Page 43 of The Christmas Arrangement

Yes. I make a victorious fist and give her the broad strokes about Mistletoe Mountain. She tells me she’ll text me her flight information, and I hang up feeling almost giddy. A surprise visit from his mom ought to cheer Dash up, regardless of what happens with the cat drama.

As I’m hurrying back to the booth, Griselda Alexander sweeps into the roadhouse like a tall, thin tornado in athletic shoes. I lock eyes with her and break into a full sprint. She still beats me to Dash.

Dash

* * *

I’m several pages deep into the online discourse about whether I hate all cats or, as an impassioned minority insists, have a fear of black cats. A poster with the handle VladDaddy4 is explaining this fear is called mavrogatphobia, and I’m wondering how that’s pronounced when I glance up to see a tall, severe-looking woman marching straight toward me. She wears a velour sweatsuit and a scowl.

“I have an idea,” she informs me as she takes Ivy’s vacated spot, uninvited.

I eye her warily, trying to get a bead on her so I handle this the right way. The actual last thing I need right now is to get caught being snarky with a delusional fan. I casually scan the bar in search of any photographers trying to blend in with the nonexistent crowd.

“They’re outside.”

“Pardon?”

“The press. Well, the press and Shane Nottingham.” Her voice is cool, almost bored.

“Do I know you?”

As I’m asking the question, Ivy races to the table. “This is Griselda Alexander,” she pants.

The woman, Griselda, shoots her a withering look. “You wouldn’t be out of breath right now if you didn’t skip my Showstopper Cardio class on Wednesday mornings. And your pace would be better.”

Ivy takes a deep breath before responding, “One, it took me so long because I got stuck in a puddle of a mystery substance that I am praying was gum. And two, you know I love that class. But it’s hard to swing it while I’m trying to get my flower shop off the ground. I honestly don’t always have the time.”

Griselda’s face softens and she scoots over to make room for Ivy.

I just stare at both of them until Ivy explains, “Griselda owns Maple Twist Fitness. Her classes are out of this world, but she also used to be a child star. Like you.”

Griselda Alexander? I search every crevice of my brain and come up empty. “Sorry, I’ve never heard of you.”

“I’m not surprised. My fame peaked before you were born. But I’ve done it all—Broadway musicals, dancer on concert tour, a recurring role as the precocious daughter of the married sleuths in a long-running detective comedy. So I know a thing or two about managing a public image.”

I sit back. “Huh. Okay, what’s your idea?”

She gives me a satisfied smile before answering, “Stillwater Animal Rescue has been kicking around the idea of doing a Santa Paws fundraiser to benefit the cats, dogs, and other animals in their sanctuary. Henry Stillwater was planning to wait until next year, get all his metaphorical and literal ducks in a row first?—”

“The rescue has ducks?”

Ivy laughs lightly. “It’s a sanctuary farm. It has everything. Cats, dogs, ducks, pigs, an adorable tripod goat.”

“A three-legged goat?”

“Simone is the greatest.”

Griselda grimaces at this detour from her plan. “But in light of recent events, Titus has offered the Cat Cafe as a venue this year. It would be damage control for him and good publicity for the rescue. Henry agreed.”

“That sounds smart for both of them. I’m not sure how it helps me. I could write a check, I guess.”

“No. You’ll emcee the event.”

I stare at her. “You want me to host a pet adoption event after I just went viral for hating cats?”

“You don’t hate cats. You’re allergic to them. There’s a difference, and we’re going to make sure everyone knows it.” She’s already typing on her phone. “We load you up on allergy meds and get photos of you with adoptable dogs, cats, even the goat. We turn this into an opportunity to highlight shelter needs. We control the narrative. And you and Titus both get the halo effect of supporting the cause.”

It’s not a bad plan. Actually, it’s a good plan. Even Brody would like this plan. But I remain confused on one point.