“You’re a classic. Now get youriceholeup the ladder.”
Uriel smirked and did as he was told. He honestly wasn’t very fond of people in general, but Joe had managed to argue his way to the top of his list.
2
JOE
Everyonetroopedback to the Tinseled Inn after six in the morning. Joe chuckled at his use of the word and glanced at Uriel. His friend still looked quite annoyed at being in the presence of Eldon and his cousins. Then again, Uriel looked annoyed around most people, so it wasn’t like they were particularly special.
“Troop makes them sound like Boy Scouts,” Uriel muttered under his breath. “We need to keep thinking.”
“Shh,” Joe hissed, trying not to laugh that Uriel was still stuck on the naming of the cousins “Don’t let them hear you. I want to be on their good side.”
“Oh for garland’s sake, Joe. You’re already on their good side. Not only did you take the job, but you’ve also increased profits and revitalized the Snowda Shoppe. Tate would be an idiot to let you go.”
“Yeah, but Tate didn’t hire me, even though he owns the business. Eldon did,” Joe whispered.
Uriel pinched the bridge of his nose. “Will you please, just this once, not argue with me?”
Joe leaned his head to the side. “Hmm. Just this once? Okay, deal.”
Uriel sighed. “I walked right into that one.”
“Come on in, Joe. Uriel! You came. How…unexpected.” Linus, the manager of Tinseled Inn, beamed a smile at Uriel. A jaunty Santa hat accompanied his cheerful holiday sweater.
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to have breakfast at your charming inn,” Uriel said, beaming a smile in return.
Linus looked stunned and turned to bustle around the room getting everyone settled.
“So much attitude,” Joe grumbled. “Remember, you’re here to keep me on their good side.”
“You don’t need my help to do that.”
“Yes, I do. Eldon makes me nervous. Why do I have to keep repeating myself?”
“Perhaps because your fear is irrational, and as a person whom I find to be a generally thoughtful person—your sticky children job being the obvious exception—your concern over Eldon makes absolutely no sense.”
Joe tapped his foot and stared at Uriel. “You’re too logical. Cut it out.”
It wasn’t like Joe didn’t know his concerns about Eldon were unfounded. But feelings were feelings and that’s how he felt.
“Will you please get me some food before I begin to vent my frustrations?”
“Big baby. Come on.” Joe dragged Uriel by the arm once more, this time leading him to the large table Linus had set up at the far end of the inn’s sizable dining room.
He was lucky he’d discovered Ornamentary Books and More on his first day in Mistletoe Falls. It had taken him a while to wear Uriel down, but he’d finally broken through his hard chocolate shell to the gooey caramel center.
Ugh, talk about an analogy that didn’t work. Comparing Uriel to candy was about as accurate as describing Linus’s wardrobe as neutral. The flamboyant sprite’s collection of holiday sweaters was impressive, to say the least. A couple of them had nearly blinded Joe with the sheer quantity of sequins.
After pushing Uriel into a seat toward the end of the table where his back would be to the wall, Joe sat down beside him. Since Linus had stayed behind at the inn while the rest of them undid the prankster’s work on the streetlamps, he’d had plenty of time to cook up a giant feast for breakfast.
As everyone took their seats, Joe’s leg began to bounce. He tried to force it to stop, but his nerves always got the better of him when he was around Eldon and his cousins.
Uriel’s big hand landed on his knee. Joe stopped bouncing his leg.
“Eldon,” Uriel said as everyone began passing dishes and filling their plates, “how were sales at Deck the Walls this weekend? I must admit, this year’s craft fair brought in more customers than usual to the bookstore.”
Joe had never wanted to hug a person more in his life. Eldon began talking about his flourishing holiday decor store, which led to Uriel squeezing Joe’s knee.Hint taken.
