Page 1 of Checked Out by the Grinch
Chapter One
Holly
I can remember how cozy a set of flannel sheets felt when I was ten years old. The soft fabric against my skin. The way they wrapped me up so warm and safe, like the world outside didn’t matter. Back then, Christmas meant cookies in the oven, snowflakes in the air, and driving into the city to shop for gifts before stopping for one of those massive mall pretzels.
Now, Christmas feels different.
I still bake the cookies and hang lights. We even trek out to Snow Ridge to sled down the massive hill on the east end, but the magic is harder to find now.
What kind of mother can’t find magic for their kid at Christmas time?
Me… I can’t.
No matter what I do, I can’t seem to get into the spirit of happy carols and over the top sweaters.
I glance at the baby monitor on my nightstand. Kade is still asleep, his tiny chest rising and falling with the rhythm of the snowflakes falling on the window behind him. He deserves soft flannel and memories so warm that he wants to recreate them with his own family. He deserves a stocking filled with toy trucks and a big present under the tree. He deserves a mom who isn’t constantly counting pennies and praying no one shuts the heat off.
I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly as I open the front door to let in my friend Evie, who’s agreed to a free babysitting gig this morning. We met at the bookstore two years ago, and we’ve been inseparable since. She’s the reason I believe in found family. The kind that shows up with coffee, a smile, and zero judgment when you’re wearing yesterday’s leggings and haven’t washed your hair in days.
“Morning, lady,” Evie says. She stomps the snow off her boots before stepping inside, then holds up a box that smells like cinnamon. “I’ve brought sugar.”
I lean in, wrapping her and the puffy red coat she wears in a huge hug. “Kade is going to love you. Sugar gives him the hops. Have you seen the hops?”
She shakes her head slowly as though she’s playfully afraid of them. “No. What are the hops?”
“You’ll see.”I grin and squeeze her tighter. “Thank you so much for coming over. You have no idea how important this is.”
“I think I know.” She unzips her coat, hanging it on the hook by the door before helping herself to a cup of coffee. I love that she’s so comfortable here. “You’ve told me about half a million times.” Her brows narrow as she twists back toward me, holding the mug as though she’s excited for its warmth. “You’ve gotta promise me you won’t get all depressed if this guy doesn’t have what you’re looking for at the estate sale today. A lot of people overpromise to get buyers in the door. If this doesn’t work out, we’ll find another way to save the bookstore.”
The mere mention of this sale not going well sets my anxiety ablaze. Lately, it doesn’t take much. “I don’t know, Evie. I think we’re screwed. Marley is totally holding back on just how bad a place she’s in. I mean, the book signing didn’t solve it, and she hadHunter Blackthere. He’s huge, and I know that pulled in major cash.”
My sweet friend sighs and pulls a bear claw from the pastry box she brought. “I know, but maybe today you’ll find some kind of book treasure this guy doesn’t realize he has, we’ll sell it, and we can drag the store back from the depths.”
Evie is a hopelessly positive ray of sunshine, and I love her for it, though maybe I’m a little envious too. I used to be like her. I used to be happy and carefree, positive to a fault, and I had an endless smile on my face.
Somewhere along the line, those parts fell off.
Maybe it was the breakup with Kade’s dad, or that he’s insistent on making life as complicated as possible. Maybe it’s the slow bleed of watching the bookstore turn into a financial sinkhole. Or maybe it’s that my dream of owning a food truck got buried under so many bills I don’t remember how to dream anymore.
I used to picture it all so clearly. Kade and I on our own little adventure, making prize-winning bread for everyone in Rugged Mountain while I worked part-time at the best little bookstore in the world. I’ve been at this store since I was sixteen. I checked my first book out there, had my first kiss by the back shelves, and bonded with all of my friends over the vintage wood floors and front window displays. I can’t imagine my life without it there in some capacity.
I press my thumb into the edge of the pastry box, watching the cardboard bend under pressure. “I just want one win, Evie. One thing that doesn’t fall apart.”
“Okay.” She smiles wide and stuffs a bite of the bear claw into her mouth. “So, let’s go get it. The one thing that won’t go to hell.” She shrugs playfully. “Maybe that’s saving the bookstore. Maybe that’s some other kind of adventure you’ll find today.” Her hand reaches out for mine. “I promise we’ll figure all this out.”
Her words are both comforting and a soft realization that I need to lighten up. I exhale a breath, and stand taller. “You’re right. It’ll be fine. Who knows what will happen today. Maybe I’ll meet the man of my dreams and we’ll fall madly in love over vintage teacups.”
Evie grins. “Or you’ll meet a hot guy, hook up, have wild-crazy sex, and blow off some of this steam you’ve been carrying around for far too long.”
I laugh at the concept of me and wild-crazy sex. “The last time I had sex, I’m pretty sure it was to conceive Kade. I don’t even know if I remember how anymore.”
“That’s perfect. I’m sure loads of guys would love to teach you a refresher course.” She grins. “Truthfully, it’s giving independent woman vibes.”
“Very independent,” I laugh, grabbing my coat off the hook by the door. “So independent I’ve forgotten how to be wooed without first checking his credit report.”
“Do you know what this guy you’re meeting looks like?”
I shake my head. “I can’t find him online.”
