Page 99 of The Mistletoe Mix-up

Chapter Thirty

The winter games kicked off with the goofiest race Wren had ever seen—grown men sledding down hills and tapping their partners in, only for those fools to slip into blow-up Rudolph costumes and race to the finish line in order to build a snowman.

All she could do was shake her head.

The crowd seemed to enjoy it, though, as all of Mistletoe was lined up along the route of the race, cheering on their favorite contestants.

At the center of Mistletoe Park where the games were being held, three large tents had been erected. Inside were different activities, including chainsaw ice sculpting, Christmas dessert contests, and of course the pie throwing. Wren planned on stopping by during Sam’s shift as moral support.

After the race and a break for lunch, there would be a hockey game on the ice-skating rink. Then everyone would leave to get ready for the Christmas concert. It was the final event in a long Christmas season, and Wren was happy that she’d be here for it, even if she was technically working the event.

Wren saw Sam leaning against the fence, talking to his brother, Holly, and Merry. Wren approached them nervously. Although Clark had been an adorable kid, she hadn’t paid him a lot of attention when she’d dated Sam in high school. As for Merry and Holly, they were sweet, but she’d heard the rumors about Sam and Holly, before she’d started dating Declan Gallagher.

Wren heard Millie calling her name and turned around, searching for her. Millie was walking away from a tall, fit man in a backward hat and glasses. Wren was positive it was Matt, the dreamy physical education teacher, but she waited for Millie to catch up before she asked.

“Hey, sunshine,” Wren said, nodding to Backward Hat. “Was that Matt?”

“Yes, he’s playing in the hockey game this afternoon and asked if I was going to come watch.”

“And you said of course you were?” Wren asked.

“I did say I would stop by.”

“Oh, very good. Noncommittal, letting him know who is in control.”

Millie rolled her eyes. “Oh, right. How about you?” She glanced over to where Sam stood with his friends. “Why are you hanging over here instead of going to say hi to Sam?”

“Sam? Oh, I didn’t even see him there. He looks busy, so I’ll wait.”

Millie crossed her arms over her chest. “What’s up? Are you scared of hanging out with Sam’s friends? Merry and Holly Winters are super nice.”

“I’m sure they are, but I’ve also given them tickets for jaywalking—multiple times—so I doubt they will be excited to see me.”

“That’s your job, though. If they don’t like you, then screw them.” Millie linked her arm with Wren’s. “Come on, I’ll go over there with you. If anyone gives us any attitude, I’ll throw something at them.”

Wren laughed, letting her friend drag her over to see Sam. When he spotted her, his face split into a wide grin, a pair of dark glasses covering his fantastic eyes.

“Hey, gorgeous,” he said, leaning over to give her a kiss. “How is protecting and serving going?”

“It’s going,” Wren said.

“It’s Millie, right?” Sam said, holding out his hand. “I remember you from high school, but it just took me a minute.”

“Glad you convinced this one to give you another chance, Sam,” Millie said, ignoring Wren’s dark look.

“We were just talking about the games. Apparently, Anthony and Pike got themselves into a tight jam over this afternoon’s hockey game. They bet the opposing team a pair of snowmobiles for their boat?”

“So stupid,” Merry muttered.

Holly shrugged. “Maybe so, but I can’t stand Brody and Trip, so I hope Pike and Anthony kick their rears.”

Wren felt Sam’s hand clasp hers, and she blushed, loving the warmth of his touch.

“Speaking of activities,” he said, hugging her, “I have to get back for my stint in the pie-throwing ring.”

“I’ll be sure to come by and check it out,” she said.

Sam covered his heart with his hand. “Don’t tell me that you’re gonna throw a pie at me.”