Page 81 of Cabin Fever Baby
“Not exactly.” I spotted an open parking space and flicked on my blinker before someone else saw it. Quickly, I parallel-parked right outside a clothing shop.
“I’m jealous that you can do that,” Ivy said as she unclipped her seatbelt. “I’m lucky I can pull into a parking spot without having to straighten out.”
I laughed. “My dad and four brothers were very thorough on the driver’s lessons.”
I grabbed my bag and hopped out, meeting Ivy on the sidewalk. The streets were plowed as well as possible, but at least the sidewalks were salted. Main Street was a postcard, even with the mounds of snow.
The streetlights reminded me of old gas-lit lanterns. A horizontal pole stuck out from each where evergreen wreaths swung in the breeze, alternating red and gold bows fluttering happily. The storefronts were decorated in varying levels of cheer. Some quiet and traditional, some wild with color.
Last-minute shoppers bustled around us as the stores had signs welcoming people in with extended holiday hours for one more day.
Somehow Christmas Eve was tomorrow.
Ivy and I moved into the flow of traffic, hanging a left when we reached the To Dye For sign. It shouted farmhouse chic with white lights and buffalo-check plaid bows being their main source of holiday decorations.
The bell jingled above us, a sprig of mistletoe dancing with it.
“Ivy! You made it.” A woman with light brown hair came forward clad in a black apron with a half dozen pockets. Embroidered mistletoe decorated the top right near her name, Ellie, in gold thread. “Oh, and you brought a friend.”
Ivy smiled sheepishly. “Hope you don’t mind. Rory is in work mode and the little get-together became a writing session.”
Ellie laughed. “No problem. Same thing happens in my house only our version includes paints and graphite dust everywhere.”
The two laughed. All but Ellie’s chairs were full, including a barber’s chair with a mountain of a man splayed out with shaving cream down his neck. The smartly dressed barber was wielding an honest-to-God straight razor, making very precise swipes over his client’s stubble.
“Would you two like some Prosecco? Or maybe still or sparkling water?”
“Sparkling water would be great,” Ivy said.
I nodded. “Same.”
Ellie patted her black hairdresser’s chair, and then she disappeared.
Ivy climbed up into it and turned to me. “So, who are you looking for?”
“Hudson’s brother is local. His name is Callum MacGregor. I thought you might know him.”
“Did you say Callum?”
I turned to Ellie’s voice. “Yes. I think that was his name. Hudson kept calling him Cal.”
Ellie’s friendly eyes went cool. “Callum is my husband.”
Well, shit.
TWENTY-ONE
2 Days til Christmas
Finn thumpedthe back of my head with his middle finger. “C’mon, loser. Lennox is still stuck with some problem at work, so he won’t be coming in until tomorrow. We gotta go pick up some crap Ma forgot for dinner tomorrow.”
“Why do I have to go with you?”
“Because I’m sick of your stupid, sad face. At least we can get alcohol, and I can crush you in Mortal Kombat.”
“We’re not fourteen anymore.”
“Really? Because you’re acting like you are. Back when Lucy Becker broke your wittle heart.”