Chapter Thirteen
HOLLY
T he charm of Candy Cane Creek isn’t just in the festive decorations or the holiday themed treats that make you come back for more. It’s the people.
During my time in the quaint little town, it was easy to get caught up in the Christmas spirit and believe that I, too, lived in this fairytale-like town where stress, deadlines, and real life didn’t exist. It makes you forget you aren’t in Santa’s Village or living inside of a snow globe.
It makes you want to believe in Christmas magic.
I let my fingers hover over the keyboard of my laptop, not sure where I want the direction for this blog to go. After all, there is so much I could write about.
Jacob gave me the grand tour of his inn earlier today. The Mistletoe Inn is exactly what I expected. A large bed-and-breakfast style lodging with a grand staircase, a large dining room, and decorated elegantly in a way only a small-town inn can pull off. Even with its dated wallpaper, floral decorative linens, and dark wood—everything.
What really impressed me was the holiday themed high tea brought out on a three-tiered serving tray, served with endless tea in an actual porcelain teapot, decorated in what I was told are hand-drawn poinsettia leaves around the top.
Jacob sat with me while we ate mini turkey and cranberry sandwiches. He told me more about the history of the Inn and Christmas activities while we enjoyed cranberry and white chocolate scones with real clotted cream. He then teased me and nearly begged for information about Rex and me while we munched on freshly baked gingerbread cookies.
“Come on, Berry. You have to tell me something,” he nearly whined, a pained expression on his handsome face.
“I don’t have to tell you anything,” I laugh, wiping the side of my mouth with the poinsettia embroidered napkin before placing it on the table in front of me. I lean back in my chair, astonished at how much I ate, and how incredible every bite of it was.
“You’re the first person Rex has even noticed since Lauren passed. We’ve all been there for him during his grieving, but we also want him to be happy.”
“And what makes you think I will make him happy? I don’t even live here.”
But could I?
The thought has been racing through my mind more often than I’d like to admit.
“Cassie has been trying to get his attention for months and he’s never done more than be polite and order the overly-sugary latte from her every day.”
“It does smell over-sugared,” I agree, hoping to change the topic from my (lack of a) love life to something more tolerable, like our general dislike for the Holly Jolly Latte.
“I’m a coffee purist. Just a little cream. Tiny bit of sugar if it’s too bitter, but other than that, nothing belongs in a coffee.” Jacob makes a face of disgust while giving his head a slight shake.
“Or no coffee at all,” I laugh, reaching for my teacup and holding it up to him in a silent cheers. “So you aren’t one of the Candy Cane Creekers that uses the peppermint candy as a stir stick?”
“No, candy canes and coffee should be enjoyed. And not liking coffee is just a disgrace. Coffee is life.”
“If you say so,” I say with a smirk as I drink my gingerbread tea.
“Anyway, back to Rex.”
“There’s nothing to say,” I sigh, placing my mug back on the saucer, which is also trimmed with deep red poinsettia leaves.
He gives me a curious look before picking up his own mug and taking a large sip, never taking his eyes off me. “Just don’t hurt him.”
Jacob’s words ring in the back of my mind all day. I’m not sure how I would hurt Rex. I don’t want to hurt him.
I’ve been up front with him that I’m not staying in Candy Cane Creek. Once my car is fixed, I’m heading back to the city. This is all assuming there is even anything going on between us.
But then there was our almost-kiss in his kitchen yesterday. I don’t know if we were both so caught up in the emotion of his admission about his wife or what it was, but there was something. A moment. A fraction of time where we both stood together and the only thing that existed was us. And in that moment, I wanted that kiss more than anything.
I turn my attention back to my work, needing to put Rex out of my mind. As much as I don’t want to hurt him, I don’t want to get hurt, either.
I spend the next hour reviewing my audio notes and writing about the town, trying not to make it sound like I’m playing favourites, but I am. Candy Cane Creek is creeping into my heart, and I don’t know how I feel about that.
I curl up on the couch in the living room of the guest house, laptop propped up on my lap, and type. I clear my mind, letting the words flow until there are no more.
Glancing up, I see the festive bouquet the town mayor brought me. William Claus—because of course his last name is Santa related—stopped by while I was at the Inn. He’s an older gentleman with white hair, white beard, and an apparent preference for wearing red and white. He’s kind and soft-spoken and had a gleam in his eye when he presented me with a bundle of red and white poinsettias, greenery, and pinecones.
I can’t help but smile as I think back to the jolly man who only wanted to stop by to make sure I was feeling welcomed and enjoying everything the town had to offer.
And this is why I feel the wall the size of Mount Crumpet I have around my heart starting to crack.
A knock on the door pulls me out of my gut-churning emotions. Thankful for the distraction, I put my laptop aside and go to the door, surprised to find Cassie on the other side.
“Hi, is everything okay?” I ask, looking her over for any sign of panic. Especially after our exchange at the market, where I felt like she was trying to stake some claim over Rex. I’m surprised to find her here.
“Oh, yeah, everything’s fine. I’m here to take you pyjama shopping.”
“Sorry, what?”
“For the PJ Shopping event tonight. Rex did tell you about that, right?”
