Page 77 of The Mistletoe Makeover

“Yeah,that.” She takes a bite of chocolate as her brow tenses. “Only if I can get the committee on board before tonight. I offended them by not using the Ugly Santa this year. A few are even considering not showing up to the community tree lighting this evening.” She runs her hand through her hair. “I can’t lose the committee’s support. That will get everything off to a bad start. We’ve worked so hard.”

I study her for a second. “I have an idea that might help, but I have a few things I need to take care of first. How about if I meet you down there later?”

She narrows her eyes. “Don’t you have a concert to prepare for? A million things to do?”

“I’m ready to go. Just a few details to wrap up. And don’t tell the committee I’m coming.”

She frowns. “What secret do you have up your sleeve?”

“Don’t you know you’re not supposed to ask questions this time of year?” I grin. “I have to practice with my band first and then do two live interviews, followed by a meeting with my manager.”

“Just a few details, huh?” she asks. “You should really get an assistant to help you.”

“I already have one, and she’s great.” I smile and play along. “She lined up the interviews today and emailed my crew about practice details. She even ordered my favorite snacks for rehearsal. Apparently, she really is my minion of happiness.”

Mia smiles, cradling her coffee mug. “Can you at least give me a hint about what you’re planning today?”

“Nope,” I call over my shoulder as I head downstairs. “Just trust me.”

“Jace, that’s what you said before we slid off the road.”

I stop and turn around, giving her a crooked smile. “And look how that turned out.”

* * *

The rest of my day is a blur. Between a three-hour rehearsal and back-to-back interviews, the last thing I feel like doing is solving a dispute over the town’s Ugly Santa. But I know this is an easy win. Not just for Maplewood, but for Mia.

When I arrive downtown, I slow down to check out Main Street’s decorations. I’ve been so busy practicing for the concert, I haven’t seen Maplewood’s transformation. All the shops are draped in lights while silver tinsel trees and shiny Christmas bulbs sparkle in the windows. Light poles are wrapped in evergreen with bright red bows. Gone are the empty storefronts, replaced by endless Christmas lights, like something out of a movie.

By keeping all the best parts of the past and adding some new touches, Ella, Jaz, and Mia have brought out the classic features of Maplewood.

A crowd gathers next to a gigantic live evergreen in the town square that’s decked out in multicolored lights—and Mia’s standing near the towering tree. Based on the unhappy expressions, the dispute over the Ugly Santa still hasn’t been resolved.

I park on a side street and grab my guitar from the back seat, hurrying toward the square. I can’t guarantee this will change things, but it’s worth a try.

As I approach Mia from behind, Judy holds the faded plastic Ugly Santa next to her, like a prop.

Mia points to the tree. “This is the focal point of the entire festival, not the decorations. We don’t have room for Santa if we’re going to hold events on the square.”

“Then move Santa,” Bob suggests.

“Where?”

I step up to the square and open my guitar case.

One lady points and whispers, “Is that Jace Knight?”

That’s all it takes for all eyes to shift to me.

“Jace?” Mia spins around and looks over my guitar with a questioning glare. “What are you doing?”

I play a few chords. “Impromptu concert on the square,” I say, loud enough for everyone to hear. A few snowflakes tumble down, setting the perfect mood. I move closer to the tree as several people snap pictures.

Mia leans toward me, trying to hide what she’s saying. “I’m kind of in the middle of something right now.” Based on the look she’s giving me, she thinks I’m nuts.

I lean toward her, faintly catching her sweet scent. “Just trust me.” Then I wink.

I turn to the committee. “Mia wanted to give you a special gift before the tree lighting tonight as a way of saying thank you.”

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