Page 89 of Spying Under the Mistletoe
I’m falling for him. Even though I know better due to my past, my heart apparently isn’t all that wise.
That, or it’s just a glutton for punishment.
Yep, definitely the latter.
He pulls away. “You know what we still need?”
I glance around the classroom, trying to puzzle it out. “No, what?”
“To get a Christmas tree. We decorated the one at the seniors’ home last night, but I don’t have one in my town house.”
“I thought you didn’t do Christmas decorating.”
“I didn’t. But since you’ve already turned my living room and kitchen into a Hallmark Christmas card, we might as well go all-out and get a tree.”
I grin, one step from clapping my hands like a little kid and doing a happy dance.
“Do you have any decorations for it?” I ask, instead. I didn’t bring many tree ornaments with me when I raided my storage unit.
“We can get some after we get the tree.”
Still grinning, I remove my coat from the hook on the wall. “Let’s go get that tree.”
At the tree lot,we wander the aisles, holding hands. The place is quaint, with crafts set up to entertain the kids, a booth selling hot chocolate, upbeat Christmas music piped through the speakers, and employees dressed as elves.
Just add snow, and the setting would be a scene right out of a romantic Christmas movie.
I sip on my hot chocolate. “Wow, this is good.”
“It’s their secret family recipe,” Adam tells me.
That’s right, Landon and I aren’t the only ones here. The reason Landon even knew about this location is because of Adam.
“Uncle Adam,” Emily says, beaming up at the tall man. “Can we see Santa?” The five-year-old tugs on his hand, not giving him a chance to say no.
Landon and I follow the pair.
Santa has a short line, so the four of us stand in it, waiting for Emily’s turn.
“I’m going to be a big sister,” she tells Landon and me. She holds her hands out as if describing the size of a fish she just caught.
I crouch to her level. “You’re so lucky. I’ve always wanted to be a big sister. I bet you’ll be a super cool one.”
Emily rapidly nods. “Are you Uncle Landon’s girlfriend?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Momma says Uncle Adam needs a girlfriend. She told me to ask Santa to bring him one for Christmas.”
I look at the man in question in time to catch him rolling his eyes. “Your mother knows Santa doesn’t have room in his sleigh to bring me a girlfriend. So you don’t have to worry about asking him for that.”
“Could you get Uncle Adam a girlfriend?” she asks me.
“Your Uncle Adam can get his own girlfriend,” he responds.
She peers up at him. “That’s what Daddy told Momma. She told him that he was wrong. And that she’d never get to be an aunt unless someone does something about it soon.” Emily gives a hard nod, her face a mask of determination, and returns her gaze to me. “Will you get Uncle Adam a girlfriend for Christmas?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone looking for a boyfriend. Everyone I know is married or is engaged or has a boyfriend.”
