It's a Fabulous Life, page 16
“Throw it away,” her husband said.
“I can hang it somewhere.” Maria took the ball. “It just needs a little detangling. Here.”
She handed the plug to Bailey. Bailey held the few available inches with her fingertips. “A little detangling?”
“It’s fine.”
She raised a doubtful eyebrow, but Maria set to the task in her determined way.
“I went out to Phoenix one year for New Year’s,” she said. “It was nice to spend time with Dan, but … I don’t know. It was weird sitting outside and barbecuing. It just felt odd being surrounded by the desert landscape.”
“Nothing wrong with changing things up.” Bailey shook the entwined wires to get them moving in the same direction. “You can create new traditions in any environment.”
Maria tugged on the strand. The thick knot didn’t budge. “It’s pretty hard to do a scavenger hunt with scraggly little bushes and the one tree in their front yard.”
“You can enjoy the colorful blooms on the Christmas cactuses. Cacti? Is it cactuses or cacti?”
“It’s nothing you can wrap a string of lights around. Ooh, that’s what I should do with these. Hang them outside.”
She wrestled with the uncooperative lights some more. Bailey found the source of the major snag and untangled it. The tiny lights tinkled as they cascaded to the floor.
“Thanks, partner,” Maria said.
Her saying partner was so nice.
Too nice.
“Make sure they work before you go outside,” Mr. Hatcher said.
“Don’t put them up in the dark,” Mrs. Hatcher said.
“How else will I know how they look?” Maria said, and took the plug out of Bailey’s hand. The wires were twisted and very well-used.
“Maybe this isn’t the best string of lights to hang outside,” she suggested.
“It’s fine. Everything’s intact. You can help me.”
Maria scooped up the lights and headed for the door. Her mom said something in Polish that made her clap back in kind. Boy, when she set her mind to something, it was happening.
Bailey followed her to slide into her tall boots. The dogs noticed and figured it was time for a walk.
“We’ll be back in a second,” Bailey told Lulu. Rosie didn’t get the hint and had to be faked out by tossing the rope toy.
They took the steps down to the unkempt hedgerow beneath the dining room window. The Christmas tree glimmered through the sheer curtains. Maria set the coiled strand on the bushes and dusted off the outlet on the stone exterior. It looked as sketchy as the rest of the electrical around the house. Coupled with the curly string of lights, this was an accident waiting to happen.
“Let me do it,” Bailey said.
“I’ve got it,” Maria said.
“That outlet looks unstable. I don’t want you to get shocked.”
“It’s fine.”
“Please let me do it.”
“I’ve got it,” Maria stated.
She jammed the plug into one of the outlets. The white lights blinked on and off several times. She wiggled the plug, and they went on. Then off.
She huffed and tried the other outlet. Nothing happened. So she went back to the original one. The lights blazed brightly.
“There you go,” Bailey said.
Maria dragged the lights down the length of the bushes. The strand just reached the end. Not particularly fancy, but they illuminated the top of the greenery. She planted her hands on her hips, seemingly satisfied with the results.
The lights flickered off.
“Come on,” Maria growled, and started for the outlet.
Bailey held up a hand. “Let me.”
She wiggled the plug and got a similar flicker-on, flicker-off result until they went on again. “We probably should’ve tested them first,” she said. “But I think it’s the outlet rather than the lights.”
“Hopefully they’ll work now that I’m not messing with the cord.”
They stood together and stared at the lights, watching, waiting. “It looks nice,” Bailey said in an attempt to cheer Maria up.
“It’ll do.” Maria brushed a hard chunk of snow off the front of the bushes.
Bailey shivered against the cold night air. She rubbed her arms and said, “Think of how much nicer it is to do this around a palm tree.”
“This looks magical.”
“Then I guess you’re sticking with a good old-fashioned Lanford Falls Christmas.”
“The best kind of Christmas,” Maria said.
