The Meaning in Mistletoe - Rachael Bloome Page 0,17

echoed inside her head.

Time waits for no man….

Why did the phrase sound so familiar?

Juggling her belongings, she eased open the door to her suite. Her breath immediately caught in her throat. Directly across from the threshold, a fully decorated Christmas tree sparkled in front of an expansive bay window, its silvery lights glittering around the room like tiny prisms. The fragrant branches dispersed the most delightful aroma of fresh cedar, and Kat briefly closed her eyes, savoring the scent.

As her eyelids drifted open, she noticed two snug reading chairs arranged in front of a quaint potbelly stove. A queen-size canopy bed rested against the opposite wall, its thick quilt dotted with embroidered evergreen trees.

She set the shopping bags on the tufted bench at the foot of the bed before crossing the room to inspect an exquisite grandfather clock similar to one she’d seen in Penny’s apartment. Rather than numbers on the dial, the hands ticked past images depicting the various phases of the moon and sun.

As she studied the unusual design, Trudy’s words flooded her mind.

Time waits for no man.

Retrieving her cell phone from her coat pocket, Kat pulled up the photo she’d taken of the riddle.

The stars wait for no man.

That’s why it sounded so familiar! Her pulse quickened as the pieces started to fall into place.

The stars wait for no man, and neither does the sun. Once you think it’s over, it’s really just begun.

Each line could be referring to the passage of time. Which meant…

She hastily scrolled through her contacts, looking for the number Penny had programmed into her phone earlier, then remembered her date with Colt—the one her fiancé had attempted to turn into a double date.

While sweet, the offer had been grossly misguided. Not only did being around Penny elicit too many painful memories, but spending time with Jack evoked an emotion far worse… hope.

Grateful for his one remaining single friend, Jack welcomed Reed Hollis into his home with a boisterous grin, which broadened when he caught sight of the white paper bag in his hand. The Sadie’s Sweet Shop logo stamped on the front instantly made his mouth water and he snatched it from Reed’s grasp.

“What’d you bring?” The paper crinkled as Jack rooted around inside.

“All your favorites, don’t worry.” Reed shrugged out of his sherpa-lined coat, hanging it on a rustic hook by the front door. “I wasn’t sure if Grant would be home, so I brought enough for three of us.”

Jack shoved a pecan caramel square into his mouth, amused by Reed’s comment. Although Grant lived in the cozy guesthouse behind his cabin—which he’d originally built for his sister’s visits—he rarely saw him anymore. Ever since he got engaged, Grant spent most of his time with Eliza, Ben, and their dog, Vinny, basically using the guesthouse as a place to sleep. “It’s just you and me tonight. Two sad bachelors stuffing their faces with chocolate.”

“Hey,” Reed laughed, kicking his boots off before flopping onto the couch. “I brought taffy and licorice, too.”

A sucker for the sweet, star anise flavor, Jack dug inside the bag, finally retrieving a handful of black licorice shaped like lumps of coal—fitting, given his grinch status this year. Satisfied with his selection for the moment, he handed the bag back to Reed before sinking into his oversize plaid recliner.

“I was surprised you called,” Reed admitted, choosing an amaretto truffle for himself. “Doesn’t Lucy usually visit this time of year?”

The slippery candy slid down Jack’s throat, lodging in his esophagus. Coughing violently, he pounded a fist against his chest until it shook loose, reopening his airways.

“Are you okay?” Reed asked with concern.

“I’m fine,” Jack croaked, his eyes watering. Leaping to his feet, he crossed the short distance to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. When he’d finally caught his breath, he shared, “Lucy can’t make it this year.”

“Oh, man. I’m sorry. I know how much you look forward to seeing her.”

“Thanks. I’ll miss her, but life happens.” Rather, his parents happened, but he didn’t feel like going into the dreary details at the moment.

While Reed arranged the deck of cards on the coffee table for their game of gin rummy, Jack set a saucepan on the stove to make a quick batch of apple cider, trying not to think about Lucy’s canceled trip.

What he wouldn’t give to have his little sister back in Poppy Creek for good. For a time, he’d even considered setting her up with Reed. In Jack’s opinion, she couldn’t do better than