A Little Mistletoe and Magic: Ho Ho Howls Romance Holiday Edition Read online

  Taking the urn from the top of the sandstone, she held the cold enamel close. Closing her eyes, she murmured the words of the E.E. Cummings poem.

  “Here is the deepest secret nobody knows. Here is the root of the root, and the bud of the bud, and the sky of the sky of a tree called life—which grows higher than a soul can hope, or a mind can hide. It is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart. I carry your heart. I carry it in my heart.”

  Opening her eyes again, she caught a flash of green peering from the shadowed overgrowth, and that green gaze followed as she walked through the garden and adjacent courtyard toward the inn’s back door.

  ***

  Jenny stared at the paint swatches striping the walls of her bedroom. The inn was in ten different states of disrepair. Deciding paint combinations for the proprietor’s suite was the least of them.

  The building was in worse shape than the housing inspector let on. She’d been in Whispering Falls exactly five days, and from the reaction she got from neighboring business owners, she understood why. No one wanted the derelict building, regardless of its historic value. It was a money pit.

  Chewing on her lip, she tucked her hand under her pillow. Charlie had handled all the repairs in the past. Either doing the work himself, or hiring a handyman when the job was too big. Whispering Falls didn’t have a local chapter of Sweetie-Do Men.

  Rolling over, she eyed the tall, paned windows with their low, broad sills that complemented the wide crown moldings. “Historic charm.” She exhaled, closing her eyes. “It’ll work. I’ll make it work.”

  The window sheers fluttered ever so slightly, and she shivered, bundling under her covers further. “Add insulation to the list.”

  A soft tinkle of laughter touched her ear like a faint caress, and Jenny smiled. “Goodnight, my angels. I love you, too. Tell Daddy to stop snickering at me and my money pit, and send someone to help.”

  A small smile played on her lips as sleep lulled, and even the slight draft from the window didn’t penetrate.

  A kaleidoscope of images flowed past from the day in a feathery carousel. A soft, dizzying spin until it stopped with her in the inn’s vestibule. The hallway narrowed as she walked toward the front door. She gripped the crystal knob, pulling the heavy, side-lighted door wide, but it wasn’t Main Street outside her door. It was a forested path leading into the woods.

  Glancing down, Jenny frowned. She was in her nightgown and slippers. “What kind of dream walks you into the woods in your PJs? Nightmares, that’s what kind.”

  With a shiver, she did an about face on the porch, but the front door was gone. In fact, the inn was gone, and she was no longer on the porch. She was at the end of a path facing a looming wood.

  “Oh hell no.”

  In this dream, she was an active participant, not a hazy observer. That much was certain. The feel of the woods ahead was overpowering, and she stepped onto the path as if compelled.

  “Ugh, when I asked for help, it was for the inn, not to help me join my family in the hereafter.”

  Jumping at every twig snap and bird flutter, she ducked under low, dark branches, half-expecting the Cheshire Cat to show up for shits and giggles.

  Instead the path forked in front of a large oak, its roots pushing up through the fallen leaves like veins.

  “Okay, I get the analogy.” Jenny looked at the moon in the cloudless sky. “I’m at a crossroads in my life and with the inn. If I promise to finally call a handyman, can I go back?”

  A crow cawed as if answering from one of the top boughs, before taking off in a choreographed loop with the rest of its murder. Jenny picked up her pace, following their flight.

  “A creepy dream and flock of birds known as a murder. That’s the last time I watch a Hitchcock movie before bed.”

  Rushing water sounded in the distance, compelling her further. Something beckoned, and she lost her slippers in the leaves, running toward whatever pulled her forward. She couldn’t turn back, even if she wanted.

  Ahead was a craggy rock face, the tall formation home to a gushing waterfall. The torrent didn’t roar. Instead it poured over the wide, rocky edge with a soft susurration. A whisper, summoning your inner secrets.

  “Whisper Falls,” she murmured with a soft smile.

  This was the place she’d read about, with its tranquil magic that birthed wants and needs, even in those who didn’t know to ask.

  The falls fed a wide pool, flanked by wet, mossy banks. She hiked up her nightie to sit on the edge, dipping her bare legs in the water up to her knees.

