Page 32 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
“Let’s hope there’s more snow then,” said June.
“Which is a distinct possibility this time of year.”
What a coincidence. An email from Agnes popped out among dozens of other messages that had appeared since she cleaned up her inbox the night before. She scanned it while June launched into the weather report back home.
Subject:Santa’s Ride.
Fallon, I’ve found something the Behars will like much more than riding in the pickup truck you mentioned. Friends of ours have a well-kept buckboard wagon they said they’d be happy to lend out for the parade.I’ll let them know it’s a go once I hear back from you.
Well,that should make Kade happy. A wagon was closer to his precious sleigh than a truck with twenty-first-century technology.
“Are you still there?” June asked.
“Yes, sorry. I’m doing two things at once. As usual.” She tapped out a quick reply, letting Agnes know it would be a perfect compromise. Elaine wasn’t thrilled with the truck idea to begin with either, so Fallon knew she’d be on board with the change.
“It sounds like you’ve gone above and beyond what you were brought there to take care of. I’m sure Agnes and company are happy with the attention you’re giving their festival.”
Fallon opened the parade file and made a note about the buckboard wagon. Maybe she’d contact the owners for an interview. If this was their first appearance in the parade, a little profile and press release wouldn’t hurt for local media even if it was short notice.
“I think they are. I’m just done. Besides, this town is like Christmas Central.” She eyed the mini faux tree on the side table next to the sofa. The diminutive gold balls caught the light overhead, winking at her, rubbing it in.
“Now we’re getting somewhere,” June said with humor in her tone. “Little Miss Scrooge is uncomfortable being in such close proximity to all that holiday spirit.”
She wasn’t going to deny it. The Behars and their December First party was enough. And then she’d found Blueberry Point Lodge practically drowning in holiday decor inside and out, which Darcy proudly noted was because she’d hired that celebrity lights installer from the Twin Cities and his interior designer fiancée.A Christmas Dream Team, she’d gushed. Fallon knew the guy from his face plastered on several billboards around town. Now, even the coffee shop taunted her with its cheery holiday vibe. Fallon flicked one of the mini decorations on the tree with her finger and sent it swinging.
“Sorry. I’m a miserable person to be around this time of year.”
June huffed. “Nonsense. Everyone loves you, no matter what month it is.”
Her boss knew where her aversion to all things Christmas came from. She’d even tried to cure Fallon of her “affliction” early on when Fallon was a new hire, inviting her to her family’s annual holiday open house, her daughter’s Christmas choral concert at the university, and a Christmas cookie exchange with the ladies’ group at church.The cookies don’t even need to look Christmas-y, June had said when Fallon had asked what to bring.
Fallon smiled. “I appreciate you saying that, June. Really, it means the world to me.”
One of the baristas headed toward Fallon’s corner. At first, she thought she might be talking too loudly. Or they’d noticed she hadn’t yet ordered anything and wanted her to get a coffee or leave. Fallon had her excuse ready: She’d been deep in thought about answering an email and got sidetracked. Of course she planned on getting a coffee. Something sweet too, maybe a muffin or scone, whatever the barista recommended. But when the young woman named Danielle, according to her name tag, set a glass mug of hot chocolate in front of her with a peppermint-coated chocolate stir stick poking out from the whipped cream top, Fallon forgot all about her ready-made excuse.
“What’s this?” she asked, not taking her eyes off the cheery confection. It looked pretty enough for a Hallmark Christmas movie.
“What’s going on?” June cut in.
“It’s from him,” the barista said, pointing discreetly behind her.
Fallon held up the drink so June could see. “I have a secret admirer, I guess?”
She peered around the barista toward the front counter. Kade leaned against it on one elbow, the other hand hooked in his front pocket. He nodded, a little grin turning up one corner of his mouth.
“June, I’ve got to go.” She moved the cursor over the exit button to end the call while her pulse hit a higher rhythm.
“You’re not going anywhere until you tell me who ‘him’ is.” June’s saucer-eyed face loomed closer to her screen, searching for the answer.
“I’ll talk to you later.” There was a“Wait, no!”before Fallon moved the cursor to cut June off mid-protest.
“Thanks so much,” she said to Danielle. Fallon found a dollar bill for the barista, tucked it into her palm, then rose to see what Kade was up to.
As he watched her approach with that same easy smile, Fallon swallowed hard. She didn’t understand the skip-beat tempo of her pulse.What was this all about?
“I hope the hot chocolate isn’t too over-the-top,” Kade said when she stopped in front of him. “I admit I cringed a little when she added all the flourishes. Knowing your dislike for the holidays.”
She poked him in the chest. “Are you mocking me?”
