Christmas Wish-North Pole Anthology 4 by Noelle Fox

Author:Noelle Fox
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Noelle Fox
Published: 2016-12-20T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7

Ivy and Doris nibbled on cheese and crackers, veggies and dip, and mixed nuts in lieu of lunch as they worked. They planned what Ivy would put in each bedroom, then when they had everything figured out, Ivy pulled out her laptop and went online to shop.

After she’d spent her quota for the day, Ivy sat back with a sigh. “I think it’s time to celebrate, don’t you?”

Doris glanced at her watch. “I have another hour or so yet before I’m due home, so why not?”

Ivy opened a bottle of wine. “Cheers. To Doris’s Decorating—dynamite details to make your home stand apart from all the others!” She lightly touched the lip of her glass against Doris’s.

“To the Shining Star Bed and Breakfast, my first official client!” Doris took a healthy sip of her wine and smiled. “Wow, that’s good.”

“It is, isn’t it?”

“After my ex started hitting the bottle, I stayed away from alcohol. But this is a special occasion.” Doris took another long sip.

“I know.” Ivy refilled their glasses. She glanced at her computer screen, a flutter of panic hitting hard when she realized she’d spent over a thousand dollars on this first round of accessories for the rooms upstairs, and that didn’t even include all the items she’d need for the bathrooms.

Cha-ching.

“Uh-oh, are you having buyer’s remorse, all ready?” Doris asked, as if sensing her distress.

“Maybe just a little.” Ivy took another long drink of her wine. “I’m sure it will pass, right?”

“Abso-hic-lutely.” Doris put a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide. “Oh-hic-dear. S’cuse me. Seems I have the hic-ups.”

“Are we getting drunk?” Ivy stared at her wine glass. For a moment she saw two glasses, overlapping each other, but then they merged into one.

“I think so.” Doris nodded wisely. “Yes. I-hic-believe we are.”

“Hmm. That’s strange, we’ve only had one glass each.”

“We’re light-hic-weights. Like the wrestlers.” Doris giggled at her own joke.

Ivy grinned. “Doris, you’re so beautiful, especially when you smile. You should do that more often.”

“Think so?” Her expression turned wistful. “I guess I haven’t had-hic-much of a reason to.”

“Don’t let that lousy ex of yours get you down. Rise above him. You’re smart and talented.” Ivy stared at her empty wine glass, then shrugged and refilled their glasses. Doris could walk home, no need to worry about drinking and driving in a small town like North Pole.

“I never thought of myself as-hic-either smart or talented.”

“You are.” Ivy took another sip of her wine and suddenly sat up straight. “Hey, I have a great idea. Why don’t you and your kids spend Thanksgiving here with me?”

Doris was holding her breath in an effort to get rid of her hiccups. Ivy watched her face turn crimson, then she let out her breath in a whoosh. “Are you sure? I have to warn you, I’m not very good in the kitchen.”

Apparently the holding her breath thing worked. “I can cook, and we can have the whole traditional meal.” Ivy was thrilled with her spur-of-the-moment idea. “I don’t have any family to celebrate with, and having friends around is better anyway.

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