“Something tells me you haven’t met Walt, who runs the sleighs.”
She burst out laughing, and looking at her—cheeks flushed with warmth, a smudge of glitter on her temple that caught the light, and that infectious smile that made it impossible not to smile back.
“Okay. One night of small-town magic it is.”
“Great. Let’s box and label these. They need to be dropped at the post office by five. Only two weeks until Christmas!”
Chapter 6
Eli
The inn’s quiet pressedin around me. Thanks to Maple Crossing’s festive Christmas traditions, we were fully booked, but almost everyone had checked in Friday night. The guests were probably out antiquing or visiting the shops, and for once, I couldn’t think of anything to do.
There was no plumbing emergency, no snow to shovel, and it was too cold to finish painting the eaves. I picked up my phone, desperate for distraction, and scrolled to the email from Luke, wondering if I should reach out again. No. Definitely not.
Two days since Mioko and Luke’s demonstration, and the place still smelled delicious. I wondered if she was still interested in running the shop. Henry and I had run the numbers, and even a modest rent would stabilize our income during the slow season.
Chewing my bottom lip, I picked up the card Mioko had given me and typed in her phone number, composing a text before I could overthink it.
This is Eli. Just checking if you’re still considering the shop space at the Honeyfern.
I set the phone down, immediately regretting the message. Did it sound desperate?
To my surprise, three dots appeared.
Mioko
I’m still considering it! The pink walls are calling to me. So is the fireplace.
And maybe the grumpy innkeeper. ??
I blinked at the screen, unsure I was reading the message correctly. Was she... flirting with me? The winking emoji dared me to respond.
The grumpy innkeeper comes with the space. Like a moody ghost.
A haunted retail space is very on-brand for me.
Is all the woodworking and trim original?
I think so, but I can check.
I keep daydreaming about it. I could put my workbench by that fireplace. Customers could watch me work or make their own pieces.
A truly artisanal experience. And, for a small commission, I’d display otherlocal makers’ work too.
Makes sense. Guests are always looking for local artisans.
Look at you, being supportive and business-minded. Makes me think you want me to move in...
I swallowed hard, a strange flutter in my stomach. Was she referring to the shop space or something more? I typed and deleted three responses before settling on:
The inn needs some new energy. And the shop’s been empty too long.
Lucky for you, I’ve got energy to spare.
Speaking of which... what are you doing tonight? I have an extra ticket to Walt’s sleigh ride. Got it after helping him with a jewelry emergency.
I laughed out loud, startling Rambo, who had been dozing at my feet. Old Walt Winters ran sleigh rides from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day every year, taking tourists and locals on a romantic circuit from around downtown and out to the frozen edges of Ambervale Lake.
