A Little Mistletoe and Magic: Ho Ho Howls Romance Holiday Edition

by Marianne Morea

  “I think taking you here was a mistake.” He turned from the water, and reached for her hand. “We should go.”

  Jenny jerked away. “No. Answer me first. Is this pool a gateway, and can it take certain people back in time?”

  “It’s not that simple, Jenny. It’s not like poof, and you’re thrown back in time to do what you will.” He snapped his fingers. “It takes a trained shaman, and special incantations.”

  “But it’s possible.”

  He nodded cautiously.

  “Will it change anything?”

  “I think what you’re really asking is could you change anything.” Jack shook his head. “Think of it like the Ghost of Christmas Past. You’ll see shadows of what was, but you can’t really effect change.”

  The water cast its shimmer along the ground as she considered him, and her body tingled from the inherent magic. Jack wasn’t lying and she wasn’t dreaming.

  She paused, considering him. “What I’m hearing is more of a warning than a dead end.”

  “You can hear what you want, but that doesn’t change the fact what’s past is past.”

  She threw a hand in the air. “What good is watching what happened if you can’t change the outcome?”

  “Perspective.”

  Jenny’s shoulders slumped, and she turned from Jack to look at the water. “How did you activate the aurora in the first place? Is it because you’re with me, and I have so-called second sight?” That she uttered those words sounded weird coming out of her mouth.

  Jack evaded her last question. “Kneel down, and then place your hand over the water. Whisper what you wish to see, and the falls will whisper back. The falls are like a crown chakra. Open to the universe. When they reply, only you can hear what’s spoken between you and the universe. Whisper it back to the pool, and then watch.”

  The water seemed lit from within. “Concentrate. Ask to see what your heart wants to see.”

  “C’mon, Jack.”

  “I’m serious, Jen. If you want this to work you need to stop wavering between what your heart knows to be true, and what your mind has been conditioned to deny.”

  Two will-o’-the-wisps hovered above the water, catching her eye. She watched them dance, skimming the surface. A soft breeze tickled the hair poking out from under her knit hat, and it seemed the spray from the falls concentrated on her cheek like a wet kiss.

  Giggles floated on the air, keeping time with the wisps as they swirled almost hand in hand.

  “Girls?” Jenny whispered. In that instant, the wisps disappeared beneath the shimmering surface, their own iridescence mingling in the ripples from the falls.

  Jenny dropped to her knees and held her hand over the water as Jack said. Closing her eyes, she whispered into the susurration, holding her breath for a reply.

  Another breeze lifted her hair, and this time she smiled. Leaning down, she murmured something to the water. No doubts hindered her in the moment. She went with the ethereal feel, and let hope carry her.

  The water stilled. Even the pour from the falls cut the surface without a ripple. Jack moved to Jenny’s side and put a hand on her shoulder. She reached up, clutching his hand as she waited, barely breathing.

  A gasp left her lips as images formed just beneath the surface. “Oh, God. It’s Christmas morning.” She hugged her middle with her free arm. “Look at my girls, Jack. They were so lovely. So sweet. Some kids are whiney brats at seven years old, but my twins were a mother’s joy.” She sniffed. “Well, they were this mother’s joy.”

  She pulled her hand from Jack’s to lean down to the water’s edge. He grabbed her arm, and when she jerked around to look at him, he simply shook his head.

  “If you touch the water, the spell breaks. Only touch when you’ve seen enough.”

  “Do you have a tent I can borrow? Because I’m never going to get enough of seeing my girls.” Jenny closed her outstretched fingers into her palm. “What I wouldn’t give to dive through that water and hug my daughters once more. Tell them how being their mom made my life complete.”

  “These are but shadows of the things that have been. They have no consciousness of us.”

  Jenny nodded, but didn’t turn from looking at the images playing out in the water like a home movie. “Dickens. The Ghost of Christmas Past to Scrooge, when he takes him back to his school days.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I’ve taught this in my literature classes, but I never thought of it from Scrooge’s perspective.” She chuckled wistfully. I’d tell my students how The Ghost of Christmas Past has a huge job. Not only does he have to prove he is who he is to Scrooge, but he has to prove the lessons shown to the old curmudgeon are valuable, and worthy of reflection.”

