Page 43 of The Mistletoe Kisser

“Which one is Rainbow?” Ryan asked, eyeing the cafe’s clientele as he stuffed the gloves in his pocket.

Sammy craned her neck and spotted Enid Macklemore and Mervin Lauter at a table in the corner. They were wearing tie-dye Solstice Recycling Committee sweatshirts. Enid had an advanced degree in something hard to pronounce from MIT and was the oldest dog walker in Blue Moon. Mervin was a bit of a YouTube sensation, posting Dad advice videos on everything from how to change your locks to how to edge your flowerbeds.

There was a third mug sitting in front of an empty chair.

“I don’t see her. She might be in the restroom or maybe she stepped out for a phone call.”

“I guess I can buy you that cup of coffee before she comes back,” he offered.

She studied the menu behind the counter. “Ooh! Christmas cookie latte. Yes, please.”

Ryan snorted. “Why don’t you just eat an entire bowl of sugar instead?”

She gave him a long look then shook her head. “Nope. I can’t do it,” she said.

“Can’t do what?” he demanded.

“I can’t take you seriously with those ear flaps.”

He whipped off his hat and ran his hand through his hair. “Nowcan I be judgmental?”

“You can be whatever you want as long as you’re buying me a Christmas cookie latte.” She nudged him toward the counter. “I’ll keep an eye on the Recycling Committee.”

Grudgingly, he headed to the register to order.

Sammy unwound her scarf and unzipped her vest. She had just started for the table in front of the window when a redheaded blur appeared in front of her.

“Is that Sheep Guy?” demanded Eva Cardona, the sheriff’s bride, baby-mama-to-be, and Sammy’s newest friend. She wore a white winter coat over rumpled rainbow pajama pants. Her cheeks were a dewy pink from either the cold or the pregnancy. Judging by the curls escaping her messy top knot, it had been several days since she’d washed her hair.

“Shh!” Sammy hissed, looking around to make sure Ryan wasn’t within earshot. “Yes, that’s him. What are you doing here? I thought you had words to write today?”

“I was procrastinating, of course, by visiting my incredibly handsome husband at the station when Minnie Murkle told us you and Sheep Guy were going to be here.” She peered around Sammy. “Wow. He’s really good-looking. I mean likereally.”

“I’m aware,” Sammy said in exasperation. “How did Minnie know we were coming here?”

Eva was still ogling Ryan. “The gossip group. How else? Wow. I’m digging the broody, stubble look,” she said with approval.

Sammy closed her eyes.Ugh. The damn gossip group.Blue Moon was so committed to keeping up on the latest gossip they had created a group on Facebook to spread news and rumors faster.

“His car wouldn’t start this morning. I gave him a ride into town to help him track down Rainbow.”

“Oh, she already left,” Eva said, oblivious to the fact that she’d just peed all over Sammy’s get-back-on-track parade. “Said she had an important errand to run before lunch at Dad’s restaurant.”

Eva’s father, Franklin, ran the Italian place in town. His bread was to die for, and his hugs were as legendary as his Hawaiian shirt collection.

“Damn it,” Sammy grumbled. “Do you know what time she’s heading there?”

“Twelve thirty. It’s a business ladies’ lunch. They usually linger over wine and cannoli for at least an hour after they’re done with their meals,” Eva said. “Ooh! Incoming.”

“Here’s your Instant Diabetes,” Ryan said, handing Sammy a pretty gold to-go mug.

Touched, she accepted the mug. “You got upsold.”

“I get ten percent off every order when I bring this in,” he said, holding up his own green mug.

“Isn’t your departure imminent? You’re not going to be around to collect the discount,” she reminded him.

He shrugged. “Yeah, well. They got me with the whole ‘proceeds benefit the Quiet Hour’ thing.”