Page 117 of A Very Merry Mistake

I laugh because here I am, walking down the road with a suitcase in tow, just like the first time I visited. But this time, it’s not temporary.

When I turn onto the sidewalk of the neighborhood I’ll now be calling home, an overwhelming amount of happiness soars through me. I check the addresses, and when I’m standing in front of my new place, all I can do is smile.

“Home sweet home.” I breathe in deeply, knowing this is where I’ll live. No more New York.

White Christmas lights trim the roof and windows, lighting the entire yard. Every house on the street is decorated. It’s a requirement for anyone who lives within city limits, something I adore about this place.

The two-story country home with red shutters and green roof is festive, and I adore it already. I take the steps up the porch, loving the two tiny Christmas trees on both sides of the entryway. I punch in the key code, and the door unlocks. Once inside, I flick on the lights and am amazed by how spacious it is. Or maybe it seems like that because it’s empty.

I stroll through the living room, kitchen, the main bedroom that’s downstairs, and the gigantic bathroom. Then I make my way upstairs, where there are two more bedrooms, an upper den area, and a bathroom. To be honest, this is a lot of house for me, and I’ll probably stay downstairs most of the time, but that’s okay.

I’m in Merryville, and that’s all that matters.

* * *

I wake up and stretch, feeling like a million pounds have been lifted from my chest. The house is empty, something I told my real estate agent I’d take care of when I was settled. Right now, all I have is a bed, a couch, and appliances.

Last night, the temperature dropped into the twenties. I turned on the furnace before I fell asleep and I’m thankful, because there isn’t a chill in the room.

After I use the bathroom and brush my teeth, I go to the kitchen, where there’s an espresso maker that’s like Jake’s. It was a requirement of mine. The only problem is there are no coffee beans, and I have no dishes. So I’m currently running with no caffeine.

When I glance out the front window, dark, angry clouds float above. I return to my room and grab my cell phone to check the forecast. There’s a break for the next few hours, so if I get dressed and leave now, maybe I’ll avoid getting wet.

I pull a pair of jeans and a sweater from my suitcase and grab my beanie with the fuzzy ball on the end. After getting ready, I wait ten minutes, then make the hike to my truck.

As I glance at my neighbor’s house across the street, it’s hard not to notice their pretty Christmas tree in the front window. I didn’t have one in my penthouse, but I think that will change this season.

Christmas Day is in seventy-two hours, and I know the perfect place to get a tree. I’ll add that to my list.

CHAPTER 34

JAKE

“Glad you took my advice and pulled the stick outta your ass,” Hudson says when I walk past him. I’ve got a coffee in my gloved hand and wore an extra-thick coat since it’s nearing the twenties.

I give him a grin, not ready to tell him what I’m smiling about yet. I’ll share the news over lunch with him and Lucas, but until then, I’ve got a shift to get through. “What do you need me to do today?”

“Well, since you’re in a better mood, why don’t you help shoppers? Lucas is hungover, and I’d rather put him on pre-cut duty so he can get over his attitude.”

I nod and go to the front, where we keep the golf carts to drive customers around. The farm is so large, we’ve found this to be the easiest way to travel quickly.

It’s just past seven, and we’ve only been open for ten minutes, but the parking lot is already full. It’s incredible to see so many last-minute shoppers driving all this way. Then again, it’s also odd because I don’t remember the last time we’ve been this busy.

A woman who reminds me of Mawmaw pulls up with her Cadillac’s window down. “Hi, sweetie, are you JJ?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Honey, I’d like for you to help me pick out a tree,” she says, her Southern drawl thick.

“Great! Why don’t you park and meet me right there?” I point in the direction of the parking area, and she quickly finds a spot.

I walk to the edge of the sidewalk. “You from around here?”

“No, just outside of Dallas.”

My eyes widen. “That’s kinda far, almost ten hours away.”

“That’s right,” she says. “But I wanted to meet you, after hearin’ about you on the internet.”

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