Free Mistletoe and Magic by Carolyn Hughey, Gina Ardito Page A

bothering her eldest child. Hopefully, Dr. Bean could get them to a place where they could have a heart-to-heart talk. She knew unless Jenny wanted to talk about it, she’d never find out. The best she could hope for was that her daughter would find peace through therapy. Mallory just wanted to be a family again.
    AJ came to mind, and she smiled. Being with him took her to a happy place where she felt contented and knew everything was going to be okay. She’d never had that before or ever met anyone like him. The thought actually terrified her because she knew she was falling for him and worried that nothing would ever come of it. One trip to the therapist was not going to solve their issues. Jenny was a daddy’s girl who thought her mother had taken her father away from her.
     
    ~~~
     
    Filling her thermal mug with coffee, Mallory twisted the lid and headed out to the car. Trying to warm up the car quickly, she slid the lever for the blower on high and shivered when the cool air blasted against her damp hair. After shoving the air vents in the opposite direction, she drove out of the driveway and headed for town. Thoughts of being alone with AJ made her nervous. Would his aunt be there? That was a silly question , she told herself. This was a surprise for his aunt. Reaching for the tuner on the radio, she changed the station and sang to a Katy Perry song to stop the traffic tie-up in her brain.
    Approaching Main Street in town was always exciting, especially at Christmas time. Seeing the activity of shoppers going from one store to the next, the Christmas spirit in the air, and the decorations all made for a cheery atmosphere. The town’s square with the large gazebo sparkled with lights, waiting for the tree lighting ceremony that would take place over the weekend. Mallory turned the radio off in her car. Despite the cold, she rolled down her windows slightly to hear the customary Christmas music playing throughout the town over the loudspeakers. A little cheer was just what she needed today.
    Seeing the Miller house, she pulled into a parking spot a few houses down the street. She cut the engine, got out of the car and headed toward 210 Main Street, humming to the music as she walked. AJ was waiting for her on the porch.
    “Looks like I timed this just right,” he said with a broad smile.
    “You must be freezing. How long have you been waiting on the porch?”
    “Not long,” he said, watching her mount the stairs.
    “Really?” She placed the back of her hand on his cheek. “Then why are your cheeks so cold.”
    “Are they?” he said with a wink. “C’mon inside.” He gestured. “It’s warm in there.” He held the door for her.
    She gasped when she walked into the foyer. “This is so beautiful!” She stood silent for a few minutes, taking in its beauty. The old brick wall separating the foyer from the living room had a silver ornate table in front with embossed doors, complemented by two thick wooden leather back chairs and seats with heavy steel studs, and a colorful Persian runner that covered the wide floorboards. Overhead, distressed beams gave it that rustic lodge feeling. “Wow. What a perfect setting for Christmas.”
    “Well, there’s more where that came from. Let me have your coat. The living room is directly behind this brick wall,” he curled his finger indicating which direction, “with a nice hot fire burning in the fireplace just waiting to toast you. Go warm yourself up. I have coffee ready for you.”
    “Aren’t you the terrific host?”
    “I keep telling you I have many facets to my personality, but I don’t think you believe me. So I guess I just have to show you.”
    “I’ve wanted to believe you.” Did she just say that? Cripes, she was opening the door and setting both of them up for failure. She couldn’t explain why she came out with these comments except that he made her feel comfortable. A sudden peaceful contented feeling washed over her and made her want to