Page 33 of Cozy Hometown Christmas
“What you mean?”
“You’ve been as droopy as an orchid without humidity since you got here. What’s going on?” Ginger leaned back in the chair and narrowed her gaze. “Oh, I know. It’s a girl, isn’t it?”
“No. Well, there is a cute girl, but I don’t think it’s that. Spending time with my dad is nice. And I’m getting used to the slower pace there. Maybe my father was right and I’m getting too old for all this running around.”
Ginger nodded. “Then why even come back here? You always did say that your dad was really important to you and you don’t get to spend enough time with him.”
“You mean move there? But I live here.”
Ginger laughed. “You didn’t always live here, and no one is forcing you to stay. Just because you’ve done something your whole life doesn’t mean you have to continue doing it. Change can be a really good thing.”
Mason sat back and thought about that, but he didn’t get much time to think it over because just then, Brad stuck his head out into the hallway and bellowed for Mason to come to his office.
Chapter 22
Later that afternoon, Kristen selected the best evergreen boughs for garland and took them, along with some mistletoe balls, to the Cozy Holly Inn.
She’d always loved the entrance to the inn, with its large oak double doors and mahogany foyer that opened up to a giant living room complete with a river-stone fireplace in which a fire now blazed. Everything about the inn radiated warmth, from the antique furniture to the cozy colors to the sweet scent of fresh-baked cookies mingling with the earthy aroma of percolating coffee that wafted out from the kitchen.
Julie turned from where she’d been crouched to pet Kringle and smiled. “Gram! Kristen’s here with the garland.”
Ida bustled in with a tray of goodies and a pot of coffee. She peered at the garland in Kristen’s arms. “Perfect. These look like nice ones. Thanks for bringing them over. Maybe you could help us decorate the stairway.”
Kringle mewed loudly as if echoing Ida’s sentiment.
Kristen set the pine boughs down on a nearby table. She held up the mistletoe. “I brought these too, but I think we need to keep them away from Kringle. Mistletoe is poisonous to cats.”
Kringle jerked his attention from trying to paw a ball of yarn out of the bag next to an overstuffed armchair and glowered at her as if he knew he was being restricted from something.
“Good thinking. I’ll hang them securely where he can’t get at them.” Ida took the mistletoe balls. “Have some cookies and coffee to fortify yourself for decorating. I made my famous rum balls and spritz cookies.”
Kristen selected one of the balls coated in powdered sugar. Ida’s rum balls were to die for, and she hadn’t lost her touch—the cookie was very sweet with a touch of rum flavor.
“So, how are the plans for the Christmas Eve party coming along?” Kristen asked as she sipped her coffee.
“It’s coming along fine,” Ida said. “We still have a few weeks but have secured the catering and are working our way through decorating.”
“That’s great,” Kristen said. “I’m really looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a lot of fun this year.”
“How’s George doing?” Ida asked.
“He’s good,” Kristen said. “I think we’re all finally getting used to each other.”
“He’s a sweet cat.” Ida glanced up at Kristen over the rim of her mug. “And the tree farm? Everything good there?”
“Things are great. We’re getting ready to set up the trees in the lot.” Kristen took another cookie and nibbled nervously. “We’re just trying to get our process down since my dad took care of most of that.”
Ida’s expression turned sympathetic. “I know, dear. After my husband died, I went through the same thing. But you’ll get there, and your mom seems to be in such good spirits.”
Kristen smiled. “She really is. I’m grateful for that. We all miss Dad, but we’re going to get through it.”
“What about your neighbor, Mason?” Julie’s eyes held a sparkle of mischief. “How is your little competition coming along?”
“I think it’s going okay. He wants to help his dad’s store just like I want to help the tree farm, so I really can’t blame him for applying to decorate the pond. My mom and his dad have become friendly, so I guess it’s all in fun. But he was acting weird when I saw him this morning.”
“Weird? How?”
“Remember how he seemed set to represent Tinseltown in all the contests?”
