The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,15

he’s supposed to take the customer’s order not canoodle with them.”

“I think he’s trying to guarantee a good tip,” Penny teased. “Jack, this is my sister, Kat. Kat, this is our good friend, Jack. He owns the diner.”

“Actually, we’ve already met,” he admitted, trying not to recall the brazen way he’d asked her out—or her polite rejection.

“You have?” Penny asked, sounding surprised.

“Earlier today. She attacked me on the sidewalk in front of your store.” As he met Kat’s gaze, he tried to keep a straight face, unable to resist teasing her.

“Hey!” she protested, her tone matching his mirth. “It was self-defense. You could have been a mugger.”

“True.” He nodded in mock seriousness. “Poppy Creek is well known for its shocking crime rate.”

Her lips twitched as though holding back a laugh.

“Interesting…” Colt glanced between them, both eyebrows raised.

Catching his friend’s scheming expression, Jack cleared his throat. “So, what would you two ladies like to order this evening?”

“I’ll have the cinnamon-and-coffee steak with a side of grilled asparagus and roasted potatoes, please.” Penny closed her menu and propped it between the condiment bottles.

“And I’d love the mother lode chili and cornbread,” Kat added, nestling her menu beside Penny’s.

For a moment, Jack simply stared. Based on Colt’s gossip from earlier, he’d expected her to choose one of the fancier options, which wasn’t fair considering he barely knew her. A tiny pang of guilt—and embarrassment—pricked his heart for judging her so quickly.

“Excellent choice,” he said warmly. “One of my favorites.”

“Hey, I just had an idea,” Colt cut in. “Penny and I have a date night planned for this evening, but why don’t the four of us do something together? We can give Kat a tour of Poppy Creek before she heads home.”

Jack straightened, immediately sobered by Colt’s words. Before she heads home… He’d do well to remember her presence in town was only temporary.

“That’s very kind of you,” Kat said with a strained smile. “But I’m pretty worn out from the long drive today. If you don’t mind, I think I’ll call it a night once we finish dinner.”

While Colt and Penny expressed how they understood, but would miss her, Jack couldn’t have been more relieved.

The only way he could positively avoid not falling for this woman was to stay as far away from her as possible.

Chapter 8

As the car tires rattled down the gravel road, Kat gripped the steering wheel in silent frustration. Although they’d labored over the riddle during dinner—even asking Colt for help—they weren’t able to reach a satisfying conclusion. In desperation, they’d settled on two flimsy possibilities—Timothy’s telescope and the sundial—based on the riddle’s references to the sun and stars. But neither option seemed to encompass the entire riddle, and Kat wasn’t surprised when they checked both locations after dinner and came up empty-handed.

At this rate, she’d be stuck in Poppy Creek forever.

Passing through an open gate, she sucked in a breath as a stunning Victorian home came into view, its buttery yellow exterior illuminated by twinkling Christmas lights in a soft, golden hue.

After parking in the covered carport, Kat climbed out of the driver’s seat only to stand perfectly still, in awe of her surroundings. Lush green vines ambled up each side of the stately exterior as if swaddling the residence in a warm blanket. Based on the inn’s name, Kat wondered if they were morning glory vines and imagined how the building would look engulfed in vibrant indigo flowers in the springtime.

But her favorite feature was the inviting front porch that boasted a cozy seating area generous enough to accommodate several guests. Lanterns flickered on the tabletops and thick throw blankets were draped over the plush couches and chairs.

As she gazed at the idyllic setting, a familiar longing filled her heart. In the quiet moments, when she allowed herself to dream, she’d envision running an inn of her own, even grander than this one, with enough space to host workshops like pottery, quilting, and stained-glass. Maybe even self-defense classes, if she so chose. Possibly even large enough for its own elegant restaurant.

But above all, she dreamed of keeping the most opulent suite available for someone in need of a rejuvenating retreat but who couldn’t afford it. Someone like Fern or one of their many Hope Hideaway residents.

Of course, that’s all it was—a silly dream. She’d never leave Fern or Starcross Cove. And yet, she found herself drawn to discovering what else the Morning Glory Inn had to offer, to tuck away the inspiration for future quiet moments.

Lugging the