  Sighing at the cool feel, she leaned back on her hands and lifted her face to the sky. “Some crossroads. All that, just for my subconscious to get me to soak my aching feet.”

  She laughed, enjoying the spray on her face from the falls. Movement at the top of the rock face caught her eyes, and her relaxed grin faded. A black cougar stalked from the top ledge of the falls. Its eyes were predatory and intelligent, and the blood froze in her veins.

  “It’s just a dream, Jenny. You are not going to die in your sleep, eaten by an oversized house cat.”

  The cougar disappeared into the shadows, but before she could exhale, movement on the opposite side of the pool caught the corner of her eye.

  “Just a dream… Just A Dream… Just A DREAM!” She got to her feet and turned, but it wasn’t a big cat stalking her from the trees. It was a man.

  She blinked, stunned. He didn’t say a word, just stopped along the edge of the water on the opposite side. He was gorgeous, and completely naked.

  “Now this is my kind of dream,” she mumbled, not caring her nightie was wet enough to win a wet tee-shirt contest, or that her butt was covered in dream mud.

  Dream dude was tall and dark-haired, with wide shoulders that tapered to a muscular torso. His face was hazy, though the rest of him was mouthwateringly clear, including a set of jagged scars across his otherwise washboard stomach. Jenny squinted in the half-light. The scars were parallel, like claw marks, but their slivery-white hue told her they were from an old injury.

  He didn’t move, just stood with his long legs shoulder-width apart, watching her watch him.

  She hadn’t had sex since before the accident. Not that she had the energy or inclination at first, but the past six months were a different story. She was healed and healthy, at least in body, and her body let her know it now.

  “Who are you?” she asked, licking her lips.

  “You asked for help, didn’t you?” His face was still hazy, but he stretched a hand out.

  “I certainly did.” She chuckled, before taking a step toward him. Her foot hit a slick patch of wet moss, and she flew backward, arms flailing as she landed in the water…

  “Ow! Fuck!” Jenny winced, waking on the floor beside the bed with her sheets tangled around her legs, and her nightgown soaked from the spilled water glass from the nightstand.

  Sitting up, her hand went to the knot on the back of her head. “Ugh. Doritos for dinner. Not a good choice.” She exhaled, feeling stupid.

  She wiggled free of the sheets, and then peeled off her wet nightie, leaving the damp mess on the floor. Not bothering with pajamas, she grabbed the fleece afghan from the end of the bed and rolled herself burrito style before climbing back into bed. Maybe dream dude would stick around to finish what he started.

  Chapter Three

  “This stuff is so cute, Jen. Think you’ll be open in time for the Christmas Street Fair on the nineteenth? All the shops on Main participate,” Tess Everett asked, holding up a glass fairy. “I know it’s not an ornament, but all it needs is a ribbon and voilà, instant Sugar Plum Fairy! I go all out decorating the hair salon. Tess’s Tresses does it up for the holidays, and decorations are already under way!”

  “I bet they are.” Jenny matched the woman’s infectious grin. “I’m hoping to be open to the public this Saturday. I noticed tourists coming in by the bus load already. It’s a good sign. Not just for the shop, but for the inn.”

 
; “You stunned the town speechless when we heard you bought the Willow. An army of elves couldn’t get that place ready in time for the holidays.” She eyed Jenny. “Though something tells me you’ll put your own magical stamp on the place in time.”

  “I never planned to have the inn open for holiday business. I’m aiming for late spring. In the meantime, I know there’s a holiday craft fair at Whitfield Park, and I’m hoping foot traffic will head past the Curious Cat.”

  “You should get a vendor’s table.” She put the fairy back in the packing crate. “It’s not too late. Just pop into town hall. Alicia Simms is the town clerk. She’s super nice, and I could give her a heads up for you. Whisper Falls is an equal opportunity holiday haven. Christmas, Yuletide Solstice, Hannukah, Kwanza, you name it, and we celebrate.”

  Jenny pulled a stack of hand-painted holiday cards from their box, and slipped them one by one into a display rack. “That’s good to know, and I appreciate the info on the vendor table, but I have my hands full getting this place ready.”

