Page 30 of Stuck With My Christmas Crush

“It plays music.”

Maddie’s eyes almost pop out of her head and her mouth falls open. “Can I hear the music? Does it work?”

I sigh, as all plans to pack up the hotel would now be on hold until I got the ancient music machine working.

“Well, we can try, Maddie.” My niece laughs, jumps up and down clapping her hands, which makes the pearls of her necklace click together joyously.

As I watch Maddie’s exuberance, my attention is caught by someone peering in through the conservatory door. My heart leaps to my throat because I know who it is immediately. It’s Charlie. She looks adorable in jeans, knee-high boots, a padded jacket, and a colorful knitted stripey beanie and scarf. A very different look from the sparkly fairy outfit she was wearing when we first met. She sees me, then steps back from the door and waves. A rush of happiness fills me as our eyes meet. The moment stops time. Then I snap into action and hurry to the door to let her in.

“Hey. Jason. I hope you don’t mind me interrupting but…”

“Gosh. Charlie. I was just thinking about you.”

“You were?”

“I mean. Yes.” I cough nervously. “I was wondering if you got your car fixed.”

Maddie runs over to join us. “Hey, fairy Charlie. What are you doing here? Do you like my necklace? Jason said I could keep it.”

“Yes, I do. It’s very pretty.” Charlie crouches down to look at Maddie’s necklace up close. “Do you know what the beads are?”

“Yes. They’re pearls from the ocean and probably belonged to a mermaid.” Maddie twirls with her arms out. “And now they belong to me.” She stops twirling. “I hope the mermaid is okay with that.”

“I’m sure she is.”

“So, Charlie, welcome.” I suddenly find my voice, and something to say to mask my delight at seeing her.

“Wow. So, this is the legendary Mansion Hotel.” Charlie follows me into the living room and takes in the generous dimensions and architectural design. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?”

“A gorgeous albatross around my neck,” I shake my head and snort a mirthless laugh.

“What’s an alba-truck?”

“An albatross, Maddie, is heavy burden someone is forced to carry. Something they don’t want that weighs them down.”

Charlie glints a sideways smile at me. “It doesn’t have to be,” she says.

I exhale audibly. “Now, don’t you start. We’ve already had that conversation.”

“Hey, Charlie. We found a secret closet with a… what did you call it?”

“A gramophone.”

“No way,” says Charlie excitedly. “Can I see it? Does it work?”

“We can try.”

Now I have two distractions leading me away from packing books and doing useful things and back to the gramophone in the secret closet. One on either side. I sneak a glance at Charlie who is smiling from ear to ear. I look away quickly hoping she doesn’t notice, but not quickly enough. She catches me looking and wrinkles her pretty nose at me which causes an involuntary cough and my stomach to flip. Charlie stands in front of the gramophone, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“It’s beautiful. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these before. Maybe in a museum. How extraordinary.” Charlie reaches out to touch the musical artifact. “Jason, you are so lucky to have one in your house. Hotel, that is.” Charlie beams at me and Maddie beams too. “Maddie,” Charlie says. “Would you like to turn the handle?”

“Yes.” Maddie’s eyes gleam with anticipation.

“Alright.” I step in barring Maddie from touching the ancient object. “Before that happens, I’m going to check that it’s not hazardous in any way.”

“What? Like explosives or a booby-trap,” says Charlie, teasing.

“Actually, no. But these old things could be spring-loaded, and I wouldn’t want Maddie to get hurt. I take uncle duty very seriously.”

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