My heartache could stay buried and I could settle back in Mistletoe without any of the baggage or awkwardness I was worried about. Sure, it made Sam Autry the absolute villain of this story, but that was good too. It was better to know these things than to fall into old habits just because his hands felt warm and strong and delicious on my waist.
And that damn dimple, hidden beneath all that dark scruff, seemed to hold my attention more than any other thing.
Let’s not forget the way those freakish green eyes followed me all day.
No, this was better, I told my aching heart. This was so much better.
CHAPTER 4
Naughty and Nice
Teagan and I drove together to my first day at Mistletoe Elementary the Monday after Thanksgiving. She’d been too excited to show me around and introduce me to everyone for me to suggest I drive myself. Honestly, it was nice one of us was happy, as I felt like I’d just woken up in the zombie apocalypse—as a zombie.
Which was ridiculous, because we’d actually had a pretty relaxing weekend. I’d spent Friday back at the Meyer’s house, hanging with Tom and Linda. Thankfully, this was a day her brothers, and Sam, had traditionally always gone camping on. Which seemed crazy given the frigid temps. But the boys said it tested their manhood and made them stronger or whatever.
I didn’t get how getting drunk off their asses and nearly freezing to death made them stronger, but what did I know? I was just a girl. A girl who preferred indoor plumbing and a night without worrying about coyotes.
Teagan and I spent Saturday and Sunday unpacking some, but not all, of my shit, arranging her guest room three or four times until I was satisfied the flow would work, and catching up on all the life things. Sure, while we’d been apart, we had never not been texting or calling each other, and she’d been to visit mevery recently. But there were still undissected topics we couldn’t get to with the distance between us.
The only thing we didn’t talk about was Thanksgiving.
And Sam.
But only because there was nothing to say, and nothing had happened. And she knew better than to bring up he-who-shall-not-be-named in front of me.
“You’re going to love it here,” she promised, yanking the heavy front doors open. “You’re going to be so happy you came back.”
I grunted as I stepped through the same elementary school I went to as a child. The school smelled the same—like industrial carpet and mold. But there was a nostalgic skip to my heart, too. The lunchroom looked eerily the same, but the gym and performing art centers were newly remodeled and state of the art.
The most shocking changes, though, were the Christmas decorations around every corner, on every surface, hanging from every ceiling. They said you can always go home again. But what happens when Christmas elves have invaded your hometown and turned it into a Christmas theme park?
“It’s, uh, really festive in here,” I said as we walked through the main office door.
“Isn’t it great?” The front desk secretary turned around with a smile lacquered in bright red lipstick. I was shocked to see she was our age. I had been expecting Ms. Feinstein—a dinosaur of a woman who had run the school since the Cold War and knew every single person in Mistletoe. “The decorations are above and beyond,” the young, beautiful, imposter said energetically. She glanced at Teagan. “I mean, they’re always great, but this year they’re extra special.”
Teagan smiled thinly at her. “Yes, they’re extra special this year, Monika.” They blinked at each other, Teagan seeming to hold her breath, Monika seeming ready to pounce. “This is—”
“Your brother’s stopping by later,” Monika interrupted.
Teagan took a deep, unimpressed breath. “Which one?”
Monika laughed like she’d just told a joke, but when Teagan didn’t also laugh, she added, “Cooper. Obvi.” She gestured around the office. “For the—”
“This is Holly Haden,” Teagan interrupted. “Belcher’s long-term sub.”
Monika was easily moved on. “Oh, of course! Hi! We’re so excited you’re here! Teagan has sung your praises over the last month.” She smiled, and I had to blink against the brilliance of it. “We’re expecting big, big things from you!”
Gosh, there were so many exclamation points in her tone for seven-fifteen in the morning. “Big things, huh?” I said, not quite able to match her aggressively positive energy. “Let me have some coffee first, and then we’ll see.”
She laughed again, head tipped back, long blonde hair bouncing. “Oh, you’re going to need that. Have you met our first graders?” More laughing—but why was it starting to sound maniacal?
“She’ll be great,” Teagan said, sounding both annoyed and determined. “Do you have her packet?”
“Oh! Right!” She moved around her U-shaped desk area, hunting under stacks of papers and folders until she came up with a lanyard holding a keycard and a key, and a fat stack of instructions. “Here you go. Let me know if you have any questions or need help with anything, and I’ll find someone else to help you.” She laughed again. “I’m just kidding, of course. I literally exist to help. Don’t hesitate to call me.”
“You’re the best, Monika,” Teagan said through clenched teeth. “I’ll show her Delia’s room.”
“Awesome!” Monika squealed. And clapped. “Have thebestday, you two!”
