Free Mistletoe in Maine by Ginny Baird Page A

Montreal.”
    “Montreal?” Beth said as Daniel scooted off, apparently having forgotten all about his mission for eggnog.
    Paul slowly stroked his chin, a bigger picture coming together. “I’m afraid I need to apologize for my mom. It appears we’ve been set up.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Daniel spilled the beans to her about me leaving to retire in Canada. She obviously doesn’t want that happening any more than the kids do.”
    “So when she saw me at the airport, she thought that I, somehow, was the solution?”
    “Who knows what my mom thought. I am guessing, though, that she figured your being here might help me change my mind.”
    “Because we have a history?”
    He raised his brow. “Maybe because she thought we’d have a future.”
    Beth caught her breath. “I have an admission to make.”
    He looked at her.
    “I still have feelings for Jack”
    Paul paused a beat. “Does he know?”
    Her shoulders sagged. “We’ve been talking. Texting back and forth. All this uncertainty has had me really on edge. I apologize if I’ve been crabby.”
    “When do you plan to speak with him again?”
    “He’s promised to call on Christmas Eve.”
    “That’s great.”
    All at once, she seemed fragile. “I hope so,” she said, wrapping her hands around her wine.
    “I hope so too,” he said quietly. “Beth?” She raised her chin to look at him. “You’re still one terrific catch for the right guy. I’m sure Jack will see that.”
    “Thanks, Paul. You’re still quite a catch yourself.
    The tips of his ears flashed hot. “Oh yeah?” he said with a laugh.
    “Something tells me Carol Baker thinks so.”
    “Carol Baker’s one of my guests.”
    “Oh, Paul,” she said, swatting his arm. “Don’t be such an old fuddy-duddy. Some chances only come around once, you know.”
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Seven
     
    Carol stood on the inn’s front porch, bundled in her coat, hat, and mittens. All around her, snow lightly fell, dotting the scenic landscape. The weather was predicted to get worse later, but right now, as dusk settled over the mountains, the setting seemed perfect. Almost like something from an old-fashioned Christmas card, complete with a…horse-drawn sleigh? The horses turned and headed up the hill in her direction. Their driver sat upright in the front seat, dressed in an old-timey winter coat and snow-dusted top hat. But wait! Was that Paul seated in back behind him?
    Carol grinned with childlike delight as the sleigh, decorated in winter greenery and jingle bells, pulled up to the porch and Paul hopped out. He held out a hand to help her aboard. “I needed some fresh air too.”
    “Oh, Paul, it’s wonderful,” she said, settling in. He opened a large woolen blanket to cover her, then sat beside her, tucking his legs under the blanket as well.
    “Where to?” the driver asked them.
    “Let’s take a pass through town and around the lake. Okay by you?” he asked Carol.
    She felt her face warm. “Sounds like a dream.” She’d never had anyone do anything like this for her before. Something so nice and unexpected.
    The driver snapped his reins, and they took off in a trot down the snowy slope. Paul pulled two insulated tumblers of hot chocolate from a basket on the floor and handed one to Carol. She took a sip, delighting in its rich, creamy warmth.
    “Why are you being so nice to me?” she asked with a grin.
    He cocked his chin, studying her. “Well, I can’t have you suing me for landing you under the ski patrol hut, now can I?”
    Carol laughed out loud. “That wasn’t your fault.”
    “Maybe not,” he said, leaning close to talk through the chilly winds, “but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel guilty about it.”
    “Well, don’t! Klutzing out was my doing entirely. I take full responsibility. I’ll even sign a waiver if you’d like.”
    Paul chuckled and toasted her tumbler with his. “Something tells me that won’t be necessary.”
    As they approached town, the