Page 28 of When in December

Or ran.

No. This wasn’t happening again.

This cabin might be a shit show, but there were going to be Christmas lights.

I reached for my phone and dialed the number I’d confirmed earlier this morning.

“Hello. I’m inquiring about the outdoor light service that I had. They showed up, but didn’t do anything before they left.”

“Oh dear. Let me look into that.” There was a pause. “There’s a note on the file that says they were sent away about ten minutes ago.”

“What are you talking about? I just saw someone. They were right here on the doorstep,” I stammered.

“The holidays are a very busy time, Ms. Owens. Unfortunately, this is the second time we’ve had to reschedule. We will be moving forward elsewhere, and you will have to make your arrangements with another company.”

“But there is no other company,” I let slip.

It was the truth. No one around this area was able to put up the lights at this point. Everyone was booked solid for the next month. It didn’t matter if it was a small cabin or a million-dollar home by the coast; everyone wanted to make sure they were in the Christmas spirit, and I needed to make sure that it happened now.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll be sending an email to the addresses we have on file to confirm this change of plans as well as the cancellation charge. Have a good day.”

“Yes, thank you. Oh! Wait!” I tried to catch the woman before it was too late.

The light company was going to send the update to the Home Haven email. But I knew what email that was, and it wasn’t only mine. The email they had on file [email protected], but it was also going to be cc’ed to my supervisor footing thereceipt. And on this project, it was the one and only Michelle Maven.

I covered my face with my hands, my phone hot against my cheek.

Don’t scream. Don’t scream. Don’t scream.

What was going to happen now? What was Michelle going to think when she saw that I couldn’t even handle getting lights up in this place?

All the little mistakes were adding up.

There were only so many I could keep under wraps.

Swallowing, I took a deep breath, feeling the air get caught somewhere midway down. A balloon couldn’t stop expanding between my throat and chest.

Stop it.

This wasn’t going to happen.

I would not scream, but most of all, I was not going to cry. Not over lights. Not over mold?—

“Falling apart on the job so soon?”

I whipped my hands away from my face. My phone slipped out of my palm and onto the floor. Great. Just great. I leaned down to swipe it back up, checking the corners for cracks.

My arms sagged, though I still didn’t look up at the presence sneaking up alongside me. He’d likely watched the entire thing.

“Can I help you with something, Mr. Hayes?”

“Just one thing after another. It’s almost like someone doesn’t want you to be here,” Aaron mused.

I bit the inside of my cheek, letting him speak. I was going to be kind. I was going to be professional.

“Just stating facts, of course,” said Aaron as he turned on his heel and walked away. “Feel free to call my sister and call this whole mess off whenever you’d like. There is still time after all.”

“It’ll come together.”

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