Bayside Mistletoe

by Stacy Claflin

  Gary called.

  Nothing about where she was or about their argument the night before. No smiley faces or hearts like she usually decorated onto notes.

  She turned the coffee pot on to warm the liquid sunshine, then marched through the apartment and knocked on Lynda’s door. “Are you in there?”

  Silence.

  “Lynda!” She knocked again. “I’m coming in!”

  Nothing.

  Judy flung open the door. Lynda wasn’t in there. The room was clean, the bed made.

  Deflated, she trudged back to the kitchen and stared outside, watching small snowflakes float down. It wasn’t like her sister to go somewhere without telling Judy. Not like she needed her permission, but after fighting, it felt like a slap. Like the argument had been taken to the next level.

  Like maybe this one wouldn’t be resolved so easily.

  When the coffee was reheated, she poured it into a mug, barely paying attention. More than anything, she wanted to work things out with her sister, but who knew when she’d be back? They might not be able to talk until after Lynda came back from the program. Judy sure wasn’t going now. She was on the outs with everyone in her family, with the only possible exception of her mother. Mom hadn’t been the one to return Gary’s letter, but she also hadn’t said Dad was wrong, either.

  Judy gulped down the rest of her coffee, then decided to take a shower. She could figure out what to do while she got ready. Plus, she needed to improve her mood before talking to Gary. In this state of mind, she was likely to snap at him.

  By the time she stepped out of the bathroom, she looked better but really didn’t feel any better. So much for that. She poured herself another cup of coffee and called Amy.

  “Hello?” Amy’s cheerful voice greeted her.

  “Hi, Amy. It’s me.” Judy tried to sound happy. Or at least not miserable. She twisted the phone cord around her finger and focused on that.

  “What’s the matter?” Amy’s tone changed to concerned.

  Judy took a deep breath. “I had a fight with my sister. It’s no big deal.”

  “You sure?”

  “We always work things out.”

  “This sounds different. What happened?”

  Judy filled her in on the events of the day before.

  “They say love is blind,” Amy offered. “Maybe Lynda just needs time to see that for herself.”

  “Maybe. Anyway, that’s not why I called. Are you doing anything today? Gary and I were talking about getting together, and he mentioned wanting to spend some time with you and Nichole.”

  “Oh, fun! You two were so cute together last night at the rink! Seriously, I just wanted to squeeze you both.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t.” Judy found herself smiling. “So, do you have any plans that we can crash?”

  “Eric was talking about sledding and I want to decorate gingerbread houses. We haven’t made any concrete plans yet.”

  “Let’s fix that. What time do you want to meet? Should we get the gingerbread ingredients first? We might be pretty tired after sledding.”

  Amy laughed. “Let me call Eric and see if he’s even awake. We were talking on the phone really late.”

  “Okay. I’ll call Gary, and one of us should call Nichole.”

  “I still need to get a shower.” Amy yawned. “I just got up a few minutes ago.”

  “I’ll call Nichole after Gary. Let’s say one? That’ll give everyone time to get lunch first.”

  “Sounds like a plan. Where are we going to meet?”

  They discussed the rest of the details and by the time Judy hung up, she was in a great mood. Sledding and making gingerbread houses were the exact activities she needed to pull herself out of her funk.

  And all the better if Gary could be there to kiss away her worries.

  Chapter 18

  Gary wrapped his arms around Judy as the wind and snowflakes whipped them. The sled picked up speed the farther they went down the hill. Judy shrieked as they neared the bottom. The last two times, they’d spilled over and ended up with their faces full of snow. This time, he had a plan to steer the sled to the side in hopes that they’d slow to a stop rather than crash land.

  He adjusted his weight just before they came to the end, and as he’d planned, they slowed to a stop.

  Judy spun around, her eyes bright with delight. “How’d you manage that?”

  “Magic.” He winked. “Want to go again?”

  “You know it!” She hopped onto the ground.

