Page 18 of Magic in Mistletoe
As they entered the cozy warmth of Sadie’s cabin, she was grateful for Martin’s presence.
“Where do we start?” Sadie asked, noting the anxiety in her voice.
“Do you mind if I look around?”
“Of course not.”
Martin opened cupboards and walked around the house, both inside and out, returning promptly. “So, I have a few concerns.”
Sadie’s heart beat faster. “Okay. Let’s hear them.”
“Well, there are certain things you need when preparing to hunker down during a storm.” He scratched his beard. “Like non-perishable food supplies and bottled water. You also need a stocked first aid kit and flashlights. Maybe a transistor radio in case your phone dies and you don’t have a way to charge it. Most likely, the internet will go down. You have a first aid kit, but the batteries in your flashlight are dead. Same for your radio. I didn’t see a generator, either. But the biggest problem is your lack of food and water.”
Sadie dropped onto a kitchen chair. “So what do I do?”
There was a long silence, and then Martin said, “Why don’t you stay at my house during the storm? We’re accustomed to this type of weather and are fully prepared.”
Sadie hesitated for a moment. Stay at his house? They were still getting to know one another, and she had questions about his business—or had she let Eleanor Frost mess with her head? Probably. That, along with the baggage fromSingle to Wed, made her reluctant to fully trust him. But that sense of connection…that meant something. Besides, Martin’s behavior was the polar opposite of her ex-fiance’s.
She took a breath and tried to clear her mind. The thought of being alone during this storm terrified her. It was also stupid. “Thank you. I think that might be a wise decision. I...I’m sorry to put you in this position.”
Martin held out his hand, and she took it, allowing him to pull her off the chair and into an embrace. Apparently, Martin Kringle was a hugger. “It’s no inconvenience, believe me.”
Sadie nodded against his muscular chest. The storm might not be so bad if she could weather it out like this.
Martin pulled out his phone. “I’m texting Nora to let her know you’re coming,” he said, fingers typing away. He finished and returned the phone to his pocket. “Now go grab whatever you need, and we’ll head out.”
Sadie picked up on an undertone of urgency despite his broad smile, so she quickly gathered her essentials.
Outside, the snow fell heavily, blanketing the world in white. Martin whistled, and his sleigh appeared as if out of nowhere, this time drawn by two animals.
“These guys are reindeer,” Martin said as they waded through the thickening drifts to the sleigh. “They’re much better in deep snow.”
“If you say so,” Sadie said. “Do you own a ranch or what?”
“Something like that,” Martin chuckled and loaded Sadie’s items into the sleigh, before helping her up and pulling a blanket across their laps. “Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” Sadie said, laughing out loud at the image of them riding a reindeer-drawn sleigh through a winter storm. The scenario read like a scene from a movie.
Martin’s house, a beautiful log cabin nestled among tall pines, came into view after what felt like an eternity. The Christmas decorations adorning the exterior created a picturesque setting reminiscent of a scene from a holiday greeting card. Despite her fear of the snowstorm, Sadie felt a twinge of enchantment.
“Wow, Martin. Your home is lovely,” she said.
“Thank you. I’m glad you like it,” he replied, beaming with pride. “Come on, let’s get inside before we turn into icicles.”
As they stepped into the welcoming embrace of Martin’s home, Sadie marveled at the cozy and festive atmosphere. A decorated Christmas tree greeted them in the foyer like a sentry and must have reached fourteen feet high.
After shedding her outerwear, Martin directed her into the library. The man had a library! The floor-to-ceiling bookcase, crackling fireplace, and the tantalizing scent of apple cider immediately put her at ease.
“Make yourself at home,” Martin said, gesturing to the comfortable-looking armchair near the fire. “I’ll just take your bags up to the guest room, then unhook the reindeer. Won’t be long.”
“Thank you,” she replied, settling into the chair with a grateful sigh. She watched the snow fall outside, beautiful now that she sat beside a roaring fire. Safe, cozy, and comfortable, contentment filled every cell of Sadie’s body—something she’d not experienced in a very long time. “Now, this is northern living refined,” she whispered and closed her eyes.
“Sadie,” Martin said, snapping her out of the tranquil moment. “I’d like to introduce you to my grandfather and cousin. They’re in the family room.” He led her into a bustling room, alive with people, laughter, and conversation. She was taken aback by the sheer number of individuals milling about, each one engaged in various holiday preparations. How had she not heard them from the library?
“Hello again,” boomed a jolly, white-bearded man as he approached Sadie, his eyes twinkling with mirth. She immediately recognized him from the candy store. “I’m Martin’s grandfather, Kristopher.”
“Of course, Kris Kringle. A hard name to forget,” Sadie replied, smiling while shaking his hand. “Based on the order Martin placed, I assume your grandkids enjoyed the candy.”
