Page 68 of Second Chance Christmas

“Julie? Morning. Is everything okay?”

“Of course, I’m sorry. Did I wake you? I keep forgetting that not everybody keeps my crazy hours.”

“You’re fine. I was up packing anyway.” Which wasn’t a lie. She just hadn’t started yet but had it in her planner, which made it practically true.

“OH! You can’t leave. Not today. It’s the Dixcemberfest and you’ve missed so many. Come on, you’ll kick yourself if you miss it.”

Crap. She forgot. “I know, but when work calls…” Her poor excuse sounded lame even to her.

“Listen, what time is your flight?”

“Nine tonight. New York bound.” She would be a day early but she could use the time to collect her thoughts and do some needed research on the new job and get her gears changed from small town to big city. And cleanse her brain of Aspen, which would probably take a forklift for all the memories he drudged up, and a case of wine, some time with her battery boyfriend and probably a few crying sessions.

“Perfect.”

“It is?”

“Yep, I’ll be there at five. We can spend a little time together at the festivities and then if you still want to leave I’ll personally drive you to the airport in Anchorage myself.”

“There’s no if, Julie.”

“Pleeeease, Ivy. Will you do this for me?”

She nibbled at her lip and Max looked up at her with his big brown eyes.

“Okay. Fine, but?—”

“Yes!” Julie cut in.

“But a couple of hours and that’s it.”

“You bet. See you at five. Oh, and Ivy. Wear something warm, okay?”

They disconnected and Ivy flipped her planner open and penned in the girl time and then closed the pages with a sigh.

She still needed to find someone to take her place. Maybe Julie would fill in for her. She could ask. Make it a dual-purpose kind of meeting. If not, she needed to put her epic last-minute backup planning skills into practice and pronto.

Ivy climbed the stairs to her room as she dialed Juniper. It could go either way since she would be busy with wedding details for clients. But she no doubt helped get Ivy into this mess. Now her sister could help get Ivy out of it.

By early evening, as all the guests prepared for the festivities, Ivy had a full plan worked out as she stared into the Christmas tree lights. The Wilbers and the Howards had opted to leave early for the festivities in town while she waited for Julie.

They would go to town, on the trip she would coax her into helping her until Juniper arrived in two days and in time for the additional guests to arrive. Her gran, well, she wasn’t here to protest so she didn’t get a say in the matter.

They would avoid Aspen at all cost while out and she would return to Anchorage the same way she came. By cab. No talking needed. Goodbye Dixen. And Aspen. She had to focus on herself now. Keep her mind where it needed to be instead of fantasy land.

A knock came at the door and she turned from the Christmas tree in the living room. Odd. There hadn’t been any motor. Night had fallen and all the twinkle of lights shone out across the snow like a thousand angel halos.

Were more guests arriving?

She swung the door open.

“Aspen!”

She froze to the spot.

“Milady, your carriage awaits.”

Her heart melted into a puddle despite the cold.

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