Chapter 3 #2
When I haven’t heard from her for a few minutes, I pull up my contact for Annie Jackson at Ever After Farm.
She’s Luke’s sister, but we’ve stayed in contact here and there.
We bumped into each other a couple of years ago, on my last trip here, and she wanted to pick my brain about social media ideas to help the farm get more exposure.
I haven’t seen her since because we spent last Christmas in Colorado. Despite my best efforts, my cheeks heat at the memories. Last Christmas changed everything, including our once-a-year arrangement.
“Laila, pull it together,” I mutter as I type out a message. “Not everything needs to circle back to Holden.”
But it always does, whether I want it to.
I’m trying to find Ella. Do you know where she might hide? Sneaking PSLs from the Storybook, maybe?
Annie
You didn’t warn me you were coming to town. I would’ve locked the espresso machine out of sheer panic.
Yes. Long story. I need to find Ella, though. Is she there?
Annie
No, she’s cake tasting at The Spellbound Scone.
In the few years we lived here, Ella spent all of her time at Ever After Farms. I spent quite a bit of time there, too, before Holden and I started dating. And then I didn’t care about sisterly bonds or catching fireflies. Just my boy with the gingerbread cookies.
A tiny gingerbread keychain dangles from my tote—Gumdrop’s cheaper cousin, a silly souvenir from two Christmases ago that’s somehow survived every move. I owe the real one a sequel, something sweet that doesn’t fit in a box.
This is getting ridiculous. FOCUS.
I squeeze my eyes closed. What was the itinerary for today for Holly? I don’t remember seeing cake tasting on the list, but she can be a bit of a wild card with sticking to plans. Or at least that’s what I’ve noticed when Ella and I text each other updates. I bite my lip and glance around.
It’s not like me to be so out of touch with a wedding, but I’ve had a lot on my mind.
I assume she’s with Holly, then?
Annie
Yep. Luke and Ella are cake-tasting like they invented romance.
And before you ask—no, I’m not officiating.
Yet.
Are you free at Christmas, or do I need to pencil you in between crises?
Well, this just took a turn. I guess Holly isn’t the only one who thinks Luke and Ella are engaged. Not exactly surprising, though, with the way gossip spreads through this place. I clutch my phone a little tighter and glance around.
Those sneaky little gnomes could be anywhere.
I think I’m going to need you to fill me in later.
Annie
Nothing to report—except that Luke swears it’s fake and everyone else swears it’s not.
Classic.
And if that makes us family, I’ll add “Jackson-Mitchell chaos liaison” to my résumé.
This is a lot to deal with before caffeine.
Of course, I want Ella to be happy—I’ve pushed her to come back here for a long time. I always knew Luke had a thing for her. And then there’s the whole enchanted pen pal thing. Happiness has been sitting here waiting for her to return, and I genuinely hope she’s finding it.
But I’m concerned about it because of the warpath my mother seems to be on.
I’ve got some things I need to take care of today. Can we touch base tomorrow about farm stuff?
Annie
Yeah, you do.
I snort. Annie knows about Holden and me from my annual visits. But like everyone else in this town, it’s a secret she quietly keeps. I don’t know why they do this for me, but someday, I’ll repay them for their kindness. If I can only figure out how.
I’m here for Holly’s wedding.
Annie
We’ve switched code names? I’m making a note right now.
No code names. I’m really here for Holly’s wedding.
Annie
Sure.
Fine. You’re on your own with the new algorithm for Hollow Hub.
Annie
Swing by early, and I’ll save you a donut before Dean eats the evidence.
And a Magic Mirror Macchiato?
Annie
Done. I’ll even throw in extra apple drizzle if you promise not to film my 5 a.m. eye bags again.
You’re the best.
If nothing else, at least I have a plan for breakfast tomorrow. Not that I’d need one. Holden never lets me go hungry.
How long was it that time: two minutes?
I heft out a sigh and head toward the bed-and-breakfast. I’ll beg him for a room and go get a coffee from Quinn at Once Upon a Brew.
Then I’ll head to The Spellbound Scone and follow the breadcrumb trail that will lead me to my sister.
I’ll tell her that plans have changed and we’re going to have to play stronger offense where my mother is concerned—and figure out why this needs to happen in the first place—then I’ll wrap everything up in a pretty little bow in about a week.
But deep inside, I know there’s no way it’s going to be that simple. Not when I can’t stop thinking about Holden for longer than five seconds at a time.
Once the wedding is done, there’s no reason to rush back to anything. Not really. I’ve already been chewing on what happens at the end of our December weekend this year. Do I leave again? And why would I?
But there’s one question that weighs the heaviest: what happens if this is the time I finally stay? I don’t need magic; I need a compass. Find Ella, follow the trail, and trust that the pull in my chest will always lead me to him.