Now that I was turned around, the mistletoe arch was blocking my way. A fitting end to another unsuccessful year in the romance department.Sure, make the jilted witch march through mistletoe alone in front of a crowd of onlookers and a booth full of my new spell-loving friends. Just peachy.
“Delia?”
I wavered and faced Jack, surprised by the intensity of his gaze. Everyone around us had gone quiet, and I peered down at my feet wishing for a whiteout blizzard I could vanish into. Another few seconds of this unbearable silence and I was casting one.
“What is it?”
“I asked you once before, and I’ll ask you again. Are you jealous?”
“Yes!” The word burst from my throat, and I threw up my hands in defeat. “Are you happy? Thanks to you, I considered committing a holiday homicide. I just couldn’t decide if it would be a single or a double.”
Jack’s mouth hitched into a tempting grin, and he moved forward, forcing me back a few steps. “Good.”
“Good? You want me to spend Christmas in a jail cell?” I angled my head back, my hands fisted on my hips.
“No. I want you to stand right where you are and hold still.”
Hold still?My chin tilted up, gaze traveling to the ball of mistletoe suspended over my head.Oh boy… Blizzard activate.As the silence deepened,light snow fluttered softly to the ground. Jingle bells sounded, suspiciously like the ones Grandma Jean had been ringing.
Jack stepped under the arch, his hands coming up to cup the sides of my face. The snow fell faster, swirling around us. I blinked as it caught in my lashes. Brilliant hope rose inside my chest. This wasn’t some magic spell I had control over, one I could bend to my will. This was an unruly, wild moment of anticipation.
When Jack’s gaze dropped to my lips, I held my breath.
“Delia,” he said with a rusty scrape in his voice. “I don’t know where you got the idea, but you’re a tinsel-obsessed troublemaker, and I don’t want Becky. I never did. I only want you.”
He lowered his lips to mine, sweeping softly at first, then pulled me closer, taking my mouth in a deep kiss. I would have sighed if I’d had any air left, or melted into a puddle like an icicle at the first hint of spring.
A roar of voices cheered us on, but I didn’t pull away, only buried my fingers into the flannel shirt peeking from between his coat.Move along folks, this arch is occupied.And I was taking it back with me so I could install it outside my room at the inn. I was going to hold court under it.
I smiled against Jack’s lips. “I guess I’m staying for Christmas.”
With a discontented growl in the back of his throat, he brushed his mouth over mine again. “Just Christmas? Looks like I have my work cut out for me to make you stay longer.”
Chapter 14
Delia
—Christmas Eve—
What a whirlwind of a week.
Thanks to the publicity of a Bradley Farm tree in the town square, and after Jack’s very public, and very swoon-worthy display of affection, everyone was willing to give him a second chance, and all whispers of the past faded in the face of Jack’s new friendly temperament. The tree farm had an eleventh-hour surge of success as people shopped for last-minute trees with promises to return next year, wreaths, and decorated garlands Grandma Jean and I rushed to put together.
I may have even used some magic to meet the quota, but that was my business. I wasn’t about to spend night and day assembling branches when I could join Jack in the fields. By the end of the week, there wasn’t a tree we hadn’t slipped behind for a long, lingering kiss. Plus, I got pretty good at using the saw.
Simon and Becky had left town right after the festival, and I couldn’t have been happier. Not only because I was rid of my once and only in my head romantic rival, but Becky was off to chase her dreams, and Simon was handling her case. If any agent could grant her a miracle, it would be him.
And just maybe, by the secret looks they had cast each other before they left, Becky might get two miracles for one. Lucky girl. I may have found love, but I hadn’t followed agency rules, and it was unlikely I’d get a promotion. After the holiday, I’d have to head back to the office with my tail between my legs and report to my dreary cube next to Agatha for my punishment.
Though I had considered hanging my own shingle. I’d have to find my own clients and do all my own research. It would be a huge undertaking, but might be worth it to continue doing what I love.
There was also one more sticky situation. Jack still thought I wrote for a magazine, and discovering the reality about who I was and what I did for a living might be one magical truth too far. Grandma Jean promised me he’d understand and even accept who I was, but I was worried and had decided not to say anything until after Christmas.
Let him have one memorable Christmas before I potentially ruin everything.This was probably what Simon had meant about consequences. There was no guarantee our relationship would work out, though I wasn’t planning to give up without a fight.
Heaving a sigh, I flipped the closed sign on the little stand of wreaths and set about putting away the last of our materials. It was Christmas Eve, and the town was finally settling down for the night to enjoy the holiday. But for Jack and I, there was still lots to do. With all the chaos over the last few days, the inn was still devoid of decorations. That was changing tonight.
Grandma Jean poked her head through the door of the wooden shelter and stepped inside, doing a little twirl to show off her stylish outfit. She wore a red silk blouse with a ruffled neckline and a pair of trim black pants. Silver chains jingled together around her neckline.
