AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I fumble around, filling the coffee machine with water and coffee grounds. It takes a few extra minutes, being that one of my hands is suspended in a splint.
Thank goodness it’s my left hand and not my right.
Once I’m sufficiently caffeinated, I shower as best I can, dress, and head out into the freezing morning to scrape my ice-covered windshield before making my way to work.
It’s a beautiful morning. The early sunlight bounces off the pristine lake and creates a rainbow of color that shimmers across the water’s surface.
It’s lovely in summertime—the lake is filled with kayaks and canoes and children swimming while men soak in the day, casting fishing lines—but winter in Lake Mistletoe is my favorite. The fresh snow blanketing the ground surrounding the lake and the majestic mountains in the background give me a sense of calm and renewal like none other.
How could anyone be grumpy in the morning when they wake up to this?
I turn on Main Street and see that the holiday decorating has already begun. The shop owners and town offices are in the process of decking the halls with festive garland and lights on every post and door. The general store’s window display is a quaint Christmas scene, depicting a family snuggled around a Christmas tree while the father reads from’Twas the Night Before Christmas.
I wave to Fran, who is sweeping the sidewalk free of snow in front of the mercantile, as I pull into the parking lot across the street, which connects to Keller Harris Design Studio.
Once I exit my truck, I make my way inside, careful to avoid any slick spots on the asphalt.
“You should have just stayed home,” Keller bellows as I walk through the door of the showroom.
The building we share is divided between this showroom, a design studio–slash-workshop that is separated by a set of swinging doors, and the offices in the back of the warehouse.
“Why would I do that?” I ask.
He wipes his stain-colored hands on the apron protecting his jeans. “I don’t know. Maybe because you fell three stories off a ladder yesterday and damn near broke your hand and lost your eye.”
I walk over to the counter that holds our computer and register and set my messenger bag down.
“I’m fine,” I say.
“I saw you wince when you heaved that bag up. How bad is the pain?” he asks.
I shrug. “I was a bit stiff this morning. I can definitely feel the bruised ribs, and driving a stick with one hand is a bitch, but other than that, I am good.”
“Willa will be happy to hear that. She’s already called three times this morning to check on you.”
“Tell her I won’t sue as long as a fresh plate of gingerbread cookies makes its way to my desk every morning until Christmas,” I tease.
He tosses the apron he removed at me.
“Hey, injured over here,” I gripe.
“I still don’t know why you bothered coming in. You can’t handle a chain saw with that splint. Why don’t you go home and rest? I got this,” he suggests.
“I appreciate that, man, but I can’t lie around and do nothing. I’ll stay here and handle any customers that wander in.”
He shrugs. “Suit yourself. I just finished the kitchen island for Lester Davenport.”
“Awesome. That’s a week ahead of schedule.”
“I couldn’t sleep either, so I figured I’d come in and knock it out.”
“I know this accident came at the worst time with all the holiday orders we have. I’ll be back up and running as soon as possible,” I promise.
He shrugs. “Not like you fell on purpose. Besides, you were doing me a favor. I’m more than willing to put in extra time while you heal. Now, I’m thinking about heading over to the Snow Bird Café for a big stack of German pancakes to celebrate finishing the Davenport order. You want to come?” he asks.
“Sure. All this work has stirred up my appetite!”
He rolls his eyes.
