Page 24 of Matchmaking Under the Mistletoe

Me: Lizzie!

Me: This is serious. What should I do?!

Lizzie: You mean other than bang his brains out?

Lizzie: Pretty sure that’s the only right answer here…

Lizzie: Shit, something just came up I have to handle at work, but go get your man! I’ll check in with you tomorrow. Love you big.

Me: Yeah, yeah. Okay, love you bigger sis.

Throwing my phone back down, I fluff my hair in the reflection of my mirror and apply some lipstick. Lizzie might have been trying to make me feel better, but I can’t help preparing myself for an uncomfortable encounter this morning.

After killing as much time as I can without making us late, I finally throw on a pair of boots and grab everything I need for the day before stepping out into the living room. Brian’s on the phone, but he looks up at my entrance and gives me a smile, gesturing to a to-go cup full of coffee.

“Ready?” he mouths to me, still listening to whoever’s on the other end of the line.

Nodding, we make our way out of the house and head to the inn. I wait for Brian to get off the phone and fire me or tell me what we did last night was wrong, but instead he spends the entire ride stuck on the phone. Oh well, I guess that means I’m still employed for the time being.

As soon as we arrive at the inn, I distract myself with preparing for the event, and the rest of the day is a blur of decorating and other last-minute tasks. Before I know it, it’s close to seven and the lobby of Deer Valley is bustling with people. I catch Brian’s eye just as I’m approached by a group of women led by Miss Ethel, and he gives me an encouraging smile.

“Millie, you were holding out on me,” she teases, gesturing to the eight-foot Christmas tree I spent the last two days decorating. “Everything looks beautiful. I’ve never seen Deer Valley so festive. Now I need you to come decorate my house.”

Several of the other ladies nod and murmur their agreement, and I smile before responding, “Oh, y’all are too kind. Thank you, ladies.”

“How are you enjoying your time in Springside dear?” one of them I haven’t met yet asks.

“Oh, it’s been wonderful. This town is really special,” I answer truthfully.

“Yeah, you’re right about that. So, Miss Millie, what do you think about our mayor?” another asks, and the whole group leans in, waiting to hear what I’ll say.

“Umm, oh, uhh Mayor Jones has been very nice. I’m very grateful he gave me a chance when I broke down here. He’s been very hospitable,” I say, hoping that will assuage her curiosity.

“Hmmmm, I’ll say. Aren’t y’all living together?” someone else asks, and I feel my cheeks flame.

“I guess you could say so. My room at the inn had some damage, so he’s letting me stay in his guest room.”

“Well, isn't that kind of him? You know, he’s one of Springside’s most eligible bachelors… And you’re recently divorced, aren’t you?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“Oh, I see a royal wedding sometime in our future,” one of the ladies says, while another offers, “Honey, you’ve gotta meet my grandson.”

The group of ladies all start talking at once, and I’m pretty sure my face is frozen in a state of shock.

“All right, ladies, that’s enough,” Ethel says, shaking her head at her friends after realizing my surprise. “Damn old biddies, has no one ever told you to mind your own business?”

I fight the urge to laugh before Brian catches my attention and gestures to me.

“Well, it was lovely to chat with y’all, but I’ve gotta get back to work. Y’all enjoy the event,” I tell the group of women in front of me, before slipping back over to where Brian is standing against the wall.

“Millie, everything looks incredible. This is the best turn out we’ve ever had, and it looks like everyone’s really having a blast,” he says, and I try not to pay too much attention to the way the compliment makes me feel giddy.

“Thanks, but I couldn’t have done it without you,” I tell him truthfully.

“Yeah, I guess we make a pretty good team. So, you ready for us to go ahead with the tree lighting? If so, I’ll make the announcement for people to head outside,” he asks.

“Sure, everything’s ready to go. I’ll make sure the speaker we set up is playing,” I reply, zipping my jacket and preparing to step outside into the chilly evening.

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