AllFreeNovel
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Oh, how we all wish that were true.
“What are your plans today, Hannah?” Aunt Trixie changes the subject.
“I don’t really have any. Maybe I’ll do a little reading. To be honest, it’s odd to not have a tight schedule breathing down my neck. I might be bad at it.”
“Bad at what?” Willa asks.
“Vacationing.”
She wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Don’t worry. We’ll show you how. Norah will be by soon. Want a tour of town?”
“I’d love that.”
Alice places a plate in front of each of us. “Good. Eat up. Adventure awaits.”
I meet the girls in the lobby, all decked out in my vacation attire. I spent the week before flying out shopping for snowy weather and holiday outfits.
Norah hugs me in greeting.
“Look at you. I love the shoes,” she compliments as she points to the white wool-lined faux rabbit fur and Italian leather boots, which I paired with a tan puffer vest and cream wool cap, mittens, and scarf.
“I might have gone a little crazy, buying all the cozy sweaters and stylish boots I could find,” I admit.
“At least you did your research. You should have seen the suitcase this one packed when she showed up from Florida,” Norah says as she gestures toward Willa.
Willa just shrugs.
“What’s on our agenda?” I ask.
“I need to run to the shop and pick up a crate of evergreen sprigs to deliver to Donna at the schoolhouse. Her students are using them to do some holiday crafts in art class this week. After that, we’re free to roam.”
Norah owns a flower shop in town, and her sister, Donna, is an elementary school teacher.
A crisp, cold breeze greets us as we make our way outside to Norah’s Jeep.
“I call shotgun!” Willa bellows as she sprints down the driveway.
Norah shakes her head. “Hannah is a guest. She should get shotgun.”
Willa turns and sticks out her bottom lip. “Fine.”
“I don’t mind sitting in the backseat,” I say.
“No way. She just wants the front because it has heated seats, and there is nothing better than toasting your buns while cruising around,” Norah mutters under her breath.
She is right; the butt warmer is divine.
As we drive around the lake to Main Street, the two of them point out all the attractions that Lake Mistletoe has to offer.
“For a small town, you sure have a lot of activity,” I muse.
“Oh, yes, we’re busy all year, but from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, the streets are bustling with holiday visitors,” Norah explains.
Vegas is wall-to-wall crowds at all times, but Lake Mistletoe is a different vibe. There is something heartwarming about the happy tourists milling around.
Every inch of the town is decorated to perfection. All the lampposts are adorned with garland and lights. The pedestrian bridge that crosses the lake is dripping with wreaths and glowing bulbs of all colors. The classic blue spruce and towering fir trees that outline the shore are lit, reflecting their grandeur in the shimmering water. There are snowmen and snowwomen, reindeer, and elves. Sleighs and sleds and carriages. And of course, mistletoe hangs above every door and eave.
It’s a winter wonderland come to life.
