Page 45 of Grump Hard
I blink. “Oh. I… I didn’t realize you were going to the caroling.”
“Nancy said it’s intense holiday fun we can’t afford to miss,” Ashton explains, adjusting her coat. “Reindeer Corners apparently goes crazy with their decorations. As a designer, I feel obligated to see just how crazy.”
“And there’s legendary spiked hot chocolate,” Elliot adds. “I’m still weak from the plague. I need spiked hot chocolate to boost my strength and speed my recovery.”
I grunt. “I’m fairly certain alcohol isn’t great for anyone’s recovery, but you’re free to take the Lincoln. Holly had a last-minute work thing come up and had to cancel.” I turn back to my laptop. “I’m going to stay in and take care of a few more…” I trail off, the legalese of the contract suddenly seeming exhausting.
And unnecessary.
I’m already ahead, after all.
And won’t Holly be surprised if I tell her I went to the caroling without her, in a completely unforced embrace of holiday cheer…
“Actually, I’ll drive you,” I say, shutting the laptop again. “I could use some legendary cocoa, too.”
A beat of surprised silence thickens between us as my brother and sister exchange stunned glances.
“Fantastic,” Ashton says, recovering first. “That sounds perfect. We’ll have so much fun! Nancy’s meeting us there after she gets off work, and Bran’s joining when he’s done with his dinner meeting at the ski resort. So, we’ll have two cars in case some of us want to stay out later than others.”
“Great plan,” Elliot agrees, motioning to my jeans and long-sleeved tee. “But you should change into something warmer. Fast. Nancy says if you get there after six-thirty, parking is a beast.”
“We should leave in ten minutes. Or less,” Ashton agrees, backing toward the door. “Should we meet you by the car?”
I exhale a soft laugh. “Yes. Fine. Message received. I’ll be quick.”
As they retreat toward the garage, I jog toward the stairs to my bedroom, excited by the change in plans.
Not only am I embracing spontaneity, I’m engaging in an organized holiday activity under no threat of blackmail with zero chance of Holly kisses on the horizon. And I’m actually looking forward to it.
In just a couple of weeks, this woman has turned my world upside down.
And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Reindeer Corners is smaller than Silver Bell Falls—quite a bit smaller, with only one commercial strip through the center of the village, composed mostly of shops of the Kountry Store variety.
But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in Christmas excess.
Every building on Main Street is festooned in elaborate light displays that transform the storefronts into glowing works of art. The lampposts are decorated with giant bows and garland, and the tree in the center of the square makes our decorating committee look like they’ve embraced moderation.
“Wow,” Ashton breathes as we wander into the village from the parking area in a farmer’s field. “This is intense.”
“They don’t believe there’s such a thing as ‘too much’ Christmas over here,” Nancy says, from Elliot’s side.
His childhood friend and former roommate is bundled in a red coat and matching hat, her cheeks already pink from the cold. It’s a chilly one tonight, but there’s no chance of sleet or snow, and not much wind, so we shouldn’t freeze.
“They won the regional decoration competition last year, even though most of the Reindeer Falls residents agreed they’d gone too far,” Nancy adds, filling us in on the local tea. “Silver Bell Falls came in second, and trust me, people are still salty about it. Including my mother and grandmother, who are boycotting caroling this year in protest.”
“But you still came,” Elliot says. “Because you’re a class act.”
“Nah, I just need that spiked cocoa,” Nancy says, nudging his shoulder with hers. “I’m telling you it’s going to blow your mind. The best in the state. By far.”
“We should get some now,” Elliot says, as if landing on the best idea since Ashton’s list of new must-have emojis. “One cup before and one after!”
Nancy’s eyes widen. “You’re a genius.”
“We’ll meet you by the tree,” Elliot calls over his shoulder as they sprint down the street, making Ashton and me laugh.
“They’re so funny together,” Ashton says. “I can’t tell if they’re secretly in love or just very best friends.”
