Page 16 of Magic in Mistletoe
“No, it does not,” Rosie replied. “In fact, one might say it suits you.”
Chapter 9
Agustoficywind whipped around Sadie as she pushed open the door to Caleb’s general store, sending snowflakes swirling in her wake. She stomped her snow-caked boots on the wooden floorboards and pulled off her gloves, her hair escaping from beneath her Santa hat. As she glanced around the store, her eyes darted from one cozy corner to another, taking in the soft glow of the lanterns adorned with festive wreaths and the nostalgic scent of spiced cider.
“Sadie. How are you?” Caleb called out from behind the counter, a strand of his short black hair falling across his forehead.
“I’m good. Thanks,” she replied.
“You’re looking awfully festive.”
She touched the Santa hat, laughing. “I lost a bet with Rosie. Now I’m wearing this until Christmas.”
“Well, it looks good on you,” Caleb said, grinning, then leaned against the wooden counter strewn with jars of candy canes and gingerbread cookies. “What brings you here today?”
“I was wondering if the piece of glass for my broken window is ready?”
Caleb nodded. “Of course. Let me check on that for you.” He moved to the back of the store, the floorboards creaking with each step.
He quickly returned. “It hasn’t arrived yet. The snow’s been quite bad a bit south of us, and things are slow to get through,” Caleb said. “But I promise it’ll be here within the next few days.”
Sadie sighed, her shoulders slumped in disappointment. She knew Caleb was doing his best, and she didn’t want to make him feel worse than he already did. Instead of dwelling on the setback, she changed the subject.
“Actually, I was wondering if you knew Martin Kringle? He placed a large candy order with us.” Despite her growing connection with Martin, there was a touch of mystery about him, and she was eager to learn more. If nothing else, her reality show experience taught her to be careful. Wasn’t it wiser to err on the side of caution rather than risk being careless? Especially since she knew firsthand where that could lead.
“Not that well,” Caleb replied. “He’s come in here once or twice for something small.”
“Oh, so he didn’t order his supplies through you?” This surprised Sadie. There were no other hardware stores in town.
“No.” Caleb’s brows knit together as he pondered her inquiry. “You know, I’m not sure where he’s getting his supplies. Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know. Just curious.”
Caleb’s face fell slightly, and he let out a soft sigh. “Truth is, if he were to get them from my store, it would certainly help with the financial struggles I’ve been facing lately.”
“Maybe you could reach out to him about it?” Sadie suggested. “I’ve gotten to know him, and he’s a kind and helpful person.”
“Perhaps,” Caleb agreed, giving her a small smile of appreciation.
From the corner of her eye, Sadie noticed Eleanor Frost, who had been browsing through stacks of ribbon nearby.
Eleanor made her way toward Sadie and Caleb, her every step a deliberate show of self-declared authority. The disapproving furrow of her brow cast a shadow over the rows of neatly stacked canned goods and dry goods lining the shelves of the store.
“Sadie, Caleb.” Eleanor’s eyes narrowed as they darted between them. “I couldn’t help but overhear your little conversation.”
Sadie felt her pulse quicken, and she exchanged a worried glance with Caleb. Eleanor’s penchant for gossip could wreak havoc in their small town. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to meet Eleanor’s gaze head-on, refusing to back down.
“Is there something you’d like to say, Eleanor?” Sadie asked, her voice surprisingly steady.
Eleanor’s lips curled into a thin, disapproving smile as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, it seems to me that the two of you are rather concerned with Martin Kringle’s affairs. And I can’t help but wonder why that is, exactly.”
Caleb cleared his throat. “Eleanor, we were just discussing local business.”
“That’s right,” Sadie said. “Isn’t that what neighbors do in Mistletoe? Look out for each other?”
“Indeed,” Eleanor replied, her tone icy. “But it concerns me that there’s more to this than simple neighborly concern.”
Sadie’s body tensed. This was exactly the sort of thing she had hoped to avoid—a confrontation with Eleanor Frost, the woman who seemed to take pleasure in finding fault in others. Especially her.
