Page 4 of Catching the Mistletoe

“I’ve just heard from Aunt Rosie. They’re on their way over, with Zane.”

“Nice!” Zane was one of my favourite people.

“Yes, it is. Given that it’s already quite late, they can stay for dinner.”

“That sounds lovely, Mom.” Genevieve said with a smile.

“I’m glad you think so, because I could do with some help.”

“What with?”

“Putting together the nibbles.”

“Not Bella?”

I was by far the more domesticated out of the two of us.

“No, because she has to take care of some stuff in the office for me, then go down and ask Mack to join us.”

My heart did a weird flip at the mention of his name, even as Genevieve and I exchanged a knowing look. This was Mom’s attempt to force me and Mack together, in the hope that we’d finally get over the weirdness between us. Sylvie Snow sure did love for everyone to get along. “Um, sure,” I stammered, trying to sound casual. “I can do that. What’s the office stuff?”

“Excellent,” Mom beamed, her mission accomplished. “A bit of filing, that’s all.”

Wow, so Mom wasn’t even trying to hide her agenda, because there’s no way filing had to be done right now. But it was easier to go along with her than fight it, so I just said, “Okay.”

“Great. Thank you, sweetheart. Let’s go, Gen. We’ve got a kitchen to conquer.”

And just like that, she was gone, leaving me with a task that suddenly felt way more complicated than it should’ve been. And you know I didn’t mean the paperwork. I glanced at Genevieve, who seemed to sense my apprehension.

“You okay with that?”

“I guess I’ll have to be.” My thoughts were already racing ahead to that unavoidable, awkward encounter with Mack. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck,” she called after me, as I headed into the office, just off the main entryway. It was a meticulously ordered space, kept that way because we never let Genevieve in here. The filing could have been a ten-minute task, but I managed to drag it out to thirty. I was only delaying the inevitable, though, so I shoved the cabinet drawer closed and came back out to the main entry.

Slipping on my coat and boots, I took a deep breath as if I could inhale some courage along with the warm, cinnamon-scented air.

The gravel was slightly slippery underfoot as I made my way down the winding path that led to Mack’s cabin, making me swear under my breath.

As I approached, I took in the sight of his cabin. Unlike the main house, Mack’s place was a modest, single-story structure, built of weathered logs and surrounded by a small but well-kept yard. There were no elaborate decorations, no frills. It was straightforward and practical, much like the man himself. It did have a bit of rustic charm, though, I gotta say. There was a small porch with a rocking chair, and a pile of firewood neatly stacked against the wall.

Alright, Arabella, you can do this.Drawing in a deep breath, I knocked softly on the door.

I waited, my heart beating a staccato rhythm in my chest. Finally, the door creaked open and there he was, filling the doorway with his broad shoulders and rugged presence. For a moment, we just looked at each other, the air between us sparkling with electricity.

In that instant, my mind flashed back to the hospital room, to waking up from the coma. Disoriented and scared, it had been Mack’s face that I first saw, him leaning over me, his eyes locked on mine. See? Just fucking weird.

CHAPTER2

Mack

Arabella, on my front porch, the fading light painting her dark hair so it shone. I rubbed at my chest, where my heart lurched painfully at the sight of her.

“Hey,” she said quietly, her eyes meeting mine for just a moment before sliding away.

“Hello.” My voice was gruff, but I couldn’t help it. Stuffing my hands in my pockets, I stood just inside the doorway, staring at her.

She shifted on her feet, clearly nervous. “Uh, so, my mom’s making a big dinner tonight. Uncle Rhys, Aunt Rosie, and Zane are coming over. She wanted me to invite you.”

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