The Christmas Cookie House: A Sweet Holiday Romance (Christmas House Romances) by Jennifer Griffith

Author:Jennifer Griffith [Griffith, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-11-04T16:00:00+00:00

Leela barely had time to shower and dress in something that hadn’t been in an attic before rushing to meet with Una Mae, Mrs. Imrich, Mrs. Harrison, and all the other ladies.

In the large conference room of the Massey Falls Public Library, Una Mae called the meeting to order. She wore her festive sweater, the red angora one she told everyone she’d bought in Prague, and pounded her tiny gavel.

“Thank you all for coming to this emergency session to finalize details of the Cookie House and Holiday Ball. Let’s keep this short.” She shot a wicked glance at Mrs. Harrison, the idle-tangent-talker of the group. “Leela Miller, our chairwoman.”

Leela stood. “All the subcommittee chairwomen are on track.”

Una Mae cleared her throat like an accusation. “What about the venue?”

Leela’s winter boots shrank, pinching her toes. Could she actually report? Sure, she and Jay were moving things along in the Layton Mansion’s attic, but the boxes were cloning themselves, and hadn’t he said they needed to complete the attic before Leela could use it?

“What is your update, Leela?” Una Mae’s eyes tightened at the edges, her frown deepening. “This is the eleventh hour.”

It was as if Una Mae didn’t know she was the reason for the emergency, by her refusing to let the event happen at her own house as planned.

“Leela Miller. All print fliers and advertising must be finalized. We need to list a location and address. Have you even found a place for the Cookie House? What about the Holiday Ball? Just give us something, please. People are already baking cookies, I believe.”

Nods went around the table.

Leela should not be bullied into committing. She hadn’t completed her part of the deal with Jay. They were closer, but the attic wasn’t done.

Her brain and her mouth were not connected, however.

“I am in negotiations with the new owner of the Layton Mansion to hold both the Cookie House and the Holiday Ball there.”

“The Layton Mansion!” Mrs. Harrison blurted, and the two dozen other women hiss-whispered it as well. “Why, that’s marvelous, my dear. You are a miracle worker. Everyone will come just to see it. We’ll have our best turnout ever! Genius!”

With every phrase of praise from Mrs. Harrison, Una Mae Coldicott’s face contorted another degree. Finally, the hubbub died down, and Una Mae harrumphed.

“Well. Yes. But you said you’re in negotiations. Is nothing set?”

Leela kept her face a stone.

“Miss Miller, you do appreciate the time sensitivity here.”

Oh, she did. The ticking of the clock practically deafened her. “I should know very soon.” If she asked Jay, he might agree to it, despite the unfinished attic. Right?

I don’t know. I don’t want to be one of those people who doesn’t keep her side of the bargain. Dad would be ashamed. So would Mom, for that matter. It wasn’t classy.

“Very soon is not soon enough.” The breath went out of the room. All eyes flitted between Leela and Una Mae’s showdown. “You either commit, or you remove yourself from the chairwomanship.”

But—on the other hand, Mom would have been so proud of her for chairing the event.

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