Page 8 of Run, Run Mistletoe
“Come on, Misty. Let’s get you home.”
Her head jerks up and she glares at me. “You don’t get to call me that. Only my friends call me that.”
“We could be friends. Our mothers are friends, Misty.”
“I don’t think so, Frankincense.”
I hold the door for her and reach out to help her find the seatbelt. She jerks it out of my hand.
I run around the front and start the car, hitting the heat so that her frozen hands can warm up. I also hit the heated seats and she wriggles down into it but doesn’t say one word.
But I see a little smile curling her lips as she wraps her arms around herself.
And I can’t help smiling too. Such a little thing but I like knowing that I’ve given her some comfort.
I’m starting to think I might give this woman whatever she asks for.
Including leaving her alone.
My belly sinks and I stare straight ahead, wondering if I can really do that if she asks me again.
5
MISTLETOE
“Stop it, Val! Leave him alone!” But Valentine keeps butting her head into Frank’s stomach. He’s bent over and then she runs behind him and hammers his backside, making him yelp.
My lips curl and I have to turn away to fight my laughter.
He stands slowly and glares at me, pointing at Val. That thing is a menace.
“She likes you.”
He jerks back. “If that’s like, I’d hate to see what she does when she doesn’t like someone.”
“Well, she doesn’t like my ex but he doesn’t come around so you won’t see that.”
I turn for the door and he follows along behind me, pushing Val’s head away. “Stop it, menace!”
He rushes up the steps after me. He slams the door behind us and breathes out a huffed breath.
I giggle and cover my lips quickly. He glares at me and his dark eyes sparkle with humor.
“You think that’s funny, Misty?”
“A little bit!” I hold up one finger and my thumb, just an inch apart.
“Right. Well, let’s call about your truck and then we’ll have a little time and you can tell me about your ex.”
“Why would I want to do that?”
He shrugs. “I’m a good listener. And if things go the way I think they’re going to, you’re going to need a ride to pick up your daughter.”
Huffing, I stride quickly to the living room and then the kitchen. The old farm kitchen needs an update but I just don’t have time or money and the old golden oven and fridge are so old they’re dented and barely-functioning.
But they’re still functioning. And right now that’s all I need.
But when he walks in behind me, my cheeks heat with embarrassment.
