Page 26 of Three Days of Holiday

I stared at her, trying to figure out if she was lying. She forgot? About our soul-defining kiss. It wassomething I’d remember for the rest of my life, so how could she so easily dismiss it?

We gazed at each other as we walked on the sidewalk. Her steps slowed, and I hovered, ready to reach out and catch her if she tripped. That’s the only explanation for why I missed the silver BMW when it pulled up to the two of us at the curb while we waited to cross the street.

“William, there you are, honey. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

My teeth ground together before I turned in her direction. Diane’s nasally voice was memorable but not in a good way.

“Diane, what are you doing here?” I told everyone I was coming to get coffee alone.

She looked at me with those puppy dog eyes I used to be dumb enough to fall for. “You didn’t return, and we worried.”

Bull shit. I’d been gone less than forty-five minutes and she’d never worried about anyone but herself in her life.

“As you can see, I’m fine. I will get back when I get back.”

She shook her head slowly. “Jack really needs your help with the measurements. He’s just completely incapable. I keep telling you to fire him and we could share an assistant.”

Holly turned and headed back the way we came. I reached out and grabbed her hand to stop her from leaving. She tugged hard, trying to get free, but I didn’t let go.

“Just go, Will,” she said, her voice defeated. The icy wind bit at both our cheeks and she shivered from the lack of a coat.

Diane revved her car. “Yes, Will. Let’s go.”

I saw so much heartbreak in Holly’s eyes that I had to drop my gaze. She wiggled her hand free and waited for me to leave.

9

HOLLY

The jerk face gave me one last apologetic glance and then slipped into the hussy’s car. He left me standing in the middle of the sidewalk on Main Street. I stood there like a complete moron and watched as the two of them drove away.

The woman behind the wheel, the person he called Diane, called him honey—a lover’s name.

Not only did Will lie about his name but his relationship status. How could I have let a member of the Causebay family sweep me up? They were all the same. Each one of them scoundrels just like Anessa called him.

He probably planned to play with me the entire time. It was all a game. And I fell right into his claws. Like a little lamb lost in a trap, I walked out of my safe forest and into the butcher’s shop.

The wind picked up again, and I hurried back to the bakery, seeking warmth as my thin sweater did little to stop the cold.

William Causebay was nothing more than anabsolute ass. If I continued to tell myself how horrible he was over and over again, maybe at some point my heart would actually believe it rather than coming up with 150 excuses for why that woman called him sickening nicknames.

I could cry over Will after I won the competition. He may have rattled me for a few days, but I would rally and win. I had no other choice.

Playtime was finished.

Next up on the agenda included my plans to kick his ass at the competition. I stepped into the bakery full of ideas and, plotting the flyers I’d plaster in his hometown, declaring Oceanview Orchards the best orchard of the year after we won. Full color—spare no expense.

Will was going to be reminded of my greatness every time he turned a corner for the next year.

I darted in and grabbed my coat on the back of the chair, thankful the line was now almost to the door. That happened fast, but it meant Anessa and Vonnie were too wrapped up in serving their customers to ask me questions.

I’d parked in the backside of the bakery and took my time walking around the building, slipping the cell phone from my coat pocket and calling Hope.

“Did you leave your room?” she asked, sounding baffled at the development.

I didn’t take the time to answer her ridiculous question. “Get ready, I’m coming to get you and we’re hitting up the fabric store.”

Haden would have to be understanding when it came to the competition budget. I needed an increase in funds.

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