  He stood and hefted the sled over his shoulders. They made the trek back up the hill as Nichole and Dave flew down, arms raised toward the sky and laughing. They crashed into a snowman.

  Nichole clapped and cheered.

  Judy turned to Gary and lifted a brow. “They wanted to hit the snowman?”

  He held back a chuckle. “Don’t look at me. They’re your friends.”

  She burst out laughing.

  At the top of the hill, he set the sled down and pulled Judy close. “I’ve never been happier.”

  She smiled sweetly. “Even soaked from the snow and with bruised legs?”

  He kissed her soft lips. “Precisely. I wouldn’t have it any other way as long as we’re back together.”

  Judy traced his scruffy cheek. “Me, too. I never imagined this would be possible.”

  Gary adjusted her white beanie and took in her beauty. “True love finds a way.”

  “Let’s make sure it stays that way.”

  He kissed the tip of her nose. “If I ever try to run away, please smack me. Right across the face. I’ll need it if I’m ever that stupid again.”

  She nodded, the corners of her mouth twitching. “You’ve got it.”

  “Good.”

  “And the same goes for you.”

  Gary shook his head staunchly.

  Her brows drew together. “Why not?”

  “I’ll never lay a harmful hand on you. Ever.”

  Judy’s mouth gaped. He pressed his lips on hers and kissed her deeply, savoring the moment before pulling away. “You ready to see if we can hit what’s left of that snowman?”

  “What?”

  He laughed.

  Eric threw his sled down next to them, sending snow in every direction. “Since we’re all up here, who’s in the mood for a race? Losers buy the winners dinner.”

  “A wager, huh?” Dave glanced at Gary. “What do you think?”

  “Sounds good to me.” Gary stood taller. “I’m in the mood to have one of you pay for my dinner.”

  Everyone laughed then climbed on the sleds.

  “On three,” Eric called. “One… Two… Three!”

  Gary pushed, and the sled flew down the side of the hill. All three were evenly matched, and everyone called out, making it impossible to hear what any one person said. Then Amy and Eric’s sled pulled ahead.

  “Faster!” Judy cried.

  “I’m trying!” Gary laughed.

  Then Nichole and Dave’s sled pulled in front of them.

  “No!” Judy squeezed his arms.

  “Lean to the left!” Gary said. “I think that’ll help.”

  They both leaned, then their sled passed Nichole and Dave’s.

  “Now to the right!” Gary leaned to the other side, then so did Judy.

  The sled inched closer to Amy and Eric’s. Then Nichole and Dave’s caught up with theirs. If this kept up, it would be a three-way tie.

  “To the left!”

  Judy leaned along with him, and almost immediately, they pulled ahead of the other two. Everyone called out again. The bottom of the hill was closer, and they were still in the lead. Closer, closer.

  Then Nichole and Dave pulled in front.

  “Lean to the right!” Gary leaned and Judy followed. Their sled inched toward the one in front, then passed it just as they reached the bottom.

  Nichole and Dave came in second, followed by Amy and Eric.

  Judy jumped up. “We won! You did it!”

/>   Gary rose and pulled her close. “We did it.”

  The others offered congratulations, and the guys all shook hands.

  Gary grinned. “Now the question is, where to have dinner. I hear there’s a really nice restaurant off Main Street.”

  Eric shook his head. “Nice try. Too expensive. How about the diner?”

  Gary glanced at Judy. “Does the diner work for you?”

  “As long as I’m with you, anywhere works.”

  He beamed. “The diner it is.”

  They sledded down the hill a few more times until everyone’s teeth were chattering, then they headed to the cars. Gary shook the snow off his sled and put it in the trunk. “Sure you don’t want to go to that performance with your family?”

  Judy scowled.

  “Sorry I asked.”

  She grinned. “I don’t want to think about any of them.”

  “And I don’t want you fighting with your family on account of me. Not this time of year. Or ever.”

  “It’s their fault. And like I said, I don’t even want to think about them. Let’s just grab some food and make the gingerbread house.”