“He did…”
“Great! He asked me to take you to town to get some pjs for tonight.” Her smile is genuine as she beams at me. “Oh! And he asked me to give you this.” She removes fabric that was draped over her arm and hands it to me.
“My jacket!” I exclaim, loving the feel of the soft wool back in my hands. I hug it to my chest, relief washing over me as I see all the coffee stains are gone. “Wait, Rex asked you to bring it? To take me?”
Why didn’t he ask me himself?
A sadness I wasn’t expecting replaces the relief. Was the almost-kiss too much for him? I should have read the situation better. Of course, he was emotionally vulnerable after telling me about Lauren. He wanted comfort, not someone to try to kiss him.
“He’s busy at the shelter. Something about Fluffy getting into doggy Christmas treats and making a mess. Also, he didn’t think he would be the right one to take you shopping.”
“Oh, I see.” Of course not. Why would you want to take a stranger shopping for pyjamas after you almost-kiss her and then rush out of the room? Sure, the rushing part was mostly because Tag thought it was a good idea to try to get the Christmas pickle ornament from the middle of the tree and ended up toppling it, all while decorating himself in garland, but that’s besides the point.
“You don’t mind, do you? I know we got off on the wrong foot, and I’m sorry about that.” She looks sheepish as she glances between me and her hands folded in front of her. “I guess it’s not a secret that I like Rex. I thought…well, it doesn’t matter what I thought. It’s clear that he likes you, and I can respect that.”
“Thank you, but I don’t think that’s necessary. I’m only going to be in town for a few more days. I don’t know what the town thinks…but it’s not that. It can’t be that.”
Cassie tilts her head. “Hmmkay. If you say so.”
She looks like she doesn’t believe me. I’m not sure I believe me, but it’s what needs to be said.
“Well, we need to get going if we’re going to get back in time to get ready for the shopping event.” She looks down at the coat I’m hugging. “Did you want to put on your Matthew Davey…”
“Massimo Dutti,” I correct her.
“Yeah, your coat and we’ll get going?”
I look back at my laptop, realizing I’m not going to be getting any more writing done for today. Plus, I will need to experience the shopping event tonight to really immerse myself in the Christmas culture they’ve got going on here.
I grab my purse from the hook behind the door and slide on my boots. “Lead the way.”
* * *
“What about this one?” Cassie holds up a fleece onesie with strings of Christmas lights hanging in vertical off-centre lines. Some of them even light up.
“It’s a little…much.” I say, narrowing my eyes at the offending sleepwear.
“Got it. You’re looking for something a little more…subtle,” she says, putting the onesie back on the rack.
I have to admit that the time I’ve spent with Cassie has been fun. She had a Christmas tea latte waiting for me in her truck, saying that she was under strict instructions from Rex not to bring her coffee or the Holly Jolly Latte. I couldn’t help but laugh as Cassidy mimicked Rex while she drove down the highway, lowering her voice to imitate him. ‘Under no circumstances should you bring Holly coffee. At all. Especially the Holly Jolly Latte. While it’s my favourite drink, I may have traumatized her with it when I spilled it over this coat.’
I chuckle now, thinking back at it.
“Oh, I know! This one!” Cassie explains, holding up another onesie with felt reindeer antlers.
“What happened to subtle?” I chuckle, looking at the hood with a stitched on reindeer face.
“Oh, come on. You need to have a little fun with it. People go all out with their pyjamas. It’s like a Christmas version of Halloween.”
“Hmm,” I answer noncommittally.
I peruse the table with the folded holiday themed sleepwear, disappointed nothing catches my eye. I’m not sure why I’m putting so much thought into it. It’s not like I’ll ever see these people again. So what if I show up with antlers and a cartoon reindeer’s face? Other than my pride, which, let’s face it, I left the moment I first stepped foot in this town, I have nothing to lose.
For a fleeting moment, I wonder what Rex would think of it. Would he think it’s funny? Cute?
I wonder what sort of pyjamas he would wear to something like this, if he is even going at all. If he does, I bet it’s something as outlandish and gaudy as his Christmas sweaters.
“You know what? Let’s go with the reindeer one.”
“Really?” Cassie asks excitedly, her eyes wide and an ecstatic grin on her face.
“I mean, it’s not my usual style, but if I’m going to get the full Candy Cane Creek experience, I should fully immerse myself, right?”
“Right!” She gives her hands a little clap as she moves side to side in what looks like a happy dance. “Oh, this is so exciting. I was thinking of getting myself the elf one! How fun would it be when we show up together as a reindeer and an elf? Straight out of the North Pole!”
I laugh, feeling Cassie’s excitement rub off on me. “It would be.”
Even though I don’t know Cassie that well—or at all—I feel like this is a friendship that I don’t have, but somehow miss. I’ve never had a girlfriend that I could get dressed up and go to silly events with. I’ve gone shopping with friends, sure, but it’s always been about who would buy the newest fashion or what brands they were buying. It was never just for pure fun. Never just for the experience of bonding.
It’s here in this discount department store that I find yet another reason to view Candy Cane Creek as more attractive than being back home in the city.