Page 83 of Mistletoe Misses
With a proud smile, she points to something behind me. “See all those people?”
I twist to browse the fifty or more photos tacked to a bulletin board.
“I’ve helped each one find their happily ever after,” she says.
“How?”
“They come to me lonely or hurting, and I set them on a path to find what they need to heal. Like I did with you.”
I give her a slow eye roll, ensuring she knows exactly how I feel about that comment. It’s dangerous to leave anythingto interpretation with her. “You’re taking credit for me and Carmen?”
“We already discussed this.” Her eyes repeat my gesture but with more sarcasm as she rests an arm over the back of the chair all smug and proud of herself. “Who do you think pushed her to talk to you that first Sunday gathering? Who kept forcing you two into close proximity situations? Who found reasons to babysit so you could have uninterrupted love making time?”
“Nana!”
“Which you wasted. Stupid boy.”
“Good lord. If I give you some credit, will you shut up?” I beg. She may have meddled unnecessarily, but I would’ve gotten the same result in my own time … probably. Either way, I’m grateful. She just doesn’t need to know that. Her ego is big enough for the two of us.
“That’s plenty for today,” she concedes.
“Thank you, but for the record, I had to do the work. That counts for something.”
“Yes, it does, and speaking of that.” She shifts to the edge of the chair and clasps her hands together. Here we go again. “I have another job for you.”
“What is it?”
“Wow.” She pauses, seemingly waiting on something. “No complaining? No whining or melodramatic sighs?”
“You said I couldn’t do that anymore.” And herjobsaren’t as bad as I make them out to be. It’s just more fun to give her grief.
“Such a good boy.” Her soft palm taps my cheek sarcastically. “I volunteered you to install some Christmas decorations today.”
“Where?”
Ignoring me, she removes a folded piece of paper from her pocket and hands it to me. “This is the address.”
“You’re not going to give me any information?” I shouldn’t be surprised at this point.
“Nope. Consider it community service. Do you need me to watch Trixie?” At the mention of her name, her little snowball head pops out of my coat.
“Thanks, but she can stay with me.” I’ve missed her snuggles and cute little quirks. “I’m guessing I need to go now.”
“That’s usually how this works.”
“Fine.” Setting Trixie on the couch, I rise and help Nana to her feet to get my fill of her embrace. She may be a lot to handle at times, but her love is felt down to every cell that makes up who I am. “Thank you.”
“I love you, Maddy. Don’t forget, you’re doing the best you can. It’s all any of us can do.”
With a nod, I collect Trixie and head out, stopping in the doorframe to admire the matriarch of all the amazing women in my life. “Love you, too.”
Chapter 19
Maddox
Sweetie! Sweetie!” Sadie runs through the apartment above the bookshop, finding me scrubbing the new tile floor in the bathroom after school. She jumps into my arms, waving a white envelope above her head.
“Oh, my goodness. What’s all the excitement about?”
