He nodded, but he didn’t say anything.Holly was trying so hard to see her parents as the loving kind from her dreams that she couldn’t see them as they truly were.
“Tonight’s the Kringles’ party,” she said, drawing him from his thoughts.“Are you going?”
“Actually, that’s why I came over earlier.I wanted to ask you if you’d go with me.”
“To the party?”When he nodded again, she said, “Well, uh, my parents want to go as my guests.”
“I see.”The thought gave him an uneasy feeling.Even though he wasn’t anxious to spend time with her parents, he felt that Holly just might need some backup that evening.“Then I guess we could go as a foursome.If you want…”
She was quiet for a moment, as though weighing her answer.Was she hesitating because she didn’t want to hurt his feelings when she turned him down?Or was she concerned that her parents might not like her bringing a date?
“I would like that.”She smiled.“Thank you.Can I just meet you there?”
“Absolutely.”He smiled back at her.“I’ll see you in a little bit.”
And then he headed for the door.His steps felt a bit lighter.Had he just asked her out on an official date?He supposed he had.Too bad it was going to be chaperoned by both sets of parents as well as half of the town.
Chapter Fifteen
Adressfromthebackof her closet.
High heels, also from the back of her closet.
Holly felt nervous.Would anyone notice that she had on the same dress she’d worn to this party a couple of years ago?She hoped not.
She’d put on some makeup.It was more than she normally wore.Instead of just foundation, powder, and mascara, she’d also put on eyeshadow, eyeliner and a little blush.She’d finished it with some lip gloss.
When it came to her hair, she hadn’t been sure what to do with it.In the end, she wore her long hair down over her shoulders.
And now, she stood off to the side of the party.The Kringles’ house was filled wall-to-wall with festively dressed guests.Her parents had helped her carry the cookies she’d baked with Colin.Once the sweets were handed off to the people managing the food table, her parents disappeared into the crowd, leaving Holly on her own.
It was okay.It gave her a moment to gather herself.After all, this was her first time attending the Kringles’ Christmas party without her grandmother.Her heart squeezed as she thought of Gran.Her grandmother loved this time of the year, and she especially loved this party.
Holly noticed Billie Jean never asked about her mother or her final days.Any time Holly tried to bring up Gran, Billie Jean would change the subject.Even if Billie Jean had problems with Gran, didn’t she realize just how important Gran had been to her own daughter?
Holly wanted to say something to Billie Jean about her avoidance of the subject, but she didn’t know how to bring it up without ending up in a heated argument.And that was the last thing Holly wanted.After all, her parents came to town for her.She had to do her best to make this work.Gran would have understood.Wouldn’t she have?
“Hey, beautiful.”
She’d know that deep, rich voice anywhere.She turned, and there Colin stood in dark jeans and a gray sweater with a white collared shirt beneath.His sleeves were pushed up, and the collar was unbuttoned.He looked good.Really good.
“Hey, handsome.Did you just get here?”
“Actually, I was here for a little bit.I saw you walk in, but I couldn’t get away from Mayor Kringle.He has an idea for a parade next Christmas.You know how he is.He always wants to change things or add something new for the holiday.”He glanced around.“Where are your parents?”
“Uh…” She glanced around, having lost track of them.And then she spotted them.“They are talking to the Gundersons.”
The Gundersons owned the mill on the edge of town.When she glanced over, the Gundersons didn’t seem to be saying much as Billie Jean and Roger seemed to be talking non-stop.She wondered if her parents were telling them about their life in California.Holly had been hoping the party would provide them another chance to hit it off, but her parents must have had other thoughts.
Now that Colin was there, she could feel herself start to unwind.He joined her as she got some punch and a small plate of cookies.Every now and then, she’d check her phone.She’d set up a camera at home to keep an eye on Tater Tot.She felt bad about leaving him home all alone.Thankfully, he seemed to be okay with it.He was asleep in his crate.Which meant when she got home, he would be ready to play when she was ready to crash on the couch and watch a Christmas movie.Luckily, he didn’t have a lot of energy.An hour of playing, and then he’d be ready for bed.
In the meantime, she would enjoy spending time with the most handsome man at the party.They both knew everyone at the party.And yet, they mostly talked amongst themselves.
At one point, she spotted Belle with Parker.Wait.What?
Holly lightly elbowed Colin.“Did you know your brother was coming to the party?”
“Which brother?You know I have three of them.”
