CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER

1

M

erry Tremayne loved the River Walk at Christmas. The town of Rivers End went all-out decorating for the holidays, and the event was the perfect opportunity to spend time with her cousins and grab any last minute gifts she needed. She took a deep breath. The air smelled like mulled wine spices and peppermint chocolate. It was glorious. But the very best part of the festival was the eggnog hot chocolate from The Serving Spoon’s food cart.

Especially this year. It was a colder-than-usual December in Rivers End, and there was plenty of snow on the ground. They didn’t get a white Christmas often, and Merry was determined to enjoy every second of it. She tucked the ends of her reindeer scarf into her red wool coat and rubbed her mittened hands together.

She’d been in line for fifteen minutes already, but she didn’t mind the wait. There was plenty to look at. The booths were strung along the river in a winding row—little white pop-up tents linked together with Christmas-coloured lights twinkling overhead and the cutest little candy cane fence that kept people on the paths and out of the vendor area.

There was a stage in the middle of everything, and the singer on it was fantastic. Merry loved “Silent Night,” and she’d never heard it sung quite like this before. The acoustic guitar and the velvet of the singer’s voice were mesmerizing.

The place was packed with families strolling around, kids wired beyond belief with only two more sleeps till Santa, and couples hand in hand. There were plenty of people she recognized—she’d spent every Christmas here since she was a baby, after all—but a number of faces she didn’t recognize too.

Like Hot Chocolate Guy. Merry turned her attention back to the guy behind the counter of the food cart. Maybe Adam hired someone new?

She liked the look of him. Blond curls just peeking out from under his knitted hat, funky glasses highlighting big brown eyes. Too bad about the scowl. Otherwise, he’d totally be her type.

Merry watched as he handed out cup after cup to people with hardly a word. What was his problem? This was supposed to be a fun night. Would it kill him to wish someone happy holidays, or even just to smile at them?

Her fingers itched.

Just a little boost, Merry. You’d be doing him a favour.

She clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.

No.

But look at how unhappy he seems. And he’s bringing everyone around him down to his level of grinchiness, too. It’s Christmas. Think of the children, Merry.

“Shut up.”

The lady behind her in line gave her a disapproving glance. “Sorry, Mrs. Johnstone. Just talking to myself.” She’d have to watch that. It didn’t take much around here to develop a reputation for being crazy.

“Then perhaps you should try being a little nicer to yourself, dear.”

She sighed and nodded. “You’re right, Mrs. J. You go ahead of me. I’ll wait another minute as penance for being mean to myself.” The line shuffled forward and Merry brought her attention back to the counter.

Grinchy poured another cup and passed it across to Mrs. Johnstone with a nod.

Really?

He didn’t even say a word. Well, it wasn’t her problem. She’d secured her spot on Santa’s nice list, letting Mrs. J go first.

And it wasn’t her business if he didn’t have any Christmas spirit. Nothing good came from messing in other people’s business at the holidays. Whether his feelings were positive or not, at least they were real.

Merry shuddered. She wasn’t going to think about her ex tonight. She was going to stay firmly in the present, enjoy the heck out of what she considered the best hot chocolate in the world, and have a blast hanging out with her cousins all weekend.

She pulled off a mitten and dug around in her pocket for the five-dollar bill she’d earmarked for the donation jar.

Finally, it was her turn, and she popped her money into the big jar on the counter that was filled with bills. As always, people were generous when the money was meant to benefit children, and the Serving Spoon’s charity of choice this year was a local camp for sick kids.

She watched as Cranky Guy reached for another cup. She could almost taste that perfectly spiced chocolate goodness coming her way. But her heart sank when she heard the wheezing, sucking sound coming from the bottom of the big thermos dispenser.

“Uh oh.”

“What do you mean,

uh oh

?”

C’mon universe.

“Don’t you have another Thermos hiding behind the counter there?”

I’ve been a very good girl all year. And wasn’t I just this very moment nice to one of our town elders? Don’t I deserve a reward?

He ducked down and quickly popped back up again, shaking his head. “Looks like you’re out of luck.”

Shit.

So much for karma. “What about the cider?” Okay, so maybe she wouldn’t get her hot chocolate, but the cider was pretty tasty too. Some might even say amazing. But she’d had her heart set on hot chocolate.

“Nope. Looks like we’re totally out of that as well. Adam’s gone to get more from the restaurant. It’s up to you if you want to hang out in line, or just try again later.”

She heard some groans and protests from behind her as people passed word back through the line about what had happened. Nothing spread faster than bad news in a small town.

Well, she didn’t want to spend her whole night in line. There were plenty of other things to see and do. “Okay, I’ll try again later.”

He hadn’t even said sorry to the waiting customers. She needed to show him how to be polite. Her mama always said you catch more flies with honey. And this one? He could do with a positive example.

“Happy holidays, Mr. Grinch.”

Oops.

A couple of people behind her snickered. She put on a megawatt smile, gave the sexy grinch a saucy wave, and sauntered off through the crowd.

With any luck, she’d never see him again.