Page 46 of Mistletoe Mischief

“A red-haired birdie.”

Ryler arched a brow. “Would this redhead happened to be male and bearded?”

Holly touched her nose. “Bull’s-eye.”

“Well, he shouldn’t dish shit out if he can’t take it.”

Holly clicked her tongue against her teeth. “I’ve been telling him that for years, but he still hasn’t learned.”

“Do men really ever learn?” Ryler asked, fingering a glittery red-and-white globe twisted to look like a peppermint.

“Hey!” Kit said.

Both women laughed. “Sorry, Kit. You were so quiet over there.”

“Uh-huh,” he grumbled.

Ryler plucked the ornament off the tree and held it up. “I love this one. Do you have an ornament box I could put my choices in?”

“I do,” Holly said, taking the orb from her. “Let me grab one.”

“Thanks,” Ryler said, following Holly toward the back of the store and waiting outside the door to a back-room Holly had disappeared into. Ryler didn’t want to make things awkward, but her curiosity got the best of her when Holly re-emerged with a cardboard box with slats.

“I’ll set this by the register, and if you fill it up, we’ll grab another.”

“Thank you.” Ryler lowered her voice, trying to avoid Kit overhearing, and asked, “So, if you don’t mind me asking, what’s Pike’s deal?”

Holly set the box down and turned to face her, cocking her head to one side. “You’ll have to be more specific.”

“I mean, is he just a dog who goes after every woman he meets?”

Holly gave her a long, pensive look, and Ryler squirmed under her scrutiny, losing her nerve. “You know what? It’s none of my business, and I am so sorry for being nosy.”

“I’m just curious about why you’re asking,” Holly said slowly, leaning on the counter with a grin. “Did something happen between you two?”

“Now who’s being nosy,” Ryler said, chuckling, but she knew her cheeks were burning. “A mild flirtation when we first met.”

“I see.” Holly hadn’t lost that amused expression, and Ryler wanted to kick herself for letting her curiosity overwhelm her good sense. What was to stop Holly from running back to Pike and telling him she’d been asking personal questions about him?

“Pike’s had several long-term girlfriends, but the relationships haven’t ended well,” Holly said softly, heading over to the farthest tree away from Kit, and Ryler followed her, absently studying the ornaments.

“When was his last relationship?” Ryler asked.

“He dated one of Merry’s friends for a while, but they broke up right before the holidays last year.”

Ryler picked up a glass camera with sparkles on it, intending it for Kit. She walked it over to the box, and when she came back, she whispered, “Why did they break up?”

Holly hesitated, probably worried she’d say too much and Ryler would tell Pike. “Sally was looking for something else, and when Pike put his foot in his mouth big-time, it gave her an out. Pike really is a sweet guy, but he can be tactless.”

“I don’t mean to put you in an awkward position,” Ryler said, nodding at a beautiful ornament shaped like a Christmas tree with string lights on the branches that Holly was holding up.

“No, you’re fine. If you’re curious about Pike, I don’t mind sharing. Better you know what you’re getting into with him.”

“Oh no,” Ryler protested, catching herself when her voice rose. “I’m not interested in Pike.”

“You’re not?” Holly asked.

“No, not like that.” Holly touched a plaid shirt ornament that reminded Ryler of Pike but left it on the tree. “I just find him intriguing.”