Page 37 of Jam and Jingle Bells
She grinned and grabbed my hands so I didn’t hurt someone. “Me, too. I know we can make it super special. I was thinking maybe you, me, and Mel could go check out the gazebo tomorrow during the day and decide on decorations?”
I held out my hands. “Sure, I have clients until noon but then I’m free. The gazebo is already decorated for Christmas though.”
“I know, but I was thinking we could add some special touches to it just for them. We can also get an idea about where they want the heaters to go.”
“Sounds perfect. We’re still on for Friday the ninth?” I asked and she nodded.
“Ceremony at seven, adoption ceremony following that, then pictures and back here to the diner for dinner and cake!”
“I’m so excited I can hardly stand still. Feels like a long time coming for those two.”
“Five years is too long!” Mason yelled from the kitchen and we both snickered at him.
“One week and you’re a married man, buddy. How does it feel?”
“I’d do it right now if the two ladies in my life would go for it,” he said, hanging out the window from the kitchen. “They aren’t going for it.” He winked and ducked back into the kitchen while Ivy and I laughed.
“Guess he’s ready. I suppose Mom will be here soon.” I wrung my hands nervously and focused on deep breathing.
Ivy put hers over them to calm me. “It’ll be fine, Addie. Just stay calm and remember, you’re not asking anything that you don’t deserve to know. She doesn’t have to like it, but she does have to respect it if she ever wants respect from you again.”
I blew out a breath and sighed. “You know I’d never cut her out of my life. If she won’t tell me then I guess I’ll have to let it go. Ellis gave me some ideas about how to approach it with her so she doesn’t get defensive.”
“Ellis, huh?” she asked, both her brows going up. “Have you been seeing him a lot?”
“Not sure how you define a lot, but a few times a week? We hung out and had tacos on Wednesday night. He’s not at all who you think he is,” I said, shaking my head.
“No one knows much about him. He keeps his private life close to the vest, but I did hear a rumor.”
I snorted derisively. “Shocker, a rumor in Bells Pass. I didn’t see that coming. I’m sure it isn’t true.”
She rested her hip against the booth and held my eyes. “I heard he was staying in a travel trailer at the campground.”
“Ivy, you and I both know the campground is shut down for the season. It’s December. It snowed!” I said, motioning out the window.
She held up a finger. “I saidwasstaying. Since they closed, I hear he moved the camper behind the studio but hasn’t rented a place yet.”
“I’m sure the rumor mill just hasn’t caught up to his new living situation,” I said, rolling my eyes.
She crossed her arms and shook her head. “Don’t think so. There aren’t any places for rent right now. Unless he wanted to live in a different town, which doesn’t make sense when his studio is here.”
I chewed on my lip with indecision. “He did say after the fire that he might start staying at the studio to protect it. I begged him not to, but now I wonder.”
She shrugged and glanced out the front door. I followed her gaze and my mother was walking down the street. “I’m just telling you what I heard. It’s not legal to live in a business like he has. He’d be breaking the law if anyone caught him.”
The bell tinkled over the door and I closed my eyes, swallowing down the fear and need to run away from the impending confrontation. “I’ll deal with him after I talk to Mom,” I promised.
She nodded, touched my arm, and disappeared as my mom approached. “Hi, baby,” she said in her sing-song voice. “I’ve missed you.” She hugged me tightly and patted my back. “It’s been a whole week.”
We both scooted into the booth and she took her coat off and stuffed it next to her.
“I know. I’m sorry I had to pass on dinner at Stan’s the other night. We had dress shopping with Mel.”
She brushed my comment aside and grinned as she leaned over the table. “Trust me, dress shopping was a whole lot more fun than pork chops with old people.”
“Mom, you know I love having dinner with you and Stan, but we were in a time crunch. The wedding is a week from today.”
“And I heard there was a venue change. Did you have something to do with that?”