  “Well, you’re not exactly a curmudgeon, but I was hoping you’d get the connection.”

  She grinned at that.

  “So, madam professor. What’s your take away from your Ghosts of Christmas Past?”

  She hugged her middle again, watching the scenes play out. “I don’t need to go back to tell my girls anything. They knew they were loved beyond life because I showed them how much I loved them every day.”

  “The professor gets an A+.”

  Jenny kissed her hand, and then touched the water. The images faded, and a moment later the falls were once again regular falls.

  “You’ll have to show me how to open the mirror myself, in case I ever need a memory fix,” Jenny said, climbing to her feet again.

  Jack slipped his arm around her shoulders and the two stood in the soft, cold spray. “You already know. Just talk to the falls.”

  “But you simply put your hand to the water and poof. Aurora.”

  He turned with her to head back toward the woods and the path to the truck. “The falls and I are old friends. I don’t have to ask anymore.”

  “Is it the same kind of thing if you want a portal instead of a mirror?”

  Jack stopped a moment. “Yes and no. You need a shaman for that kind of magic, but trust me, it’s nothing to be trifled with, Jen. Be happy with your new perspective.”

  They walked in relative silence back to the truck. Jack didn’t elaborate, but Jenny knew there was more there than he was willing to tell. Maybe he didn’t trust her, or maybe he tried what she asked and got burned. Either way, it wasn’t the time to push the issue. He’d given her a gift tonight. A gift of magic, but also of trust. Who knew her near-death experience could reap something like this? Or that the supernatural truly existed.

  They got in the truck and Jack turned the key, revving the engine. He turned the heaters up, and then backed out of the snowy cutout and onto the road.

  “Thank you, Jack.” Jenny put her hand on his forearm. “I’d hold your hand, but I think it’s better if you kept both on the wheel.”

  He spared her a look as they bumped down the mountain in first gear. “I thought I missed the mark. I know it can be a lot to process.”

  “You think?” She leaned over to give his cheek a peck. “It’s wonderful. I still can’t quite wrap my head around the how let alone the why, but I always believed in psychic energy. I look at it this way. It’s a kissing cousin to Reiki healing and balancing your chakras. You likened it to the crown chakra, so I get it.

  “If that energy exists for Reiki masters and psychics, then why wouldn’t it also manifest in nature, too? The universe is infinite and there’s so much we don’t understand.”

  He grinned. “Wow. A++, prof.”

  “I can say this to you, but if Amelia heard me talk like this, she’d drag me to her shrink.”

  “Isn’t she coming for the Christmas Fair this weekend?”

  Nodding, Jenny pulled off her gloves and hat, and snuggled in closer. “Yup. And I want you to meet her.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Nope, but what can she say? I’m my own woman now, and tonight I put my past behind me. I was a good mother and a good wife. I still have baggage, and I still have survivor’s guilt, but it
doesn’t feel so heavy anymore.”

  He kissed the side of her head. “Good. Let’s hope it stays that way after your friend’s visit.”

  “Why would you say that? You haven’t met Amelia yet.”

  “I don’t need your Spidey senses to know she’s coming loaded for bear.”

  Jenny sat back, watching the trees bump by outside the passenger window. What did Jack sense that she missed?

  Chapter Ten

  Jenny stood on the inn’s front porch, checking her phone. Amelia’s voice text said she was five minutes away. Her stomach clenched. Why was she nervous? It was Amelia. Not the queen.

  On cue, Amelia’s Lexus pulled into the inn’s gravel drive. It didn’t take a body language specialist to read the look on her face as she cut the car’s engine. Ames was a snob, but her attitude wasn’t so stark when they were in the city. Or maybe it was, and she just didn’t notice. Especially since that look was usually directed elsewhere.

  She waved, watching Amelia get out of the car.

  “Wow, Jen. You didn’t tell me you bought the Addams Family house. I suppose it’s quaint, in a creepy, rundown sort of way.”

