Season's Greetings : Christmas Box Set

THE NEXT DAY

Standing outside of Bits and Baubles, I feel a foreboding sense of déjà vu. Silly.

I open the door and enter. The scent of ginger and molasses waft through the air. The store is full of people browsing, but I don’t see any small, unattended children hellbent on taking me out at the knees. I see two employees, but none are the dark-haired man I was hoping for. Slightly disappointed, I scan the shop for Nona. Near the cookie station, Nona talks with her hands to a Hispanic man with olive skin and wavy dark hair. His square jaw leads down to nicely-shaped lips and large, brown eyes. A prominent nose balances out all the powerful features he was gifted. What the hell is in the mountain air? I’m not shocked to notice a ring on his left hand.

Nona glances over at me and lights up. “Romy.” She waves me over. “Come and meet Ollie.”

“Hi.” I smile sheepishly.

“Ollie, Romy just moved here.”

“Is that right? It’s nice to meet you, Romy.” His eyes are full of playfulness and mirth. “You should come to the annual Ugly Sweater Party. My wife, Finley, and I go all out.”

“I wouldn’t want to impose.” People around here are too kind.

He waves his hand dismissively. “The more the merrier. We have a good time trying to top ourselves every year.” He laughs, a full-bellied, joyful sound that’s infectious and makes me believe his attitude.

“It’d be a good way to meet more people, and Caleb will be there, so you’ll know at least one person,” Nona says.

“We can exchange numbers, and I’ll shoot you the invite.”

I appreciate Ollie’s diplomacy.

“Perfect. Oh.” I hand Nona the pie dish. “This is for you and your family. It’s a small thank you for everything.”

“Oh, honey. You didn’t have to do that. You are too sweet.” She pats my cheek.

“It’s my deep-dish apple pie.”

“Apple pie is Caleb’s favorite, you know?”

Ollie coughs to hide his laughter.

“The thank you was for him, too. So that’s great,” I say, spinning it deftly.

“I should get back to the house, Nona. We have more decorating and baking to do. Let me give you my number now, Romy. R-O-M-Y?”

“You got it.”

He rattles off a series of numbers, and I enter it into the keypad and call.

“Got it. I hope you can make it. It’s always a good time. I do have to warn you, people take the sweater competition very seriously.”

“So, I should bring my Ugly A-Game.”

He beams. “Exactly. I like this one, Nona.”

“She’s a good egg.” Nona smiles.

“If she’s got your stamp of approval, I believe it.” Ollie’s fingers fly over the keys. My phone vibrates. I open an invitation with ornaments that spell out ugly. The fabric-covered deer dancing around the phrase ‘Let’s Get Ugly’ makes me laugh. Saluting me with two fingers, he struts out of the store. He has confidence that borders on cocky but comes off charming instead. It makes me want to meet his wife.

“You have to come over tonight for dinner. We’ll serve your pie for dessert.” Nona claps her hands together. “It’ll be lovely. I wanted you to meet my daughter, Leigh, and my son-in-law, Erik. I have another son, Paul, but his daughter is involved in Christmas activities this year, so we’ve missed their company the past few weeks.”

Ready or not, here I come, Caleb.

Chapter Five

Caleb