Page 56 of Love, Lies and Sleigh Rides
Jed’s buffalo-check hat was easy to spot. The guy was handing over money to someone at the concessions table for a coffee and muffin. When Jed saw Kade approach, the look on his face told Kade he’d heard more of the conversation with Elaine than Kade thought.
“I need to talk to you if you don’t mind, Jed.” He nodded to a quiet corner. “Can we talk in private?”
“Of course.”
Kade crossed his arms when they found an empty spot in the room. An enormous tree decorated with a forest animals theme blocked them from most of the crowd milling around.
“I’m not sure how much you heard when my mother and I were talking outside.”
“I heard enough,” Jed said, grim-faced.
“It was news to me, that you would be driving us instead of someone else.”
“Can I ask what the problem is? Aside from the fact that you don’t want to use my wagon?”
Kade looked down at his shoes. Truthfully, the guy had been nothing but nice to him. A little nosy maybe, but friendly. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his family’s opinion of the guy, but didn’t Jed deserve a fair shot from him?
“Pops—my dad—mentioned you’d asked about buying land from us a few times.”
“I have.” He shrugged. “It doesn’t hurt to ask.”
“I think he’s taken offense at being asked…more than once.”
Jed nodded, pressing his lips together. “It wouldn’t be the first time I’d ticked off someone. I have a problem with latching on to ideas and not letting go.”
That surprised Kade. He didn’t know the guy well enough to judge whether or not he was truthful. But the same sentiment could apply to him.
Latching on to ideas…
“Listen, tell your dad I apologize for coming on too strong.” Jed looked around, his ear flaps brushing against his shoulders. “Is he here today? I should tell him myself.”
“He’s at home. I’ll pass along your message.” He sighed. “I’m sorry for the misunderstanding. I feel like an idiot for having to admit you rubbed us the wrong way, especially when you’ve brought your buckboard into town just for us today.”
Jed waved him off. “Not a problem. I get it.”
Kade thrust his hands in his pockets, thinking.Would it really be so hard to—
“On second thought, we’d love for you to drive us.” That wasn’t as hard to say as he imagined.
Jed’s smile lit his face. “Yeah? Fantastic!”
Kade made arrangements to meet Jed at the parade launch site near the market. Now to wait for his mother to return with the Santa suit.
What had he gotten himself into?
ChapterTwenty-One
Ineed a favor…
Fallon stopped on the sidewalk in front of the florist shop to stare at her phone, trying to make sense of the message from Elaine. Without going into details, Elaine’s message sounded desperate enough.
Elaine’s next text popped up a second later:
Can you meet me at the auction house in ten minutes?
Her fingers hovered over her phone, wanting to turn Elaine down. Fallon already had enough on her plate with Agnes talking her into handing out awards for the parade. But it wouldn’t be right. She held a soft spot of Elaine; the woman had been nothing but gracious to her since their first meeting two months ago. Elaine needed her today.
Of course. I’ll be there,Fallon texted back.