  Jenny ignored the first barb. “It’s good to see you, Ames.”

  “You, too, girl.” Amelia leaned in for a double-cheeked kiss.

  “C’mon. There are people I want you to meet.”

  With a course chuckle, Amelia picked up her overnight bag. “Who? Lurch?”

  Jenny pushed the antique front door open, and walked into the large foyer with Amelia. Jack stood to one side of the center hall stairs with Tess.

  Amelia blinked, giving Jack an appreciative onceover. “Definitely not Lurch.”

  “Amelia Tesco, I’d like you to meet Jackson Wilde and Tess Everett. My neighbors and friends.”

  It’s nice to meet you, Amelia. Actually I’m the neighbor, but Jack lives here,” Tess corrected, giving Jen a surprised eyebrow.

  “Here,” Amelia repeated, looking to Jen.

  Jenny cleared her throat. “Well, yes. Jack and I are—”

  “Together,” Tess finished the awkward sentence. “It’s a new thing, but there it is.”

  Amelia looked from Jen to Jackson and back again. “Wow. Okay. Points for Whatever Falls.”

  “Whisper Falls,” the three replied in stereo.

  Jen shot Amelia a look, and as much as she knew her friend’s examining look, Ames knew hers. The message? Cut the crap.

  “Whisper Falls,” Amelia corrected herself. “Sorry.” She took off her coat, handing it to Jenny as she walked toward the large sitting room parlor.

  Peeking inside, she spared a glance for the dining room across the foyer. “With your friends here, I didn’t realize you were open for guests. The place doesn’t look quite…finished.”

  “That’s because it’s not, Ms. Tesco. The Willow is a work in progress, and I’m doing the work. What you see is a week into Jenny’s vision for the inn.”

  Amelia’s eyes widened as if she suddenly understood. “Oh! You’re living here because you’re working here.” She nodded. “Considering the state of the place, it makes sense.”

  “Amelia—”

  Tess put a hand on Jen’s arm. “You probably want to freshen up. Jenny arranged a beautiful lunch outside.” She turned to Jen, nodding. “Why don’t you show your friend to her room, and I’ll finish setting up.”

  “Outside?” Amelia balked. “It’s freezing out.”

  “I set up a tent and brought in patio heaters,” Jenny replied. “You’re my guinea pig for the Christmas Fair tomorrow. We’re just about ready. Jack is finishing the outdoor decorations, and Loretta and I will set up the tent after lunch.” She paused. “Loretta is my assistant. Every shop on Main Street needs an outdoor table. It’s part of the fun.”

  “Why? Aren’t the shops open to customers?”

  Jenny nodded. “Of course, but the street is closed to everything but foot traffic. The idea is to get people to walk, stop and shop. I thought I’d give the tourists a taste of the kind of food and drink they can expect at the inn once it’s open, plus I’ll have outdoor exclusives from the shop arranged around the tent as well.”

  “Speaking of food and drink, I’ll finish up down here while you finish up upstairs.”

  “You two are staying for lunch, right?” Jen asked, hoping her voice didn’t sound so pleading.

  “Can’t,” Jack replied quickly. “I’ll finish setting up outside, but then I’m heading to Sam’s for the weekend. Give you two the chance to catch up without renovation noise and paint fumes.”

  Amelia smiled tightly. “That’s very considerate. Thank you.”

  “Yeah, I’m afraid I can’t stay either. I’ve got appointments back to back, and if I leave them with Daisy, I’ll have a disaster on my hands.” Tess gave Jen an apologetic look. “Raincheck?”

  Jenny’s lips parted, ready to appeal, but then she nodded. She knew why they both gave her a polite pass.

  Amelia.

  She should have known Ames would come with an ulterior motive, and she didn’t need her supercharged intuition to guess what. Subtle sabotage.

  “Of course you guys get a raincheck.” She hugged Tess. “I’ll see you around the fair tomorrow, right?”

  “Of course! Loretta already put a couple of things aside for me.”

  Jenny gave her another squeeze.

  “I better get moving as well,” Jack interrupted. “Sam said he could use set of hands at the hospital job.”

