Page 10 of Back to December
When I haven’t heard from her for a few minutes, I pullup my contact for Annie Jackson at Ever After Farm. She’s Luke’s sister, but we’ve stayed in contact here and there. We bumped into each other a couple of years ago, on my last trip here, and she wanted to pick my brain about social media ideas to help the farm get more exposure.
I haven’t seen her since because we spent last Christmas in Colorado. Despite my best efforts, my cheeks heat at the memories. Last Christmas changedeverything, including our once-a-year arrangement.
“Laila, pull it together,” I mutter as I type out a message. “Noteverythingneeds to circle back to Holden.”
But it always does, whether I want it to.
I’m trying to find Ella. Do you know where she might hide? Sneaking PSLs from the Storybook, maybe?
Annie
You didn’t warn me you were coming to town. I would’ve locked the espresso machine out of sheer panic.
Yes. Long story. I need to find Ella, though. Is she there?
Annie
No, she’s cake tasting at The Spellbound Scone.
In the few years we lived here, Ella spent all of her time at Ever After Farms. I spent quite a bit of time there, too, before Holden and I started dating. And then I didn’t care about sisterly bonds or catching fireflies. Just my boy with the gingerbread cookies.
A tiny gingerbread keychain dangles from my tote—Gumdrop’s cheaper cousin, a silly souvenir from two Christmasesago that’s somehow survived every move. I owe the real one a sequel, something sweet that doesn’t fit in a box.
This is getting ridiculous. FOCUS.
I squeeze my eyes closed. What was the itinerary for today for Holly? I don’t remember seeing cake tasting on the list, but she can be a bit of a wild card with sticking to plans. Or at least that’s what I’ve noticed when Ella and I text each other updates. I bite my lip and glance around.
It’s not like me to be so out of touch with a wedding, but I’ve had a lot on my mind.
I assume she’s with Holly, then?
Annie
Yep. Luke and Ella are cake-tasting like they invented romance.
And before you ask—no, I’m not officiating.
Yet.
Are you free at Christmas, or do I need to pencil you in between crises?
Well, this just took a turn. I guess Holly isn’t the only one who thinks Luke and Ella are engaged. Not exactly surprising, though, with the way gossip spreads through this place. I clutch my phone a little tighter and glance around.
Those sneaky little gnomes could be anywhere.
I think I’m going to need you to fill me in later.
Annie
Nothing to report—except that Luke swears it’s fake and everyone else swears it’s not.
Classic.
And if that makes us family, I’ll add “Jackson-Mitchell chaos liaison” to my résumé.
This is a lot to deal with before caffeine.
Of course, I want Ella to be happy—I’ve pushed her to come back here for a long time. I always knew Luke had a thing for her. And then there’s the whole enchanted pen pal thing. Happiness has been sitting here waiting for her to return, and I genuinely hope she’s finding it.
