“What about you?” he asked.
“What about me?” I asked, not bothering to lift my head again. The ceiling of the gazebo was glowing from all the lights.
“You’re the one who broke our fall.”
“I’m fine,” I puffed out, noticing the strong scent of clove and nutmeg suddenly beneath my nose.
Oh no.Bab’s gingerbread!
“Holy crap, are you two okay?” Brett appeared over us to pick up the card table and move it aside. “Here, let me help you,” he said, reaching a hand down to help Toby.
I rolled, pushing Toby into the floor that was covered in broken gingerbread pieces and icing.
“What the hell, Archer?” Toby complained, trying to shove me off.
I lay there a fraction of a second longer, keeping him pinned beneath me, before standing up and reaching down to help him up.
He scowled at my offered hand before grudgingly accepting it so I could tow him to his feet.
“You’re covered in icing,” I observed.
“So are you.”
“Oh my goodness gracious!” Mom’s voice cut into the silence.
“What have you boys done?” Gail scolded right after.
The hum of townspeople gossiping filled the air as Mayor Schroder looked upon the mess with dismay in his features.
“Mon Dieu!” Bab exclaimed as she raced into the fray, hands gesturing wildly as she looked at the broken table and destroyed gingerbread gazebo. “Ohhh, my gingerbread. I worked so hard on it. It was so beautiful. It’s ruined. Ruined!” She started muttering in French, bending down to pick up chunks of the fragrant cookie and frowning at them.
“This is all your fault,” Toby accused.
“Me!” I roared. “You’re the one who couldn’t handle the rope.”
“I had it just fine. You’re the one always trying to butt in.”
“If it was fine, then this wouldn’t have happened!” I shouted.
“Enough!” Mom yelled over us.
A hush fell over everyone. Even Bab stopped muttering and looked at her.
Shame filled me. Shame and embarrassment. The truth was we were both at fault. We’d been acting like children instead of grown adults. Letting our past interfere with the present and now ruining the most important and iconic tradition this town had.
I glanced out at the townspeople gathered around watching, and a fresh swell of guilt washed over me. Just because I was a scrooge didn’t mean I needed to ruin it for everyone else.
“I’m sorry,” I said quietly. Then, in a much louder voice, “I’m sorry.”
“Sorry isn’t good enough,” Mom snapped. “Not this time.”
I nodded.
“Oh, Bab, it was just so beautiful. The true gem of the auction.” Gail was sorrowful.
“We really didn’t mean it. The rope got caught and—” Toby started.
“And nothing, Tobias Tucker Thomas,” Gail reproached. “I saw the whole thing. You two were squabbling worse than two gobblers in a field.”
