Page 74 of 5 Golden Flings

SCARLETT NOX

CHAPTER 1

Brynn Asher knewshe was just delaying the inevitable, but she couldn’t resist a few moments distraction at the Country Christmas event as she drove through yet another small town in Tennessee. The long drive would be at an end in a couple of hours, but there was only so much time she could handle alone with her racing thoughts.

A little taste of Christmas would do her some good—just like her daddy always said.

It almost felt like he was beside her again as she wandered around the town square through the stores with their festive decorations, booths with gifts for all ages, a group of carolers on the courthouse lawn... She ate a cup of chili from the local diner and bought hot, candied nuts from a sidewalk vendor.

Even though the holiday atmosphere brought a rare smile to her, it wasn’t enough to completely erase the purpose of her journey from her brain. She needed to get back on the road. Make sure she arrived at the farmhouse before the ice storm hit.

She paused at the corner of the sidewalk, realizing she’d made the complete loop around the old town square that surrounded the courthouse.

Time to go.

She turned right, toward the more residential area where she’d found the parking lot tucked between a few restored antebellum houses and just-as-picturesque craftsman-style homes dating back to the early 1900s.

The last of the leaves were falling to the ground with each gust of wind that came closer and closer together, warning of the coming storm. The weatherman predicted a whopper-though it was rare to get any snow at all this late in the year—with a mixture of snow and ice that was potentially hazardous.

For once, she hoped the weatherman was right.

As she walked past the public park, she saw a vendor she hadn’t noticed on her way in. It was unexpected enough that she paused to look.

How had she missed the big red truck pulling a silver airstream trailer?

That should have stood out. And what was it doing down here? She glanced back toward the town square.

She had gone a good three blocks from the downtown celebration. When she turned back, a woman stood in the doorway of the trailer, so unexpected that Brynn jumped, startled by her sudden appearance.

“Helloooo,” the woman said. “Welcome to my Tinsel Trailer.”

Appropriate, now that Brynn saw the name on one side of the canopied opening. She felt oddly drawn to the cute metal cubby and the woman with the long, gray braid draped over one shoulder...but she really needed to go.

“I was just headed to the parking lot,” Brynn said, lamely trailing off as she gestured a little farther down the block.

“Oh, but surely you wanted to step inside for a quick peek? I believe I have just the thing to accompany you on your journey.”

That was odd. How did she know Brynn was on a journey? And why did Brynn find herself walking across the grass to the stairs leading inside?

The woman presented a quintessential free spirit look-complete with colorful ankle-length skirt and gray rope of hair over her shoulder. Her eyes literally twinkled with happiness, something that both drew Brynn and made her wary. Hers was a practical soul—her father had embodied all the magic in the family.

But if the Country Christmas event had given her a small taste of the Christmas spirit she was missing this year, the interior of the trailer was a long, satisfying drink. Rows and rows of sparkling, unusual ornaments hung from the walls, framed by slow-glow Christmas lights and a variety of tinsel colors. Some instrumental music provided a barely-there backdrop to cover the silence.

Brynn breathed in deeply, overwhelmed with a rush of memories of her father and his almost boyish delight as he decorated a natural fir tree and draped lights over everything that sat still long enough. Heck, last year he’d even put one of those reindeer kits on his truck.

Now he was gone, and wasn’t she sad to be standing here trying to capture a small moment of the magic of the holiday when she should be on the road to accomplish her mission?

“I think he would approve.”

Brynn frowned. “What?”

“Your father. He would definitely approve.”

Had Brynn spoken her thoughts out loud?

“Everyone could use a little touch of holiday.” Ms. Tinsel’s naturally pink lips curved into a gentle smile. Despite the silver hair, her face was curiously unlined, with an understanding expression that made Brynn feel oddly seen.

Not the outside of her, but the inside that hurt sometimes just to breathe. She dropped her gaze to the intricate metal work of a Christmas-tree shaped lantern.What a beautiful piece...

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