Page 37 of Mistletoe and Mischief

“About five minutes ago. We decided to come and see you first, then we’re going to the house.”

“Dad’s out doing his Christmas shopping.”

Linnette laughed and looked at Pete. “What did I tell you?”

“That he’d be shopping,” Pete said laconically.

“Mom’s busy cooking, I’ll bet.” This comment was directed at Mack.

“My favorite salad,” he informed her. “Even though I won’t be there, she’s making it for me. I’m already looking forward to the leftovers. Oh, and she decided on ham this year.”

Linnette laughed again. “She discussed her Christmas menu with you?”

“In minute detail.”

“Poor Mom,” Linnette murmured.

“I wish I could see the expression on her face when you walk in the door.”

“I love that we’re going to surprise her.” Linnette’s wide grin was perhaps the best Christmas gift he could have received. His sister, happy again.

Mack hadn’t seen her smile like this in...well, a year anyway.

“Call me later and let me know how long it takes Mom to stop crying.”

“I will,” Linnette said.

His sister and Pete left for the house, and Mack returned to the firehouse kitchen, where he was assigned cooking duty that evening. He resumed chopping onions for the vat of chili he planned to make—how was that for Christmas Eve dinner? He caught himself wishing he could be at his parents’ place tonight, after all. Although he’d just met Pete, Mack sensed that he was a solid, hard-working, no-nonsense man. Exactly what Linnette needed, and someone Mack wanted to know better.

It seemed that Linnette had found the kind of personsheneeded, but had he? Mack shook his head.

And yet, he couldn’t forget Mary Jo Wyse.

Which wasn’t remotely logical, considering that their relationship consisted mostly of him taking her blood pressure.

And yet...

11

Linc drove down Harbor Street, peering out at both sides of the street. Fortunately, the snow had let up—Ned was probably disappointed by that. He wasn’t sure what he was searching for, other than some clue as to where he might locate his runaway sister. He’d give anything to see that long brown coat, that colorful striped scarf....

“Nice town,” Ned commented, looking around.

Linc hadn’t noticed. His mind was on Mary Jo.

“They seem to go all out with the Christmas decorations,” Mel added.

Ned poked his head between the two of them and braced his arms against the back of the seats. “Lots of lights, too.”

“There’s only one that I can see,” Linc mumbled, concentrating on the road ahead. His brothers were so easily distracted, he thought irritably.

They exchanged knowing glances.

“What?” Linc barked. He recognized that look. In fact, he’d already seen it several times today.

“In case you weren’t aware of it, there are lights on every lamppost all through town,” Ned pointed out slowly, as if he was speaking to a child. “The street is decorated with Christmas lights. And that clock tower, too, with the Christmas tree in front of it.”

“I was talking about traffic signals,” Linc snapped.

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