Chapter 17
17
"Grab whatever you need, folks," Joe called out as the wagon came to a halt outside the bustling Mistletoe Marketplace. The guests eagerly disembarked, leaving their freshly baled Christmas trees onboard. "Remember, only get what you can carry in your lap. We’ll see you back here in an hour."
As the group scattered in different directions, the soft jingle of sleigh bells still lingered in the crisp air. Joe turned to Frankie, an easy smile on his face. "You hungry? Want something to eat?"
Frankie shrugged. "Ehh..."
Joe grinned knowingly. "Like, something deep-fried, extra powdered sugar from Dasher’s Diner?"
She shot him a playful look as they began walking toward the diner. "You just had to go there, didn’t you? You remember my weakness."
"Fried Kringle, smothered," he replied with a chuckle. "Hard to forget — especially the sugar coma afterward."
They joined the line at Dasher’s Diner, where the scent of fried sweets filled the air, mingling with the laughter and chatter of other guests. Joe's usual guarded expression had softened, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Kringle hits the spot like nothing else," Frankie said, stealing a glance at him. "Admit it — you’re having fun."
Joe tried to downplay it with a shrug. "Ehh. It’s been all right."
"Please," Frankie scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You’re smiling for a change, and I’m pretty sure you laughed more than once at the tree parcel."
He chuckled again, his shoulders relaxing. "Only every time I nailed you with a snowball."
She gave him a mock glare. "Gee, thanks."
"Hey, I laughed when I got Chris and Devyn, too," Joe added, grinning as they stepped up to the order window.
"One Kringle, extra smothered, and a Caramel Comet Cocoa," Joe told the attendant. Frankie giggled beside him as Joe paid, then they moved aside to wait for their order.
"My other weakness... caramel Comet Cocoa," she mused, eyes sparkling.
Joe gave her a sheepish look. "I feel bad about that snowball to the forehead. And honestly... today was fun."
Frankie gave him a satisfied nod. "Good. My plan is working."
Their order arrived, and Joe handed her the warm cocoa before grabbing the fried Kringle. They made their way back toward the wagon, the cold air making their breath visible as they walked. Frankie sipped her cocoa, a blissful smile spreading across her face.
"Plan?" Joe asked, breaking off a piece of the Kringle and offering it to her.
"Uh-huh," she replied, popping the piece into her mouth.
Joe narrowed his eyes, sensing there was more to it. "Care to elaborate?"
Frankie simply raised a brow, her expression teasing as she plucked another bit of Kringle. "Hmm?"
"The plan?" Joe repeated, more curious now. "Your plan?"
"Oh, that," she said nonchalantly, stepping ahead of him. "No, I don’t care to elaborate."
With a sly grin, she swiped the entire dish of Kringle from Joe’s hands and walked ahead, leaving him standing there, puzzled but amused. He shook his head, trailing behind her with a chuckle, wondering just what she was up to.