Page 8 of Mistletoe, Mayhem & Mr. Grump
"The board won't?—"
"The board will accept it or find another CEO to alienate and eventually ruin."
Silence. Sterling hates when I remind him I'm technically his boss, even if we both know he's the one with the board's ear.
I hang up and find myself walking toward the town square. The smart move would be staying in, studying spreadsheets, planning destruction.
Instead, I end up at The Daily Grind, where, apparently, the entire population has gathered to murder music. Open mic night, according to the hand-chalked sign that also promises ‘ear bleach available upon request’.
I order coffee—marginally better than the hotel's—and find a corner table where I can observe without being observed. Or so I think.
"You came!"
Her voice hits me like Christmas morning—bright and surprising and slightly overwhelming. She's wearing a greenvintage dress that makes her look like she stepped out of a holiday movie from the forties. The good kind, not the ones with problematic storylines.
"I didn't know I was expected."
"You weren't. I just mean it's nice to see you experiencing the town. Last night you disappeared so fast I thought maybe you were a hallucination brought on by financial stress."
"Do you have those often?"
"Only on days ending in 'y.'"
She sits down across from me without invitation, bringing the scent of cinnamon and something floral. She smells like a Christmas cookie that came alive and decided to be beautiful.
"So, what's the verdict on Snowfall Creek?"
"Still deliberating."
"Fair. Though you should know the prosecution's case is weak. We have excellent lawyers. Well, one lawyer. He's also the dentist. And the notary. He's very busy."
"Efficient."
"We prefer 'multi-talented.' It sounds better on the town brochure."
"There's a brochure?"
"No, but there's a committee discussing making one. They've been discussing it for twelve years, though."
Someone on stage starts singing what I think is supposed to be "White Christmas" but sounds more like a moose in distress.
"Is this normal?" I ask, pointing around the room.
"Define normal."
"Music that doesn't cause physical pain?"
"Then no, this is not normal. This is Snowfall Creek normal, which is like regular normal but with more committees and questionable life choices."
"Speaking of questionable life choices..."
"Are you about to ask about my financial situation? Because that's a third-date conversation."
"I was going to ask about the tinsel cape I saw you wearing earlier."
"Oh." She actually blushes. "Committee costume requirement. We're doing a live nativity, and I'm supposedly an angel."
"Supposedly?"
