Page 1 of The Scrooge of the Mountain

Chapter1

Nick

“Merry Christmas, Nick!”Quinn says as she slides my coffee across the counter.

Bah! Humbug!I think old Ebenezer was onto something. There’s too much joy in the world this time of year. Too much cheer. And as I glance around Windy Brews, there’s too much tinsel.

I grunt. “Thanksgiving was last week.”

But that detail matters to no one in Whispering Winds. Pumpkins were tossed and garlands went up the day after Halloween. Wreaths and ribbons and twinkling lights were soon to follow. If the residents of this small town had their way, Christmas would be a year-round affair. There’d be public fountains dispensing hot chocolate with Santa’s elves handing out candy canes and marshmallows. Mariah Carey would serenade Main Street from strategically hidden speakers.

Speaking of… All I want for Christmas is not to have this song assault my ears every time I walk inside a building.

“So the countdown to Christmas begins,” Quinn says, readjusting her elf ear hat. “The Christmas market opens this weekend! Are you going?”

I remove the Christmas-themed, buffalo-plaid coffee sleeve from my paper cup and slide it back to her.

“No.”

I sip my coffee, turn, and then head for a booth, ignoring Quinn as she mutters Scrooge under her breath as though it’s something I should be ashamed of.

I’m not. I embrace my inner Scrooge wholeheartedly. There’s no magic in Christmas for me anymore, and nothing could change that.

I find an open booth as far away from the speakers as possible and check my phone. There’s a message from Aiden that I missed.

Aiden:Running late. There’s a hot chocolate vendor at the Inn and Juliet wanted some. Want me to grab you one?”

Okay… I was only half-kidding about the fountains but apparently, the town read my mind. Before I have the chance to respond, the door to Windy Brews opens and Aiden and Juliet walk inside.

I sigh when I see him wearing a bright red Santa hat on his head. I groan when I spot Pumpkin, their Corgi, wearing the same elf hat as Quinn. Apparently, not even animals are safe in Whispering Winds’ Christmasfication.

“Merry Christmas, Nick,” Juliet says as I slide out of the booth.

My jaw tightens as I lean in for a hug. “Morning. How was the trip?”

I’ve known Aiden my entire life. We spent our childhood running all over this town and surrounding mountains. Never thought I’d see the day he’d leave Whispering Winds, but he’s been back and forth between here and there more times than I can count.

He’s been helping Juliet as she winds down her role at her old office, transitioning to our joint venture here in Whispering Winds—combining Juliet’s matchmaking business with our romantic cabin escapes. The rentals are thriving, but with Juliet’s addition, we’ll be booked year-round.

“Wonderful! And I have some great news.” Juliet’s so excited that she’s nearly vibrating. “The first couple is set to arrive in two weeks.”

That’s not good. Well, it is good, but not ideal.

“That’s great,” I say slowly, forcing a smile as I glance toward Aiden. “I thought we planned on next year. Aren’t we fully booked with our current cabins until March?”

“Yes, but I found theperfectcouple. They’re Christmasholics who wanted to spend the holiday together. I know the last cabin still needs work, but Aiden said we could finish it before they arrive.”

It’s already done. I’ve been living in it for nearly a month because it’s closer to my unfinished cabin than my childhood home. Once the snow starts, it’s difficult to trek back and forth up the mountain.

“Christmasholics?” I’m not sure that’s a word.

“They’re addicted to Christmas,” Juliet says, looking at me like I’m the odd one.

Aiden clears his throat. “You’ll be done with your cabin by then, right?”

I should’ve been done more than a month ago, but that’s the story with construction. Everything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Delays, delays, delays. And building in the mountains above Whispering Winds proves to be a constant challenge.

“About that…”

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