“Was that supposed to be a pun? If it was, you’re on your own. That was dreadful, Joe. Your witty banter is a key element to your charm. For you to sink so low….” Uriel shook his head and reached across Joe for the platter of bacon.
Joe pushed it out of reach. “You think I’m witty?”
“I think this conversation is fascinating,” Eldon said.
“Agreed,” Linus said. “I’ve never heard Uriel say two sentences in a row before. Who knew?”
Joe’s mouth fell open, and he turned to look at his boss and the other guys at the table. “Sleigh, what?”
Linus chuckled again. Every time Joe heard the man laugh, he swore he must be, like, Santa’s son or something. And one day, he’d take on the mantle of the family tradition. The other cousins just hadn’t quite cut it. But Linus couldho, ho, holike a champ.
And don’t even get Joe started on Linus’s ability to decorate for the holidays. Eldon may have the elegant multi-story shop on town square, but Linus’s decorations at the inn were top of the line as far as Joe was concerned. The exterior decor alone would win over any of those houses that appeared on social media.
“Whoa, I’m really on thesnowball, today. Conversation killed, not once, but twice.” Joe kicked Uriel again. “Say something. You normally havezeroproblems making conversation. Why are you acting like a socially awkward elf who doesn’t know how to break the ice?”
Uriel grunted. “First, please stop kicking me. Second, your puns are absolutely horrifying this morning. And third, if you don’t give me the bacon, I’m going toClausa scene.”
“Ha!” Joe handed over the bacon. “That was a good one.”
“Fascinating,” Nyall said. “The banter is real.”
Oberon seemed most confused by the conversation. “Uriel talks all the time. What are you three going on about?”
Nyall, Eldon, and Linus all seemed stunned. And wait a second….
“Holy ghosts of Christmas past,” Joe said. “Your names spell Noel. That’s so sweet. Did your parents plan it? Wait, who’s the oldest? Wait again, you don’t have to answer that. But come on, cousins whose names spell out Noel who live in a holiday-themed town? It had to be planned. How awesome is that?”
Joe turned to Uriel, who’d dropped his head into his hands.
“What?”
Then he realized Uriel’s shoulders were shaking a bit. Theelf-face was laughing at him. Joe kicked him under the table again.
“That’s it. No cozy mysteries for you today.”
Joe gasped. “Uriel!”
“Nope. Not only did you wake me up at a miserable hour, but you continue to kick me under the table after I asked you to stop. My limit has been reached.”
Joe crossed his arms over his chest. “Oh really. Your limit, huh?”
“Uh-oh,” Linus said, “that’s his serious voice. Make itrein, Joe.”
Joe grinned. “Did you all know there was a sale on children’s books at the bookstore today? Be sure to send all the kids over there. It’s a great deal!”
Uriel groaned. “You wouldn’t.”
“All the sticky fingers touching your store. All the parents letting said sticky fingers put books back in the wrong places.”
“Hey, Joe,” Eldon said.
“Yes?”
“Did you know the Christmas alphabet has Noel?”
Joe blinked for a second then laughed. “No-el. Ha! Good one. Linus, I feel like you should have taught me that one already. It’s such an easy one to remember.”
Footsteps from the foyer distracted Linus from answering. “Saved by the jingle bell. That’ll be one of my guests. Excuse me for a minute.”
