Page 61 of Just Add Mistletoe

“Me too,” Bill said. “You’re a good man for doing this, Malcom.”

When he hung up, Lori was staring at him expectantly. “Bill Jennings is the final investor that I needed.” He couldn’t help but grin. “Looks like I’m going to the bank in the morning. Right after I get a laptop.”

“Wow, that’s amazing. Truly.” Lori hugged him, and he pulled her onto his lap for another kiss. Plenty of doors had shut on him the past week, but he was grateful for all of the windows that had opened.

SO . . . WHAT DID YOU TELL Malcom about your decision to date him?Brandy texted first thing the next morning.

Yeah, we’re on pins and needles here,Everly added.

Aren’t any of you working this morning?Lori wrote back.

Her mom had also called, but she let that go to voicemail because she’d been in the middle of painting the living room of her parents’ old house. Now, she was taking a short break. She’d replied to Malcom’s texts, of course. He’d started the morning early, buying a laptop in town and then heading to the bank. When the meeting was over, he’d texted her:All I can do now is wait.

Then he said he’d be looking around town for a place to stay.

Lori didn’t tell him to rush because she liked having him at her place, but maybe for that very reason, he needed to find somewhere soon. Everyone he’d talked to had suggestions.

We’re officially dating,Lori wrote her friend group.But stay off my back about it. We’re taking things really slowly. Like slower than a snail.Well, they were mostly taking things slowly, except for spending every spare minute together.

That might change if he keeps crashing at your place,Stephenie wrote.

Julie added some laughing emojis, then wrote,Ah, young love.

Her phone rang, jarring Lori from her smile. Mom, again.

“There you are,” her mother said when she picked up. “I’ve been trying you all morning.”

“I’ve been painting,” Lori said in a patient voice. Her mom had triedonce, and hadn’t left a voicemail, so it shouldn’t be urgent, right?

“Oh, that’s nice,” her mother said in a conciliatory tone, obviously not all that interested. “Lydia told me that Malcom Graves’s trailer was broken into last night.”

Lori pinched her eyes shut. How did her mom find out things so fast? Oh, that’s right, talking to Lydia.

She continued without waiting for any sort of reply. “Is that what Everly Falls is coming to? I knew that larger developments would bring in more crime. Lydia told me that the project has stalled. Do you know anything about that?”

“It’s only temporary—” Lori began.

“I don’t know if this man is who you think he is, Lori. Do you really think you should be spending time with—”

“Mom,” she cut in. “You need to listen to me and stop gossiping with friends who don’t know what’s really going on.”

“I’m not—”

“Youare. If you want to know the truth, then listen. If you don’t, then hang up and go about your day, doing whatever you’ve planned.”

Silence on the other end told Lori that she’d truly shocked her mom.

“I’m listening,” she finally said in a plaintive tone.

Lori gave her mom the bird’s-eye view of what had happened with Malcom’s brother, and how he was now putting together a plan to take over the condo project on his own.

“Oh my goodness,” her mom said, her voice filled with awe. “That poor man. I can’t imagine going through that betrayal.”

“He’s a stalwart guy,” Lori said. “Has a good head on his shoulders and really cares about Everly Falls and the community. And I’m dating him, Mom, so you’re hearing it straight from me. No need to call up your gossipy friends.”

Her mom squealed. “You’re finally dating someone? You should bring him for Thanksgiving. He probably doesn’t want to be around his family anyway.”

Lori laughed. “You’re probably right. But Thanksgiving is kind of a big deal. I mean, you’re in Florida.”

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