  “I could use your hands around here, too.” Jenny didn’t wait for a reply. She wrapped her arms around Jack’s neck and kissed him. Not just to show Amelia what’s what, but because she wanted to kiss him.

  Amelia coughed, and Jack took the hint. He stepped back, breaking Jen’s kiss, but didn’t pull her arms from her neck.

  “Like Tess said, Jenny and I are together. I hope you’re okay with that, Amelia, because making myself scarce this weekend isn’t something Jen wanted. It’s a courtesy, so you can get used to your friend’s new normal.”

  “I see,” Amelia replied.

  Jenny went up on tip toe to peck Jack’s mouth before turning in his arms to look at her friend. “Do you?”

  “Of course.” She gave that tight smile again. “I think I’ll head up to my room, as Tess suggested. Which one is it?”

  Taking Amelia’s bag, Jenny slipped her hand into her friend’s elbow. “Upstairs. Second door to the right. I’ll help you get settled, and then I’ll help you defrost your ass before we have lunch.”

  Tess snorted behind them, and Jenny gave her a quick wink. “—and Jack,” she looked at him. “Three p.m.”

  A smile curved on his lips. “Not a second later.”

  ***

  “What was that all about?” Amelia asked, taking a seat at the small table Tess set for them in the tent.

  “What?”

  Amelia spread her napkin on her lap. “That kiss. Was it totally necessary to mark your territory the moment I met the man?”

  “That kiss wasn’t for you. It was because I didn’t have the backbone to tell you who Jack was to me. We’re—” she paused, thinking. “Courting.”

  “Courting.” Amelia poured a mimosa for herself, with a skeptical laugh. “Sounds like your nineteenth-century house has taken over.”

  “We’re not sleeping together, if that’s what you’re asking. I told you when you tried to set me up with one of Jerry’s friends, I’m not ready.”

  Amelia sipped her orange juice and champagne. “That may have been true six months ago, but based on that kiss, I don’t know if you can say that anymore.”

  “And you disapprove?”

  Her friend hesitated. “No.”

  “Is that hesitant look because Jack’s a carpenter and not a lawyer or investment banker?”

  “Of course not!”

  Jenny snorted at the blatant lie. “Amelia Tesco, you are a snob.”

  “True.” She lifted her champagne flute. “But that’s wh
at you love about me.”

  “I don’t know about that.” She watched Amelia’s eyebrow go up. “Contrary to what you or anyone else thinks, I’m old-fashioned at heart. I like the idea of being courted.” Jen shrugged. “Swiping right for a rushed hook-up isn’t romantic. It’s cold and convenient.”

  “You make it sound like scratching an itch.”

  “Well? Isn’t it?” She eyed Amelia. “I know the idea of courting isn’t a modern notion, but I don’t care. I want the romance.”

  “It’s anything but modern.” Amelia laughed a little. “It certainly wouldn’t attract ratings at Jerry’s network.”

  “Amelia, Jerry’s network would air bestiality if the FCC would allow it. The Real Housewives of the Bronx Zoo.”

  Amelia clicked her cheek. “No, that would top the ratings chart.”

  “Gross.” Jenny shook her head. “I have no doubt Jack will rock my world when the time comes, and based on the way my knees go weak when he kisses me, it will come, but I’m not jumping in the sack just to rip off a Band-Aid, as he puts it.”

  “He puts it?” Both Amelia’s brows went up. “You two discussed sex?”

  Jen pursed her lips in a confused frown. “We talked about it like adults, not two teenagers planning a date for backseat bingo.”

  “Hmmm.” Amelia’s brows stayed up, impressed. “Maybe I didn’t give the carpenter enough credit.”

  “You’re horrible, you know that?”

  Waving her off, Amelia continued “—and what was that three p.m. thing? Is that code for an afternoon delight booty call or something?”

  “I just told you we’re not sleeping together.”

  Amelia eyed her over her wine glass. “There’s sleeping together and then there’s sleeping together. You don’t have to board the ship to enjoy the motion of the ocean.”

  Jenny nearly spit her drink. “You did not just say that. When did you get so cheesy?”