Page 19 of Nice Guys Don't Kiss Like That At Christmas
Or he knew I was coming and decided skipping town was for the best.
That’d track.
Chapter eight
ADAM
Therestoftheride Sally chats on the phone about the Great LoverBoy rescue, while I hear every breath Eve takes beside me.Main Street glows with enough Christmas spirit to power a small grid.I’m going to miss this place.
I text Wes to apologize for missing his birthday party.
Wes
You know you missed your own goodbye party, right?We got you a cake.
I wince.
Me
Have I mentioned how sorry I am?I'll pass by tomorrow.
Wes
Do.Megan’s been sleeping with that dinosaur you gave her.
Me
Promise.
Once Sally parks in front of the B&B, I glance at Eve.She’s staring at the Christmas decorations, mouth slightly open.
“Gorgeous, right?”I rasp out and she nods.
“It’s beautiful.”And it is.
Sally chimes in.“Been in three movies over the past sixty years.Wooden beams.Brick walls.Love stories.”She waggles her eyebrows and I clear my throat.
“Let’s go.”
Getting everyone inside is like herding cats.Giant, mule-phobic cats.But somehow, we manage, even with Blanche using Eve as a shield every time one of the mules snorts.
“We’ll get you two settled in no time,” Sally announces as she ushers us through the door.Sally’s mother-in-law, Mrs.Walker, must be stress-baking again—the whole place smells like cookies and coffee and home.
A dripping sound echoes from the east hallway, and Sally’s smile turns apologetic at Eve’s puzzled expression.“I’m afraid you’re experiencing one of Pine Creek’s oldest traditions: our historic plumbing system with impeccable theatrical timing.It’s fine though.We’re used to it.The keys to your room are on the door, dear.You’re in the East Wing.”And then she adds, “Adam, do you mind showing her?I need to grab something in the kitchen.”
Of course.
As we walk, I lean closer to Eve, lowering my voice.“There’s quite a story behind these pipes.”
“Let me guess.They’re haunted?”She arches an eyebrow, skepticism clear in her voice.
“More like...romantically inclined,” I murmur.“Legend says a lovesick plumber installed them, and now his ghost causes strategic floods to push people together.”
“A plumbing Cupid?”Her tone’s dry, but a spark flickers in her eyes.Humor edging past the wall.“That’s medically improbable.”
I smile at her analysis.“My parents stayed here for their 25th anniversary, but there had been tension.Arguments that rotated for years without resolutions.And they ended up staying in separate rooms, until every room flooded except the honeymoon suite.By morning, they were laughing and they proposed to each other again.”
Her expression softens.“That’s...”