“And New Year’s, and Easter, and Memorial Day …”
She whipped around and crossed her arms. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” Bailey said with a shrug. “Just that you love being here.”
“Yes, but not all the time. I don’t know where you got that I don’t like to travel. I love to travel. Just because I moved back doesn’t mean I don’t like to visit other places.”
She mirrored Maria’s cross-armed stance. “What about not wanting to spend the holidays where it’s warm?”
“That’s just for the holidays.” Her eyebrows rose, wrinkling her forehead. “I grew up here too, you know. I like seeing places beyond the Northeast. I’m curious about the world and love to explore it. Like that tour you want to do around Ireland and Great Britain. It sounds magnificent.”
Irrational frustration bubbled up in Bailey’s core. Why did Maria have to be so perfect?
She pointed between Bailey’s brows. “What is it, thinky face?”
Thoughts and emotions raced through her body. Excitement and irritation and a deep longing for more. New York. Cuddling with Maria on the couch. A warm sandy beach with crystal blue water. Maria there with her.
The words flew from her mouth. “Why do you have to be so … so … you?”
Maria’s face screwed up in disbelief. “Why are you being such a grump about everything?”
“Why are you being so stubborn?” Bailey countered.
“Why can’t you see what you have here is really great? Your real estate agency, and your friends …”
“Why don’t you focus on your job and leave me alone?”
“Because I don’t want to.” Maria took a step closer. “And you don’t want me to.”
Bailey stepped in too. “I have the chance to get out of here and start something new. And you … you …”
Maria stuck her chin up, defiant. Daring Bailey to keep going.
The mad energy coursing through her made her reach out and grasp Maria’s shoulders. “You don’t get it. I don’t want to break sales records, and I don’t want to keep fighting Felicity Potter, and I don’t want to settle down here. I want to do what I want to do.”
“And I want to do what I want to do.” Maria lifted a hand and skimmed her fingers down Bailey’s cheek.
The thing she wanted more than anything in the universe was to kiss Maria Hatcher again.
She leaned down and caught Maria’s lips with her own. Maria rose to her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around Bailey’s neck and kissed her harder. Bailey pulled her close, reveling in Maria’s warmth like a fire crackling in the hearth. She was softness personified. Her mouth welcomed Bailey’s with sweetness and a yearning for more. Familiar and new at the same time.
Her warm tongue grazed Bailey’s, sending a jolt between her thighs. Making her dizzy and … and … Damn, did she taste good.
She ran her fingers through Maria’s silky hair. Smoothed her other hand down Maria’s back. This filled the void, the deep longing, the realization of what she truly wanted.
This was home.
“Oh, Bailey,” Maria sighed against her cheek.
“Maria,” Bailey murmured.
Maria could be everything I want.
She kissed Maria gently, then nestled their foreheads together. “You came back at the worst possible time.”
“I’m here at exactly the right time,” Maria said.
“I really like you, but … Damn it.”
“Do you have to move? Is it that terrible living here?” She tightened her arms around Bailey. “Is this so completely awful that you want to leave?”
It was the polar opposite of awful. “I don’t want to be anywhere else right this moment.”
They could go on a few dates. See if this might lead somewhere. They could try a long-distance relationship if it did. It was nuts to think that, but …
Maria beamed her big smile up at her.
But there was no place she’d rather be than holding Maria in her arms.
Bailey cleared the desire from her throat. “Maybe we could, after Wonderfest is done—”
The front door opened to high-pitched barking and two bodies racing outside. Noooooo!
They both stepped back, their connection fizzling into the darkness. Rosie barked at Maria like Why did you leave me, Mother? Lulu grinned at them.
Mr. Hatcher poked his head out. “They were going to scratch through the door.”
“That’s okay,” Maria said. “We were just about to come in.”
Bailey raised an eyebrow at her. I was just about to ask you on a date and then do a little passionate necking. The heaviness in her underwear throbbed in angry protest.
