Page 16 of No Business Like Snow Business

“Are you okay?” She sounded hesitant; that wasn’t the sort of question we asked in our family. We didn’t expose our vulnerabilities, and caring about someone else’s hurt feelings was just as much a weakness of character as having your feelings hurt.

“I’m fine, honestly. I just needed a break.” I kept my tone light. “I’ll be back before anyone even notices I’m gone.”

“Inoticed you were gone,” Sarah said.

“I told you I was going.”

“You mean you lied to me aboutwhereyou were going?”

“Only because I knew you’d ask why I’d come to somewhere as random as Christmas Falls.”

“It’s a valid question.”

“And one I don’t have an answer to,” I lied. “I’m too young for a midlife crisis, surely.”

“I know you’re up to something,” she said. “But you’re okay?”

“I’m okay, I swear.”

“Okay then. As long as you’re sure.”

I was overwhelmed with a rush of affection for my sister. Growing up, she’d been pushed aside to make room for me, for no other reason than I was a boy and she was a girl. When it came to the business—and everything in my family was about the business—I was the one who was expected to take over one day. My grandfather had called it tradition; I bet Sarah had realized a long time before I did that tradition was just another word for sexism, and more than a few otherisms as well.

I lay back on the bed, my feet still on the floor, and stared at the beige ceiling. “I am. I’ll send you a postcard or something. This whole town is Christmas-themed. It’s crazy.”

“Why would you go somewhere like that?”

“Haven’t you ever done anything on a whim?”

“Oh, we don’t have those,” she said, and I heard the smile in her voice. “Our parents wouldn’t approve.”

“You got that right.” I laughed. “I’ll call you when I’m back in the city, okay? We should catch up for dinner or something.”

“I’d like that.” Sarah sounded surprised, and I did the calculations on when we’d last caught up for no reason at all. I didn’t like the answer. “I’ll talk to you then.”

“Okay, goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” she echoed, and ended the call.

I undressed and showered in the poky bathroom, then changed into my sleep pants and an old T-shirt and climbed into bed. I was tired, but not tired enough to fall asleep straight away. I considered the television, but then, thinking of Harvey, I reached for my phone instead and opened the book app.

Huh.

Who knew you could get Trixie Belden ebooks?

I settled into bed as I waited for it to download.

I slept better in a budget hotel bed in Christmas Falls than I had in months at home. I was refreshed when I woke, and I smiled when I checked my phone to see a message from Harvey telling me he’d pick me up at nine. I was waiting in reception for him ten minutes early, peering through the gaps between Christmas decorations to check the parking lot. When he pulled up, I was already out the door.

The day was bright and cold, and the air smelled fresh.

“Morning!” Harvey said as I climbed into the front seat of the little car. He was wearing jeans and a soft blue sweater that made his eyes appear even more striking. He nodded to the center console. The scissors were gone, replaced by two takeout coffee cups. “The top one is a coffee with creamer, and thesecond one is a hot chocolate. I didn’t know what you liked, and some people don’t like coffee.”

“What if I don’t like coffee or hot chocolate?”

He blinked at me. “I honestly didn’t even consider that possibility. You drank the one I got you yesterday. Were you just being nice?”

“I like both,” I reassured him. “Do you?”

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