Free Jingle Spells by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page A

was about to send out an SOS.”
    â€œTrust me, I understand. Don’t bother bringing your bag, though. This is my treat. Just make sure you have your access card.”
    â€œIt’s in my coat pocket.” Taryn took her parka from the coat-tree in the corner. “Sounds like the Evergreen coffee room isn’t up to your standards.”
    â€œThere is no coffee room. Just a cocoa room.”
    â€œYou’re joking.” Taryn followed her out the door. “Who doesn’t have a coffee room?”
    â€œEvergreen Industries.” Belle headed briskly down the hall. She could walk fast for a short person.
    Taryn had trouble believing the building had no coffee available. “Don’t the employees complain?”
    â€œJust me. Everyone else is fine with the cocoa. So I make the trek to Cup of Cheer every morning.” She swiped her access card through the reader and the elevator opened.
    â€œThanks for inviting me along.” Taryn noticed Belle’s access card was the same as hers and Cole’s. The only difference was in the coding and the name embossed on the back. What Taryn wouldn’t give to have possession of that card for thirty minutes.
    â€œI’m glad to do it. I’d walk back with you, but I have some things that require my attention in town. I’m sure you’ll find your way back okay.”
    Taryn laughed. “I can’t imagine anyone getting lost in Gingerbread. Hiking around Mistletoe Mountain could be a different story, but I don’t plan on doing that.”
    â€œThat’s good.” They reached the lobby and Belle waved at Jolie S. Garland, who was still on duty. “That’s a treacherous mountain. I’d stay away from it if I were you.”
    â€œI didn’t bring my hiking boots, anyway.” Taryn zipped up her parka as they started down the sidewalk that led to the heart of town. “What’s your job at Evergreen?”
    â€œI’m in HR.”
    â€œSo you’re in charge of the elves.”
    Belle’s head whipped around. “What?”
    â€œI figured you knew, but maybe not.”
    â€œKnew what?”
    Taryn thought it was strange that Belle actually seemed upset. Maybe she was the sort of person who didn’t like being the last to find out what was going on in the company. “Cole’s put all sorts of goofy names in the database. It fits because you’re a Christmas ornament manufacturer, but I had to laugh. HR is titled ‘
Elves
,’ and customers are listed under ‘
Naughty or Nice
.’ Like I said, goofy.”
    â€œOh.” Belle let out a breath. “I guess I did hear something about that system. Leave it to my geeky brother.”
    â€œHe’s one of a kind, all right.”
    â€œHe is. Gotta love him.”
    Taryn thought it wise not to respond to that comment.
    Belle switched the topic, which was probably a good idea. “You’re from Seattle, right?”
    â€œI am.” For the rest of the walk, Taryn answered questions about her native city, one Belle had never visited. Cole’s name didn’t come up again.
    The coffee shop seemed even busier than it had when Taryn and Cole had driven by first thing that morning. She and Belle had to stand in line, and Taryn took that opportunity to scan the extensive coffee menu. Belle kept looking around the shop, almost as if she were expecting to see someone. She seemed agitated.
    The line moved slowly, and Belle continued to glance over each time the door opened. “Do you know what you want?” she asked as she continued to survey the crowd.
    â€œI’m getting an extra-large eggnog espresso. That should do the trick.”
    â€œIt should.” She looked away again. “Aha. I just saw someone I need to talk with.” She fished in her purse. “Here’s my wallet. Order me a large double-shot peppermint latte, and I’ll be right back.”
    â€œOkay.”