Small Town Christmas (Blue Harbor #4) - Olivia Miles Page 0,1
course.” The man shook his head, looking doubtful for standing there, and set a hand on the doorknob. “It’s Thanksgiving. I saw the light on, and I thought I would try.”
Cora glanced at her box of decorations and then at the coo-coo clock on the wall (Nutcracker themed, and not for sale!) and knew with regret that she couldn’t invite him to stay even if she wanted to.
And oh, did she want to.
“I’m afraid I’m just wrapping up. No pun intended,” she added with a smile, before immediately giving herself an internal kick. It wasn’t every day that handsome men walked into her shop, not unless they were on the hand of a wife or girlfriend, and she was a little out of practice when it came to the art of flirtation. She stepped off the ladder, only realizing then that the man was tall, and age-appropriate, too. Early to mid-thirties, she’d say, with the faintest laugh lines at the corners of his eyes that made him feel approachable. From the expensive wool coat and slick leather shoes he was wearing, she pegged him for a tourist, city stock, no doubt. But then, it was a holiday. Perhaps he was just dressed up for the day.
Likely, he was just in town for the day.
Still, it wouldn’t hurt to ask. “But we open early tomorrow?”
She framed it by way of invitation, hoping that he would see that she wanted him to return, and not just because she could use the sale.
“Of course. It’s a holiday. You must have plans.”
“Family dinner,” she said, nodding. “I don’t think my sisters would ever forgive me if I let the turkey go cold.”
The man seemed to look panic stricken for a moment, before rubbing a hand over his jaw. “Turkey, right. That’s what people usually do on Thanksgiving, isn’t it?”
Cora frowned at the man, wondering if this was some sort of joke or attempt at banter, but realized by the bewildered expression that had come over his face that he was dead serious. He scanned the room for a moment, as if he was trying to think, or remember something, and then took a step back, sighing with what seemed to be regret.
Cora bit back her own sigh of the exact same feelings. Turkey was great, and she usually loved Thanksgiving, but right now, standing alone in this shop with this man, she couldn’t help but feel the urge to start some new traditions. Ones that would nicely start right under this ball of mistletoe.
“Tomorrow then,” he said, nodding.
“I’ll be here,” she said, smiling broadly, and hoping she was simply coming across as friendly, rather than eager. “Happy Thanksgiving!” she added, showing her hospitality. After all, at Harbor Holidays, there was something for every season and holiday, even Halloween. A girl had to do what a girl had to do around here.
“Of course.” The man looked distracted as he pulled open the door, letting a gust of icy wind float through the usually warm and cozy space. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
He gave her a grin that made her knees go more than a little weak, and then disappeared out onto the quiet street, where the snow immediately began to gather on his dark hair. Cora pretended to straighten the sign on her door as she watched him go, wondering just exactly what that was all about and if she really would see him again.
She glanced up at the mistletoe that hung above the ladder and bit her lip to hide her smile, just in case he happened to be looking back.
Tomorrow. She didn’t know how she’d sleep through the night, but luckily, a big turkey dinner with all the fixings might just do the trick.
*
Phil opened the door to his luxury SUV and slid onto the heated seat, even though the silent fumes coming from his daughter had kept him all too warm and uncomfortable for the entire drive from Chicago. He’d hoped to make the visit to the holiday shop quick, nothing more than an errand, really—and he had—but he hadn’t accomplished what he’d set out to do. He’d been too distracted by the fumble at the door, the harried but tense road trip, and the pressure of everything he was missing back in the office taking not just today but tomorrow off as well.
And he’d been admittedly disarmed by the sweet smile of the shop girl, and the warmth of her blue eyes. And then there was the matter of Thanksgiving! He had the nagging