Rosie leaped up and squeezed her legs around Bailey. She pried the dog off on autopilot.
Maria acknowledged her father. “We’ll be right there.”
He nodded and closed the door. Was there a hint of knowing on his face?
Lulu sniffed around the bushes while Rosie planted herself between the traitorous humans. Maria patted her head and said, “It’s okay. We didn’t go anywhere.”
A knock sounded on the window. Mrs. Hatcher pointed at Maria, then toward the front entrance. “Get inside before you catch pneumonia,” she said through the glass. She gave Bailey a look before releasing the thin curtain.
“Your mom really wants you to focus on …” Not being distracted by me. “Job success.”
“She says it’s the chance of a lifetime.” Maria gazed at Bailey with such sincerity shining in her eyes. The library job wasn’t the only chance of a lifetime that had popped up since her return.
Lulu shoved half her body into the bushes, jostling them. The lights flickered off.
Maria tossed her hands. “I give up.”
“Let’s unplug them and deal with them another time.”
Bailey moved to do so. There was still a chance to ask Maria out. Even though Mrs. Hatcher’s frame was visible behind the curtains. Sadly no more chances to steal a kiss, because that was a freakin’ amazing kiss. Her lips still tingled with a thousand tiny snowflakes, and her knees wavered and wobbled as she bent to unplug the lights. Not to mention what was going on in her unmentionables.
Rosie barked at something in the yard next door. “What?” Maria said, looking in the same direction. “What is it?”
Rosie wagged her tail, then let out a yap.
“There’s nothing there, silly. Come on.” She took hold of Rosie’s collar and gently tugged her toward the house.
Lulu noticed whatever had caught Rosie’s attention. She wiggled with excitement. Bailey glanced at the empty sidewalk, the large oak tree, the snow-covered lawn. “Whatever it is, I don’t see it.”
“It’s the Ghost of Christmas Present,” Maria joked.
“I hope it’s not here for me.” Bailey patted her thigh for Lulu to follow. “I don’t have time to be visited by three spirits tonight.”
“You’re less grouchy than you were before. I think your heart is growing, like the Grinch’s.”
Bailey smiled at her. “Well, kissing you always makes the holidays brighter.”
Maria beamed a huge, wrinkly-nosed grin in return. “Noted.”
They paused at the door, each holding their wayward dog in one hand. “To be continued,” Bailey murmured. She ran her thumb across Maria’s smooth cheek, to her slightly parted lips.
Maria pressed a lingering kiss to its pad. “To be continued.”
THE ANGELS
Clara braced herself on the thick trunk of the oak tree where they’d had to hide from the too-perceptive dogs, even while invisible. Jovanna peered around it.
“Are they gone?” Gabriella whispered.
“Yep,” Jovi said.
“Thank goodness.”
“Why are you still whispering?”
“Because the dogs could hear us.”
“They’re inside now.” Jovanna stepped onto the sidewalk. She brushed at her tangerine orange coat. “This hiding behind trees thing is for the birds. Literally. Can we agree on no more snooping around? It’s starting to feel icky. We could just do remote viewing.”
Gabriella stomped the snow off her thigh-high red boots. “I wasn’t expecting them to come outside. Or kiss each other like that.”
“That was some kiss,” Clara sighed, leaning against the tree. That kiss had been a long time coming.
“Can we also agree …” Jovanna hugged her arms across her body. “This is pretty well wrapped up? Those ladies are loca for one another. Happily ever after is totally in the cards for them.”
“Not just yet,” Gabi said. “Bailey’s still thinking about leaving.”
Clara waved her purple-gloved hand at the house. “Did you hear what she said about not having time to deal with Christmas ghosts? And she’s still irked about the festival.”
“Tomorrow will be the real test,” Gabriella said with a nod.
Jovanna dropped her head back with a loud groan. “Clara’s trying to drag this out so she can get her wings.”
“Not true,” Clara defended.
