Page 11 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Chapter Six

NASH

December 21

Blitzen Bay, California

“Only four more days until Christmas. Do you have your shopping done?”

The DJ sounds like he definitely doesn’t have his done. My truck radio only picks up one station out of L.A. They’ve been playing Christmas music for a month straight. It sounds like it’s getting on his nerves as much as it’s getting on mine.

I’m headed into town to pick up the jacket and tie from Hank. From my house, it’s only about a ten-minute walk into the center of town, but tonight, I decide to drive it. The temperature has dropped at least twenty degrees from yesterday. My Texas skin hasn’t adapted to the cold yet.

When my truck crests the hill that leads down to town, the sight makes me stop breathing for a second. I’ve probably come over this hill more than a hundred times now and I’m still not used to it. Rows of Swiss chalets sit snugly in the small valley that backs up against the mountains. White lights frame the gently sloped wooden roofs. The chalets remind me a little of the gingerbread houses my mom used to decorate every Christmas.

Most of the buildings have a store or restaurant on the street-level and an apartment where the owners live on the second floor. During the summer, the residents sit on their second-floor balconies and talk to each other across the narrow street. People who don’t live on Main Street bring chairs and sit under the balconies so they can join the conversation. There’s usually wine and food being passed up and down the street.

This time of year, bright red ribbons wrap the old-fashioned lamp posts on every corner. The fifty-foot Douglas fir that grows in the roundabout at the end of the street is filled with twinkling white lights and oversized red and green ornaments.

The tree sits right outside Holly House, the inn that Hank and his wife, Claire, own. I pull in a spot next to the tree and look up at the lights. If anything can get me into the Christmas spirit, it will be this town, but so far, no luck.

“You coming in, Nash?” I hear Hank’s voice and look over to see him standing on the balcony of the inn. He waves. “You’ll freeze out here.”

I wave back and head toward the front door where Claire’s standing.

“Hey, Nash.” Claire smiles and hands me a cup of hot cider. “Hank said you’re going to a wedding tomorrow. How exciting? Is it in L.A.?”

“Yeah. North of the city—up in the canyons. Some estate.”

“Ohh, fancy. That’s a rich area. Who’s getting married? Is it their estate?”

“My high school buddy and I’m not sure if it’s theirs or not.” I take a sip of the cider and walk over to the wood fire that’s blazing in the lobby. “I’ve kind of lost touch with him.”

“Well, it was nice of him to invite you then.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

Hank walks down the stairs with an arm full of jackets and ties. “We used to go out a lot when we lived in the city, but I haven’t worn these in years. You’re welcome to any of them.”

“What does it say on the invitation for the suggested dress?” Claire says, taking a few jackets from Hank. “And what pants are you wearing? Hank’s pants would be too short on you.”

“The only thing I have is a pair of black pants and a white button-down. The invitation says something about black tie.”

“Ohh.” Clair bites her lip. “Black tie or black tie optional?”

“I think it said optional. Is there a difference?”

“Yeah. Black tie means a tux, but optional means you can get away with a dark suit.” She starts sorting through the jackets. “But we’re just going to have to work with what we’ve got. What color black are the pants?”

I look at Hank for help. He shrugs.

“Uh, they’re black black,” I say slowly. “Are there different shades of black?”

Claire shakes her head and sighs. “Try on this black tweed. It should match any shade of black.”

I take off my coat and sweater and slip the jacket over my T-shirt. It fits across the shoulders, but I don’t think I can button it. It still seems okay to me.

“It’s a little short on you, but not too bad,” Claire says, pulling at the hem. “Cross your arms and let me see the back. Hmm. It’s a little tight, but I think you can pull it off if you don’t button it. What do you think?”

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