AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She smiled so hard her face hurt. I’ll leave here soon.
He included a thumbs up emoji and Holly wasn’t sure if she should be disappointed there was no funny, flirty message attached or relieved he wasn’t making a big deal about their intense, delicious kiss this morning.
Since her longest relationships had only lasted a few months, she wasn’t expecting things with Declan to develop into anything deeper than attraction, possibly affection, but Holly didn’t want there to be any resentment when they parted ways, considering they’d had enough of that the first two years of their acquaintance. What she was hoping for was a hot, down and dirty, spicy fling, and once they got the sexual tension banged out of them, they could move on with a new understanding of each other.
Still, the fact that he kept so much of himself close to the breast bothered her. Holly understood boundaries were healthy and important, but how did he expect to get close to people if he didn’t even let them see the best parts? The sensitive, vulnerable parts?
The door opened and Santa called out “ho, ho, ho” startling the older dark-haired woman walking through it. She covered her chest with a laugh and said, “Oh my. That was better than a cup of coffee to wake you up.”
Holly grinned. “Sorry it scared you. I’ve been reassessing my use of it, especially since people don’t expect it and nearly jump out of their skin.”
“I wouldn’t change a thing. I think life should be full of surprises.” The closer she got, the more familiar she seemed, but Holly couldn’t put her finger on how she knew her. “Your shop is adorable. I haven’t been back to town for years, so this is my first time in.”
“Oh, well, welcome back to Mistletoe,” Holly said, coming around the counter. “I’m Holly Winters, the owner. If you need any help finding something, let me know.”
“Thank you. You’re the YouTube star, aren’t you?”
Holly laughed, cheeks warming after all these years anytime she was recognized. “Yes, the Adventure Elf, although I haven’t been very adventurous lately.”
“I’ve seen a few of your videos friends sent me. You definitely have a zest for life.”
“Or a death wish, according to my older sister.”
“Nonsense. I don’t think anything you’ve done is too zany and you should experience as much as you can before you have children if that is in the cards for you. Playing catch up in your late fifties is brutal on your body. I tried parasailing in Florida and I needed four pain pills and an ice pack just to get out of bed the next day.”
“Oh, I loved parasailing in Hawaii, but I’ve seen too many videos of parasailers looking down in Florida and seeing hundreds of sharks below. No, thank you.”
“I thought I’d feel the same, but then I did a shark swim in the Bahamas after snorkeling and it’s such a powerful feeling.” She picked up one of the ornaments off the closest Christmas tree, a wreath made out of tools, and handed it to Holly. “I’ll take this one for sure.”
“Fantastic, I’ll wrap it up.” Holly pulled out the gift wrap drawer and took the tag off the ornament before safely surrounding it in a layer of tissue. “What are your plans while you’re in town?”
“Mostly reconnecting with my family and old friends. I was going to stop in and talk to my son today, but he wasn’t at the store.”
Holly stilled in the middle of selecting a red-and-white striped gift bag, puzzle pieces clicking into place. “Who’s your son?”
“Declan Gallagher.”
Eager curiosity rushed through her like a shot of liquor, and she set the bag on the counter with a smile. “I thought you looked familiar. I’ve seen your picture.” Holly’s mind raced as she studied Declan’s mom, wondering if Declan knew she was there or if this was supposed to be one of those awkward surprise visits they show in comedies that make people with social anxiety disorder uncomfortable. “Does he know you’re in town?”
“He knows. Not sure if he approves, but that’s just the way of things. Are you friends with my son?”
“Kind of. Depends on the day. Right now, he’s at my place setting up Christmas lights.”
“I saw the sign he left on the shop door about being out on a handyman job today.” She held out her hand. “I forgot to officially introduce myself. Diana Thacker, formerly Gallagher.”
“It’s good to meet you.”
“You’ve had him stringing Christmas lights all day?”
“Yes, I’m a harsh task mistress. Poor guy got stuck doing my display over on Evergreen Circle, so it’s a little more than Christmas lights.”
“Oh, I used to love going through there and seeing the different displays every year. We bought a house one street over, so I could at least see some of them from afar. You must be doing well to buy a house in that neighborhood.”
“I do well enough, but I got lucky it even became available.”
“I always wanted to live there, but my husband isn’t exactly Mr. Christmas. Sorry, ex-husband.” She picked up another ornament, a bemused smile on her lips. “We’ve been divorced for ten years but he still feels like mine, although I didn’t think that way when we signed the papers. Time and distance really do heal, I suppose.” Diana returned the ornament to the tree and turned to Holly. “Are you married? I don’t see a ring, but a lot of women don’t wear them anymore.”
“No, I’m not married.”
