“The only boy you ever wanted?” My heart sinks. “I didn’t know that, Mack. You never said anything all those years we were close.”
“And have you or Emmie hold it over me? Please. I knew better than that.” She gives a quick glance around at the festivities. “So what else do you got? I need to get going. This night isn’t going to run itself. I have to mingle.” She pulls her navy wool coat tightly and snarls at Fish.
“How about a walk in the snow under the moonlight? You could ask him by the water? The cove is beautiful this time of year with the moon dancing over it.”
She makes a face. “Too soft. Too generic. Too similar to your own proposal.”
“Jasper proposed in the gazebo.”
“Next to the beach while the moon danced on the water.” She sticks her finger down her throat and pretends to gag. “I’ll go with option one.” Her lips stretch into something vaguely like a smile as she looks to the crowd. “Come hell or high water, tomorrow night—I’m going to be an engaged woman.” She stalks off before I can stop her.
“Wait, option one? The fight?” I ask, shaking my head down at the furry trio and the three of them whimper as if they were already terrified of the feisty exchange. Can’t blame them. I am, too.
Inside of Two Old Broads, it’s brightly lit with white twinkle lights lining all the shelves and counters on one side, and a haphazard string of large colorful lights strewn in a crooked pattern on the other. The right side is neat and orderly, as opposed to the left side of the store, which has clothes and quilts mixed onto tables and a pile of what looks to be some of Georgie’s vases, trivets, and other mosaics on the floor.
The right side has a chalkboard sign over it that reads in a pleasant script font Ree’s Priceless Picks! And the left side has a sign created out of sea glass embedded in grout that reads Georgie’s Junk. Get it while it’s hot!
The cheery sound of “Jingle Bell Rock” blares over the speakers, and if I’m not mistaken, the scent of chocolate chip cookies fills the air. Women and men alike are snapping up wonky quilts, wonky jackets, and wonky dresses. Even the wonky quilt bedding for pets is flying off the shelves.
We thread our way through the crowd until we hit the front registers where Mom, Georgie, and Juni are taking care of customers while wearing Santa hats with oversized elf ears attached to them. It’s a comical sight, and even Fish is braying out a laugh at the three of them.
“Say cheese,” Macy sings their way as she quickly snaps a picture. “As your web designer, I’ll be sure to update your homepage and your bio pics.”
Mom grunts as she looks to Georgie, “I told you she wasn’t through humiliating us.”
Georgie gives my sister the stink eye. “Go ahead and do it, missy. And just you wait. We’ll be more popular than ever—with the men.”
Macy gasps because, let’s face it, Georgie hit her where it hurts.
Mom chuckles as she makes her way over to us. “Don’t worry, Macy. We’ll send our surplus of freaks from the North Pole your way.” She pulls me into a hug. “Congratulations, Bizzy. Georgie just told me the good news. I can’t believe you didn’t call me yesterday when you found out.”
Georgie comes over, and it’s only then I note they’re both wearing frilly red and white aprons ala Mrs. Claus over a wonky quilt dress.
Macy gags my way. “Are you knocked up already?”
“What? No!”
Sherlock barks. I heard Jasper say there would be lots of practice before he knocked you up.
Rudolph gives a few yipes. What’s knocked up?
Fish mewls, Does this have anything to do with Sherlock knocking his tail against your bedroom door at night, demanding to be let in?
I shake my head her way.
Mom laughs. “Bizzy! Have you swallowed the watermelon seed already?”
“No,” I say it emphatically this time.
Watermelon! Fish perks up. Can you grow those inside of you, Bizzy?
Sherlock barks. Watermelon is almost as good as bacon. Just wait until you try it, kiddo. He nudges Rudolph with his nose.
If it doesn’t taste like bacon, I don’t want it. Rudolph belts out an adorable woof while sniffing the wonky quilt Georgie has donned—no doubt looking for his favorite culinary treat. We’ve ruined him as far as kibble goes. Dinnertime has been pretty much a disaster as of late.
“No watermelon here.” I look to Macy. “Quinn left me the inn.”
Hux pops up behind my mother. “I heard the news, sis. Mackenzie told me. It’s all over town. Congrats, Biz. I officially volunteer as your legal counsel. You’ll be needing it.”
“Thank you,” I say. “I especially like the volunteer part.”
Hux lifts a finger. “Let’s not get carried away.”
Macy steps forward. “Wait a minute. You’re saying that earl who was killed left that entire property to you? Just like that?”
“Just like that.” I nod. “There’s a bit of paperwork to sift through, but it’s mine to do as I wish—and I wish to keep the guests coming. It’s all on me now if it sinks or floats.”
Mom ticks her head. “It was sort of on you beforehand, too.”
Fish yowls, And that’s the only reason it’s still floating today.
I land a quick kiss to her forehead. She’s not wrong.
Hux nods me over to the side, and we drift off as Georgie and Mom get back behind the registers. Macy snaps up a few chocolate chip cookies before joining us.
“It’s all a go for tomorrow night.” He gives a solemn nod my way. “I have the ring, a surefire way to tick her off, and the exact words I want to say once I drop to one knee. I just need to know where to do the deed.”
“Oh wow,” Macy says through a mouthful.
