Page 9 of Holly and Ivar
“Put theminthe dishwasher, notonit,” Liv called after them.
“Yes, Mom,” came the chorus from the other room.
Ivar grinned.“So your sign above the dishwasher that says‘This is not the dishwasher’didn’t work?”
Liv sighed.“Nope.They pushed it out of the way to set their plates on top.I mean, how hard is it once you’re already standing in front of it?Gavin was the same way.I guess it’s genetic.”
Ivar chuckled, glad to hear his brother-in-law’s name spoken with warmth rather than sorrow.In the months after Gavin’s passing, Liv couldn’t even mention him without tears.Now, more often than not, the memories came with laughter instead of pain.
“You’re doing a good job with them,” he said quietly.
She smiled, soft and sure.“They keep me busy.That helps.”
He nodded, then gestured toward the window where snow was falling steadily.“How’s business?Theno-vacancysign has been glowing for weeks.”
“Oh, it’s great.The Thanksgiving crowd checks out this weekend, but I’m nearly full for next week, too.”She leaned across the table, lowering her voice conspiratorially.“Someone made a reservation last night.At first, I thought it was a prank.You’ll never guess her name.”
“Seymore Butts?”
“Not quite.”Liv’s grin widened.“It’s more seasonal: Holly Kringle.”
Ivar laughed.“You’re kidding.”
Liv placed her hand on her heart.“I swear I’m not.That was the name on the credit card she gave me.Apparently, she gets questioned about it all the time.”
“I bet.Poor woman.That’s a tough name to live with.”
“Well, whatever her name is, I’m just happy she booked for the week,” Liv said, gathering plates.“Want to know why she’s here?”
“Does it matter?You’re going to tell me anyway.”
“She’s here to look at the Hale land,” Liv said, and Ivar could feel her gauging his reaction.“Her family’s interested in purchasing it, and she’s here to assess its suitability.”
Ivar’s stomach tightened.The Hale property.Gwen had told him there’d been no serious inquiries yet.“What does she want it for?”
“She didn’t say, and I didn’t ask.But this is where it gets interesting.She’s not interested in the house, just the forest.And since she mentioned needing someone to show her around, I—”
“Oh, no.”Ivar pushed his chair back.“Don’t say it.”
“Oh yes,” Liv said, mischief glinting in her eyes.“Who knows the forest better than you?”
“I have a job.”
“Nice try.Your vacation is next week.It’s on my calendar.”
“Not anymore,” he muttered.“I’ll reschedule.”
“Ivar, come on.What’s the big deal?”
“You know how I feel about that sale,” he said.“Why should I help someone who might destroy the land I’ve spent years protecting?”
“Because it’s going to happen whether you like it or not,” Liv said evenly.“And we were raised to look for the good in people first.Maybe she’s not what you think.”
He rubbed the back of his neck.“People aren’t always what they seem, either.All it takes is the right investor and a little paperwork.Forest or not, if the money’s there, they’ll build whatever they want.”
“Cynical much?”
“Realistic.”
