Page 56 of A Very Merry Mistake

“Is that why you travel around so much? Like you visit different towns and research them and all that?”

“Yeah, that’s a good way to describe it.”

“Makes sense. There are a few people who do that in town.”

She nods. “I know. And they were booked for the next year, so I settled on the inn. Seems as if there is a market for it here. Lots of demand, especially during the holidays. People love Merryville.”

“They do. Well, if I can help you, please let me know.”

She nods again. “Thank you. I appreciate that. So I guess we’ll pick up my truck today?”

“Yeah, and I thought maybe we could grab dinner from the café since Glenda is open.”

Claire’s grin widens. “Yes, please. That sounds amazing.”

I lift a brow. “Was my cookin’ not good enough?”

“It was perfect. But I have an entire menu to eat through before I leave town.” She shoots me a wink.

“When it’s cold, she makes the best damn potato soup I’ve ever tasted. It’s a must-have.”

Claire springs up. “Give me ten minutes, and we can go. Might even treat myself to a slice of strawberry or chocolate cake.”

“Can’t go wrong with either. Maybe you should get both?”

She squeals and picks up her pace down the hallway. I laugh, returning to the kitchen. I add some milk and a few sugars to the bottom of my travel mug, then fill it full of coffee. After I mix it, I take a drink, and sigh from the pleasure of a perfectly prepared sip.

Once she’s dressed in jeans and a sweater, I slide on my boots and coat, and we leave.

Hank is right. The roads are slick with ice, so I take my time driving. Icicles hang from the power lines and tree branches, and the field is silver-white.

“I’ve seen nothing like this before,” Claire whispers. The heat of her breath causes the window to fog. “Tons of snow, yes. But ice? It’s…magical.”

“But also a pain in all of our asses.” I keep my hands gripped tight on the steering wheel. Thankfully, no one else is on the road, just us.

There are no parking spaces in the downtown area. We stop at every intersection, and the sidewalks are packed. All the shop lights are on, a total difference from when Claire first arrived. She people-watches out the window, and I can feel her excited energy. “Oh, the theater is open. Can we visit one day?”

“Sure! But they only play old stuff there, like the things you can watch on the streaming channels.”

“So what? It’s for the experience,” she explains.

We park and walk into Hank’s shop together. As soon as he sees us, he lifts a brow.

“Howdy,” he says directly to Claire, then glances at me.

“Hello,” she returns. “I heard I ran out of fuel?”

Hank chuckles. “Dry as a bone.”

She shakes her head. “I drive very little, and they gave me a vehicle I didn’t reserve. Was flustered and not thinking properly. I’m honestly embarrassed.”

“Oh, you must be one of those spoiled city folk.” He hands her the key, and I think I see her blush. “It happens all the time, though. There’s one gas station you have to fill up at or you’re pretty much screwed. Makes for good business, though.” He chuckles.

“Thanks for this. How much do I owe you?”

Hank shakes his head. “Don’t worry about it.”

Her mouth falls open. “Please allow me to pay for your time and the fuel you put in it.”

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