“She’s the MVP. You need to get her a really nice Christmas present.”
“Half of me wants to just give her the shop,” I confess. “She’s basically earned it.”
“What will you do instead?” Hughes asks.
“Maybe just work there part-time.”
“Have babies.” Josie pokes me.
“Hughes! Hughes!” someone calls.
Then Mary Lou is rushing up, flustered. “Oh my god, something horrible has happened!” she cries. “You have to come with me at once.”
30
WILLOW
“What’s wrong?” Hughes asks anxiously as his grandmother rushes over. “Nana, what happened?”
“Oh, it’s horrible! You have to come help. Jordan brought his pet alpaca—I mean, honestly, he dresses the thing up like a reindeer, like people aren’t going to notice it’s a completely different animal—and it’s knocked over the judges’ station and is eating the mints. We need all hands on deck! Now it’s time to show everyone those muscles aren’t just for vanity’s sake,” she says as she drags him off.
He gives me a quick kiss before he goes.
“You can boink him tonight.” Josie waggles her eyebrows as I look after him longingly.
I know my face is Rudolph red.
“Oops, I promised I would help with kid wrangling so some of my sisters-in-law could enter the baking competition. I need to run. I’ll see you in a few hours?” Josie tells me, checking her phone.
“Yeah, hopefully Hollis isn’t freaking out too much.”
“She always has everything under control,” Josie waves.
I call Hollis just to make sure she’s at the shop and not in the market so I don’t have to walk back and forth.
It goes to voicemail.
Hollis:Sorry! There is an apple cider emergency!
Willow:Uh-oh, I bet it has something to do with that alpaca.
Hollis:*angry emoji*
Hollis:Do you think you could run to Amy’s farm and get some more herbs? They are all out at the general store. There is going to be a fight!
Hollis:I need it to finish off the Holly Jolly Cupcakes.
Willow:On my way!
It’s snowing heavilyas I drive Gran’s old Cadillac down the winding country roads to Amy’s farm.
The greenhouses there grow flowers and other natural decorations that Amy uses for her big showstopping Manhattan weddings.
“I don’t know if I want a big wedding like that,” I tell the guinea pig.
He snuffles, looking for food in his basket.
“But it’s not like we’re going to elope or something. I mean, half the town will want to come. Just Josie and her family are going to fill up the church. Better have it outside. Gosh, I’m so silly, sitting here, planning a wedding when there’s a murderer or two running loose. I don’t even know what I’m entering into the Bake-Off competition, and I don’t have a ring or anything.”
