Page 81 of A Very Merry Mistake

Mom covers her mouth with her hand, and I move to her, wrapping my arms around her neck. “It’s going to be fine. I’ll see if I can get a loan. Empty my savings. Do whatever I can to stop this from happening. We have until January fifth, right?”

“Yes. I’ve contacted the family lawyer. He told me that even if it goes to auction, we may still have two years to purchase it back.”

I suck in a ragged breath and nod. “We’ll figure it out.”

After giving her another tight hug, I leave feeling like a black cloud is over me. Needing some time to process, I drive to town and order some food for me and Claire.

On the way home, I get a call from Hank.

“Ew, you don’t sound like yourself. Is there already trouble in paradise?”

“Actually, no. Just got some bad news from my mama a little earlier. Everyone is fine, though. It’s nothing like that,” I explain, not wanting him to worry but also not wanting to discuss it, either.

“Ah, well. I was callin’ to invite you out tomorrow night. You can bring Claire, too. There’s a band playin’ at Moonshiners.”

“What time?”

“Seven. The whole gang will be there. Gonna be a helluva time. Might cheer ya up.”

“Maybe. Depends on how I feel after work tomorrow. Been busy. That week off did me in,” I admit with a smile, not regretting a moment.

“Shit,” he whispers. “Gotta go. Hope you show up.”

Just as he ends the call, I turn down the gravel road that leads to my cabin. If the property goes to auction and is sold, everyone who lives on the five hundred acres will have to move. My parents. My brothers. My grandmother. And me. Losing the property that’s been in my family for several decades can’t happen.

I pull up to the house, see the chimney smoking, and smile because that means Claire started the fire alone. It brings me joy to see her take charge of tasks she’s never tried before. At least when she returns to New York, she’ll have quite a few experiences to cross off her list. Maybe she didn’t get to people-watch and eat at the café daily, but hopefully, I’ve made it worth her while.

When I enter, Tinsel is stretched out on the back of the couch with her leg hanging off. As I walk closer, I notice Claire is asleep on the couch, covered with a blanket, the book she was reading on her chest. I take a moment to admire her features and notice I’m smiling. Looking at her puts me in a different mood, and the overwhelming need to protect her consumes me.

Her eyes flutter open. “Hi.”

“Hi.”

She sits up, smooths her hair down on her head, and stretches. “I must’ve dozed off waiting for you. This couch is a bit too comfortable. It sucked me right in.”

“It will do that. Catch up on some rest?”

She smiles. “Yeah. It was nice. Dreamed about you.”

“Me?” I smirk.

“Yeah.” She stands and walks over to me, noticing Glenda’s logo on the outside of the paper bag in my hand. “Ooh.”

We make our way to the kitchen. “Pot pies.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever tried one before.” She studies it.

“Darlin’, I’m startin’ to believe you’re from another planet.”

She snort-laughs. “After being here with you, I think the same. The South is different from what I’m accustomed. The politeness. The accent. The food. Hugs. I could list an overwhelming amount of culture-shock moments I’ve already had.”

I smile as I grab some utensils for us. Being around her for this short time has changed my demeanor already.

“So, Jake Jolly, inquiring minds want to know: have you always been a nice guy?”

“Of course. I learned a long time ago it’s too hard to keep up the bad boy asshole persona. It’s easier just to be myself. Then there’s no pretending. Just waiting around to find the right person to appreciate me, though. What about you? Always been the serious type?”

She nearly chokes, then scrunches her nose. “Serious?”

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