Page 10 of A Holly Jolly Mix Up
“Guess we do now. Looks like it’s the owner.” He looks up at me. “I sent an email the first night, and it must have gone through whenever the service came back on.”
“Is it good news?”
“Well, that depends. How do you like sharing a cabin?”
I feel all the color leave my face, and my grin sinks into a frown. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this time with Andrew. I wouldn’t consider us strangers anymore, but my worry is continued exposure to him. I’ll already be leaving this vacation nursing a full-blown crush. What will happen if we spend the next two days together? I’m hoping the owner has realized their mistake and found one of us a new place to stay for the remainder of our trip. But that thought also makes my heart ache.
“They can’t find an opening anywhere?”
Andrew shakes his head. “With ski season in full gear, it’s going to be tough to find anywhere else. He is offering to refund half to each of us.”
“What do you think?” I question, wondering how he feels staying here even longer with me.
“Well, I doubt they’ve had time to plow the roads so I don’t think we have much choice. But after breakfast, I can go checkit out.”
I nod.
“I guess you’re not the worst person to be stuck here with.” A small smile plays on his lips.
“Just for that, youaremy personal chef this morning. I’m expecting that caramel macchiato when I get back.” I smirk and turn around, leaving the kitchen.
5
Andrew
“It is freezing out there,” I call out as I stomp my boots on the front porch and step into the house.
Jane hurries towards me. “How are the roads out there?”
“Well, I’m grateful that I had snowshoes to make the hike. There was one plowed lane in both directions and a line of impatient drivers for miles. But our cars are still buried,” I report.
“Guess we’re hanging out here today,” Jane says, which I agree with completely. “I wouldn’t risk it with the current conditions.”
“I agree.”
“I don’t know about you,” she spins around, walking toward the kitchen, “but my plan for the afternoon is s’mores.”
“That sounds great. Have you played Rummy before?” I ask.
“I have,” Jane says as she places graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate on a platter.
“Great, I think I have a fighting chance to redeem my confidence and gaming abilities from total obliteration at your hands.” I rummage through the entertainment center searching for the decks of cards I saw in here.
“I like your gusto,” she laughs. “Oh! I did make grilled cheese and tomato soup,” she offers. “I figured you might be hungry after the hike.”
“Thanks.” I turn to find her holding a plate and bowl for me.
“You eat, and I’ll set up a little picnic and game by the fireplace.” She hands me the plate and then spins on her heels.
I sit on the couch watching Jane organize it all. She takes out a blanket, arranges all the s’mores items on the coffee table, and then even has the cards shuffled and sits at the ready.
Her hair is tucked up in a messy bun, but a few wisps insist on floating loose around her face. She’s makeup free, exposing the tiny freckles across her nose more than usual. Something about those freckles causes me to turn to mush; they make her so uniquely Jane. I can’t imagine never seeing this amazing, sweet woman before me ever again—that just doesn’t feel right on any level.
“You going to get a move on?” She turns, and that whiplash sharp tongue gets a smile crossing my lips in no time.
I gobble down the last few bites of the hearty meal. Sitting down, I shuffle the deck. This is my chance to redeem myself, and I’m not going down without a fight.
“Are you ready to lose?” she teases, leaning forward to grab a graham cracker.