  “Make sure to sign up for the Christmas Street Fair, then. The town closes the street all afternoon, allowing five blocks of nothing but meandering and tons of shopping.”

  “I will.”

  “I guess I’ll see you for your grand opening on Saturday, then,” Tess said, with her hand on the door pull. “Do you want me to prop the door open a bit? It’s a little hot in here.”

  Jen looked up from her rearranging. “It is, isn’t it? I thought it was just me.” Her brows knotted, dismayed. “One more thing to add to my ever-growing Sweetie-Do list.”

  “Sweetie-Do?”

  “It’s a handyman service I used when I lived downstate. They’re terrific, but they don’t travel.”

  Tess let go of the door handle and opened her phone case wallet. “If you need a handyman, I’ve got a terrific guy.” She scrolled through contacts. “Sam Gibson. I’ve got ALL his contact info.”

  “All?” Jenny grinned at the younger woman.

  Tess’s cheeks flushed hot as the colorful streaks in her blonde hair.

  “From that blush, and the way you’re fumbling with your smartphone, this Sam guy sounds more like your personal Sweetie-Do.”

  Tess’s flush deepened. “I can never tell with him. I’ve lived here all my life, and yet you’ve got a better bead on the town after only ten days. Maybe you can tell if he’s my personal anything.”

  Jenny ignored the tingle from her newfound senses. She could tell Tess a lot of things about Sam, but it was way too soon for that kind of sharing. Like her new friend said, she was the new kid in town.

  “You’re on your own in the love department, babe. I didn’t move to Whisper Falls to play matchmaker. I’ve got too much sad baggage stacked against me for that.”

  Tess glanced at the small, framed photo of Jenny’s family behind the cluttered front counter. “I heard about what happened to your husband and kids. I’m so sorry, Jen. I didn’t mean to dredge up unhappy memories.”

  “You didn’t, sweetheart. I’m not surprised the whole town knows my story.” She offered Tess a soft smile. “Shitty things happen to good people. That’s why I work so hard to stay in the present. I barely think about the future beyond tomorrow.”

  “You sound so matter-of-fact.”

  She laughed at that. “I’m not. Trust me. I’ve just gotten good at dealing with how tough it can be sometimes. Some days yoga does the trick. Other times I need a sledge hammer and a concrete wall.”

  “Sounds like you need fool-proof stress relief. Maybe the inn isn’t the only thing that could use a skilled handyman.” Tess waggled her eyebrows.

  “I think there’s a James Taylor song in there somewhere.” Jenny ignored the inuendo.

  Tess nodded appreciatively. “Well, like the song says, they fix broken hearts. Maybe you’ll even find a handyman with a big sledge hammer. For the really hard work.”

  “Not going there, Tess.”

  “Why not? I get you not playing matchmaker for me, but you’re in a new place now. You’ve got to keep your options open.”

  “My options are just fine the way they are, thank you.”

  “Jenny, you can’t hide a broken heart in Whisper Falls. The town keeps its own council on things like that. We have an uncanny way of knowing things.” She shrugged. “Besides the quaint old-timey charm and cider donuts, people come here for a reason.”

  “Are you telling me I moved to Whisper Falls for sex?” Was she really having this conversation with a complete stranger? Certainly looked that way. Still, there was something about Tess Everett that made it seem normal and okay.

  Tess snorted a laugh. “I would never presume that was your reason for finding us. Heaven knows, Whisper Falls isn’t exactly a hot ticket for hook-ups. Besides, that would be the pot calling the kettle black, considering I’ve gotten nowhere with Sam.”

  “But?”

  Tess sat on a stack of boxes, her face eager. “Stress relief with a choice set of skills has its place in the healing process. If only to get your blood moving again. I saw your palm, Jen. You’re no slouch in the bedroom.”

  “You got all that from glancing at my palm?” Jenny opened her hand to look at the lines.

  Nodding, Tess pointed to the fleshy base of Jen’s thumb. “Your Mount of Venus is very pronounced. You can’t get any hotter to trot than that.”

  “Venus mounted or not, I am definitely not ready to get back on that horse. I’ll stick to weed whacking the back garden.”