  He kissed her palm. “Sounds like the perfect plan to me. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t regretting your decision.”

  She shook her head. “Not at all. If they can’t respect you, then I don’t want to spend any time with them.”

  “Not even Christmas morning?” His eyes held a look of bewilderment.

  Judy shrugged. “We can’t spend every Christmas Eve over there, right? One day, Lynda and I will have families of our own, and they can’t expect all of us to spend the night there on Christmas Eve. That’s pretty much impossible.”

  “True.” Gary nodded, surprised at how much he liked the idea of having a family with Judy. He’d put so much thought into the two of them being together now, but he hadn’t considered what might come after that.

  She tilted her head. “What are you thinking? You have a funny look on your face.”

  “Are you calling me funny-looking?”

  Judy laughed. “No! And don’t try to change the subject. What are you thinking?”

  “Don’t you know guys hate that question?”

  She plopped her hands on her hips. “Do I look like I care?”

  He burst out laughing and put his hands up like she had a gun to him. “I was just thinking how much I love you. That’s the honest truth.”

  Her mouth gaped. “You love me?”

  “Of course I do.” He dipped her and gave her a kiss that sent a warm shiver throughout him.

  She gasped for air. “I love you, too.”

  Chapter 19

  Judy placed a green gumdrop on top of the icing-covered gingerbread roof, and the white frosting oozed off the side.

  “Great idea.” Gary grabbed a red gumdrop. “It’s like Christmas lights.”

  She smiled, her head still swimming from him saying that he loved her. Even though they’d clearly been in love the first time they dated, those words had never escaped either of their mouths. She could always see it in his eyes and feel it in his touch and kisses, but she’d never had the verbal confirmation until now.

  It was all she could think about during dinner—in fact, she could barely taste her favorite bacon cheeseburger, and she was certain the chocolate shake had no flavor.

  “Who wants to roast marshmallows in the fireplace?” Amy asked. “We can make s’mores with the leftovers!”

  Nichole’s eyes lit up. “I love the way you think.”

  “We’re not quite done yet.” Judy placed another gumdrop on top.

  “You’re saying no to s’mores?”

  “I’m saying not yet.” She placed it on the frosting. “And besides, s’mores aren’t very Christmasy, are they?”

  Nichole smashed a candy cane into tiny pieces. “Once we add these, they will be!”

  Gary nudged Judy. “She has a point.”

  “I need to get pictures.” Nichole dug through her purse and pulled out her camera. “My friends and family are going to love seeing all these pictures. Especially the ones with the snow!”

  The couples took turns posing with their gingerbread houses—they took pictures smiling and then ones acting goofy.

  Judy sighed. “I wish we could see those now. When are you going to get them developed?”

  “I’m not sure.” Nichole looked at the camera. “I still have ten more pictures left.”

  “Then you’d better get ten pictures of our Christmas s’mores!” Judy laughed, then everyone else joined in.

  “And order doubles,” Amy added.

  “Triples!” Judy insisted.

  Gary put his arm around her and kissed her cheek, then they headed to the other room with the makings of Christmas s’mores and roasted marshmallows over the fire. Judy caught hers on fire but Gary’s came out perfectly golden.

  “Perfect like you.” She smiled at him as she pulled her charred marshmallow off the stick.

  “I can take the burned one.”

  She pulled it away from him. “Burn your own!”

  He laughed, then posed for a picture as Nichole held up her camera toward them. Judy quickly smiled but didn’t have time to remove the marshmallow stuck to her mouth.

  “So cute!” Nichole gave them a thumbs-up.

  Judy wiped her face. “I’m messy.”

  “That’s what makes it cute.” Nichole winked then turned to Amy and Eric. “Say cheese!”

  Gary turned to Judy. “Let me get that.” He rubbed the corner of her mouth, then surprised her with a kiss. “Perfect.”

  Her heart warmed. She’d definitely made the right choice by spending the day with him and her friends instead of going to the performance with her family.

