What the Elf? (The Cringle Cove Christmas Chronicles Book 5)

by Kate Benson

  What the Elf?

  by

  Kate Benson

  COPYRIGHT © 2018 BY KATE BENSON ALL RIGHTS RESERVED NO PART OF THIS BOOK MAY BE REPRODUCED OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS, ELECTRONIC OR MECHANICAL, INCLUDING PHOTOCOPYING, RECORDING, OR BY ANY INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEM WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE AUTHOR, EXCEPT FOR THE USE OF BRIEF QUOTATIONS IN A BOOK REVIEW. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Cover created by Dana Leah at Designs by Dana. Formatting and editing by Chasing Sophie Publications ©

  Also by Kate Benson

  The Promise Series

  The Promise

  The Choice

  The Secret

  The Commitment

  The Compromise

  The Sacrifice

  The Ignite Series

  Ignite

  Smolder

  The Callie Leveaux Series

  escort

  SAVAGE

  The Callie Leveaux Series: The Novellas

  Traitor

  The Frenemy Series

  frigid

  sprung

  The Redemption Series (The Vault)

  Redemption: Part One

  Redemption: Part Two

  Redemption: Part Three

  Redemption: Part Four

  Redemption: Part Five

  Redemption: Part Six

  Standalones:

  Beyond the Pine

  Pieces of You

  For my mom

  who made every Christmas magical.

  “You kids best start behavin’ or I’m gonna tell Rudolph to shit in your stockings!”

  -My mom, every year

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Abby

  “I swear to God if I hear one more rendition of this freaking song, I’m gonna straight up lose my shit,” I mumble under my breath, reaching for the escape I can only find in the comfort of my Bluetooth. I discreetly slip one earbud into my ear and hit start on my playlist, a small smile creeping over my lips. “Ahhh…”

  “All better, Grinchy?” my sister Marissa asks, gaining my eyes as I nod along blissfully to the loud thunder of drums blaring in my ear. I take her in and can’t help but smile to myself. Even though we’re identical twins, we couldn’t be more different. Her pink and white embellished sweater is just the first clue. “I know we both promised to eternally hate this time of year, but don’t you think we should at least try to get into the holiday spirit?”

  “Nuh uh,” I argue childishly, smirking when she rolls her eyes despite her giggle. “Besides, even you, my darling accomplice of hatred for all things merry and bright, cannot deny that they should have stopped allowing remakes on this song years ago,” I continue, gesturing toward the speaker above our heads. “Everyone knows once Elvis comes out with a Christmas song, well any song really, you’ll never top it,” I insist. “Why people keep trying to cover his stuff is something I’ll never understand.”

  “Well, I can’t argue with that kind of logic,” she allows, smirking as I wink back at her triumphantly. “However, I do think it’s ridiculous that we’re about to spend another magical ten days in the Pennsylvania mountains and you’re hellbent on staying in this shitty mood.”

  “I’m not in a shitty mood,” I shake my head, my eyes still scanning the racks for a bag that will both hold all my stuff and fit in the overhead bin on the plane. “I’m really excited that we’re going to be able to get away and spend some time together up there. Not to mention, we might run into a few of the girls which will be fun. I just know they’re going to be on the same ‘magic is in the air’ crap you’re always trying to get on,” I cringe. “And you’ll be hopped up on cocoa and Lifetime movies, trying to hook up with some loser at the lodge so I’ll be spending most of my days on my own.”

  “Don’t try to make me feel bad about it,” she shakes her head. “We both know that you’d rather spend the week reading by yourself than hanging out in the lodge with anyone else anyway.”

  “That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see you!”

  “Well, then maybe instead of judging me for wanting to be happy in my life, you need to think about hooking up with some loser at the lodge yourself,” she snorts, pulling a sigh from me as I take my turn to roll my eyes. “I’m just sayin’. You’ve been in a real funk lately. A little boom-chicky-boom might do your grumpy ass some good.”

  “Thanks, but I’m all set,” I shake my head, crouching to get a better look at the small bag at the base of the shelf before extending the handle and facing her. “Alright, this’ll do. Let’s get the hell out of here.”

  “That’s the bag you’re getting?” she asks, her eyebrows shooting up in disappointed amusement.

  “What’s wrong with it?”

  “Nothing,” she shakes her head. “I mean, I’m sure there are tons of ninety-two-year-old men who have bought that bag and love it just as much as you will,” she jabs with a smirk. “You definitely didn’t need to drag me out of the house in the cold to find it. I can tell you that.”

  “Sure, I did.”

  “Why?” she counters. “It’s ugly as sin and I’d never have suggested it to you in a million years.”

  “I didn’t bring you for advice on which bag to get,” I admit, both of us weaving in and out of the mass of anxious shoppers.

  “Then why did you make me come?”

