Page 54 of 12 Days of Mistletoe

elliot

This car is warm.I’m ready to step out into the sun and cold Wyoming temperatures when we finally reach the farm.

“Whew. Thanks again, Elliot. I’m sorry to sit between you and Bonnie,” Evelyn says, following me out of Mom’s SUV.

“No problem. How are you feeling?” I blink, taking in my sister. While I should be exhausted after sleeping so little, I’m pretty awake after my text conversation with Bonnie.

“Ah, remember that summer I went to camp and caught that weeklong stomach bug?”

I cringe. “Oof. Yeah, I remember.”

“Like that, only ten times worse.” She gives me a closed-lipped grin and rests her hand on her still-flat stomach.

I’m still struggling with the idea that my sister—older than me by a year—is going to be a mother. Amother. I’m still playing kickball with a bunch of eight-year-olds and she’s about to have a child.

“Bonnie?” A girl with a green plaid shirt peeking outfrom her coat, army boots, and a red beanie hat on her head glimpses around us to see Bonnie. Long, wavy hair rains its way down her back, almost to her waist.

“Hi, Autumn.” Bonnie makes her way through the crowd that makes up my family to stand in front of the shorter woman. Noel stands at Bonnie’s side on a leash—though I’ve learned now she doesn’t need it. It’s for the people around her more than the pup. Noel wouldn’t leave Bonnie’s side even if tempted with a juicy ribeye steak.

Autumn crouches to pet Noel on the head and then folds Bonnie into a quick hug. “Have you talked to my best friend lately?”

“I’m guessing not since you have.” Bonnie lifts one shoulder.

“I’m still mad at her for not coming home for Christmas.” And Autumn looks like she means it.

Bonnie lets out a small humorous huff. “Me too. But I guess Kal’s mom needed a turn. Sharing Meg is so annoying.”

Autumn’s face softens and she laughs. “Yes! It’s very annoying.”

Mom clears her throat and Bonnie’s shoulders straighten as if called to attention. “Oh! Um, Autumn.” Her brows narrow. I can tell that this is a person she doesn’t like lying to. “This is Elliot. He’s my…”

“Her very lovable boyfriend,” Mom finishes for her.

Bonnie’s eyes widen. She smiles, but the movement is forced. “Yes… myboyfriend. And this would be his family.” Her words are slow and clipped. I slip my hand into hers—more for support than show. She shifts from her right foot to her left. “This is Autumn Green—she runs the place.”

I’m not exactly a fan of lying to people either, despitethe fact that this mess started because of me and my big mouth. Her breathing eases, and I’d like to think it’s because of my hand in hers—I think I’ve helped. At least, I hope so.

“Nice to meet you,” Autumn says. Her smile twists crookedly. “And it’sBennett, actually.” She winks at Bonnie. “I got married last Christmas.”

Shaking her head, Bonnie breathes out a laugh. “That’s right. I forgot. Old boyfriend. Whirlwind romance—at least the second time around.”

Autumn beams—she doesn’t seem to care that Bonnie’s forgotten her name or her marriage or that she’s sharing more than she needs to in this moment. “It was a whirlwind.” Her smile grows. “It was also small and planned over the course of a couple days. Honestly, Ezra would have had us married a day sooner except that I insisted we wait for Meg’s flight so she could be there.” She nods, getting to her point. “Had we actually sent out invitations, we would have invited you.”

Bonnie shakes her head, her lips pressed in on one another, making me wonder what she’s thinking. But all she says is, “I’m not offended. I’m very happy for you.”

Autumn’s hands find her hips and she looks around the group. “So you’re here for a tree?”

“Or two,” Mom says. “Did you want to get one, too, Evelyn? Possibly three.”

“Can we fit them all on the car?” my sister asks, looking back at Mom’s SUV.

Autumn steps closer, telling my sister and mother all that the Linus Tree Farm has to offer and just how they can help.

I take a second to snatch Bonnie’s hand and pull her tothe side. Something wasn’t right—at least it wasn’t a minute ago, I’m sure of it.

“Hey,” I whisper. My family is distracted and yards away, which I’m hoping will keep them from overhearing us. “Are you okay? You seemed a little… off. For a minute.”

Bonnie swallows—and worry lines reappear on her forehead. “Autumn is my sister’s best friend. I didn’t think this through. In telling her about you, I’m also telling my sister about you. I don’t want to lie to Meg about us.”

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