Page 1 of Mistletoe Mischief

Chapter One

The turquoise of the water drew me in, calling to me like a siren, and I was unable to resist taking that final step. I was so surprised by the warmth of the water, I stumbled back and landed on my butt in the sand. The people on the beach probably thought I was an idiot.”

Pike Sutton chuckled at the image his favorite travel podcaster, Alia Cole, created about her first visit to Aruba. Pike had never been anywhere farther than the states surrounding Idaho, so listening to Alia’s accounts of fascinating and beautiful places worldwide was his favorite thing to do on his way to work. Someday when Adventures in Mistletoe took off, he planned to travel, to explore some of the places Alia talked about on her podcast. But until then, the guided outdoor sports business he’d opened with his best friend, Anthony Russo, was his main focus.

“When I got my bearings again, I stepped into the clear, sparkling water. It was warm and inviting, but I’ll admit, I could only handle it for a short time. When it’s hot outside, I want my water to be colder than the temperature around me.”

I’m the exact same way.

“Although, if I’m in a colder climate, I want a scalding bath or sauna and a cup of hot cocoa to warm me up.”

Not a man? He couldn’t imagine a woman like Alia was single unless it was by choice. What man in his right mind would meet an adventurous, funny, stunning woman and not shoot his shot? She probably had daily DMs from men like Zac Efron.

Pike knew it was pathetic to fantasize about a celebrity as if they were really who they pretended to be, but Alia’s sense of humor, goofiness, and ability to laugh at herself had drawn him to her. He’d even checked out the podcast’s Instagram and discovered that not only was Alia the entire personality package but a knockout as well.

Although he’d read every post, Pike had only commented on a few, lest he give off Joe Goldberg vibes. When she’d responded to every comment with a small detail about the photo she hadn’t included in the podcast, he fully admitted that his stomach somersaulted like some lovestruck hero in a romance novel. As if she had saved those special details for him.

Pike had no illusions that Alia and he were meant for each other. He was an average guy with a great sense of style, a fastidious grooming routine, and a big personality. He used to hate his red hair and even tried to dye it black in his teen years, but he’d slowly learned to accept it. It was thick and shiny, and his beard was trimmed and full, which pulled attention away from the freckles he tried to hide. Alia had been seen with some of the most beautiful people in Hollywood; if they ever got a chance to meet, Pike knew she’d never fall for a man who’d been called “Lucky Charms” all through elementary school.

Not to mention the awkward middle school years when he’d been as round as he was tall, but those times were behind him. He spent hours in the gym every week, keeping everything hard and tight. There was no way he’d give others any more ammunition for mockery.

Besides, while fantasies were always fun, Pike was pursuing something real with Delilah Gill. She was best friends with his friend Nick Winters’ youngest sister, Holly, and according to gossip, Delilah had been infatuated with Pike for years. He’d known her since she was twelve, but maturity looked good on her now that she was in her late twenties. He’d finally gotten the chance to dance with Delilah and spend a little time with her, only to have her leave early without a goodbye. He’d thought about getting her number from Holly and cold-contacting her, but Pike didn’t want to overplay his hand. Although she’d been sweet and fun to talk to, she could be weighing her options, which was her prerogative. Pike had waited nearly fourteen years to make a move, so if she wanted to make him work for it, he’d do it. It was a minor setback, but considering his disastrous relationship history and the fact that he was over thirty in a small town where the dating pool was turning into a puddle, he needed to act fast.

Pike parked a few blocks down from Adventures in Mistletoe. It was Anthony’s turn to head out with clients while Pike helmed the store, but he hated being stuck inside on days like this. It was bright and beautiful outside with a slight bite in the air, the first hint that the weather was going to turn. Fresh powder meant better experiences for the clients who enjoyed skiing and snowboarding.

He rubbed his tired eyes and leaned back against the seat with a sigh. His coffee had come out with a heap of grounds in it, and he had no idea what happened. Pike wanted to stop in at Kiss My Donut, but he was afraid if he did, Anthony would be late to meet the clients, which would reflect badly on them both. Coffee would have to be forgone unless he could convince someone to bring him some. Maybe Holly or Nick would drop by with a cup.

While Pike would love to sit in the car listening to the rest of the podcast, he needed to get inside and talk to Anthony about the Mistletoe Christmas festivities. Merry Griffin was heading up the planning committee and had handpicked Adventures in Mistletoe to organize the first ever Mistletoe Winter Games. This was huge for the business, and he was anxious to have everything sorted before the deadline on Friday.

“The best part of the trip was what happened later that night …” Alia’s voice cut off as Pike pulled the keys out of the ignition.

“To be continued,” he murmured, pulling up the podcast’s Instagram. Pike scrolled through the posts as he exited the car and stepped onto the sidewalk, making his way to the front door. The top post on his feed caught his eye, and he paused outside the glass double doors.

“Where Should I Go Next?” Contest

Post a location in the comments and include three exciting attractions that make your destination stand out!

Contest closes Monday, November 25 at 10:00 a.m. EST.

Pike checked the time on his cell phone. Shit, that was in fifteen minutes! If he entered now, would she even consider him?

If you don’t enter, she won’t have the chance to consider Mistletoe! Better to try than not!

Pike’s thumbs tapped at lightning speed, pushing back the negative voice that scoffed at him. She is never going to choose Mistletoe, Idaho.

You should come to Mistletoe, Idaho, as your next destination. Gorgeous landscapes, perfect for outdoor sports like snowboarding, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing, surround the small town. Adventures in Mistletoe would be happy to give you guided tours around the area. The town hosts various holiday activities, including lights displays, parades, concerts, and an epic Winter Games. I would also encourage you to try one of our natural hot springs. They have magical powers!

Pike tapped the send button and opened the door to Adventures in Mistletoe. He stepped over the threshold, almost bumping into Delilah. She was wrapped in a puffer jacket, her dark hair up and off her face. Maybe it was the flush in her cheeks or the way those black cat-eye frames drew attention to her blue eyes, but she was looking mighty delectable. Pike knew what was under that coat and imagined what it would be like to spend date nights curled up on the couch to stay warm, talking about their days and what they should do for dinner. Although he knew Delilah as an acquaintance, he looked forward to learning all her likes and dislikes, to forging a bond.

He just had to get her number first!

“Hey! Is it weird if I say I’ve been looking for you?” he asked.

“Hi. No, I mean, depends,” she said, giving him a small smile. “I don’t owe you money, do I?”

“Funny,” he said, taking a few steps toward her, “but no, I wanted to check in and see how you were feeling.”

“Feeling …” Delilah hesitated, her forehead furrowed for a split second before she gasped, “Oh, after the other night. You know, drank too much. Needed to sleep it off.”