I blink, unsure how to answer. I mean, it would be rude to turn down an invitation. Plus, it could be a good opportunity to get to know the family. Mingling is my speciality.
“That’s very kind of you,” I reply. “Thank you.”
“Hey, I’ve got a great idea, why don’t we all get together to decorate the tree and then have dinner after? Bailey can come too,” Izzy sings.
I don’t know, but I’m fairly sure Zane just rolled his eyes. “Mom, Iz, don’t push decoratin’ and dinners on unsuspecting people. Boundaries.”
Sylvia looks affronted. “Sadie’s new in town, I’m sure one little dinner and putting some baubles and tinsel on the town tree isn’t going to upset the apple cart or make her run away, right, Sadie?”
It’s funny seeing Zane being told off by his mom. I want to laugh out loud.
“Not at all, Mrs. Lawless, I’d love to come. Christmas is my favorite time of the year,” I say.
Her smile broadens. “See. Sadie’s going to fit right in here, I just know it.”
I can’t be sure, but I think I hear Zane mutter something about the women in his life driving him crazy. Neither his mom or sister care, nor do they pay him any attention. Instead, they start chattering about the weekend’s festivities, and I smile despite myself.
I think I’m really going to fit in here after all.
CHAPTER 17
Zane
The storm passed, covering Alpine Falls in a thick blanket of snow overnight. Despite everyone’s opinions about me, I do like this time of year. I don’t love all the people mingling around town, cluttering the place up, but it keeps us in business, so I shouldn’t complain about that.
I spent the entire evening watching the girls decorate the town tree, while helping Mr. Mackie with the lights. Larry was nowhere to be seen, but that doesn’t mean anything. Last year, he put a full display in his front yard — covering the entire roof — there were so many lights he blew out the power, much to Mr. Mackie’s delight, but it was his wife he had to be really scared of. She wasn’t happy about the power going out while baking Christmas cookies. I think he’s still saving face from last year.
I still have the resort to contend with for the light decorations, and my idea to put up a huge Frosty snowman, just like they did one time in Silver Pines — and is now an annual tradition — isn’t beyond me. The resort has it coming, that’s all I can say.
Sadie is dressed in a woolen white roll-neck sweater and tight jeans, a matching white bobble hat and scarf, and yet again, she’s misplaced her mittens. I don’t know what it is about her and those damn things, but I’ve ordered a dozen pairs from the outfitters so she doesn’t freeze to death and have her fingers fall off. She and my sister are sipping eggnog, laughing about some joke my grandpa is telling them. Of course, both of my grandparents love her already.
George bumps my shoulder. “Penny for your thoughts.” He zeroes in on my gaze, then gives me a very obvious eye roll. “You still got googly eyes for the new chick?”
I sigh. “I don’t have googly eyes. I’m makin’ sure Bailey didn’t spike the eggnog, Sadie has to work tomorrow.”God, I sound like her father.
“Uh, huh.”
I switch my attention to him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He holds his hands up in surrender. “Nothing.”
“Not like you to keep it to yourself.”
“Fine, I think she likes you, too.”
I frown. “What do you mean,too?”
“I’m a cop. It’s my job to notice these things, and she keeps stealing glances over here when she thinks you’re not looking, the same as you’re doing to her.”
Why does my heart thump in my chest that much harder hearing that? “She’s probably wondering how she can escape this hellhole and get outta here without her ears fallin’ off from those two yabberin’.”
George casts a glance over at my sister and mom. “Iz sure likes to yap. You think the new girl’s fitting in?”
“For a city girl, yeah, she seems to be right at home.”
“You think she’ll stick it out?”
I run a hand over my face. “I don’t know, but now we’re gonna be roomies.”
