Angus growled at me again. The idea that all animals liked me seemed less and less likely.
“I also do the cakes in town,” I said, forcing a level tone even while my voice shook so much I knew he had to hear it. “But I’mreallyexcited to taste your ice cream. And I hear your candy is delicious.”
He grinned. “Really? And who’d you hear that from?”
“Actually,” I said, “it was my stepsister, Holly. She said she toured your place in San Francisco last year.”
Connor blinked in surprise. “You’ve got a sister named Joy and a stepsister named Holly?” He seemed genuinely confused. “And you’re Ivy?”
I laughed before I could stop myself, and then cringed when I heard how tinny it sounded. Why was I so nervous around this guy? The butterflies returned even as I argued with them that there was no way someone like him would ever be who I wanted him to be. Better to write him off now than get my heart broken down the road.
“I also have an older brother named Christopher—Chris for short.” I pointed to myself. “Then there’s me, Ivy. Then Joy and my little sister, Star. My step-siblings are Holly, Noelle, Eve, and Nick.” I shrugged. “You just moved into a Christmas town of close-knit folks, and you didn’t take the time to get to know anything about us?”
Chew on that, Mr. Scotland.
“Fascinating,” Connor murmured. “Is that another one of your town rules? All kids must be named weird Christmas names?”
“Excuseme.” I was always proud of the fact we were all named after the very holiday this town had come to be known for. “My name isn’t weird.”
He grinned again, and I couldn’t help but marvel at how it completely changed his face. He went from being broodingly handsome to drop-dead gorgeous when he actually smiled.
Connor gave me a small bow. “My apologies. Maybe weird is a bit too harsh.”
“And no, that’s not a town rule.” I shrugged. “It’s just what the Bell and Silver families do.”
The twinkle in his eye let me know he was now flat-out amused. “Dare I ask? I know your dad is Luke Bell, but who is Silver?”
I gave him a small smile. “My stepmom, Fran. Well, her name is legally Silver-Bell now that she and Dad are married.” The more I talked, the more I saw the amazement in his face and the more I realized, from his point of view, just how odd it all seemed.
Okay, maybe wewereweird.
Still shaking his head, Connor MacDowell chuckled. “At this rate, I’d have to see a family tree to figure it all out. As fascinating as this all is, IvyBell,just know I’m not leaving. I’ve been looking for a good place to live and set down some roots, and I think it’s right here, in Jingle Junction.”
“Itisa great place to live,” I said.
“I also believe in competition. It’s healthy, and it’s what I’m about.” He turned to go back inside, but before he reached the door, he shot me a parting grin over his shoulder. “Better learn to keep up, lass.”
He disappeared inside the side door, whistling to his dog. Angus took one last moment to grumble at me, spinning and kicking out his back feet like he was telling me just what he thought of me before vanishing inside, the door slamming shut in my face.
My temper flared like a volcano’s magma rising to the surface.
He wanted competition, did he? Inmytown?
Oh, buddy, game on!
11
Iwaited until I knew my dad would be out in his shop before driving over to the antique store. I hurried around back and opened the door to the antique store’s craft room. When I stepped inside, Dad was sitting on his tall stool, working on a model airplane. He looked up, then smiled as he took off his reading glasses.
“Ivy. This is a surprise. Come in. What’s going on?”
“Deke’s not here?” I asked, then instantly answered my own question. “Oh, Star Trek night with his mom. I forgot.” TV time with Mrs. Nelson was a sacred weekly habit for Deke, and everyone knew it.
Frankly, I was relieved. I really needed to talk to Dad, and Deke’s absence meant I could do so without worrying about upsetting him. I shut the door behind me and slowly made my way over to my father. I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject on my mind without seeming like a tattletale or whiny little kid, but I had to do something, that much was certain.
“I wanted to talk with you about Connor MacDowell,” I said. “Privately.”
“Oh?” Dad’s instant concern gave me the comfort I was hoping for, even while I wished I didn’t need it. “What’s happened?”
