Page 34 of Mistletoe Misses
“Was there a reason you came back?” I ask. “Or did you just miss me too?”
“Both. Nana needs you.”
With exaggerated irritation, I fall back on the hardwood floor, bringing her down with me. Her giggles fill the empty room, and just like that, the apartment feels more like a home than a shell of what could be. She does the same to me, filling the void where my heart once beat wildly for life.
“I guess I better see what she wants,” I finally say. On my way up, I snatch Sadie around the middle and carry her down the stairs sideways as she squeals and laughs. Best. Sound. Ever.
“Nana! Save me!”
Smiling, Nana watches us carry on from the front counter. “You two are a mess. Sadie, you better get to the bus stop before you’re walking to school.”
“Can’t I stay with you today?” She manages to stick out her bottom lip in a pout despite being held upside down. The interesting angle makes me chuckle.
“Nope. School is important, and Maddox has work to do.”
“That’s okay. I’m his best helper.”
Myonlyhelper, but still the best. I wouldn’t want anyone else.
With her face turning red, I flip her right side up and set her on her feet.
“Does that mean you’re finally accepting my ideas for improvements?” I ask Nana. Before starting the demolition upstairs, I laid out my plans for updating both floors. She threw out every roadblock she could think of, and I had a solution for each one, including the cost. With my parents and I chipping in, she won’t have to spend a penny, and she’ll soon have the revenue stream she needs to do more than get by.
“No.” She scowls. “I have another job for you today.”
“See you after school,” Sadie calls on her way to the door, surely sensing another argument brewing.
“Nana, I’m busy fixingyourbuilding so it doesn’t crumble onto your hard head.”
“This will only take a few minutes.”
If this is her adding another speed bump to my plans, it won’t work. Yet, I surrender, knowing I can never refuse her, and let my dissatisfaction be known with a groan before asking, “What is it?”
“My friend is going away for a week and can’t take her sweet little girl. She’s needs a—”
“Babysitter?” I screech, preparing for my first ever Nana refusal.
“What? No. She can’t take herdog. Trixie has been her companion since her husband passed, and usually goes everywhere with her. She can’t this time.”
Muscles I didn’t know I had relax as my shock wears off. “Where do I come in?”
“Feed and let her out several times a day. Just make sure she’s okay. If anything ever happens to that dog …”
“Keep the dog alive. Got it.” That doesn’t seem too terrible. I like animals, and Trixie’s care will be a great excuse to get away when the need arises.
“She’s expecting you today so she can go over the details.”
“No problem.”
I pivot to head upstairs.
“Where are you going?” she asks, giving me déjà vu. It’s the pie entrapment all over again.
“Back upstairs.”
“But she’s expecting you.”
“You said today, not now.”
