Page 10 of A Very Merry Mistake

When the line goes silent, I’m concerned I’ve dropped her call, but then her microwave beeps. I guess it’s time for dinner. It’s been such a whirlwind I hadn’t noticed.

“Have you heard from Dale?” I hear the clinking of a spoon stirring something.

At the mention of his name, I suck in a deep breath. I’ve mastered not thinking about him and forgetting he exists until he’s mentioned. Dale is my ex, if I can even call him that. He broke my heart, and I never want to hear his name again for the rest of my life.

Fuck Dale. He’s the reason I currently have trust issues.

“He texted me right after my plane landed. I haven’t replied.”

“Good,” she says. “Don’t.”

“I’ve learned that no response is the best reply, and silence speaks louder than my words. Especially after everything he put me through. I just can’t do it anymore. I’m tired of men who use me and relationships that don’t last. I want to focus on myself and figure out what I want in life without the pointless drama.”

“That’s the spirit. I hope you can find some peace while you’re away.”

“Me too, but I’m not holding my breath.”

“You never know. So how’s the inn? Just like the website you sent me?”

This was a question I was hoping she wouldn’t ask. My sister is well traveled and loves living out of a suitcase. I already know how she will react when I tell her what happened. I’m almost expecting it.

“Not quite. There was a mix-up with my reservation, and they had no spare rooms.” I linger for a moment, debating on how much I should confess. “So I’m staying with this guy who picked me up when I was stranded on the side of the road.”

“What?” Her voice raises an entire octave. It’s the response I’d given her if the roles were reversed. But saying it out loud makes it sound worse than it is. “How does that happen?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t researched it yet because I called you first.”

“That’s not the part that’s concerning me, Claire. Reservations get messed up all the time. I’ve dealt with it more than I’d like to admit. I’m talking about the part where you said you’re staying with some man! Have you lost it? You don’t know him.”

“If it makes you feel any better, he seems like a genuinely nice guy.”

“Yeah, you don’t seem to have the best judgment regarding men. Sorry, but no. Also, most serial-killer psychopaths are nice guys. They’re very charming. Happy-go-lucky. Cunning. Attractive.”

“You’ve watched too many docuseries,” I argue, but I thought the same thing when Jake picked me up.

“Ted Bundy is a perfect example. Claire, you can’t go home with a stranger. Please. I will enact the ‘my sister is in danger’ rule.”

I sigh. That’s the name of our agreement, something I suggested be put into place since she travels often. We’ve promised to keep each other in the loop with what we’re doing, even when we don’t tell anyone else, but if something happens, all bets are off, and we’ll do whatever we can to protect one another.

Some places she’s visited have made me nervous, though she’s always been fine. The rule goes both ways, though. I won’t tell anyone where she is unless she’s in trouble or needs help.

“Please don’t do that. I don’t have a choice. Not right now, at least. It’s dark, and I don’t have transportation. All flights in and out are canceled. There are no other hotels or rental cabins available. The woman at the inn called around for me.”

“Do they know who you are?”

“No, of course not. The less anyone knows, the better. That way, I can fade away after this is finalized and never visit Merryville again.”

“That sounds cold. When did my sister become the Grinch?”

I can only imagine the horrified expression on her face.

“I’m not a Grinch. I have to do this, Emma. Also, please don’t worry about me. I have my phone, as long as I can keep it charged. I’m staying at Jake Jolly’s house if anything happens to me.”

She nearly gasps. “Jake Jolly?”

“Yes, but his friends call him JJ. He’s like a Christmas angel. Him picking me up could be a sign I’m on the right path after everything that’s happened.”

“If you say so.” She almost sounds disappointed. “Well, tell me what this Jake Jolly looks like.”

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