Cassidy covered her mouth. “No!”
“Yes. Do you know what this means?”
“No, what?”
“We have a grinch among us! A real-life Gingerbread Jerk!” Emily declared.
“A Gingerbread Jerk? Here?” Cassidy had just started settling into the idea that Maple Falls was made of snowflakes and sugar cookies. The idea that someone was sabotaging Christmas displays felt like something out of a big-city headline. It just didn’t fit in this winter village come to life.
“Mark my words! Something fishy is underfoot.”
If it was true… her mind started racing through possibilities. The only two Scrooges she’d come across in this town were Liam and Mr. Alders. Liam would never destroy personal property, would he? He might have a weird personal vendetta against Christmas, and he was determined to win the contest. But he’d grown up in this town. He was close to his friends; he wouldn’t do something to hurt one of them. The older man, on the other hand, well, he had quite an opinion on Christmas décor.
“Do you have any suspects?” she asked, not quite ready to throw Mr. Alders under the bus.
“Not yet, but you can guarantee I’ll be keeping an eye out.”
“Yeah, absolutely. I don’t blame you,” Cassidy said slowly. “I’ll do the same.”
“Thanks,” Emily said. “And if you hear anything—kids messing around, suspicious snowmen, whatever—say something. People are starting to talk.”
Cassidy leaned in. “What are they saying?”
Emily shrugged. “It’s mostly just speculation. We all love a little Christmas competition around here, but this is something else. I smell sabotage.”
“You think it’s personal?”
“I think it’s petty and horrible. Probably someone who’s mad they weren’t asked to participate.” She glanced pointedly at Cassidy’s front window, which, aside from a small display, was still pretty empty. Soon it would be filled with lights, garlands, and a chocolate display fit for first place. But right now, it was a blank canvas, not exactly a vandal’s playground. “Although I doubt it’s aimed at you. Yet.”
Cassidy twisted her lips. “Yeah, I know. I need to get with the program…” It had just been such a busy few weeks since she’d moved here from New York, what with redecorating the shop and making all the chocolates. Her to-do list was never-ending. She’d been focused on getting her business up and running, and not on the light-up contest. But that had to change. She needed to design something that would draw customers to her shop, and their votes.
“Promise you’ll let me know if you hear anything,” Emily said, walking toward the door.
“I will, promise.”
Cassidy’s heart broke for Emily. She knew how stressful it was to start from scratch with the clock ticking. Speaking of which…
She ladled a fresh mug of cocoa, put on her coat and stepped outside to survey the front of her shop. The Cocoa Corner lookedcozy enough with its striped awning, the soft glow of pendant lights inside, and the rich scent of chocolate wafting out every time the door opened. The tables she’d set up were charming, with mismatched chairs and soft, plaid cushions she’d found at the flea market. It was warm. Welcoming.
But it wasn’t Christmas.
Not yet.
Emily was right, she was behind. Everyone else had decked their storefronts with garlands, window scenes, and themed displays, even if they weren’t taking part in the contest. In less than two hours, the sun would be setting and Oak Way would light up.
Meanwhile, the Cocoa Corner looked like it hadn’t even heard of Christmas, except that annoying wreath that kept falling down.
She took a sip of cocoa, the warmth not quite reaching the knot in her stomach.
A vandal in Maple Falls just didn’t fit. This town was all twinkly lights, kind neighbors, and friendly gossip. But the word “sabotage” kept echoing in her ears.
Cassidy glanced at the café tables, the ones she’d dragged out on a whim, thinking they might attract cocoa drinkers with strong constitutions. They looked so plain now. Exposed.
She lowered her mug. “Okay. Time to sparkle.”
She only had a few crates of holiday odds and ends out of storage, but nobody should underestimate what can be achieved by some twinkle lights, garlands, and the slightly chaotic energy of a woman who’s just been warned of small-town sabotage.
If someone was trying to mess with the competition, she wasn’t going to make it easy.
