Page 68 of Christmas in Mistletoe
Fran let it go. What Victoria knew or didn’t know wasn’t important tonight. “Not tonight. I saw her earlier. I’m going to try to poke my head around if there’s time.”
A strum of an electric guitar made them both turn their heads. The support band were tuning up. The gig kicked off in ten minutes.
“I know she’d appreciate it.” Victoria ladled three mulled ciders from her massive steel urn, putting lids on the cardboard cups to keep the heat in.
Fran took them, breathing in the scent of orange, cinnamon and spices. The smell of Christmas. She made her way back through the chattering crowds, the buzz in the air heightening. To her right, a fire pit crackled in the corner, and Paul was holding court around it. She delivered the drinks back to her parents, then headed out again to the pretzel truck which was doing a roaring trade. She got three, then brought them back to eat with her parents just as the support band began. Fran had seen them play before, so her focus was more on the crowd. How attentive they were, because that would affect Ruby, too. The answer was, very. Even her parents, who were average music fans, were rapt by song three.
Fran took the opportunity to slip away, rounding the bottom of the stage and slipping past the pick-and-mix truck, and one selling posh socks. She shivered as she approached the barn, then walked through the yard to the office she was very familiar with. Ruby was inside, blinds drawn. Fran could hear her doing her warm-up.
She hesitated once, then knocked lightly on the door.
Ruby opened the door in seconds. When she saw Fran, she tried a half-smile. It almost worked.
Fran’s heart lurched. She wanted to wrap Ruby up and protect her, but that wasn’t what she needed.
“Hey.” She went to step inside, but Ruby shook her head.
“I was just coming out anyway. I need to hear a bit of the band, feel the crowd.” She took a deep breath and shut the door.
“How are you feeling?”
Ruby blew out a breath. “Nervous as hell, but that’s expected.”
She walked on her tip-toes, faster than normal.
“You’re going to be great.”
“Ruby!” Mary waved from the other side of the barn. She raced over and gave Ruby a bear hug. “You’re going to be brilliant.” She kissed her cheek. “I gotta run, people are still buying Christmas trees. But this is the last sale, then I’m taking my place.” Mary checked her watch. “Twenty minutes!” Mary pressed something into Fran’s hand, then ran back to her station.
Fran opened her palm. Mary had given her a sprig of Mistletoe. She raised an eyebrow at Ruby. “I’ve no idea what your mum’s suggesting.”
Ruby took it from Fran’s hand and held it above their heads. “Maybe this?”
Fran didn’t need a second invitation. She reached up on tiptoes and pressed her lips to Ruby’s. Lust rippled through her. She snaked an arm around Ruby’s neck and pulled her lips closer. Now they’d reconnected, Fran never wanted to let Ruby go.
When they parted, Fran stared up at her. Ruby didn’t know how gorgeous or talented she was. That was part of her charm.
“Can you believe it took us this long to kiss under the mistletoe in Mistletoe?”
Ruby laughed. “Mymotherhad to step in.”
“Let’s keep that between you and me.” Fran smiled. “It was worth the wait.”
“It was.”
Outside, Troubadour finished a song and the crowd whooped and clapped. “We’ve got two more for you until you get the woman you’re all here for. The incredible Ruby O’Connell!”
This time, the cheering and applause were so much louder.
Ruby’s face dropped a little.
Fran took hold of both her hands. “Listen to me: you’re going to be great tonight. I’m not your label or your manager. But I am your girlfriend.” She touched Ruby’s cheek with her fingertips. “If you’d let me, I could be your biggest cheerleader. This is your moment. I can’t wait to hear you sing ‘Pieces Of You’. I can’t wait for your home town to realise how great you are.” She kissed her lips a final time. “And who knows? Bigger things might come from this.”
When Fran pulled back, Ruby’s green gaze was on her. “Let’s deal with this gig for now. One step at a time. Maybe in six months I might feel differently about going bigger, who knows? For now, I’m happy being a small fish in a small pond.” Ruby kissed Fran again.
Fran’s head spun.
A wolf whistle split the air.
