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“I’ll try that first, but they are from California,” he said, his voice thick with disdain.
Holly didn’t bother arguing because she knew it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, and she didn’t have the energy to go a round of “why Californians aren’t to blame for everything going wrong in Idaho.”
“Well, I’d better get back to it, or I won’t have time to finish before I leave.”
“Yes, of course, there was just one more thing. It’s about the displays.”
“Okay,” she said, drawing out the word.
“Last year, your house got a little gaudy and out of control and I want to make sure that we keep the playing field level for everyone else.”
Holly lifted her sunglasses and stared at him. She’d done a winter wonderland with a magnetic pond, ice skaters, and a snow machine, along with an entire miniature town to model Mistletoe. She’d won best display, beating Theodore out, something her neighbors said hadn’t happened in years. He’d been snarky about it then and apparently time hadn’t made him less salty.
“Since the judges didn’t seem to find my display gaudy, I guess I’ll do what I think is best with my house.”
The fake smile on his face slipped a moment and his dark eyes narrowed. “I suppose when you come by money so young, it’s easy to fritter it away.” Holly’s jaw dropped at his audacity, and before he turned, he pointed to the end of her driveway. “Don’t just dump your snow pile for someone else to have to climb over.”
“Of course not,” she snapped, reining in her temper as he walked back around the corner and disappeared. Holly hated the closed-mindedness of some people who didn’t think she worked for her money. While she might not have spent twenty years punching a clock from nine to five, she’d put in many hours coming up with content, reinvesting her money into her stunts, into her fans, and into her channel and it paid off.
Great, now she was tired and cranky.
It took her almost forty-five minutes to clear her walkway and plow the driveway. Holly pulled out of Evergreen Circle just fifteen minutes before she had to open the shop, leaving her with no time to pick up what she needed to break Declan. Although after her encounter with Theodore, her irritation with Declan had lessened considerably. That or the older man surpassed Declan’s abilities to piss her off.
Holly pulled into a spot in front of the shop and realized she’d forgotten her travel mug of coffee on her railing. Leaning her head against the steering wheel, she took a deep breath.
It’s okay. I’ll send Erica to grab us a couple of coffees and get my head on straight with some cheerful Christmas tunes. Volume turned up.
The thought made her smile and Holly climbed out of the SUV, rummaging through her purse as she walked toward the front. Holly retrieved her keys from the bottomless pit and stepped up onto the mat. A burst of static and then the sound of a rattle echoed in the alcove before something fell from above, raining long, twisting bodies down on her and dropping around her feet in a sea of—
Snakes.
Holly screamed and stumbled back, tearing up the pavement to put distance between her and the danger noodles until two things stopped her.
Holly realized the snakes weren’t moving, and she heard the unmistakable sound of crackling male laughter explode from her doorway.
Her gaze zeroed in on a black walkie-talkie she’d missed tucked into the corner, and she stepped over and around the fake snakes to pick it up, pressing the button to talk.
“Declan…I’m going to wring your flipping neck.”
She released the button, and he responded, “Are you sure you can reach that high, Elf?”
“Harmless pranks are one thing, but using my worst fear—wait, how did you know I’m afraid of snakes?”
“I cannot reveal my sources,” he said smartly. “You got the money for my new phone?”
One of her siblings must have given her up and when she found out who, they would be in for a world of pain.
“You got me here, Gallagher, but you crossed a line. I hope you’re prepared for the aftermath.”
“You keep threatening to bring the heat, Elf, but everything you’re hitting me with is tepid at best.”
“I’m underwhelming you before I blow your mind,” she clapped back, turning when she heard the thud of boots behind her. Holly turned around to find Declan standing behind her, smirking.
“Talk is cheap. Put your money where your mouth is.”
“I’ve never understood that expression, but I’m more than happy to show you what a swift kick in the ass feels like.”
Holly lunged at Declan, lifting her leg in the air as she gave chase, but the infuriating man easily sidestepped her at every turn, that smug smirk curling his lips.
