The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,11
seriously hurt himself. “Because I’ve always thought we could use more finger food.”
“Hilarious,” Jack muttered, sucking on his offended finger. “Why are they coming here?”
“For a late lunch.”
“I’m curious, what made her decide to stay longer?”
“I don’t know all the details. But it sounds like they couldn’t find what she was looking for, so she’s sticking around town until they do.”
Still licking his wound, Jack couldn’t decide how he felt about the news. On one hand, he was anxious to see her again. On the other hand, it was much safer for his heart if he didn’t.
He’d already fallen for a woman who cared more about possessions than people.
And he couldn’t risk making the same mistake twice.
Chapter 6
Gnawing her bottom lip, Kat paced the musty bedroom, waiting for Fern to answer the phone. Her gaze kept drifting to the empty box and perplexing riddle. Definitely not how she’d expected the day to go.
“Hi, mija. I’m just starting the tamales. When will you be home?”
“I’m afraid I won’t be back tonight after all.”
“Oh?” Despite her inflection, she didn’t sound surprised.
“The special errand I mentioned earlier is taking longer than I’d anticipated.”
“You mean the top secret one you won’t tell me about?”
“Yep, that’s the one.” Kat smiled at the older woman’s teasing lilt.
“Should I send you a few things? A change of clothes, perhaps?”
“No, that’s all right. I should be home by tomorrow night at the latest. I can make do until then.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. But thank you.” Kat definitely didn’t want to explain what had brought her to Poppy Creek. Although, she sometimes wondered if Fern could read minds and knew her thoughts even before she did.
“Have fun, mija. I can’t wait to hear all about your mysterious adventure when you get back.”
Feeling comforted—as she usually did after talking to Fern—Kat bid her goodbye and ended the call.
A second later, Penny pranced through the doorway, a grin splashed across her face. “Guess what? Trudy has a room available! And she said there’s no charge since my family is her family.”
“Oh, I couldn’t impose like that,” Kat insisted, despite her empty bank account.
“Good luck talking her out of it. She can be pretty stubborn,” Penny said warmly. “Before you check in, let’s get something to eat. I’m famished and there’s someone I want you to meet.”
For some unknown reason, Kat’s thoughts immediately flew to the man she’d assaulted on the street earlier. Jack was his name, wasn’t it? Either way, she had no idea why the image of his benevolent blue eyes flashed into her mind. Or why her stomach fluttered the instant it did. “I am a little hungry….” She’d brought a couple of Fern’s cookies for the drive, but that’s all she’d had to eat since her cup of black coffee and dry toast that morning.
Penny spun toward the door, then froze, her face brightening with a sudden recollection. “Wait! First, we need to find you some clothes.”
“That really isn’t necessary….” Although a generous offer, she’d already settled on washing her undergarments in the sink and hanging them to dry by a furnace or fireplace, assuming her room had one.
“Don’t be silly! Half the fun of my job is helping people put together beautiful outfits. And I just got in a gorgeous peacoat in the most stunning shade of kelly green that’ll go perfectly with your red hair. You’ll look like Christmas personified.”
Kat ran a hand over the faded black wool of her shapeless overcoat, contrasting it with the shimmering vintage shawl wrapped around her sister’s tall, willowy frame.
“Maybe the coat,” she relented. “If it’s not too expensive. I don’t have much room in my budget for new clothes.” Or a stick of gum, she thought morosely.
Penny placed one hand on her hip, her copper eyes twinkling. “I see you’re going to be a tough nut to crack. Are you this bad at accepting Christmas presents?”
Kat hesitated. Truthfully, she’d only ever exchanged gifts with Fern. “I’m sorry. I guess I’m not used to strangers being so generous.”
She realized her blunder a second too late. Sure, the term was technically accurate, but calling her sister a stranger sounded harsh even to her own ears. How would she balance keeping an emotional distance without being cold and uncaring? It seemed next to impossible.
At her words, Penny’s smile faltered, but only for a moment. “Well, let’s see if we can change that, shall we?”
Halfway through browsing the racks of elegant vintage clothing, Kat forgot all about her reticence. Penny found several items