Page 2 of Christmas Replay (Majestic Falls: Christmas Spice #4)

Cliff

Alissa… She hadn’t been far from my thoughts all year, but she’d never believe me if I told her that. My obsession made no sense. In the whole scheme of things, we’d had an interlude that amounted to a blink of time. Yet, she’d made an impression on me.

So here I was, driving north again in a replay of last year, but this time, I hoped the ending would be different.

It was Christmas Eve, and I had zero reason to be on this rural highway, heading toward Majestic Falls.

Just after Christmas last year, my parents had retired to Florida.

This year, I wasn’t celebrating the holiday with them because they were vacationing in Europe.

Which was a shame. As I drove into the outskirts of Majestic Falls, the snow swirling gently around me, it was clear that Majestic Falls was Christmas personified. Like I wouldn’t have been surprised to see Santa’s reindeer roaming about under the twinkle lights threaded along the sidewalks.

No reindeer, but my eyes widened when I saw a moose. At first I thought it was a large decoration, but then it turned it’s head and stared at me. Nothing animatronic about that, either. It wasn’t a fake animal as part of an holiday display.

After a long stare while I slowed my car to a crawl, it seemed to dismiss me and amble off in the other directions. I sucked in a deep breath then released it in a slow exhale. I’d heard of moose charging and despite me driving an SUV, an animal that size could do some damage.

But all in all, my first run in with local wildlife?

A success. It was the first in recent years anyway.

Since I’d grown up here, I’d seen bear, deer and of course some moose, as well as a lot of smaller critters, over the years.

Living in New York City as I had for the past years had admittedly softened me some.

Ah, the big city. Since my parents were out of town, I could be back there working.

Since I was planning my move to my new city after the new year, once the last bits of my old job were tied up or handed over, I had more to do than ever.

By the end of January, I would be a citizen of Majestic Falls again and the Big Apple would be in my rear view.

I looked forward to the slower pace here, the nostalgia of returning to my childhood home.

Yet…all I could think of was Alissa, a woman from a random coffee shop.

A woman who hadn’t grown up in Majestic Falls—at least I didn’t think she did.

Though the town had a small-town feel, in actuality, it was a city that was large enough for a couple school districts.

Even that small question—was she from here or not—niggled at me and I wanted to find out all there was to know about her.

In the whole scheme of the mountain of tasks ahead of me, Alissa was a small detail, but for some reason, she also seemed like the most important.

Crazy, since I doubted she’d even remember me.

Not only did I doubt I’d been all that memorable, but she might not even be at Midnight Java .

My car slowed as I approached the turn that would take me to her business. I glanced at my dash.

God, please let her be open ‘til eight again tonight.

My heartbeat sped up as I approached the shop and spied the Christmas lights in the window. They were what had attracted me last year. Yes, I’d wanted coffee, but there was a gas station down the road. Her place had called to me.

Tonight, the lot was empty, except for a single car.

I pulled into a parking spot and stared through the store’s front window again.

My breath caught when I caught a glimpse of Alissa through the glass.

She was here. There was no way I’d leaving tonight without her number in my phone.

Hell, if I had my way, I wouldn’t leave alone at all.

Full of determination, I bolted from my car and strode toward the coffee shop before I could convince myself this was a bad idea and change my mind.

If I turned around right now, I could still head up to the house on the mountain.

My parents had moved, but I’d bought the place from them.

I knew without a doubt, leaving was a bad idea and I’d regret it for a long time.

If I didn’t go inside to see Alissa, I’d forever wonder what could have been.

As a rule, I didn’t live by could-have-beens or if onlys. If I wanted something, I went for it. With Alissa… Well, this was a first for me in so many ways.

I should have come back sooner.

Thing was, I just couldn’t. Not with everything that had gone on this year—my final case had been a murder trial that had taken nearly a year.

Along with my less-high profile work, I’d barely had time to do anything but sleep and do minimal self-maintenance.

A drive up to Majestic Falls, even for the weekend, had been out.

But I was there now.

I grasped the entry’s door handle.

Here goes nothing.

Or here goes everything.

The bell over the door jingled as I entered. I paused on the threshold, taking in the woman who’d consumed my dreams for the past year.

Alissa looked up, and our eyes met. My world shifted, my heart thundering when I watched her mouth Cliff.

In that moment, it was all I needed. It propelled me forward to the counter, my gaze never leaving hers.

“Are you open?” I asked, repeating my first words from last year.

Her lips quirked. “Just barely. What can I get you?”

“A black coffee would be great,” he said. “And I’m wondering what your plans might be for the holiday. You’re closed until after New Year’s, right?”

“Yeah.” She paused in her reach for a mug. Her green eyes widened as she stared at me. God, they were just as green as I remembered. There’d come a point when I’d thought the vivid hue might be my imagination, and I’d damned myself for not taking a picture.

“Why…?” she asked slowly.

“I guess I should start by asking if you have a boyfriend or a husband or something, but I’d really like to spend the holidays with you.”

“That’s only slightly random.” Her lips rolled together, and she shook her head while she poured my coffee then slid it toward me. Quickly, she grabbed a large snowman-shaped sugar cookie from the case and placed it on a wax paper beside the cup. She winked. “Saved you one.”

So she’d been hoping I’d show up tonight? Suddenly, I felt a lot more at ease, and the tension in my chest lightened up a little.

“Thank you.”

“And it’s on the house.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah. Let me grab my own drink, and we can talk about your question.”

With a nod, I headed toward the table where we’d sat last year.

The nerves in my gut were a jumble. What if she said no?

Well, what if she did? I would stay here and see if I could manage a little time with her.

If she’d give me any. And if she didn’t share my attraction, then I’d know. And at least, I’d tried.

As Alissa slid into the seat across from me, though, a soft smile curled her lips. For some reason, I didn’t think she’d refuse my invitation. Tentative hope and interest shone in her eyes.

“Tell me what your question means,” she said. “I mean…what’s the plan?”

“To invite you to my home by the falls—with your own room, of course. And you should drive up so you have your own vehicle. That will give you a safety net, so to speak. You could leave whenever you want.”

Her tongue probed at her bottom lip as she looked at me skeptically. “Do I need a safety net?”

“No. I promise you’re safe with me.”

“Said every serial killer ever.”

“I’m pretty sure they’re way smoother than me.

I know this place is closed for the coming week.

I just thought…maybe, you’d like to get away.

I’m alone for the holiday; last year you were alone for the holiday.

This year, we could celebrate it together.

We can get to know each other, and you can see my new-but-old house that I bought from my parents. ”

She took a long moment and folded her hands in front of her on the table. “As it happens, I don’t actually have plans for my time off. And I don’t think you’re playing some serial killer long game—”

“I’m not,” I assured her.

Her chin dipped slowly, though clearly she was still making her decision. “Can I have your address and can I take a picture of your ID to send my friend?”

I was already reaching for my wallet. “Whatever you want.”