is days old at this point, and no one’s been hauled to jail for public intoxication in weeks. They need fodder.”
The bell chimed again and Clementine from The Bacon and Biscuit popped into the store. She smiled widely when she saw Becca and Joey. “Congrats on the new romance, guys. I had no idea. Never would have imagined it after that fiery town meeting.”
Joey squinted. “I’m sorry, what?”
Clementine hooked a thumb behind her. “Ran into Thelma outside. She told me all about it. Called you lovebirds.”
“Lord help me,” Joey deadpanned.
“It’s better than your old nickname,” Brenda Anne offered feebly.
“What’s your old nickname?” Becca asked. Joey didn’t have the heart to say the word and gestured for Brenda Anne to go ahead.
Brenda Anne leaned forward toward Becca as if including her in a secret. “Jilted. That’s what they called her around town after, well, you know. They meant it as a joke. Everyone did.”
Joey sighed. “Because of the whole left-at-the-altar thing.”
“No, I get it,” Becca said with disdain. “Seems like a mean joke, though.”
“It was. Sometimes I hate this town,” Clementine said, shaking her head. She’d always been a kind soul, and Joey was grateful for their friendship. But Clem had never made a secret of her frustrations with injustice and mean people. She was a good-hearted human.
“I’m sorry they did that,” Becca said, with true sadness visible in her eyes.
“Oh, it’s okay. They thought I was laughing with them, I guess.” Joey played it off like it was the smallest of incidents that she’d so moved beyond. Pshhh. Barely even thought about the full-blown humiliation, much less the life-altering heartbreak.
Becca looked at her. “It’s not.”
Joey glanced at Brenda Anne, who had the same sympathetic look on her face. Clementine shook her head, and Joey was right back there again, remembering what it felt like to be the pitiful one in town, the abandoned, the unwanted, and the devastated. She swallowed and tried to pull herself out of it before she spiraled. “Find that garland?” she asked Brenda Anne brightly, who nodded and slid the boxes across the counter.
“Certainly did. It’ll look beautiful on your tree.”
“I think so, too.” Joey added her own shopping additions to the pile and handed over her credit card. Her cheeks felt hot and not in a good way. She wondered if the other three were exchanging glances about her now as she signed the slip, wondering if she was okay, and what they should say to make her feel better. She hated it. “The tasting room is going to look amazing by the end of the week. Loretta is a whiz at decorating schemes, and I pitch in. You’ll have to stop by,” she told Brenda Anne. “You, too,” she said over her shoulder to Clem. She smiled at Becca and held up her bagged items. “I better get back to work before Loretta sends out a search party.”
Becca followed her to the door. “Will I see you later?” she asked. She lightly touched Joey’s hand, which made Joey melt and forget all the discomfort of the past few minutes.
“Well, are you free after work for a little decorating at Tangle Valley? We’ll be having hot mulled wine and carols as we work.”
“I’ve never had hot wine before. I think I need to.”
“You do.” Joey did a little hand touching of her own and did her best to make eyes. Probably something she should practice. “See you after hours.”
“That sounds scandalous. Don’t tell the Biddies.”
Joey locked an imaginary key in front of her lips. “Our secret.” She headed for the door.
“For now,” Becca said, with confidence. It sent a delicious shiver down Joey’s spine, and she took a last look at Becca in her black suit.
Sweet Lord. ’Twas the season, indeed.
Chapter Eleven
The early evening could best be described as blustery, but in the best way possible when one was decorating for the holidays. November had always been a chilly but beautiful month in Whisper Wall and Joey’s favorite time of year. The grapes were in process, which meant new wine was on the way under Madison’s strict supervision. People wore jackets and scarves and smiled at one another for a beat longer. Families and coworkers traveled together to the tasting room, which always became more crowded when the cold weather moved in, since the outdoor tables became less popular. Plus, Joey loved the aroma of hot mulled wine, which they sold by the mug daily in the late fall and winter. Experiencing it all without