Page 27 of The Friendship Pact

He tucked his phone into his back pocket. “Listen, Kate, I know you like Nick—”

“What? I don’t like Nick. I mean, I like Nick, but I don’t like like Nick.”

Cole smirked.

“You know what I mean,” Kate said.

Cole spread out his hands in a gesture of surrender. “Just so you know, Rachel and Levi have become like family to my brother. But as far as I know, there’s nothing going on between them. Romantically, that is.” He placed a hand on her shoulder. “See you tomorrow. Get some rest. Santa Days will take a lot of energy.”

CHAPTER NINE

Kate had called Regina last night and spent hours on the phone, discussing Nick, the townspeople she had met, and the ladies who’d invited her to Paige’s bachelorette party. The real reason for her call, besides catching up with her best friend, was advice on what to wear to Santa Days. Regina could always pick the best outfit to wear at any event.

They decided Kate’s forest green turtleneck sweater minidress with black leggings and black ankle boots would be Christmasy and stylish.

Kate walked to the lodge. The clouds hung low in the sky, and snow was forecasted for late afternoon. She hoped the weather would hold until all the families were back home safely. Nick had texted before she woke and wished her luck. He had just gotten off duty and said he’d stop in after he slept for a few hours.

The festivities started at noon, but when she arrived at nine, the parking lot was already half full. An older gentleman stopped her at the entrance.

“You must be Kate Davis.” He opened the heavy wooden doors for her and stepped into the lobby behind her. “I’m Jim Reid.”

“Oh, Mr. Reid, it’s so nice to finally meet you. How are you feeling?”

She noticed he had a cane looped around his wrist, dangling freely.

“Please. Call me Jim. I’m doing well. Thank you for helping us out.”

“I’m having fun.”

“Honey.” Ruth came out from behind the desk. “Please use your cane instead of holding it above the ground or twirling it like Charlie Chaplin.”

“Yes, dear,” Jim said, winking at Kate, then turning to smile at his wife.

Ruth wrapped Kate in a hug. “You look pretty.”

“Thank you. I’m going to head to the kitchen and see what needs to be done.”

“I’ll come with you,” Ruth said, pointing at Jim as if he were in trouble, but with a smile that said the opposite.

* * *

Classic Christmas tunes played throughout the lodge. The giant evergreen in the lobby displayed an outdoor winter theme and was lovely, but when Kate stepped into the ballroom, she stood in awe.

“Chloe, this is beautiful!” she said as she spun around, taking in the room. “The kids are going to love this. I feel like I’ve landed in the middle of Dr. Seuss’s Whoville.”

The top of the Christmas tree curved slightly toward the floor, and was adorned with lime green and red ribbons with polka-dots and candy cane stripes. Sprays of berries and supersized ornaments covered in red and green glitter stuck out in all different directions, giving it a whimsical flair. Snowflakes covered in red and silver glitter and long, pointy striped ornaments dangled from the ceiling. Two-foot elf stockings hung from the fireplace mantel. The backdrop of Santa’s chair was a cutout of the Whoville town in all its bright, splendid colors.

“Thanks! I think this one is my best yet!”

Chloe’s hair today had both red and green streaks running through it, matching her green dress with red-and-white striped tights and curly toed elf shoes with bells at the tips. Chloe set up the crowd-control posts and ropes that would guide the children to Santa’s chair.

Ruth showed Kate to the bake sale table. “Elsie and Emma oversee the bake sale. They’ll be along shortly.” Powdered sugar–dusted green cookies with red candy hearts in the middle were packaged individually in cellophane bags. Mint chocolate chip fudge, red-velvet cupcakes with green frosting piled high and topped with small red hearts, green-and-white spiral sugar cookies decorated with multicolored sprinkles, and colorful popcorn balls graced the table.

“I’m speechless. Who made these treats?”

Chloe joined them at the table, her shoes jingling. “Nikki and Nora, Maggie’s twin nieces, along with Rosie and several other ladies in town.”

“I need to set some aside for myself. This town is filled with creative and talented people.”