Page 16 of Just Add Mistletoe

She texted Marci for any store updates. Marci wrote back that she was just getting ready to close, and everything had gone well that day. Plenty of sales. Lori typed back that she’d check inventory when she returned the next day to see about reordering the things that had been popular.

She pocketed her phone, feeling a little disappointed that she wasn’t needed. There wasn’t any emergency reason for her to return—like a broken pipe. Not that she’d be any good with fixing anything like that—Malcom probably would. But that was neither here nor there.

She closed her eyes and used her toes to push back on the swing, gently rocking it back and forth. It was peaceful out front, and she could hear the rise and fall of murmured conversation from around the house, but it wasn’t disruptive.

When the front door opened, Lori opened her eyes, realizing she’d dozed off.

Malcom walked out onto the porch with a plate of food in his hands. “There you are. Your friends thought maybe you’d be in your bedroom, but I thought I’d check here first.”

MALCOM HAD REALIZED A SECOND too late that Lori was sleeping. Her eyes flew open when he opened the door, so he continued onto the porch, a plate of dinner in his hands. He’d seen her leave the back deck maybe thirty minutes ago. The group of friends didn’t seem to be bothered with her not returning after a few minutes. Malcom wasn’t bothered either. Just curious. Was she preparing more food in the kitchen? Gathering more drinks?

He wasn’t exactly watching the time, but when the chicken came off the grill, and she still didn’t return, he finally asked one of the women—Everly—if Lori was coming back.

“Oh, you should go look for her,” Everly said, a wide smile on her face. “See if she needs help with anything. Maybe she went to her bedroom?”

All the women smiled at him. What was going on?

Malcom waited a few more minutes, and when Lori still didn’t show, he loaded up a plate of food and carried it into the house. He didn’t bother to look to see if anyone was watching him, or wondering what he was doing.

Inside, the cabin was quiet. It felt intrusive to start knocking on bedroom doors. Then he noticed a porch swing through the front windows. Maybe it was a hunch that led him out the front door. But there she was. Curled against the cushioned swing, her legs tucked up, her eyes closed.

Before he could backtrack, she opened her eyes.

He tried to explain himself, and she blinked a few times, as if trying to remember why she was sleeping on the porch.

“Sorry,” he continued. “I didn’t mean to wake you. I can save this for later.”

She slid her legs down so she was in a regular sitting position. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, and her eyes looked sleepy—sexy, really, but he wouldn’t let his thoughts go there.

“I didn’t mean to fall asleep,” she said, stifling a yawn. “It’s just so peaceful out here, and I didn’t get to bed until late last night.”

He nodded because he knew why.

Her smile appeared. “You brought me food? Or is that for you?”

Malcom chuckled. “It’s for you. The chicken was done a while ago, so it might not be warm anymore.” He moved closer to her. “Do you want it out here? Or to go join the others?”

Lori eyed the plate. He’d even brought utensils and a water bottle.

“Right here would be great. Join me? I think there’s enough for two.”

“Oh, I ate.” Malcom handed her the plate. “Want company? Or are you by yourself for a reason?”

“Have a seat,” Lori said, shifting over a little.

The swing swayed, and Malcom steadied it, then sat down. There was plenty of room between them, but that didn’t stop him from being aware of how close they were in fact sitting. She smelled nice. Like sweet apples. Was it her shampoo?

“If it’s too cold, I can take it to the microwave,” he said.

“Oh, it’s fine,” she said, taking a bite. “Thank you so much.”

His phone buzzed, but he ignored it. He should have turned the thing off. “I didn’t know what you like, so I dished up a little of everything.”

Lori laughed. “I noticed. I mean, I like it all, but there’s a lot. Even if I were starving, this is more of a man’s portion. Not to be sexist or anything.”

“Hmm,” he said. “Some women eat bigger meals—especially those who are intermittently fasting like my sister-in-law. She eats more than my brother, but he also snacks.”

“That’s me,” Lori said. “I’m definitely a snacker. I think all readers are. A good book is even better with snacks.”

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