Page 18 of Mistletoe Season
“I didn’t mean to keep you, lass.”
She turned off the tap and dried her hands. “You didn’t. I enjoyed the conversation.”
“Me too.” He enjoyed everything. And while he had to wonder what she meant by “a bad personal decision,” it wasn’t his business.
They quickly went to the front door, and he grabbed his jacket. As he opened the door for her, he happened to look up at the green sprig hanging above the doorway. “More mistletoe?”
Her cheeks flushed and she averted her gaze. “I... uh... don’t have too many visitors. Actually, you’ve been the first one in months. I think mistletoe is pretty, that’s all.” She moved past him and ran down the stairs.
Kieran knew she was in a hurry to get back to the store, and she was practically flying down the staircase. He looked at the mistletoe again. Was she afraid he would try to kiss her?
It would be so easy to.
He closed the door. No worries there. She’d made it plain that she only thought of him as a friend. No, more like an acquaintance. His mother and Sheryl would have to face the reality that there was nothing between him and Emmy.
I need to face that too.
Five
“Come visit Mistletoe Antiques.” Emmy smiled and handed the two middle-aged women coupons for her shop. “Ten percent off your total purchase until Christmas Eve.”
“Oh, I’ve been here.” The shorter one, wearing white knitted earmuffs and a fuchsia leather coat, eagerly took the coupon. “You have such beautiful things.” She turned to her friend. “June, we need to stop by after we’re finished with the festival. You will adore this shop.”
“How kind. Thank you. Come by soon for some free hot chocolate too. Merry Christmas!”
Emmy grinned as the pair walked away. She let out a relieved breath, creating a small cloud of white mist that instantly disappeared. Those were her last coupons, and now she was free to enjoy the festival while Carina manned the shop. They were never busy during Jingle Fest, and she didn’t mind hanging out in the courtyard area of downtown Bird Valley, handing out coupons and wishing people a merry Christmas. Now it was late afternoon, and she was cold and tired and her feet hurt. But the business she generated today would be worth it.
She wandered down Main Street and marveled. It didn’t matter how many times she’d attended this event, she was always astonished at the sheer amount of lights, sparkle, and glitter. After she got a hot cup of coffee and sat down for a bit, she would walk the entire festival, which wended its way through three streets in downtown Bird Valley.
As she approached a vendor selling coffee, tea, and hot chocolate, she saw Sheryl waving to her from the funnel cake booth a few stands down. Sheryl’s husband, Ben, their three kids, and Maggie were also in tow.
Emmy wasn’t surprised to see her friend here. Sheryl and her family always came to Jingle Fest, and she figured she would run into them eventually. Several times during the day she wondered if Kieran was here, too, but she hadn’t seen him.
Sheryl left Ben to handle the kids and funnel cakes while she and Maggie walked over. Emmy paid for her coffee and stepped away from the booth. Small crowds of people filled the street surrounding them, walking, laughing, eating, and enjoying the day.
“How’d the big handout go?” Sheryl asked.
“I ran out of coupons, so I would say great.” She sipped her coffee.Ah, good and hot.
“Excellent.” Sheryl glanced around. “There are a ton of people here. More than last year, I think.”
“I agree.” Maggie looked adorable in her red-and-black plaid flannel coat, red beret, and black snow boots, even though there was no snow in the forecast. But this was southern Missouri, where the weather changed without warning, and it was good to be prepared.
Ben and the boys headed their way, and Emmy was dying to ask Sheryl where Kieran was, but she didn’t dare. It was bad enough Sheryl had forced her to have lunch with him. That was embarrassing. She didn’t want Kieran to think it was her idea, so she’d tried to act nonchalant about it. Then he said he was hungry, and knowing she had lunch ready to go upstairs, it didn’t seem right to avoid inviting him up. Besides, there was a tiny, confused part of her that hadwantedhim to join her, even though they were simply sharing a meal and nothing else.
“Hey, Emmy.” Ben handed one of three plates piled with funnel cake to Sheryl. “Did you want some? I can go back and get you one.”
“Thank you,” Emmy said, appreciating the gesture, “but I’m fine.”
When the boys clambered for their share of the cakes, Maggie shushed them, taking the two plates from Ben. “I’ll feed the rug rats,” she said, gesturing to an open area where numerous picnic tables were set up. “You and Siobhan enjoy yourselves.”
“Are you sure, Mom?” Sheryl asked, her brow furrowing.
“She’s sure.” Ben put his arm around his wife’s waist and swept her away. “See you later, Emmy.”
“Nana, why do you call MomSha-von?” Thomas, the youngest son, tugged on his ear. Unlike his brothers, who favored Sheryl, he had the same sandy-blond hair as his father.
“Because that’s her name.”
