What could Kristen do? She plastered a smile on her face and tried to settle back into the seat. There was no choice but to sit beside Mason for the entire ride. Awkward!
Mason glanced over at Myrtle. Had she shoved Kristen next to him on purpose? The old woman had a mischievous glint in her eye. If she was trying to play matchmaker, she was going to be disappointed. Mason wasn’t here for a fling and certainly not with the woman that lived across the street from his dad.
“You two will have to share. There’s only so many per sleigh.” Julie handed Mason a blanket.
He glanced at Kristen. Judging by the expression on her face, sharing a blanket with him was the last thing she wanted. But she wasn’t quite as frosty toward him as he’d thought she might be.
“Here, you can use it. I’m good.” He handed her the blanket. He didn’t know her well enough to suggest sharing. If she suggested it, though, that would be different. He let his thoughts drift to the two of them under the blanket, gazing at the stars as the horses clip-clopped through town. Maybe their legs would brush and…
Wait, what was he thinking? No leg brushing!
“Thanks.” She took the blanket and started spreading it on her lap then turned back to him. “Won’t you be cold?”
“Nah, don’t worry. I like the cold.”
It was Mason’s first sleigh ride, and it turned out to be quite pleasant. The crisp, cold air and the jingling of sleigh bells made him feel as if he was in an old-fashioned Christmas movie. He expected Bing Crosby to jump out on the sidelines and stroll along beside them, singing a Christmas tune, at any minute.
The sleigh took a path around the main street of town, just enough for the tourists to see all the enticing shops.
When Malcolm had first invited him, he’d been hesitant to hang out with people he didn’t really know, but it turned out everyone was friendly, and soon, he relaxed and started to just enjoy the moment.
Maybe there was something to small-town living after all.
“Mason’s here helping his dad set up the new Christmas tree store. Have any of you been there?” Malcolm asked.
Mason saw Ivy and Kristen exchange a glance. What was that about? Did Kristen see their shop as a competitor? He supposed she might. Mason didn’t think that artificial trees could really compete with real trees. It was two different markets. But would Tinseltown cut into their business in this remote town?
“They have some nice decorations there,” Julie said. “I don’t know about the artificial trees, though. I like a real one.” She looked pointedly at Kristen, who smiled.
“Well, you know what I say,” Ivy said. “There’s room for everyone.”
“There sure is,” Myrtle said. “And everyone needs a pet. Maybe your dad would like a cat or a nice dog?” Myrtle looked at Mason.
Mason chuckled. “Not sure about that. Dad isn’t exactly the pet type. And I’m not going to be in town very long, so I can’t help him with it.”
Myrtle glanced down at Elsie and clucked in disappointment. “Well, that’s too bad. What about fostering? I have some kittens that need a foster home until they get old enough for someone to adopt them.”
“Sorry. We’re kind of busy setting the store up now. Maybe in a few months.” Mason wasn’t really sure whether his dad wanted a pet or not, but he would ask.
Myrtle’s gaze slid over to Ivy, but before she could say anything, Ivy blurted out, “I’m full up with pets, Myrtle.”
Myrtle switched her attention to Julie. “What about you and Ida? Kringle probably needs some friends, doesn’t he?”
Julie laughed. “I don’t know. We have our hands full with the inn and the Christmas Eve party right now. Maybe we could foster if you can’t find anyone else.”
Myrtle nodded slowly, her gaze drifting to Kristen. “I bet your mom could use some kittens to liven the place up. George loves kittens. How is George, anyway?”
“Great. He’s a good addition to the house. Except when he gets up to mischief. Which seems to happen fairly often.”
Julie snorted on the other side of the sleigh. “Tell me about it. When I came to open up the Cozy Holly Inn, there was a cat in the basement. I tried to bring him to the animal shelter, but Myrtle said they were full.”
Myrtle’s eyes widened innocently. “We were.”
Julie looked at her as if she didn’t believe her. “Anyway, I ended up keeping him. They do get into a bit of mischief, but it’s well worth it.”
“My mom really needed some company in the house. Something different to help her move forward.” Kristin looked sad for a second.
Mason felt a pang of sympathy. He could only imagine how hard it was for her mother to have lost her husband. His dad had gone through a rough time, and his mother hadn’t died, just run off.