  “Because I know the second we get up there, you’re going to be obnoxious for the next ten days, one of them being Christmas, and I’m not going to want to hang out with you the whole time. And despite my charming personality, I’m going to miss this version of you. I want to spend a little time with my real, normal sister before Merry Medusa takes over your brain and you start getting on my last nerve,” I say sweetly, glancing up to find her eyes narrowing on mine. “Besides, if I’m talking to you, I don’t have to talk to any of them,” I explain, proud of my own cleverness as I gesture to the crowd around us near check out. “I mean, you’d think headphones in a department store would be the logo for anti-social behavior, wouldn’t you?” I ask, pulling a nod of agreement from her. “Well, apparently we’re both wrong about that because headphones almost never save me anymore. Every time I come alone, someone’s absentee grandmother starts asking me about sweaters for little Suzy and Billy and it’s annoying as hell.”

  “Hey, remind me again,” she starts, her eyebrows crinkling together slightly in thought. “Whose idea was it to spend every year avoiding Christmas in Cringle Cove?”

  “Mine,” I answer, my eyes shifting from the long line at checkout before returning to hers. “Why?”

  “No reason,” she shrugs, taking in my signature all black ensemble before smirking at the scowl moving over my face. “They’re really gonna love you up there. I bet it’s been ages since you and your dog stole their Christmas.”

  “Oh, ha, ha, ha,” I reply, my voice tainted in annoyance and exasperation at her sarcastic jab at my shitty attitude. I roll my eyes, ignoring her loud laughter.

  “That was hilarious!” she exclaims. “Do you get it?” she asks, grabbing my arm, my deadpan expression doing nothing to slow her laughter. “Cause you’re all grinchy?”

  “Yes, believe it or not, I cracked your code,” I sigh, shaking my head. “You’re hysterical.”

  “Oh, man,” she sighs, catching her breath. “I really am, huh?”

  “Bite me.”

  ***


  Our flight is long and uneventful, the busy airports filling up with holiday travelers the most stressful part of the day. When we step out of the main entrance to hail a cab, I’m pleasantly surprised once more that Marissa and I don’t have to share with anyone else.

  It’s not that I’m truly antisocial, I’m just incredibly awkward. And aside from small talk, my greatest dislike is meeting new people. Not the people part, well sometimes the people part, but it took me a long time to enjoy my own company. Even after our parents were killed in a car accident our senior year in high school, Marissa was always a social butterfly, the life of the party. As for me, high school was never a highlight, much less the best years of my life like I’d been promised. I had a few friends and obviously, my sister, but for the most part, I found I had the best time hanging out at home on my own.

  When I went up north for college, the first few months were brutal, especially since they were the first time I’d ever been away from my twin. We made a pact that holidays, no matter how crazy our lives might be at the time or how tight funds may become, would always be spent together.

  Cringle Cove had become our go-to for this time of year and I can’t say that even I miss the irony there. This place is so decked out for the holidays, you’d think elves built the fucking place themselves. In no universe would anyone ever expect me, Abby Baker, to choose this place to vacation.

  The truth is, though, that the last year we had our parents, this is where we spent our break.

  It was also the last time I loved anything to do with Saint Nick.

  It was the last time things were simple and easy.

  It was the last time I was happy outside of being with my sister.

  And so, a tradition was born and every year, we dropped everything and made our way up north to wallow in the magical mountains of Cringle Cove. Seeing my sister and avoiding the rest of mankind has easily become the best part of Christmas for me over the last few years.

  The rest of the holiday season? Well, I could take it or leave it.

  You’ll damn sure never find me nestled in front of the television, dreamy-eyed and fantasizing about my one true love sweeping me away on some magical Christmas vacation.

  Anyway, once I met a great group of friends, the same friends I’m hoping to run into while we’re on our break, college got easier.

  My entire life felt like it got a little easier, if I’m honest.

  They made the lonely days fun, the struggles of college a little more bearable.

  We also had some pretty great times.

  As we round the driveway that will lead us to the cabin Marissa and I will be staying in for the next ten days, I can’t help but smile inwardly. I might hate the cold and be an antisocial scrooge this time of year, but I can’t deny its beauty.

  Not far from the edge of the lake, its simple A-line frame sits tucked in just right beneath the shelter of the snow-kissed trees. The boughs of the roof and each windowsill are covered in a light layer of snow as well, the sunlight that’s sinking low behind the mountains that surround the small town making it sparkle magically like fairy dust.

  Even I, the self-admitted Scrooge of the South, can’t deny the tingle of excitement creeping in at spending the holidays in a place as breathtaking as this.

  Marissa and I collect our things from the back of the cab and make the short trek in the snow to the front door. As we push it open and step inside, a long sigh of contentment leaves us both.

  Prepping for midterms, working part-time and all the general stress that comes with being a senior in college have consumed us both for months. We may be a stone’s throw from both of our schools, but that doesn’t seem to touch us here. Here, we’re surrounded by familiar fluffy couches, a fireplace begging to be lit and the subtle glow of the snow peering into the windows from the trees surrounding us. The smell of cinnamon and nature is everywhere, promising a simple and noninvasive winter break, exactly what we both need so desperately.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to put up a tree this year?” she asks, pulling me from my thoughts, the feel of my expression contorting in offense automatic.

  “Why would we do that?” I ask. “We never put up a tree.”

