Page 31 of Holiday Hook Up

“Not that.” He touched her knee, causing a jolt to go straight through her. “I’m glad you are okay.”

Bethany smiled and decided not to press her luck and push the subject on his feelings toward Rachel. Instead, she sat, enjoying the tingling still radiating up and down her leg from his touch.

On the short drive over, they brainstormed all the things they could do with the mysterious shipments. Adam’s suggestion of a “Bride in a Box” for brides who wanted a personal assistant to cover all the details was a clever one.

Still, she had no intentions of actually keeping the shipments. As soon as her parents came back, they were all going to have to locate MR Wedding and return the boxes.

Although, maybe she could keep a couple items . . .

She stifled a smile as a vision of her opening her front door to Adam wearing one of the black lingeries along with the strappy heels and long beaded necklace.

Adam finally turned his truck into the winery’s entrance and shut off the lights.

“How beautiful,” Bethany remarked, taking in the lawn decorations as they both got out of the truck and walked to the entrance. It’d been a few months since her last visit to the popular winery and spa that had been transformed into the perfect winter wonderland with Santa’s sleigh and reindeer. “The kids are going to have so much fun.”

“We are, too.” Adam grinned, holding the front door for her. “Let’s go report to duty.”

Stepping in, Bethany marveled at how much effort had gone into transforming this place into the North Pole, with the tasting room being remade into Santa’s Workshop. She gave a wave to Pauline and Evan standing off to the side, who made the cutest elves since they were short to begin with.

Pauline fisted her hands.

“It’s okay,” Bethany mouthed, glancing over at Adam who’d already been pulled away by Mrs. Claus. She joined them, and Betty handed her a gingerbread cookie. “I’m sorry to hear about Rachel.” Betty straightened her white apron over her red dress. “A bad case of the flu is spreading like wild fire it seems.” She pointed at Zoe, who sat alone at the edge of the tasting bar. “Will Jenkins apparently was bitten by the same bug, too.”

“So what should we do, Mrs. Claus?” Adam asked, snapping the head off his gingerbread cookie. “Pass out gifts?”

“No. We’ve got plenty of volunteer elves for that. Why don’t you two go on into the merchandise room to the right? We’ve set up a few arts and crafts tables for the kiddos to make Christmas cards and tree ornaments.” She glanced down at her watch. “Which should start in five minutes.”

“Sure.” Bethany set her camera down on the floor for a second and wiggled out of her coat and scarf. “Sounds like fun.”

“You only need to do it for an hour or so. When the clock strikes eight and the tykes head home with their parents, we’ve got some adult reindeer games planned.”

Adam’s ears noticeably perked up. “Do tell, Mrs. Claus.”

“The other tasting room in the back has been set up for Christmas cookie and spiked hot chocolate making.” She reached up and pinched Adam’s cheek. “No hocus pocus in there.”

Adam chuckled. “You have my word.”

Betty pointed at Bridget Reed standing in front of the welcome desk, clipboard in hand. “We’ve also got a sign-up sheet for peppermint massages in the winery spa for our Holiday Hook Ups.” Her exaggerated wink aimed directly at Adam. “Sugar, why don’t you come help me hang up some mistletoe? I need a tall fella.”

Adam let Betty lead him away but turned. “LB, sign us up for those massages.”

Bethany gulped and looked away, envisioning what it would be like to be nearly naked next to Adam with the delicious scent of peppermint circulating the air. She picked up her camera and walked over to Bridget. “Um . . . hey . . . let me see that clipboard.” She snatched it out of the librarian’s hands and scribbled her and Adam’s name for a one-hour time slot.

Bridget shot her a smug smile. “Seems my brother-in-law has a new Holiday Hook Up tonight.”

“No. Just filling in.” Bethany glanced over to the spa area. It was a popular spot for the women in Buttermilk Falls as the only place in town for a facial or massage. There were two masseuses on site, and from personal experience, she knew that it would be an enjoyable hour.

That is if she could relax with Adam getting a rub down right next to her.

But first they had a job to do. She adjusted her camera over her shoulder and headed into the merchandise room that normally was full of wine for sale. The bottle displays had been cleared out and two rows of rectangular tables had been set up with small chairs for the kids.

And there had to be over twenty little ones already in the room, horsing around and starting their arts and crafts. When Bethany walked in, their eyes went wide and she realized it was because of her costume.

Time to get her elf on.

She scooted up to the front, stepped up onto the small stage that been placed there, and surveyed the scene. How were she and Adam going to entertain all these children?

It only took a minute to realize she had nothing to worry about. Adam came barreling in, giving high fives and hugs and acting like his silly self.

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