Page 20 of Mistletoe & Magic
She groans. “I want to stay and help Dad and Captain Tate.”
It’s adorable she calls Tate that. He used to be a commercial fisherman, but now he is fixing up his father’s old boat that the town pitched in and bought for him, and he’s going to do boat tours.
Everything about this kid is great. This nanny job might be my favorite job so far.
At the door, Junie launches herself at Remy, who’s still talking to Tate near the cash register. He catches her, squeezing her tight.
“Ivy has something yummy in the slow cooker,” she announces proudly. “It’s pot roast. We have to go home and eat now.”
Finn strolls in just as Junie says that and grins. “Can I come? I want pot roast.”
“No,” Remy says flatly, without even lookingat him.
“Damn, me too.” Tate grins at Junie. “That sounds good.”
Finn raises his brows at me like, ‘Did you hear that?’ I did. And maybe it’s nothing. Or maybe… it’s interesting. Remy sounded almost jealous.
I smile cheerfully. “Plenty for everyone. I even made two loaves of homemade bread.”
Back at the house, everything is warm and glowing. The garland, the dried oranges, the wreaths, all the decorations in place—the only thing missing is a tree.
“When can we get a tree?” Junie asks, shrugging off her coat, also noticing what’s missing.
“We can ask your dad,” I say, giving her a little nudge toward the sink to wash her hands.
The pot roast has been simmering all day, and the thick slices of homemade bread I’m going to warm in the oven and slather with yummy butter are making my mouth water just thinking about it. Junie eats like she’s been starving, chattering about school and how she wants to add “build a snow fort” to the tradition map.
“We can add anything you want,” I promise, and she smiles.
After her bath and bedtime story, she’s tucked in and snoring before I’ve even turned off the light.
When I come back downstairs, Finn’s coming through the front door.
“I hope it’s not too late to stop by,” he says, stepping inside and stamping snow off his boots. “I’ll take you up on that dinner.”
“Perfect, because I have a favor to ask you,” I tell him as I get our bowls and food ready. I tell him about the little charms I’ve been making Junie. Tiny stars, snowflakes, and hearts she can collect each day on a charm necklace until Christmas. “I need a box with twenty-four little compartments to make an advent calendar for Junie.”
I ladle pot roast into a bowl and set bread between us. The kitchen smells like thyme and warmth. Outside the window, the porch light throws a halo on the drift by the steps.
He grins. “Done. I love making stuff like that. I’ll work on it this weekend.”
“Thanks so much. And for all your help with the shop. How are you and Rowan? I know you’ve been helping her at Salt and Root.”
Finn has been helping my sister get her new apothecary shop up and going next to Willa’s bookstore.
Finn picks up his spoon. “She came by the lot at lunch,” he says, like we were already in the middle of the story. “Came over to tell me she had a list of repairs she needed me to help with. Also brought me a thermos of hot tea that is supposed to help with my virility. Should I be concerned?”
I laugh and smile into my glass. “That sounds like her. But also, her teas are really good.”
“She and I spend nearly every day together. But she only sees me as her friend. I’m friend zoned for life with your sister.”
He finally takes a bite, chews, and keeps talking. “I don’t get it, Ivy. What is wrong with me? I’m right here. I’m available. But she’s on a dating app, looking for the love of her life, she tells me.”
I set my elbow on the table and rest my chin in my hand. He does not seem to notice that he hasn’t touched his bread. “I don’t know why. Maybe she’s afraid getting involved will ruin your friendship.”
“I wish she would ruin the friendship,” he says, then thinks. “I want to be more than her friend.”
He looks at the bowl like he is trying to gather his thoughts. “She is going on all these dates, and then we go to lunch the next day and talk about the dates. And honestly, while I love our lunches, Ihateher dates.”
