“Did she actually say that to you, or are you fishing for things to make me upset?”
“As much as we don’t get along, I wouldn’t invent something just to make you upset. I would hope you would know that.”
I shrug. “I honestly wouldn’t be able to tell at this point. You’re different, Cole, and not in a good way.”
“Yeah, well…you’re different too,” he says and then continues toward the bridge that leads back to Ornament Park.
Cole
“There they are,” Tanya coos from where she’s seated with both Martha and Mae in Ornament Park on one of the many benches scattered across the Astroturf. “Oh, they look so adorable together, don’t they, ladies?”
“They do,” Martha says. “I approve of this coupling.”
“I don’t think they were looking for your approval,” Mae says. “But I second that opinion.”
“Thank you,” Storee says, surprising me as she cuddles into my chest. Given the cold exterior I faced only a few moments ago, this is a complete one-eighty.
Going with the farce, I throw my arm around her again. “Pretty happy over here.”
“I can see it all over your face,” Martha says. “Oh, our little Cole, finally finding someone. You’d better not break his heart, missy. We’re very protective of Cole, especially since he lost his parents.”
Fuck. Should have known someone was going to let the cat out of the bag.
And from the announcement, I feel Storee stiffen next to me.
I can see this going south for me very quickly, so to avoid any questions from Storee or more revelations from the hens, I take Storee’s hand in mine and say, “Well, we’re starving, so we’re going to hit up the stalls.”
“Oh, how fun. I heard the fresh gingerbread cart is there too,” Tanya says. “Would make a fine dessert.”
“Unless they have something else planned for dessert,” Martha says with a wink.
I muster up a laugh and wish them a good night. Storee does the same, and then we take off toward the stalls.
There was an empty field behind Chadwick’s Candy Shop, Poinsettia Pizza, and the Myrrh-cantile that was supposed to be turned into extra parking, but a few years ago the town assessed our parking arrangements and realized that we didn’t need more barren lots. Instead, they paved the space and added the candy cane swings that twirl about twenty feet in the air, along with vendor stalls. The only fresh food allowed is brats and gingerbread so that sales aren’t taken from the main strip of restaurants. Other than that, the stalls are full of crafts and handmade food items like jam.
“What was that back there?” Storee says as I release her hand and head toward the passage to the stalls between the Caroling Café and Poinsettia Pizza.
“A couple of old ladies gossiping,” I say.
“No, about your parents.”
“Nothing.”
She tugs on my arm, stopping me in my tracks. “Cole, seriously, you lost your parents. Aunt Cindy mentioned this the other day, but I guess…I don’t know, I guess in all the Kringle chaos, I forgot. When did this happen?”
I push my hand through my hair. “We’re not talking about this.”
“But—”
“No buts,” I say, my voice growing terse. “We’re not friends, so don’t try to act like we are by asking about my parents.” I glance around. “Let’s just…let’s just get this night over with.”
Storee
Well, if there is one way to shut Cole down, it’s to ask about his parents.
So far, he’s been silent. No longer the cocky instigator he was under the archway or in Ornament Park. His taunting is long gone, and it’s as if he’s almost curled in on himself and forgotten what he’s supposed to be doing—acting like we’re on a charming date for the town.
“You good with one brat?” he asks.
