Their voices faded down the hall, the sounds inaudible. Charlotte gripped the edge of the bar, her face pale. “Hayden.”
I blew a breath, working my jaw to relieve the tension that had built up. Overhearing them wasn’t good. Not at all. “Maybe it’s not what we think.”
She laughed, a horrible, sad sound. “It sounds like they want to cancel the wedding.”
I nodded, torn at what to do. There was no world where Penny and Christian didn’t end up together, and it seemed crazy to me that this had even happened. The bartender returned with Charlotte’s drink, and she took a large gulp before glancing at me with wild eyes. I knew that look. She had an idea.
“We can save this, somehow.”
“How do you envision that happening?”
“They are Christmas fiends! I’m sure Penny has a plan, and we just… do whatever they ask.”
“Honey.” I eyed her, clearing my throat and correcting myself. “Charlotte, you can’t ski after the accident. You going skiing won’t save whatever it is they are working through.”
She opened her mouth, but just then Penny and Christian returned. They looked relatively normal. Penny’s eyes were a little red, and Christian’s stance wasn’t as relaxed asit usually was. I nodded at him, aware of Charlotte’s gaping. “You good?”
“Yeah, just some wedding stuff.”
Penny’s smile was stiff. Then she blinked, and her usual joy was back. “Once you get your drinks, come to the table. Our agendas are officially ready to be announced!”
“The secret agenda you wouldn’t share with any of us?” Charlotte asked, her voice a little strained. Besides that, no one would know she was stressed.
“Yup. I’ve been waiting years for this moment.” The decorations had to reflect in her eyes because, for a moment, it spooked me. Penny’s eyes almost glowed red and green. If anyone would be the embodiment of Christmas, it would be her.
I laid down some cash and motioned for everyone to return to the table. “Here, go ahead. You take the chair,” I said softly to Charlotte.
“Thanks, Hayden,” she said. I breathed in her vanilla perfume, my body going taut. She smelled the same as she always did, a delicious, intoxicating scent.
Garrett returned, sitting in the plush lounge chair, leaving the rocking chair open.
“Okay, Pen, what’s the plan?” Charlotte asked.
Penny shared a look with Christian, her face pinching before she smiled. If I hadn’t heard their argument earlier, I never would’ve seen the tension, but now it was worrying me.
She set a stack of papers on the center of the table. “I knew what it meant marrying into the Calhoun family. Christmasis a way of life, and instead of running to the South Pole, I embraced it.”
“Yeah, you did, sexy Mrs. Claus,” Garrett said, earning a smack from Christian.
“We have three days up here, two nights, to go Holiday Hog Wild.”
“What does that even mean?” Charlotte asked.
I nodded, wanting to know the same damn thing.
“Here is your Calhoun-Nolan pre-wedding weekend agenda. We have activities every day, with the mornings for your skiing pleasure. Or if you’re Char, then spa and rest.”
“You’re my favorite,” Charlotte said.
“Now,” Penny said, lowering her voice, “tonight is the scavenger hunt, the Lost Days of Christmas. We can enter as a team, and the winning team gets gift cards!”
“And a trophy. Don’t forget the trophy, babe.” Christian urged her on. “We need that trophy.”
The same tight look returned to her face before she masked it. “Right, the trophy. Now, this might seem silly to some.”
“You mean, to everyone but you two lovebirds,” Garrett said.
“Well, fine. But I want to impress my future in-laws, okay? They are Mother and Father Christmas, and it’d be awesome to show them we won this competition.”
