Page 2 of Christmas of Love
I glanced around the room to see the Bailey sisters. Nina, Grace, and Maya gave a quick wave before turning back to their plates of food. Maybe one of them could give me a ride.
“That’s a shame, dear.” She squeezed my hand. “But do you know what that tells me?”
I chuckled, taking off my knit hat. “I can only imagine.”
“You’re meant to be here.” Millie snapped her fingers, and Abby from the coffee shop came over with a cup of tea.
I took the cup and grinned at Abby. “Thank you.” But then I turned my attention to Millie. “But I’m actually meant to be at Buttercup Lake Resort in less than twenty minutes.”
“Oh, you’re in a real pickle.”
I laughed, nodding. “It appears so.”
“Well, the resort’s only ten minutes away. We’re about to chat about the overall themes of the next book selection we’re about to read.”
“But…” I started again.
Millie shook her head and looped her fingers through mine. “But nothing. Come on over, Daisy.”
“What’s the book even about?” I asked as she led me to an empty chair.
“Well, we haven’t started it yet.” She reached for a paperback turned upside down on the chair beside me. “But it’s the perfect holiday romance calledThe Little Christmas Bar Around the Corner.”
I chuckled. “That’s one I haven’t heard of. I thought you guys might be readingA Christmas Carolor something.”
“We need something light and festive,” Millie said, glancing at Maya, who took a seat next to her. “Okay, Ladies. Let’s gather around.”
I looked around the room and shook my head. “Do you think we could see who could drive me to the resort first? I hate to ask, but it’s really important that I get there on time. I’ll make more fudge for whoever drives me.”
To say I was embarrassed was an understatement, but I absolutely needed to get to my job on time. I was the only bartender on duty since it was a Tuesday night, right before a blizzard was supposed to slam into our area.
Millie frowned and shook her head. “Oh, no, dear. All the ladies here must join in the planning for our holiday party and come up with the reading schedule, but…” She turned in her seat and smiled at Maya. “Didn’t you say that Hunter was swinging by?”
Hunter Knox.
Oh, no.
Not Hunter Knox, ex-boss, gorgeous mess of a man.
What was he even doing in Buttercup Lake? His bar was down in Madison.
I let out a sigh and chuckled. “I’d rather just miss my shift.”
Millie rolled her eyes and looked at Maya. “Don’t be so dramatic. He’s on his way, right?”
She nodded, taking a bite of Kringle. “Yeah. Cash had already asked him to swing by and grab a sample of gingerbread beer from him. It’s in my trunk.”
“Gingerbread beer?” I cocked my head slightly.
“Don’t ask. Cash is trying his hand at home brewing and…”
I chuckled. “Gotcha.”
Cash Knox and Maya were the perfect match, and truth be told, the Sunshine Breakfast Club had plenty to do with that coupling. This book club was skilled at what they did to the poor, unsuspecting love birds.
Time and again.
“Anyway, he should be here any second,” Maya explained.