Page 52 of Wintertime Love (Holiday 2)

The first week of December is usually hard for me, even all these years later. This time, Finn’s presence has been a major distraction but as the end of the first week draws near, I want to retreat into myself and spend some time with the memories of the parents that I haven’t seen in years.

“Clara?”

Finn’s voice breaks through my thoughts and I look up, dazed.

The frown in his eyes is replaced by worry. “Darlin’, why’re you—?”

I blink and hurriedly wipe my eyes, forcing my lips into a smile “Must be allergies.” I turn away from him to put some beans in the coffee grinder, not wanting him to see me like this, “I’ve been sniffling all morning.”

His voice is quiet, as he states, “No, you haven’t.”

I open my mouth and then snap it shut, trying to think of a way to change the subject, and then I remember something. “Oh, Aunt Vee said there was a call for you this morning, from a realtor. He seemed to be in a hurry.”

Finn goes silent.

Curiosity has me turning around to study him. “What did he want?”

He just gives me a smile. “Nothing of import.”

I give him a long look but he just smiles back, in that irritating way of his that says I can’t pry anything from him no matter how much I try.

“Are we going to the Christmas market today?” He reaches out and plays with my shirt sleeve.

He does this a lot, grabbing an end of my clothes or my hair and playing with it. I can’t even tell him off for it because I secretly like it. There are a lot of things that Finn does that I’m starting to discover that I like. “I’m closing up early so yeah. Did you want to do some shopping?” I take a sip from my coffee mug.

He shakes his head. “Nothing in particular. I just wanted to visit one with you. It’s supposed to be romantic.” He drinks out of my mug.

Danny makes a gagging sound. “You two make me sick.”

“Oh, shut up,” I say, pleasantly.

Nick, who’s just walked in, demands, “Three coffees to go, Clara.”

I nod and start preparing them as I eye his getup. “Aren’t you supposed to be on holiday?”

He sinks into the seat beside Danny and says, mournfully, “I was supposed to be but the house down the street from your place got sold and the new owner wants to move in immediately after Christmas. The place is in desperate need of repairs.”

This news makes me blink.

Even Danny looks surprised. “The old Hamilton place? Who bought it?”

Nick’s arms are stretched out on the counter, his cheek resting on the cold surface. “Beats me. But I was paid a hefty sum along with a call from some woman who ordered me to fix everything up. I don’t even know how she knew who I was. I asked Mayor Roger and he was just as surprised.” He looks worn out as he goes on, “Anyway, I’ve been working nonstop. That place is a death trap waiting to happen. Nearly everything needs to be replaced. Thankfully, the flooring is fine but the electricity wires need to be fixed, the bathroom taps are all broken. The kitchen needs to be redone. New furniture. I can’t even go on.”

“That kind of sounds like a job for an interior designer,” I say, doubtfully. “You’re one person.”

He gives me a sad look. “Who do you think the coffee is for? There are two other people there aside from me. There’s a guy who is redoing the whole place and he’s bringing in the furniture tomorrow. I swear…” He grunts. “If I wasn’t being paid three times what I usually charge, I wouldn’t even consider doing this.”

I put down the coffees in a holder and an extra bag. “Here. Some desserts on the house. We’re going to close soon, so you might as well take them.”

Danny looks affronted. “Hey. I work hard, too! Where’s my free dessert?”

I show him the finger.

He scowls just as his food comes out from the kitchen, muttering, “At least when we were dating, I got a free slice of pie every now and then.”

“Ignore him,” I tell Finn who’s now staring at my friend as if considering whether h

e should be worried about a new rival.

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