Page 20 of A Very Merry Enemy
Ugh. Lucas Jolly can go straight to hell.
I scrub a mixing bowl harder than necessary, trying to focus on what’s next on my to-do list.
Lucas isn’t part of my life anymore. He’s not even a friend. And after the stunt he pulled yesterday, I’m more convinced than ever that keeping him at a distance is the only way tosurvive this season. Or he might get his wish and really run me off.
The bell above the door jingles. I glance at the clock. Bella and Wendy aren’t due for another twenty minutes.
“Coming!” I call out.
“It’s just me!” Emma’s voice, which is impossible because she’s on bed rest.
I rush to the front, flour flying off my apron. It’s not Emma, but her voice coming from Hudson’s phone, held up for FaceTime.
“You could’ve just called me directly,” I tell her, giving Hudson a smile. He’s six years older than me, the oldest Jolly brother. He used to be the grumpiest, but it’s clear Lucas has taken over that title.
“We were already chatting, so it was easier to just make Hudson walk over.” Emma’s propped up on approximately twelve pillows. “I want to be there.”
“Let me show you what I made this morning.” Hudson hands me his phone and follows me to the back. “This is what I have so far.”
I pan the camera across racks of cooling cookies and the trays ready for the oven.
“That’s way too much,” Emma protests.
“I’m in charge,” I remind her.
“You are, and I know you’re completely capable of selling every single one,” she says. “I miss being there. Miss the smell of baking cookies. Miss eating them fresh out of the oven.”
I grab a box and load it with still-warm cookies. “Sending these home with Hudson.”
“Speaking of…” Hudson clears his throat. “I should do that before Emma decides she needs to inspect the tree lot, too.”
“I heard that!” Emma says. “But fine. Holiday, you’re doing amazing. Text me if you need anything.”
“You know I won’t.”
She groans. “I know. But I can make phone calls and order supplies.”
I laugh. “Thank you. Now rest. See you soon. Enjoy those cookies.”
Hudson takes his phone and the box just as the bell rings again.
“Morning!” Bella chirps, way too cheerful for this early in the day. She’s wearing a Jolly Christmas Tree Farm sweatshirt, and her hair is in a high ponytail.
I open the kitchen door for her. “Bella!”
“I go by B now.”
“I’m not calling you that. You’ll always be my little Bella-boo.”
“I’m twenty-four now. Soon to be twenty-five.” She rolls her eyes.
Hudson barely holds back his laugh as he leaves. “Bella-boo. Using that from now on.”
Bella groans.
Wendy steps inside and slides an apron on. They both look just like all the other Jolly women, with dark hair and bright green eyes. They’ve both already tied on their aprons.
“Smells incredible in here,” Wendy says.
