Page 87 of Mad About Yule

He laughs against my neck, and his warm breath makes me cling even tighter to him. “I can’t wait to show you all my skills.”

I have died. Burnt up to a crisp, leaving nothing but an ashy pile of want with a little sign that saysHere lies Hope Parrish, killed by too much flirtation.

Pushing against his chest, I try oh so hard to bring my thoughts back together. “I have to start painting.”

He doesn’t move. “Right now?”

Those luscious hazel-green eyes aredoing thingsto me. I resist for about three seconds before I melt against him.

“Five more minutes.”

* * *

I never thoughtI would count down the minutes until I closed up my shop, but I’ve got my eye on the clock, ready to punch out. For two days straight, the little bell over The Painted Daisy’s door hasn’t stopped ringing. I scurried around like a grinning whirlwind, ringing up sales, replacing stock, and talking up our local artists. Griffin popped by both days, but it’s been too busy for me to break for lunch, even with Abby in the store.

Is it wrong that I like how he’s checking up on me? He wants to make sure I’m taking care of myself and eating right, and it’s the most adorable thing. I text him another waffle, just because I’m a dork.

Black Friday and Small Business Saturday have refilled my store’s tills and rejuvenated my confidence that this little shop has staying power, but I’m wrung out. All I want is a steamy bath. More likely, I’ll collapse in bed with my clothes on like I did last night, but I’ll dream of a sudsy soak while I’ve got the energy.

I’ve just left the counter to lock the front door when I spot a woman on the other side of the glass. It doesn’t happen often, but I get the occasional straggler who keeps me open late by squeezing in just before closing. I know I should be grateful for the business, but tonight I’m tired all the way down to my boots.

The woman pushes the door open, and I can feel that hot bath slipping away.

“Welcome to the Painted—Lila?”

My sister stands just inside the door, a vision of loveliness, glancing around like she’s not sure she’s in the right place. Finally, she meets my eyes, and her lost look morphs until she’s beaming at me. “Surprise!”

Um…no kidding. I’m both excited to have her here and absolutely confused that she is.

We hug in the middle of the store. “What are you doing?” I ask when I step back.

“I’m here to help.” She grins even wider, like she’s congratulating me on my good fortune.

“Help?”

“With the Christmas festival. You never sent me those permissions, so here I am.”

“Here you are.” My enthusiasm doesn’t quite match hers.

She zooms over to one of the jewelry displays and lightly touches a delicate chain dotted with coral-colored gemstones. “What are these bracelets set with?”

“Sunstones,” I say automatically. I can’t believe my sister is standing in my store. Impulsiveness used to be her norm, but Lila hasn’tdropped insince she started dating Josh three years ago. “When did you get in town?”

“Just now. I’ve been driving all day, and I’m starving. What do you say to dinner? My treat.”

I can’t stop staring. Only Lila could drive six hours on winter roads and still look flawless, with her dark hair in a sleek updo and her stylish wool jacket over her neat jeans. Her sweater is probably cashmere, and a hint of her fresh, green perfume wafts over me. I would have looked and smelled like a swamp monster after driving down from Seattle.

“You drove here? Why? Is Josh with you?”

“Josh stayed in Seattle. He knows I wanted to be here with you and see the big Christmas festival you’re putting on.” She snatches up one of the handbags Wren’s been admiring. “Is this real leather?”

“No, it’s vegan. What about your job? You can just leave for the week?”

She waves a hand like this conversation can’t hold her interest. “Don’t worry about it.”

“But what are you doing here?”

Her eager enthusiasm crumples. “You’re acting like it’s a crime to visit my family. Don’t you want me here?”

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