The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,13

neglected landmark in need of massive reconstruction—or demolition.

Wringing the dishrag tightly in his hands, Jack muttered, “Sure thing, Mr. Mayor.”

“Excellent. I look forward to seeing your best efforts.” With a smug grin, Burns turned on his heel.

Gritting his teeth, Jack resisted the urge to flick his retreating backside with the damp towel. The man had a lot of nerve spouting off about the importance of community. But what irked him the most was the mayor’s jab at his lack of Christmas spirit.

As much as he hated to admit it, he was in short supply this year. Between the cancelation of his sister’s visit, his misgivings about Kat, and now the added pressure to create a Burns-approved storefront spectacle, he’d almost run out.

Chapter 7

As they approached the restaurant, Kat’s gaze immediately flew to the wooden sign above the entrance.

Jack’s Diner.

Heat crept up her neck. Could it be owned by her Jack? Well, not her Jack. The Jack she’d met earlier. The Jack who— She shook her head sharply, abruptly halting her ridiculous train of thought.

Squaring her shoulders, she followed Penny through the heavy, solid oak door. Hundreds of men were named Jack. And even if it did turn out to be the same one, so what? He was nothing more than a kind stranger she’d met on the street.

Despite her assertion, her body temperature continued to rise, splashing color across her cheeks. She stubbornly blamed the effect on the hearty fire crackling in the stone hearth.

“This place is… rustic.” Kat took in the abundance of plaid upholstery, exposed brick walls, and the rough-hewn wood beams stretched across the ceiling.

“Country charm at its finest.” Penny smiled as she shrugged out of her jacket. Draping it over her arm, she ambled toward a cozy booth in the back.

“Shouldn’t we wait to be seated?” Kat glanced around for a hostess. The restaurant bustled with activity even though it couldn’t be more than five o’clock.

“I always sit in the same booth, if it’s available.” Penny plucked the menu from between a bottle of barbecue sauce and ketchup. “Colt says I might as well carve my name on it.”

“Colt?” Kat grabbed a second menu and cracked it open.

“He’s one of the cooks,” Penny explained, her eyes sparkling “and my fiancé.”

Kat’s gaze fell to the antique ruby ring adorning Penny’s left hand. Why hadn’t she noticed it before? “Congratulations.”

“Thank you! He proposed this summer while we were in Greece.”

“How romantic.” Kat peered closer at the ring, noticing the way the ruby sat unusually high on the intricate yellow gold setting. “I’ve never seen a ring like that before.”

“It’s called a locket ring. Or a poison ring, in some circles,” she said with a wry grin. “There’s a hidden compartment beneath the bezel.” She gently flipped it open.

Kat leaned forward, squinting to get a closer look. “What’s inside?”

“Grains of sand. The bright white flecks are from the beach in Greece where Colt proposed. The tan-colored ones are from a secluded cove you actually know quite well.”

“Really?”

“They’re from the beach in front of your house. Of course, I didn’t know you lived there at the time. Colt brought me on a surprise date.” Her features softened. “Truthfully, it was the best date of my life. We had a romantic picnic, built a sandcastle together, and watched the bioluminescent waves crash against the shore. Then, before we left, he gathered some sand in a tiny jar as a memento.”

Kat listened in amazement. “That was you?” she cried, recalling how Fern had asked for her help to arrange everything on the beach. Since Starcross Cove had a reputation for reuniting star-crossed couples, it wasn’t uncommon to assist romantic souls who believed in the legend. But to think… on that occasion it had been her own sister!

“Small world, isn’t it?”

“Sure is,” Kat murmured, suddenly parched.

Thankfully, a man approached their table with two glasses of iced water. “Hey, Penny. I’ll let Colt know you’re here.” His gravelly voice matched his rough-around-the-edges appearance, yet his broad, genuine smile created an appealing contrast.

“Thanks, Vick.”

When he was out of earshot, Penny asked, “What about you? Anyone special in your life?”

Kat nearly choked on an ice cube, sputtering as she lowered her glass. Plucking a paper towel from the roll that served as a substitute for standard table linens, she dabbed the moisture from her chin. “Dating isn’t really on my to-do list.”

“Any particular reason?”

“Let’s just say I didn’t have the best role model.” Kat’s gaze fell to her hands where the paper towel lay crumpled in