Page 3 of Christmas Souls

Me: That sounds nice. Yes, I'll be there. I have to go to the lawyer's office first and then I'll meet you at the library

Ana Maria: I like that plan

No matter what was going through my head, nothing could have prepared me for seeing Michael Hoffer at the Christmas Mixer.

Chapter 2

Michael

Iwatch the love of my life walk out of the coffee shop where the Christmas Mixer is being held. She left in a huff after I confronted her. I made the mistake of letting my anger come to the surface. All Mandy ever did was leave to make her dreams come true. Who am I to keep her from doing that?

I walk to the punch bowl and get a refill. I really wish there was some hard liquor in this place.

Not sure where to go or what to do, I just sulk in a corner booth. Soon enough, three large figures are looming all around me. My brothers sit down in the booth without asking permission. That's not a thing with us, but I'd like them tokeep their distance for once. That's not going to happen tonight, though.

I wait with my head low, sipping my punch as if they are not there.

"Michael," Ben says.

I keep ignoring them until one of them kicks me under the table.

"What? God, are you eight?"

Justin makes a face at me and doesn't even try to apologize. I'm going to have a bruise on my lower leg tomorrow.

"Michael, I know she broke your heart, but you were kind of a jerk to her just now."

Ben is the one who knows how much I hurt for this woman. I can't believe he's defending her right now.

"She took me by surprise, is all. I thought I'd never see her again."

"Well, I think you're going to have to let go of that rage because we will be working closely with her," Danny says.

"What? What do you mean?"

"She came into the office yesterday and asked us for a quote on renovations to her grandmother's place. Seems she inherited it and wants to sell it."

"Right, sell it and probably leave again," I grumble.

"Do you think you can be civil enough to go to her grandmother’s place and get the measurements and requirements for the job?" Danny asks.

"What? Why do I have to be the one to go? Any of you can do that job."

"We just think this will give you a chance to be around her and maybe get some of the answers you need for closure," Ben says.

Ben is right, as usual. I do need to talk to Mandy, but I don't know if I can put the hurt aside enough to speak to her openly. I have so many questions, but most are none of my business. Likewhere she went and how did she do? Why isn't she starring in some Hollywood movie or a Broadway show?

She's a talented actress and dancer. She can do anything she sets her mind on. The woman I saw tonight was not the strong-willed person I'd loved so many years ago. She defended herself when I barked at her, but she seemed small and defeated before that. I didn't like seeing that one bit.

"Is Monday okay?"

"Yeah, that'll be great, buddy." My brother Danny says.

Now, I've got to figure out how to deal with Mandy Schmidt once again. She's changed, but outside, she's still as beautiful and desirable as ever. I talk shop with my brothers for a while, and little by little, they leave with their wives or significant others. I know Justin needs to relieve his babysitter.

Before I leave, a couple of ladies sit down and flirt with me, but I'm in no mood for that right now, not after seeing Mandy. On my way out, I see the mayor skulking around some of the ladies, and I frown at him. Someone really needs to run for his seat and get that creep out of office. Woodland Falls cannot afford more of his shenanigans.

Try as I may, I can't keep myself from driving past Mandy's grandmother's place. The lights are all out, and the place looks locked up tight, so she might not be staying there. At least, I hope not. Her car is not in the driveway, either. She might have a new car, but no cars are in the driveway. Maybe she's staying with a friend, even though I remember her being a bit of a loner.

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