  “I know,” she shrugs, setting her bags on the edge of the wide, red upholstered couch and facing me. “But it could be our last Christmas together up here for a while.” Her words make me swallow hard and immediately, she shakes her head and pats my arm affectionately. “I’m not saying it will be or anything,” she backtracks. “I just mean with you moving for your new job and me moving to Georgia at the end of the year for mine, we’ll be busy is all.”

  “We’re already busy.”

  “Yes, we are, but you never know,” she admits, trailing off. “Anyway, we don’t need a tree. I just thought I’d suggest it.” I give her a subtle nod of understanding, swallowing hard once more at the thought of my sister, my twin, my security blanket since birth, being further away from me than ever before. As if she can sense my internal meltdown, she quickly jabs me with her elbow, pulling my eyes back to hers. “You know, if you told me you wanted one, I wouldn’t tell a soul.” Her words mixed with her secretive expression wipes away my concerns, replacing it with a light chuckle at her theatrics. “Seriously, I’d take it to the grave. I’ll even let you blame it on me if anyone comes over here and sees it.”

  “Thanks,” I laugh. “But I think I’m good. I mean, you do whatever you want, but I’m perfectly happy doing our regular thing, y’know?” I ask, surprised to find her giving me a halfhearted nod. “It’s always worked out great in the past, right?”

  “Yeah, totally.”

  “Totally,” I smile, wrapping my arm around her shoulders and giving her a quick side hug. “And what did mom and dad always say? If it ain’t broke…”

  “Don’t fix it,” we finish in unison.

  “Right.”

  “Okay,” she shrugs again. “Well, I’m gonna go put my things away. I need a shower, too. I always feel so gross after flying.”

  “Yeah, me, too,” I admit, grabbing my bag and following her up the wooden stairs that lead to our respective bedrooms. “Meet you back down here in twenty for tea?”

  “Cocoa,” she corrects me with a wink.

  “Deal.”

  Chapter Two

  Dex

  “Are you sure this is a good idea?” I ask, my low voice coming through the silence of the car.

  I glance over at Kim, my girlfriend up until about nine hours ago, and can’t help but release a sigh as my nerves continue to swim inside my chest.

  Her brown eyes don’t meet mine. Instead, she flips her dark hair between her fingers, glancing out the window in an attempt to hide the very same sigh that’s leaving her chest. We’ve been driving like this for the last half hour, no music, no talking, no… nothing. The silence is killing me, killing us both, no doubt, but try as I might, I haven’t been able to come up with anything else to say until now. Judging by her reserved expression, maybe I shouldn’t have said anything at all.

  “I’m really not sure why it matters, Dex,” she finally answers me, her eyes shifting slightly in my direction before she pulls them away and focuses back on her fingernails. “I mean, just because you decided to tell me last night of all nights that you’re miserable and breaking up with me days before Christmas and mere hours before spending a week in the mountains with my entire family…”

  “First of all, I offered to stay back in the city, but you freaked out and said that would just make things worse, so I came. Second, that’s not what I said,” I cut her off. “Kim, you know I didn’t say that. I hate when you put words into my mouth.”

  “Well, verbatim or not, that’s exactly what you meant,” she argues. “Do you really expect me to believe you’re intending on keeping things going if you meant the things you did say?”

  “You’re making it sound like I spent half the night berating you,” I shake my head. “All I said was that things were diff
erent now than how I thought they’d be when we got together, and I thought you deserved to be with someone who wants the same things as you.”

  “And that you’re unhappy and you think I’m selfish and not the right girl for you.”

  I swallow hard, recalling with vivid memory the words leaving my mouth after a month of holding them back. Then, I recall hers.

  “Yes, I did. Right before you said the same thing to me,” I counter, my voice softer than I think possible considering the frustration coursing through me. “You said you thought I was too uptight, that I worked too much, and you were worried us staying together would condemn you to a lifetime of boring nights at home, wasting your youth.”

  “Well, I had to say that once I found out you were dumping me, Dex!” she proclaims, throwing her hands up as she finally glares back at me. “I mean, what the hell was I supposed to say?”

  “So, you’re telling me that despite us fighting literally every day for the last month and never spending time together, you’re happy?” I ask, my expression stained in disbelief. “That’s really something you want to continue.”

  “No,” she admits, releasing a sigh. “No, Dex, but I wasn’t going to break things off right before a major holiday.”

  “And I didn’t think it was a good idea for me to meet your family if I wasn’t invested in our relationship,” I counter, my voice softer than before. “I know it was shitty timing, but I thought doing it after would only be worse, Kim. Believe it or not, I really was trying to do the right thing.”

  “Yeah, you’re a real prince,” she grounds out, making me shake my head, stifling an eye roll at her dramatics.

  Dinner last night hadn’t been much better. After our third argument over trivial bullshit in less than a week, I’d finally hit my limit and realized thing between us just weren’t going to work. I’d known it for weeks, but thought it was something we could possibly work through as a couple. However, after Kim picked a fight over the restaurant, the one she chose, I might add, it started to become pretty obvious that compromise isn’t something she’s interested in doing where I’m concerned.