Page 325 of Screwged for Christmas

“The Ivy what?” He looked as puzzled as she felt. “It’s okay. We’ll figure something out even if I have to paint myself green and wrap lights around me. ”

“Sexy,” she purred.

She turned to climb the stairs but paused as the door opened with a flurry of snow. Aspen smiled up at her “Thank you,” she mouthed.

With that, she turned and made her way to her room at the end of the hall.

Fifteen minutes later she pulled on a clean pair of socks and managed a sloppy ponytail that looked presentable enough, she supposed and made her way to where she heard lots of laughter and smelled the coffee.

Aspen stood closest as she entered the kitchen. Catching her entrance he tossed a pen to the top of her planner and fetched the coffee pot from the machine. Thank God that hadn’t gone up in flames. He topped off several guests’ mugs while offering her a fresh cup. “Ivy Sunday, let me introduce you to your newest guests.”

Aspen slipped from the stool hugging the large kitchen island she favored in the long line of places to sit and slipped a hand into the back pocket of her jeans as she came to stand beside him.

Twelve faces turned her way—six adults, three young children and three teenagers. All new to Dixen except one couple she had known since childhood. She got a cursory glance from the teenagers before they returned to their smartphones. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about entertaining them.

“The Murphys just arrived all the way from Maine on the recommendation of a friend and you’ve already met the Howards. And this year the Wilbers decided to come for a visit all the way from Ontario,” Aspen offered.

The Wilbers, who’d been visiting the B&B since her grandmother and grandfather opened the place to guests and had become dear friends of her grandparents. They often visited for other holidays and gatherings over the summer and spent enough time here she grew up thinking they were family.

“Yes. Hello, everyone. Welcome to Dixen. I’m sorry for the mess and the lack of Christmas spirit that you were promised.” Gahh. Tears threatened but she beat them back.

Instead, she opted to swallowed her emotions and reached out for the extended hands and welcomed the warm hug from Mr. and Mrs. Wilber.

“Hello, dear. It’s so good to see you again. We’ve missed you these past few years.”

Truth be told, she didn’t realize how much she missed them until this very minute. “Mrs. Wilber, I didn’t see your name on the registry this year. I’m so glad you both came after all.”

“Us too, dear. Your gran wasn’t about to let us stay home this year. We welcomed a new grandbaby into the family last year so we stayed close to home.”

“Congratulations!”

Their faces, all smiles and filled with so much hope she could almost reach out and touch it made her wish the hardwood floors would open up and let her fall through. She’d let them all down. They had traveled so far and had paid for a Winters holiday and she gave them nothing but burned chicken and cookies instead.

She opened her mouth to say something, what she didn’t know. Apologizing seemed like the right place to start and then probably offer to order takeout. Food always soothed. Did Mr. Hardt still deliver?

“We’re so glad we made the drive up. I was just commenting to my wife that this is the most festive place we’ve ever visited.” Mr. Howard stood and pulled a stool out for her and she happily thanked him.

“I’m afraid I don’t understand. Festive? I wouldn’t call this place festive.” She was pretty sure she’d left the paint buckets on the dining room table and the rolled-up lights dumped on the porch.

Aspen wound an arm around her and leaned closer until his lips brushed the shell of her ear. She felt his strength as she pressed against him. Only for support, she assured herself and not because it felt so good to be in his arms. “About the trees. I have that covered.”

She looked at him hopefully. No way.

He winked before pulling away to answer a call that came through his radio.

“Yes, dear.” Mr. Howard swooped in to take Aspen’s place. She looked over her shoulder. Whatever feelings he was stirring up inside her spelled disaster for her. At the moment, she didn’t quite care.

Mr. Howard’s strong Texan accent drew her attention as he said, “It’s not the lights and decorations that make a Christmas.”

“Not for us anyway.” Mrs. Howard continued her husband’s thoughts as she stood with a hand on her growing belly and joined them. “While you dressed, we took a small walk around. This is the most Christmas-y spot we’ve visited, just like Mrs. Winters promised on Facebook.”

That made Ivy smile. “We can’t believe how lucky we are to have found such a wonderful place on short notice,” added his wife as she looked at her husband with love in her eyes.

“We’re happy to have you.” Ivy felt compelled to reciprocate the appreciation.

“We wanted snow and a warm fireplace and good people. This place has all of that and in spades,” added one of the Murphys.

“And we want to see the Dixcemberfest,” chimed in the youngest of the Howards, as he and his siblings finished their snack she assumed the Howards brought with them because she didn’t have any peanut butter in the house. Or bread. Now refueled, they hopped down from their stools.

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