Page 14 of Mistletoe Mischief

Ryler swallowed the drink down and handed the glass to the attendant. “Another, please.” The liquid burned down her esophagus and settled like a warm infusion in her stomach. The woman smiled, an understanding passing between them.

“I’ll be right back.”

“Thanks,” Ryler said, collecting herself and taking a deep, bracing breath. “Alia, I just discovered that the guy I thought I was dating has a girlfriend because I forgot to call or text him for weeks. Now, does that mean that if I had kept in contact, maybe I’d be his girlfriend? Who knows, but it is obvious that I am lackluster when it comes to relationships. This holiday, I would like to reconnect with my childhood a bit and celebrate a traditional Christmas with the people I love, in a place that goes all out for the season. Can you just give this to me, please?”

“Is that why you’re drinking? Because Ollie has a girlfriend?”

No, I am drinking because you are aggravating me. Ryler wasn’t about to say that to Alia and start a full-blown argument on an international flight.

“Yes, I am drinking so I can fall asleep and stop berating myself for taking another nice guy for granted.”

Alia laughed. “Come on, Ryls. You didn’t actually like that guy.”

Ryler sighed. “He was fine.”

“But not fiiiiiine!” Alia said, dragging the word out.

Ryler fought a smile. “You’re the worst.”

“Sometimes,” Alia admitted sheepishly. “I’m sorry I’ve been a pill lately. I just feel a little … useless, I guess?”

“What do you mean?” Ryler asked, accepting the new drink from the flight attendant, but the need to down it had passed with this new information. Her cousin felt useless? Since when?

“Look, I was a model for years. I’m used to smiling for the camera and playing a part, but lately I’ve felt like—people love Excursions because of you. Your voice, your antics. I’m just the eye candy.”

“But they think you’re me, so they technically love you,” Ryler said.

“Yes, but not because of anything I did. I want to do something. Create something, you know?”

“Like what?”

Alia released a breathy laugh. “I’m not sure. I don’t have any talents, really, except being pretty.”

“That’s not true. I’ve seen your watercolors. They are beautiful.”

“And they look like a thousand other ones.” Alia sighed.

Ryler snorted. “Do you know how many travel blogs are out there? I’m just lucky people fell in love with Excursions instead of one of the many others. Right time, right subject.” Ryler reached out and squeezed her cousin’s arm. “Seriously, you should do what makes you happy.”

“I guess when I figure out what that is, I’ll let you know.” Alia grabbed her water bottle and held it up in a toast. “Until then, I guess we’re going to Idaho!”

Ryler clinked her glass to Alia’s water bottle. “To Mistletoe and a Christmas to remember!”

Chapter Five

On Wednesday, Pike stood between rows of trees at the Winters’ Family Christmas Tree Farm, holding an axe in his hand. Every year, Pike, Anthony, and a bunch of their friends helped the Winters family get ready for the busy opening weekend after Thanksgiving. Most of the townspeople would make their way over throughout the weekend to get their choice of trees, which meant the flocking machine had to be checked, the wreaths stocked, and some precut trees scattered about for seniors who had ordered their trees for delivery. They’d set up the flocking tent and were now split up across the property to cut down delivery orders.

While Nick, who’d been partnered with Pike, walked ahead of him, studying the trees for the best-looking ones, Pike kept searching out Anthony. His business partner was off in the distance with Declan, and Pike watched them curiously. Anthony had been off the last few days, almost as if he were avoiding Pike. Which was strange and hard to do since they worked together.

“You think something is going on with Anthony?” Pike asked Nick abruptly.

Nick peeked his head around a fluffy noble fir, quirking a brow. “How so?”

“He seems more morose than usual.”

Nick followed Pike’s gaze to their mutual friend and shrugged. “It’s the holidays and the first year without his mom. If he’s down, he’s got good reasons for it.”

He knew Nick had a point. Anthony and his mom were close, and losing her devastated him, even if Anthony knew it was coming.