  “Ready or not, if opportunity knocks you should open the door.” Tess shrugged. “Even if it’s just a crack.”

  Jenny didn’t answer. Amelia had suggested something similar six months ago. Saying she went apeshit on her old friend was an understatement, though considering last night’s dream, Tess and Amelia might be on to something. Not that she’d admit that to either of them.

  “I moved here for a fresh start, Tess. Trust me. Sex features less in those plans than the stray cat that wandered into my yard yesterday.”

  “The only strays in Whispering Falls are ones that find us for a reason. Like you.” Tess raised an eyebrow. “If you’re set on keeping your door closed, at least promise you’ll keep it unlocked.”

  Purple hair notwithstanding, Tess was just like Amelia. The two were polar opposites in look, but they had the same loving, but no-nonsense energy.

  “Unlocked.” Jenny nodded. “I can do that.”

  “Good.” Tess nodded. “Then I’ll let Sam know to stop by the inn for your repair list. While you’re at it, maybe you could hint my door is wide open and waiting for him.”

  “Jeez, you’re like a dog with a bone, or in heat or something.” Jenny smirked, amused. “Contrary to popular belief, I am a big fan of happy, so why not?”

  “Good.”

  “Exactly. And what would make it even better is if Sam agreed to work my repairs in between his other jobs. Buying the inn, and the merchandise for the shop, took a real bite out of my working capital.”

  “I’ll tell him friends and family rate. Sam’s a good egg like that.”

  Jenny smiled, bending for the fairy Tess liked. “You arrange that, and your sugar plum fairy is on the house.” She held the delicate glass figurine in her palm, wondering about the sudden tingle. “Hey, I’ll even tell Sam you’re Martha Stewart and Hooters’ Girl of the Year rolled into one.”

  “Woot! Win-win!”

  Her new friend beamed, but Jenny wasn’t about to tell her just how win-win her new Spidey senses said it would be with Sam.

  Tessa’s cellphone chimed in her hand. “Shoot. I gotta get back. The buzzer on Mrs. Moser’s single process just went off.”

  “Nice you have someone at the salon texting appointment reminders. I’ll eventually need to staff the inn, but right now I just want the kitchen sink to stop leaking.”

  “If I had to rely on Daisy texting me reminders, I’d have customers with fried hair. I set myself an alarm. That way I can answer emails, run a quick
errand, or grab a cup of coffee. Daisy’s a sweet kid, but she’s got a lot to learn.” Tess swiped her screen closed. “Sad when your smartphone is a better assistant than your actual assistant, you know?”

  “I do know.” Jenny glanced at her family photo again. “Charlie and I basically lived with our smartphones attached to our hands. Smart for phones. Bad for families.” Guilt edged her chest as she turned her eyes to Tess. “Take my advice, sweetie. Don’t let that device dominate every second of your day. Don’t waste time on nonsense, because one day, what truly matters could be gone before you can swipe up.”

  Tess put her phone in her jacket pocket. “It can be addictive to have so much information in the palm of your hand. Still, what matters is subjective, don’tcha think?”

  The younger woman smiled softly, and her gaze was anything but accusatory or dismissive. “What happened to you is unthinkable. I get it. It’s only human to wish for a do over. So you bought a derelict inn no one wanted, and then moved here alone to fix it. It’s your lifeline against past regret.”

  Jenny balked a bit. “You make it sound like I came here to be the neighborhood cat lady. I have no intention of walking the floors of my B&B in my wedding gown, like I’m the Miss Havisham of Whisper Falls.”

  “Dickens. Great Expectations.” Tess nodded appreciatively. “Good book. Anyone ever say you talk like a literature professor?”

  “That’s because I was a literature professor.”

  “Was is the operative word in that reply. All I’m saying is people find Whisper Falls for a reason, Jen. What is it you’re looking to find outside repairing your inn? If you don’t know, then maybe ask the falls.” Tess winked. “See what they whisper back.”

  She scooted out the door and across the street before Jen could close her mouth. Was she that transparent? Saying she wanted a fresh start was a catch all, not a cop out. It took the pressure off of having to be too specific when people asked about her future plans. After months and months of relearning how to walk and talk, learning to be alone with herself required a different kind of rehabilitation.