Sticky-Sweet Christmas: Balsam Creek Lodge: Rugged Mountain Ink by Khloe Summers

Author:Khloe Summers [Summers, Khloe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Summer to Winter Publishing
Published: 2023-12-17T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Five

Dee

“Woah, woah, woah. You have to tell me more than that.” Tess stands in the street bundled in her heavy down jacket. Snow has been falling all afternoon, and the rockslide is still blocking the west side of the mountain, but that doesn’t stop everyone in town from coming down to Main Street for the window display contest. It might be the town’s biggest tradition.

“Nothing happened. We kissed and I don’t even know what it means, other than the fact that we’ve just made working together super complicated. Oh, and my mom walked in, and I don’t think she saw anything, but there was a vibe, ya know? It didn’t help that we ran out of the house like two mental patients.”

“So, the psychic was right. He’s your soulmate!”

I laugh. “If the psychic was right about me, she was right about you. Tell me what’s up with you and Rob.”

Tess sighs and points to the tattoo shop at the corner. “They did a whole Nightmare before Christmas theme. That’s fun!”

“No,” I turn her toward me, “you’re not blowing me off anymore. Tell me what’s up with you. Is he hurting you, Tess?”

She rolls her eyes. “It’s a relationship. Complicated things happen inside of relationships. You know that.”

My heart pounds. “I need you to answer me straight. Does he put his hands on you?”

“We argue, and he gets frustrated sometimes. I’m not the best girlfriend either. I’m way too needy.”

“Mrs. Beaux was right about that too. You’re not too needy, Tess. If he thinks you’re asking for too much, you’re with the wrong person.”

“He’s right, though. I’m not going to find someone else to put up with all my shit. I have to—”

“He said that?”

She nods and looks away as Julie Baxter Clay, the town mayor, takes center stage on Main Street. She’s about to announce the window winners.

“It’s fine.” Tess begins to clap with the crowd as Julie starts to speak.

“We’ve had a great year of contestants,” Julie announces, straightening the red scarf beneath her long wool coat. “Everyone in town did an amazing job on the window pieces. And Tess, I appreciate your help with the decorations and food for today.”

Tess grins. She loves planning events, so today is a big deal for her. She’s hoping to get her name out in the community. “If anyone needs an event planned, she’s your girl.” Julie clears her throat and waves a piece of paper toward the crowd. “And now for the big reveal. The winners of our winter window contest. Third-place winner is… Two Brothers Pizza with their Christmas Story window. Everyone loved the pizza eating rabbit. Thank you, Nash.” Julie laughs and hands him his ribbon and gift certificate to the local diner. “In second place, we have… Rugged Mountain Ink. Your Nightmare Before Christmas theme got everyone pumped for some super cool ink! The skeleton was bad to the bone.” She waits as the crowd chuckles and the guys from the tattoo shop take their ribbon and gift card to the brewery.

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