Page 36 of Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
“Are you getting more ideas for your story? You had me a little worried there, looking as stressed as you were.” He had been praying for the floodgates of ideas to open up for Bronte—for her to be able to finish the book.
“Oh.” Bronte waved a hand in the air. “I’m fine. It’s all part of the process.”
“I have to admit, I’m curious to see how the Pike Family Saga ends. I’m really enjoying what I’m reading.”
Bronte wagged her eyebrows up and down. “Even if it’ssadandboring?”
“I’m never going to live that down, am I?” Jonah groaned, scrunching up his face.
“Nope.” Bronte let the ending of the word pop. “Never.”
“Okay, I don’t normally do this, but today is a special occasion.” Jordi appeared, two steaming mugs clutched in her hands. “I brought you both hot chocolate. It’s a recipe I made up.” She leaned in closer and whispered, “And don’t tell anyone else, because it’s not exactly on the menu.”
“Thanks, Jordi.” Jonah didn’t know if he should be excited or nervous that the hot chocolate was from Jordi’s own recipe.
Jordi put a mug of hot chocolate in front of each of them and stepped back, waiting for them to take a drink. But then, as if deciding she didn’t want to hang around to find out what they thought, she spun on her heel and made her way back to the kitchen, stopping and talking to everyone on the way.
“She’s fun.” Bronte smiled, her eyes following Jordi as she flitted from table to table.
“Yeah, she is. She left for a little bit after high school. Moved in with her grandparents in Boston. Holland was so bummed when she moved. You should see them together.” Jonah grinned just thinking about it. “Holland can be on the more reserved side, but when she and Jordi get together, especially if there’s coffee involved…well, it’s fun to watch. One time, when Jordi and Holland had just started high school, I was home on leave, and Jordi came over. Apparently, Jordi and Holland had volunteered to make items for the school bake sale. Not a big deal, they were always doing that, only this time they forgot about it until the day before they needed them. Instead of crumbling under the pressure, they rolled up their sleeves, brewed a pot of coffee, and enlisted the help of all five White siblings. It was well after midnight, but us, Jordi, a couple other friends who had the misfortune to wander in, and Mom and Dad were in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on one hundred twenty-four cookies and four dozen cinnamon rolls.” Jonah paused and took a drink of his melted iced tea. “Those two are an unbeatable force.”
With a break in theWelcome homes, Jonah picked up his cold hamburger. It was halfway to his mouth when Jordi slid onto the stool next to him.
He sighed, putting it back down. “Yes, Jordi?”
“I just wanted to see if you were going to the Jonathon Island Christmas Ball next week.” Jordi grabbed a fry off Jonah’s plate and popped it in her mouth. “I’m helping Dani with some behind the scenes stuff and wanted to make sure you’ve got your tickets.”
“We haven’t talked about it.” Jonah looked at Bronte, eyebrow cocked. He wanted to go. The Christmas balls were always fun, and he couldn’t remember the last one he’d attended, but really it had to be Bronte’s call. He didn’t want to volunteer her for something and take away from her writing. “What do you say, Bronte?”
Jordi leaned around Jonah, her hands clasped together. “Please? It’s so much fun.”
Bronte looked back and forth between Jordi and Jonah. Jonah shrugged his shoulders at her—hopefully she didn’t feel pressured into anything, what with Jordi giving those puppy-dog eyes. Between his sisters and their friends, Jonah had been the recipient to many a puppy-dog gaze. It was hard to turn down.
“I don’t even have anything to wear to a ball.”
“Oh, I can take care of that.” Jordi brushed off her excuse.
Bronte looked as if she was going to say no, but then she shrugged her shoulders and said, “Why not? Sounds fun.”
“Put us down for two tickets, Jordi.”
Jordi jumped from the stool, throwing her arms around both Jonah and Bronte, tugging them into a group hug. “I’m so excited! Okay, I have to get back to work!”
“I think you might be on to something with Jordi and her coffee.” Bronte laughed as they watched Jordi disappear past the swinging doors into the kitchen. “And she is definitely a force to be reckoned with.”
ChapterEight
DateDecember 20
Days until Deadline17
Words to be written79,970
She was positively giddy. What was happening to her? If she’d believed in aliens, she would think they had kidnapped her and exchanged her body for someone (something?) else. Bronte did not get giddy. Yet here she was, typing furiously at her manuscript, slaphappy smile on her face and giggles bubbling from her midsection.
“You must be working on Whatever Rom-Com,” Jonah said, standing from the couch, his gray sweatpants sitting low on his hips and his dark-green Army T-shirt stretching across his broad chest.
Bronte forced her eyes back to her computer. She needed to stop ogling Jonah. No matter how much fun she was having, she wasn’t here forever. After Christmas, she’d go back to Tulsa, and he’d go back to Germany. She couldn’t take him home with her. Still, when he paused his trek toward the kitchen, her stomach dipped low as he leaned over and grabbed her now empty mug.
