Page 5 of Run, Run Mistletoe
My daughter Velvet has super-sensitive skin and some allergies that limit what she can use so I studied what would work best for her and I came up with a super-gentle soap made with goat’s milk that I’m now adding different oils and fragrances to for my own line.
Once again, I don’t have time for this, but it matters to me. So you make time.
And as soon as I get Velvet dropped off at school this morning, I’ve got a little side trip to make to the bookstore. I actually found the perfect gift for my little bookworm. A whole set of her favorite, The Rainbow Unicorn, in a five-book set with the newest book that’s out and a plush creamy-white unicorn with a rainbow mane and tail that can be brushed or braided and another set with the other five books in the series and a set of figurines of special parts of the books that she can play with.
She’s going to love it and I ordered them weeks ago from Alanis. I wasn’t sure they were going to make it before Christmas but she called me the other day and said they were in. I just had no time to get out and get them because Velvet was home sick.
Now she’s back to school and I finally get to pick them up. Excitement wells in me. This is going to be perfect!
All I have to do is get all the work done before Velvet gets up and then I’m going to pick up a coffee for myself, browse in the bookstore and grab the presents. It’s going to be my first time to relax in what feels like forever.
I need this time to unwind. Dressing, I walk out of my room and down to grab a coffee from the pot I set up last night. I drink it quick and then pull on my heavy Carhartt coat and head outside.
The faster I get it done, the faster I get some down time. Finally.
“I can’t believehow cute these sets are, Alanis! And I’m so happy you were able to get them before Christmas. Velvet is going to love them.”
Alanis’s green eyes dance with laughter. “Yeah. I knew she would. She always borrows those books from the library. Delia told me to let you know about these coming out.”
“I’ll have to remember to get her a coffee or something to say thank you!”
Alanis takes a sip of her eggnog latte. My nose scrunches. I am not an eggnog fan but she loves it.
I take a sip of my own Sweet Caramel Frappe with a shot of espresso to kick my energy up a bit. The cool drink makes me smile and I grin at her.
“Thank you for bringing this for me, Misty. I really needed a pick-me-up.” Her green eyes wander proudly around her little bookstore and I know that she’s never been happier. Never been doing as well as she is now.
Partially thanks to the man who showed up about nine months ago. Her new husband, Drake, is keeping her so busy it’s not funny. And the books that they started working on together are so popular that they can’t keep up with sales.
She doesn’t even need the bookstore anymore but there’s no way she’d close it and concentrate on her writing. This is her dream.
“And how is Drake doing?”
She laughs. “He’s annoyed at his agent. She promised that we’d go on a little book tour after Christmas together.”
“Oh wow! How exciting!”
“Yeah. You can’t tell him that. He still hates to be in the public eye.”
“Well, I hope you have fun. I’ve got to pop in to see Mom and Helena and then I’m heading home. More work to do on the soap.”
“I can’t tell you how much I love that sample you gave me with the peppermint essence. It wakes me right up! My skin has never felt better either.”
“I’m so happy. Any break-outs or any sensitivities?”
“Nope!” She shakes her head. Couldn’t be better.”
“Wonderful! Thank you for testing it out for me.”
She giggles. “I’ll be your guinea pig anytime. It’s so good.”
I reach out and hug her over the counter and she laughs again. “You’re the best.”
“Remember that the next time I’m late for book club and save me some of the nachos. Yours are so good.”
“You got it.”
Waving, I walk out the door, hugging my packages close. Now on to mom.
