched the end of one candy cane between her teeth and lowered her head to the glass bowl, fishing candy canes from the edge of the glass bowl by hooking them with the candy cane in her mouth. Each time she snagged a new candy cane from the bowl, she jerked her head to the side and flung the candy cane she’d fished out into a pile at the other end of the table.

“Time,” Carol Belle called.

Jordyn dropped the candy cane from her teeth, sat up, rubbed the back of her neck and groaned. The dipping and tossing of her head from one direction to the other had taxed her neck and jaw much more than she had expected. “Gracious, that hurt quite a bit more than I thought it would.”

Eve raised her eyebrows and nodded abruptly. “See? We told you.”

Holly pointed at the pile of candy canes Jordyn had fished from the glass bowl. “Try not to sling those candy canes quite as hard during the contest. Competitors sit close together at the same table and if you toss the candy canes too hard, they’re liable to land in someone else’s pile and then you’ll lose credit. We’ve caught more than a few participants cheating at Candy Cane Fishing.”

Kandy clapped her hands and smiled. “I think she did rather well for her first fishing trip! I think she has a really good shot at placing in this contest.”

Jordyn dipped her head in gratitude. “Thank you, Kandy. I appreciate the compliment. And now that I’ve done as you’ve asked and practiced, can we get back to my question?”

The Nanas immediately sank back against the soft sofa cushions and avoided her eyes.

Jordyn sighed. “Look, I know this isn’t a very pleasant conversation to have because y’all aren’t getting along with Nate right now, so I’ll come clean with you and admit that I do like him. So far, I think Nate’s a great guy. He’s been nothing but polite and neighborly to me, and no matter what you might think, he didn’t deliberately try to sabotage my chimney. He was just being a good neighbor. So what’s the harm in my giving him a little friendly peck on the cheek during a fun Christmas contest?”

The Nanas remained quiet for a moment. Then Carol Belle said, “Well, there’s your reputation to think of.”

“Yes,” Eve said. “Unfortunately, you must consider how kissing Nate during the contest might look to others who don’t know you well. You’re a newcomer to the competition and, well, kissing a man who happens to be your primary competitor . . . that gets people talking.” She grimaced. “They might jump to conclusions.”

“Yes,” Kandy said. “Noel is a very small community and everyone loves to talk about other people’s business.” She looked down at her hands, resignation in her tone. “Once word spreads—”

“What are you ladies saying?” Holly asked, an indignant expression on her face. “Are you trying to say that Jordyn should prioritize what other people think above her own thoughts and emotions? She’s a grown woman. She’s allowed to live her life the way she pleases regardless of what others may think.”

Kandy looked up, her gaze meeting Jordyn’s. Her expression was thoughtful as she considered Holly’s comments.

“No one’s disagreeing with the fact that Jordyn should live her life the way she pleases,” Carol Belle said. “The kiss potentially compromising Jordyn’s victory—should she win the Christmas Crown—is just one concern. The other is more significant.”

“Oh, I see.” Holly’s anger receded a bit, consternation taking its place as she looked at Jordyn. “Unfortunately, Jordyn, I share the second concern.”

Jordyn leaned forward, eyeing each of them. “And what is the second reason why I shouldn’t have kissed Nate?”

Carol Belle looked at the ceiling again. “Well, how much do you know about him?”

Jordyn shrugged. “I know he owns Frosted Firs Ranch. He’s my neighbor. And he has a brother named Tucker and a daughter named Roxie.”

Holly smiled gently. “Is that all?”

Jordyn laughed. “Well, I know he’s hot, chivalrous, and interesting. And I know that I’d like to get to know him better.”

Kandy issued a soft sound of dismay. “That’s the problem. He may not be inclined to want to get to know you better.”

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