Page 7 of Matchmaking Under the Mistletoe

CHAPTER 4

MILLIE

By the time the sun starts filtering through the large window in my room the next morning, I’ve worked myself into a panic over the turn of events from yesterday. I’m desperate to get to work and figure out what the heck I’ve gotten myself into. When Huey mentioned the prospect of a job, I couldn’t really see a reason to say no. After the last few months of hell, I’m determined to be more outgoing, and saying yes to this job seemed like a good first step.

And after the meeting with Brian I felt excited, almost like I’d been given a second chance after losing so much of myself in my marriage over the last decade. Huey insisted on helping me get the single bag that we’d managed to rescue from my mangled car up to my room and made sure I had everything I needed, including a new phone charger, before heading back to his farm.

But as I spent hours tossing and turning last night, I felt my panic rise as it edged closer to sunrise. On top of that, the longer I laid there, the more my muscles started to ache after my run-in with the tree yesterday.

What the hell made me think I could do this? I haven’t worked in years, and while I didn’t lie when I told Brian that I have event planning experience, it’s not like I did it for a job.What if he decides I’m not qualified and kicks me out? I don’t have anywhere to go…

Finally, around six I push out of bed and look for something to distract me from my thoughts. Thankfully, my phone starts to ping, and I’m forced to abandon the anxiety spiral I’m feeling. I look down, seeing my sister’s response to the text I sent her last night after my phone came back on.

Me: So first of all, I’m okay. Long story short, a deer decided to attack my car in the middle of a freak snowstorm as I was coming though Alabama. So, I’ll be stranded here for a while. I’m in a little town called Springside. I’ll explain more when we talk, but I’m safe.

Lizzie: WHAT THE HELL MILLIE?! ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE OKAY?!

Lizzie: You can’t just send me messages like this and expect me to be okay not getting the full story.

Lizzie: Where are you staying? What are you going to do while you’re there?

Lizzie: MILLIE, I NEED ANSWERS.

Shaking my head at her constant text messages, I decide to have a bit of fun with the situation. Why not, right?

Me: Well, a nice man picked me up off the side of the road…

Me: He told me he’d make me the queen of his trailer park if I showed him my tits. Seemed like a fair trade to me? Wasn’t that so nice of him?!

Lizzie: MILLIE POUNCEY I SWEAR TO GOD.

Lizzie: You CANNOT be serious.

Lizzie: I mean, I’ve seen some pretty nice trailer parks, but the rest of it BETTER BE a joke.

Laughing at my sister’s antics and knowing she won’t stop until I give her more, I tap her contact and hit the call button. She answers on the first ring, and I can already hear her yelling at me before I bring the phone to my ear.

“I swear on all things holy, Millie. You may be going through a lot at the moment, but those tits better not be any part of your living situation,” Lizzie screeches, and I dissolve into a fit of giggles.

“I knew that would get you wound up. I swear, I’m good. My car did get attacked by a rogue deer, and a nice older gentleman did—” I say before my sister cuts in.

“Millie! Are you okay? Were you hurt? Why didn’t you call me? How are you joking about your tits and trailer parks at a time like this? Do I need to come home? I’m slammed at work, but—”

“Sis, I promise I’m fine. Just a little sore, and definitely carless for the foreseeable future. As I was saying, a nice older man did help me out. He found a local inn that had a room available and even found me a job for the next few weeks while we decide what to do with my car,” I explain, knowing if I don’t interrupt her, she’ll ramble for hours.

“Oh God, that was fast! What type of work did he find?” she asks, and I don’t miss the accusation in her voice.

Suppressing a chuckle at her suspicion, I explain. “It’s actually like a dream job, Liz. I’m staying at this inn and winery, and apparently, they just got a ton of interest in their weddings. So, between that and some Christmas events they’re hosting,they need an event planner. The owner offered me the job through the holidays until I decide what I want to do.”

“Well, that was nice of him. What’s the boss like?” my sister asks, and I try not to think about how attractive my new boss is.

“He seems nice. I met him yesterday. Apparently, he’s also the mayor here in town, so he’s juggling a lot of different responsibilities. But hopefully it’ll be a good fit for the next few weeks,” I tell her, trying to keep my voice even. If Lizzie figures out I’m working for someone single, young, and hot I’ll never hear the end of it.

“Hmm, this town has quite the hospitality. With all those titles, he must be, what, in his sixties?” she asks suspiciously.

Damn it. I’m so busted.

“Umm no. He’s probably in his early thirties…” I confess, letting my voice trail off.

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