Page 26 of Wicked Love

“Mistletoe Creek looks like a Christmas town,” Grace exclaimed. “You know, like in the movies.” We parked in front of Gold’s Gas & Garage. “It’s beautiful. Ohmygod, it really looks like it has come straight from an old movie set.” White siding and a red roof, it had open garage doors for mechanical purposes and old gas pumps with a nineteen-sixties vibe.

Grace was right. This town had undeniable appeal, showcasing the magic of the Holidays, not a care in the world we were still almost a month away from Christmas.

I stopped the engine and opened the door. “Gimme a sec. I’ll be right back.”

“Take your time,” Grace said. “I’m in no hurry to leave this place.”

The fresh scent of pine filled the air, and I took a full whiff in, enjoying how it tickled my nose.

I was about to fill the car when a woman walked by.

“Are you new in town?” she asked, stopping beside me.

“Just passing through,” I said. “It’s lovely here. Love the Holiday vibe you guys have got going on.”

“Too bad you’re not here to stay. We have a full calendar until the New Year. If you’re not in a rush, there is the tree lighting celebration in the main square tonight. You should come. The whole town will be there. There will be music and hot chocolate.”

“I’ll ask my…huh…Grace. We could maybe stay overnight. If we can find a hotel or something.” I had no idea how to explain the relationship between Grace and me. Calling her a sister felt weird, and a friend seemed too impersonal. From now on, I would stick to her name.

The woman grinned. “It’s your lucky day. I run the Stardust Inn. We have one room left for tonight.” She extended her arm. “I’m Lea. Lea Delaney.”

I slipped my palm into hers. “Joe. Crawford.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Joe. The inn is about half a mile down this way,” she said, pointing to our left. “You’ll pass the Glass Slipper Bed & Breakfast, The Woodsman—the tavern—and it’ll be right after. You won’t miss it.”

“Thanks.”

“See you later. Maybe.”

“Yeah, maybe,” I called after her.

“Okay, hear me out,” I told Grace when I climbed back behind the steering wheel. I rubbed my hands together, warming them up. With the cold front settling all over eastern Tennessee, I wondered if we’d get snow within a few days. “I saw the sparkles in your eyes earlier, and we’re in no rush. How about we stay here for a night? There’s a Christmas tree lighting celebration later. Could be fun to join the festivities. What do you think?”

She tapped her chin with a finger, twisting her lips. “Yeah. Okay. I love the idea.”

“Perfect. I found us a place to crash overnight.”

Her eyes rounded. “You did? Already?”

“Yes. Let’s enjoy ourselves tonight, and tomorrow we’ll get back on the road.”

“Joe, thanks for doing this with me. Not a lot of people have made me feel special over the years. I appreciate your trying.”

She fidgeted with her hands, and I had to firm my grip around the steering wheel to avoid taking her hand in mine. “I’m sorry you ever thought you were not good enough.”

Grace cast a glance down. “It’s hard living in her shadow, you know. My mom was a beauty pageant queen. She modeled for magazines and walked the runway for the best designers in Milan and Paris. I just wish she would accept me the way I am and not ask me to be someone else—someone I’m not—all the time. It gets exhausting in the end.”

“I can’t pretend I can relate to that because my dad has always been awesome. Even when he was heartbroken after my mom’s death, he was still trying. I was the one who acted out for a while. He never lost faith in me. Whenever you wanna talk, I’m here.”

“Thanks.”

“Let’s make a deal, though. Let’s forget about your mom for the time being. The best way to not let her invade your thoughts is to not give her power over them.”

“You think I can do that?”

I nodded. “Sure. Take back control of your thoughts. Every time you hear her insult you in your head, switch what she says for a positive affirmation.” I paused, gathering my thoughts. “If her voice in your head tells you that you should…let’s say…change clothes because it doesn’t suit your figure, then rephrase it to I look beautiful, no matter how I dress.”

“You believe it works?”