Page 5 of A Mistletoe Mix Up
“The penguins and I give it two thumbs up.” I pat my sweater.
“So does Rudolph.” Greta chuckles.
Jane wraps her arm around my shoulder. “Thank you all for your hard work.” She leans her head on her mom. “It’s wonderful.”
“Oh, dear. We’d do anything for you. Oh, and Tandy, that includes you, too. Whatever you need, the Brooks family is here for you.”
I get a weird twinge in my stomach. The bell chimes above the door.
Chapter Three
Grayson
“Just when I thought this place couldn’t get more festive.” I give a low whistle, looking around the bookstore.
I love Christmas—I really do—but I’m more of a simplistic decoration kind of guy. Clean, simple, the normal red and greenChristmas colors. But this? It’s as though a group of elves on a sugar highhad a field day.
I glance over at the group of ladies. Tandy looks over her shoulder, a bright smile on her face.
“It’s the season to be jolly, Grayson,” Jane teases.
They all turn around now as my eyes scan across their very…loud Christmas sweaters.
“Did you lose a bet?” I ask, trying to suppress a laugh.
Tandy’s eyes twinkle. “You’re just jealous you don’t have one.” She sways as she shows off the sweater.
“Don’t get any ideas. We only brought the girls some.” Nonna smirks. “But I could arrange something.”
I chuckle and rest my hands on my belt. “Don’t worry, Nonna. I think I’ll stick to my uniform.”
She waves her hand at me as if to say “bah humbug” and walks away. Tandy still stands before me.
It’s truly a ridiculous sweater, but something about her makes me stare. The green contrasts with her vibrant red hair, and her hazel eyes sparkle under the twinkle lights. A warmth radiates in me as I take in the sight of her.
Her lips pull into a grin.Was I staring at her lips?
“You sure about that? I think you’d be dashing with a candy cane striped sweater.”
I shake my head and walk toward her.
“Or a lit-up Christmas tree,” she teases.
“I don’t think I can top that.” I point to her sweater as laughter bubbles from my chest.
“You’ve got that right, Officer.” Tandy winks as the bell chimes with a customer. “Be right back!”
A smile stretches across my face as she saunters off to help the elderly woman. I watch her as she walks toward the mystery section, and momentarily, I forget all about my meeting with the captain this week.
Tandy’s been a light since the day we met. Even if our friendship started with her throwing a book at me. While we don’t have a lot in common—she’s a free spirit who loves to travel and read books by the fire while I’m a family-oriented, rule-follower who likes to hike trails every chance I can—we connected over being new to town. We just clicked.
Our friendship comes easily, with teasing and cramp-inducing laughter. We’ve tried each other’s hobbies, and even if it’s not something we like, we enjoy the time we spend together. She’ll come on hikes with me and stop to sketch when we reach the view. While she reads her love stories, I’ll watch sports on TV. There’s this natural rhythm to our friendship that feels comfortable.
But today, something feels different. The way she calmed my nerves this morning and the effect her touch had on me. Or the way she looks right now, almost angelic. My heart thumps a bit harder, and my palms begin to sweat. Maybe it’s just the stress of the one-year evaluation this week. I’m sure it is. It has to be.
“Grayson, good to see you, man.” Andrew walks into the bookstore, a cheery smile on his face.
Andrew’s been dating Jane for almost a year now and is a detective in town, but he’s been traveling to the big cities around us, helping with cases.
