Page 20 of Mistletoe Misses
On the last twirl, she falls into my lap. Her arms cover me in both acceptance and adoration, catching me off guard. We barely know each other, but it doesn’t take me long to give her the same and realize that this little girl has forever changed me.
“That was so fun. Can we do it again tomorrow?” she asks as she stands, her body fidgety with too much energy to contain.
“If there’s nothing else stealing my free time …” And even then, I’d choose her. “I’d love to.”
She flashes me a smile to rival the stars, and I wonder if she knows it’s a superpower. That twinkle of hers could convince me to do just about anything.
“I better get back to work now and make some progress on the task list.” I push off the hard floor to my feet and stretch my sore back. “I’ve got some more bookshelves to secure.”
“And I need to fix lunch.”
“You’re joking.”
“Why would I do that?” she asks, her serious side snapping back into place. “Momma doesn’t have time, and cooking our meals is part of my weekend chores.”
Shaking my head, I collect the toolbox I set by the door before our playtime started. “You’re incredible, Queenie.”
“Queenie?”
“Yeah. With the royal way you delivered that script, you are now Queen Sadie, or Queenie.”
“My name and queen mixed together. I like it.”
Her satisfaction with the nickname shouldn’t have made me as proud as it did, but here we are.
On my way downstairs, I’m marveling at my new friend and don’t realize I’ve walked into a meeting of some sort until it’s too late. The lounge is full of women of all ages, sitting in a circle of chairs or beanbags. I recognize Harper, the Mayor’s daughter, but that’s it. Yet, they all watch me as if they know me and all my darkest secrets.
“Maddox, darling,” Nana says, her arm circling mine as I exit the stairwell. “Come say hi to the Book Nook Book Club.”
“I don’t want to interrupt.”
“You’re not. I’ll introduce you to everyone.” Spite glitters her every word. She’s not happy with me messing with her shop, but she’ll eventually realize I’m doing it for her own good. Until then, I guess she’ll be punishing me for it every chance she gets.
With an arm hooked tight on mine, she guides me through the room, forcing me into conversations with each woman. They ask questions I don’t care to answer, get too close, and touch me incessantly. After the final awkward introduction, I bolt, bumping into Harper on her way to the eggnog pitcher on a small table by the door. She grips my elbows to steady and trap me.
“Here we are again,” she says, batting her lashes.
“Again? Where?”
Her eyes browse the doorframe above us and mine follow. Nana reinstalled the godforsaken mistletoe while I was upstairs.
“You seem like a nice person,” I say lamely. “But I’m gonna go.”
Backing away, I catch a glimpse of Sadie snickering at me from the stairs. I already know my fumbling escape tactics make me look like a cowardly fool. I don’t need an eight-year-old making me feel like one, too.
Mentally, I add a mistletoe hunt to my to-do list as the number one task. I’m searching this store (and the whole town if necessary) to prevent this unbearable kind of encounter from ever happening again.
Chapter 5
Maddox
Honey, can I speak with you for a moment?” Mom asks from the top of the stairs soon after my shower. Since all the upstairs bedrooms are taken, I set up in the basement. It’s mostly unfinished but more comfortable and quieter than most of the places I slept in the Army.
“Sure. Want me to come up?”
“Yeah. Let’s talk in the sunroom. I have a fire and beer ready for you.”
This is great. She’s buttering me up for something. “Be right there.”
