Page 77 of Holly versus Mr. Ivy
I whipped my head over my shoulder to look at Rhett. Sure enough, his cheeks lifted higher and the crinkles around his eyes were more pronounced compared to when he was at work.
Huh.
Never had a man’s face changed like that when he was around me. A thrill ran up my spine at the knowledgeIhad caused him to react like that.
“It must be something in the Dewhurst DNA.” Rhett grinned. “It calls to me.”
Mom laughed, and the joy on her face filled my chest with admiration for Rhett. He was good for her. He was good forme. Man, his magic brought happiness wherever he went. Rhett just might be a unicorn, possessing enchantments that enraptured women from near and far, but most importantly, two women who needed some light in their life.
“We’re heading out,” I said. “Is there anything you need before we leave?”
“No, I’m good.” Mom shook her head. “You two have fun at the festival. Oh, but will you bring home some of that lotion I love?”
I was planning on buying some as a Christmas gift for her. If she wanted it now, my idea was out the window. Hopefully, I would find something else at one of the booths to get her. Mom was the hardest person to shop for. She didn’t want big, extravagant items, and she never liked the clothes I picked out for her. Gift cards were what I’d resorted to the last few years, but I wanted to give her a more personal present this Christmas. “Yes, I’ll bring you back some lotion.”
“Thank you. Now go, before work claims your time.”
“Bye, Dee.”
“Goodbye, Rhett. Have fun!”
“Bye, Mom, love you!”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
Rhett grabbed my jacket and scarf from the front closet and helped me put them on. “I’m ready.”
Rhett pretended to inspect me, his brows furrowed as he leaned one way, then the other.
“What are you doing?” I asked, confused.
“Are you still in there? I can hear you, but I can’t see you behind the giant cloud that has engulfed you.”
Ramming my shoulder into his side, I said, “Stop making fun of my down coat. It’s warm, and that’s all that matters.”
Rhett suddenly snuggled in close, wrapping me in his arms. “I can heat you up.”
With the sudden fire scorching my body, Rhett absolutely could keep me warm on a cold winter’s night. “Later,” I promised through my thick throat.
“Fine,” he whined.
I followed Rhett out to his truck. He opened the passenger side door for me, but I stood staring at the height to climb into his vehicle like it was Mount Kilimanjaro. I waved a hand from my feet to the interior of the truck. “Next time, we’re taking my car,” I complained.
Rhett laughed, stepping right behind me. “But then I can’t do this.” Setting his hands on either side of my hips, he hoisted me into my seat as if I weighed no more than a candy cane. He then grabbed the seat belt and purposely brushed his hands across my torso, clicking it in. His cocky grin was the last thing I saw before Rhett closed the door for me.
Maybe his truckwasbetter.
Soon, he was pulling out of my driveway, heading to the city square where the festival took place. The town blocked off traffic to the main square for the weekend. White tented booths lined the streets, offering homemade gifts, jewelry, and more. The massive, lit pine tree stood sentry in the middle of the square with a stage for performers right next to it.
“Where should we park?” Rhett asked.
“Noah’s food truck is on South Street. I told him we’d stop by. Let’s do that first, and then we can wander the booths after that.”
Rhett switched lanes. “I’m going to need more than a donut to keep me full. Is there another food truck or vendor where you want to eat? We’ll get donuts for dessert.”
Three years ago, there was a Dutch waffle stand with the best stuffed cookie butter and peach concoction. I’d happily eat that again. Not that I needed a donutanda sweet waffle, but wasn’t that what the holidays were for? Bingeing on sugar and joy? “I’ll let you know when we get there and I see my options.”
“You’re picky about food, aren’t you?”
