Chapter Twenty-Two
Merry Christmas, you old wonderful bookstore!
Ivy
When I wake the next morning, I m prepared to ease into a fun, festive Christmas Eve day. I m not prepared for a freshly showered Beau to greet me outside my bedroom door before I ve even had a chance to brush my teeth.
I still need to get gifts for Janey s girls. His damp hair curls at the edges around his ears, and he s obviously brushed his teeth. I can smell the minty flavor on his breath. Can you come shopping with me later? I have no idea what to get.
How can I say no to the panic in his pleading blue eyes? I can t. Especially not with the morning breath I have going on right now. I m not saying anything. I dip my head in a nod.
A few hours later, after brushing my teeth, showering, eating, and helping Beau unbury my car, the two of us are parked downtown in front of a little boutique. The flashy outfits on the mannequins in the window s display could ve come straight out of The Nutcracker. That looks like a cute store.
Beau undoes his seat belt and we both climb out of the car. Want to go inside?
I doubt that store will have anything for the girls. Maybe some cute pajamas. Those pink ones with the Christmas trees are cute, but... I peer through the window a second, then turn back to face Beau. I m sure they d rather have toys. Where were you thinking?
Beau points across the street. There s a bookstore around the corner. They might have something.
Bookstore? I grab Beau s hand. Don t have to tell me twice. The shop wasn t open the day we picked up things for gift baskets, so I m excited to check it out. Maybe too excited. We re across the street and to the store before I realize I m still holding Beau s hand.
Finally coming around to the idea of PDA, I see.
I drop his hand just as the door of the shop swings open. A woman steps outside, shoving her wallet into her purse as she carries a brown sack full of books. Beau steps aside, his hand resting on my back as we make room for her.
Hey, Misty, says Beau.
Her head jerks up from her purse and she freezes. Misty. That s right. The pregnant lady I tried delivering a basket to the other day. Almost didn t recognize her without the antlers.
Oh, hey, you two. I was actually hoping to run into you again. Troy and I are hosting a little get-together later this week. We d love for you to come.
Wish I could, but I m leaving town on the twenty-sixth. A burst of icy wind rushes through, making my shoulders hunch. Beau tugs me closer to his side as Misty tugs her stocking cap further down around her ears.
Really? I thought I heard you were staying longer.
I feel Beau looking at me. That was the original plan. But a friend of mine wants me to come see her in Nashville sooner.
Well, tell your friend that we want you here.
Beau s hand tightens on my waist. I can t help but smile and shake my head. Have I ever met so many people fighting for my simple presence? I don t think my friend will care. She s apparently having a miserable time with her fiancé s family.
What s wrong with his family? Beau asks.
They don t like to lounge around in their pajamas past seven in the morning for starters.
Oof. Misty makes a face. Don t they know lounging around in comfy pajamas is part of the joy of the Christmas season?
Right? My grandma would always give my brother and me new pajamas on Christmas Eve just so we could stay in them all Christmas Day. I look up and catch Beau still staring at me, his blue eyes unreadable.
Well, if your plans change, the invitation is open, says Misty, drawing my focus back to her.
Thanks. By the way, how s Troy? Is his back doing okay?
Misty flaps a hand and gives a little eye roll. He s fine. Already back to work. You can scratch our names off the charity list. Or maybe don t. I m sort of regretting giving up that ham. Bye, now.
Soon as we step into the bookstore, the papery scent of books mixed with pine and cranberry-scented candles hits me. When I spot a rolling ladder leaning against the built-in bookcases, it s all I can do not to climb on and pretend I m Belle from Beauty and the Beast .
Why did I ever become a nurse when I could work in a bookstore like this?
Beau motions to the sign hanging on the front door. Says they re hiring.
Hmm, maybe I ll apply if I can t find a teacher willing to marry me by the time I m forty.
You ve got a baseball player willing to marry you right now, you know.
A few shoppers glance our way. I smack Beau on the chest to show them he s only kidding around. Then I dart toward a towering display of puzzles because I m pretty sure Beau s not kidding around.
I m sorry, he says a few seconds later when he s joined me next to the puzzles.
For what? I pick up a thousand-piece fireplace scene.
For making things awkward for you. I know my family and I... we can be a lot sometimes. I hope we weren t coming at you too strong last night. We were just joking around.
So your family doesn t really want us to get married?
Oh, my family definitely wants us to get married. I m just sorry if we made you feel uncomfortable about it.
Thing is, they didn t. They made me feel... wanted. Beau makes me feel wanted. I m just not sure why he wants me when a guy like him could have his pick of women. Including his adorable neighbor. I caught a glimpse of her and she s the very definition of girl next door.
Can I ask you something? I pick up a puzzle with one hundred pieces, then set it back down and opt for the forty-piece puzzle featuring a Christmas tree full of forest creatures.
This might be more up to his niece Mia s speed.
Why are you always flirting with me? Why not another girl? Why not your neighbor?
Easy. You re hotter.
I whap him on the arm with the puzzle box. I m being serious.
So am I. But all right, fine. It s not just that. C mon, Ivy. You re incredible. You have to know that.
I m not sure I do know that, but the better question is what makes Beau think he knows that? He digs his hands into his jeans pockets and leans forward, lowering his voice so it s a conversation between us and not the other shoppers.
Those days I spent in the hospital showed me the type of person you are.
Even when you re flustered and mad, you re still patient and kind.
Plus you re smart. Competent. You can also be kind of sassy, which I like.
I know you re a good friend. Lucy couldn t stop raving about you the one time we talked, and you took Hamish in despite the inconvenience.
You make my nieces laugh. My entire family adores you.
We both know if it came down to the two of us, they d vote me off the island first in a heartbeat.
He takes a step closer and if possible, talks even softer.
You want to know why I can t stop flirting with you?
Because you re the only woman I want to flirt with.
And since I only get you for two more days, you better believe I m going to flirt every chance I get with you.
And you better believe if we find ourselves under any bells, things are going to happen this time. Consider yourself warned.
Yeah, could ve used that warning a few minutes ago. Before Beau spouted off an answer like that. Before my symptoms started rushing back with a vengeance.
I need air.
Here. This should do. I shove some puzzle boxes into Beau s arms. A couple stuffed bears dressed in cute sweaters. Princess books with colorful covers. An art kit full of crayons and markers. I ll wait for you back at the car.
Cold frosty air slaps my cheeks as I burst from the store and rush toward the car. I should grab Hamish and head for Nashville right now. Before things get any more... wonderful? Magical? Exciting?
Weird. Confusing. Awkward.
Yep. Time to grab Hamish and run. Except when I get to my car, an officer is crouched next to one of my tires. My breath catches as I take a closer look. Did you just boot my car?
When he straightens and turns, I realize it s Misty s husband. Troy. Had to, he says, his shoulders shifting like he s wearing a scratchy wool sweater.
Why?
Lots of reasons.
Like?
You didn t park between the lines.
Lines? What lines? The road is still covered with a layer of flattened snow. The lines aren t even visible. I prop my hands on my hips. And the real reason?
He scratches behind his ear with a wince. Misty called and said I needed to do whatever I could to make you stay longer than the twenty-sixth, and when Misty s pregnant I just do what she says.
I clamp my lips together to keep from smiling. Doesn t work. My breath comes out in a puff of air as I laugh. I don t know whether to be scared or flattered everyone in this town seems so determined for me to stay.
I guess I m flattered. Because any thoughts about leaving for Nashville today blow away in the next burst of wind as easily as the powdered snow.
If I take off the boot, will you at least tell Misty I tried?