“The festival will go fine, and Bailey and Maria will have a smooch-fest under the mistletoe, and it’ll be sunshine and roses. And you won’t have done enough to be wing-worthy.”
Clara pointed to the dark bushes. “I could make the lights go on.”
“Ooh, that’ll seal the deal.” Jovi rolled her eyes.
“Children.” Gabriella leveled them with a sharp glare. “What do I keep telling you about life transformations?”
She waited patiently for a response.
Jovanna kicked at the concrete. “They take time,” she mumbled.
Clara stared down at her black booties. “They can’t be rushed,” she grumbled.
“And the person has to want to fully and truly change.” Gabriella raised her carefully painted-on eyebrows. “Bailey has to be all in. Right now, she’s only in because of Maria. She has to believe in this town and its holiday magic or it doesn’t work.”
“Maria’s a big part of it,” Jovi said.
“Maria’s a huge part of it,” Clara agreed. “But Mother is right. She can’t be the only reason.”
“I have every confidence it’ll happen.” Their drag mother touched Clara on the shoulder. “You’ve nudged her where you could. There may be a few more chances tomorrow. Anything can happen while she’s surrounded by so much festive joy.”
Clara planted her hands on her hips. Bailey was going to have an amazing Winter Wonderfest. She’d personally see to it. Bailey deserved to be happy, and adorable Maria deserved to be happy. And, well, she deserved her own set of wings and was going to earn them this time.
She tiptoed through the snow to where the plug for the lights sat below the outlet. Then she focused her energy into the wires. “Let there be light,” she said, and plugged it in.
The lights blazed ultra bright.
Jovanna shielded her eyes. “Whoa, Clark Griswold. Take it down a notch.”
Ooh, they were glowing way too strong. Clara took some of the energy back until the lights shimmered at a more normal level.
“Clara’s gonna get her wings,” Jovi sang. “I’m gonna bring the house down with my split kicks and death drops.”
“Mother’s going to wish her daughters were polished pageant girls,” Gabriella teased.
“You’d be so bored without us.”
“Think about how big our hearts are,” Clara said. “We love what we do. We help people and make their lives better. And look fabulous while doing so.” She strutted down the driveway.
Gabi snapped her fingers several times. “Exactly.”
“Werk,” Jovanna said, and shimmied over to Clara.
They danced together, the excitement of the mission flowing through their movements. Everything was heading in the right direction. Bailey was starting to believe again. She’d had so much success with the festival in years past. That, coupled with her connection to Maria and a little help from the House of Angel, would make this a very happy holiday indeed.
Because really, what could go so terribly wrong tomorrow?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Bailey squinted against the bright morning sun. At least the festival was going to have perfect weather. The only chance of snow was flurries, and late tonight.
She opened the door to Caffeinated Corner and was greeted by Maria presenting her with a to-go cup. Her smile instantly warmed Bailey from the inside out. She could definitely get used to being greeted by that smile every morning.
“For our fearless committee leader,” Maria said. “Happy Winter Wonderfest.”
“Thank you.” Bailey accepted the cup.
In the background, Kurt grinned broadly at them. “Have fun today, Bails. You got this.”
She nodded at him and turned to head out.
“Wait.” Kurt trotted from behind the counter. “For my girl, for later.”
He dropped a couple of small homemade dog treats into her gloved hand. Bailey slid them in her coat pocket and said, “Lulu appreciates it.”
“I got a few for Rosie too,” Maria said.
“Special treats for my special pals,” Kurt said. He held the door for them. “I’ll see you later, after we close. It’ll be busy today.”
“Enjoy,” Bailey told him.
“I will.”
When they hit the sidewalk, Maria cuddled her coffee close to her chest. “Where to first?”
“Martin’s. Ellis always treats her staff to breakfast before they head over to the village green. I have to get the checks from her.”
Cars and trucks were already turning into the small parking lot on the far side of the green. Vendors unloading their wares.