  Eric picked up a TV Guide sitting on the coffee table. “Hey, it looks like the Charlie Brown Christmas movie is going to be on in a few minutes.”

  Amy raced for the TV. “I haven’t seen that yet, and I watch it every year!”

  Gary turned to Judy. “Want to watch it?”

  “Yeah. It’s a tradition, right?”

  “It certainly is.” They all squeezed onto the couch.

  Judy tried to get comfortable. “Not that I’m complaining about being close to Gary, but have you two considered getting a loveseat or another couch?”

  “You could bring one when you move in!” Amy leaned over Eric and gave her a knowing look.

  Judy thought about finding her apartment empty after fighting with Lynda and her stomach tightened. “That might be sooner than I’d planned.”

  “Good.” Nichole smiled. “Your sister’s loss is our gain!”

  “It’s starting.” Eric shushed them.

  Gary turned to Judy. “He takes this movie seriously.”

  “That he does.” Amy patted Eric’s knee.

  As they watched the cartoon, Judy’s mind kept wandering to Christmases past. Happy times with her parents and Lynda. It made her stomach twist all the more. They’d had so many great times growing up, but now everything was so complicated. She was fighting with Lynda and she’d found out her dad had gone behind her back and betrayed her—and he wasn’t even sorry. He hadn’t even tried to be nice to Gary the day before. And her mom’s silence on the subject was almost as troubling.

  “You okay?” Gary whispered in her ear.

  She turned and stared into his kind eyes. “I’m just so happy to be here with you and good friends.”

  He kissed her temple. “So am I.”

  Judy forced the thoughts of her family out of her mind and focused on the movie and on being squished against Gary, who was now her boyfriend again. Her heart instantly warmed and swelled.

  The spirit of Christmas had certainly come through. She’d thought she was going to face another holiday single and alone while everyone else had happiness and romance, but somehow it had all worked out—even despite certain people’s attempts to push them apart.

  He kissed her forehead. “You sure get teary
over a cartoon.”

  Judy blinked away tears she hadn’t even realized she’d shed. “I’m especially happy this year.”

  “You and me both.” He squeezed her.

  Once the movie was over, Amy jumped up. “The cider should be ready!”

  Nichole moaned and rubbed her stomach. “I’m so full.”

  “There’s always room for my famous Christmas cider!” Amy skipped to the kitchen.

  Gary turned to Judy. “Christmas cider? Is that different from the apple cider we’ve been drinking?”

  Nichole answered for her, “You have no idea.”

  “She’s right,” Judy agreed. “It has extra cinnamon—”

  “Lots of it.” Nichole sniffed the air. “Can’t you smell it?”

  Judy continued, “And I think she adds candy canes.”

  “Fresh peppermint!” Amy called.

  “Sounds interesting.” Gary looked like he couldn’t decide whether it sounded good or not.

  “It’s an acquired taste,” Judy whispered.

  “I heard that!” Amy called.

  Nichole snickered, then turned to Judy. “So, you really thinking of moving in with us soon? That would be so much fun!”

  Judy nodded. “Depending on how things go, I may already be moved in when you come back from spending time with your family.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s a definite possibility—as long as you have room for me.”

  “We certainly will.” Nichole beamed.

  “Cider’s ready!” Amy called.

  They all gathered in the kitchen and drank the pepperminty drink. Judy held back a laugh as she watched Gary try to keep a straight face.

  “Do you like it?” Amy asked.

  He swallowed and gave her a thumbs-up. “If that isn’t full of Christmas cheer, I don’t know what is.”

  Amy beamed and turned away. Judy and Nichole exchanged silent giggles as they watched Gary try to finish off the drink.

  Judy leaned over and whispered, “You don’t have to.”

  He swallowed and grimaced. “I don’t want to offend her.” He walked over to the window and looked out at the snow falling.

  Nichole squeezed Judy’s shoulder. “He’s a good guy.”

  She glanced at him and butterflies danced in her stomach. “He sure is.”