“Soren,” a growl comes from the door, and there’s an older man who could be his replica and a woman who is Mia’s older doppelgänger. “You could not wait, no?”
“Hello, I am Maria Fiore. You must be Sheriff Mark.”
“It’s a pleasure, Mrs. Fiore. And I’m not bothered by your son’s questions, although I’m grateful it’s not in front of the entire town. Please, let’s have a seat.” I lead them over to the group of comfortable seating.
“This is a very quaint village. Although most of the streets are blocked off, we were lucky to be coming from this direction.”
“Yes, sir. With the festival, which is pretty much just the residents of the town, everyone is already prepared for the traffic situation.”
Jenny comes in and asks, “Ah, there you are. Can you hold him for a minute?” She hands Dean to Mia. “I am losing my mind this morning.” She rushes around the desk. “I forgot his bag and am so glad I keep one here.” She looks up and sees that we’re not alone. “Oh.” Her face pinks.
“These are my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fiore, and my brother, Soren.”
“Hello, welcome to Snowfall. I hope you’re here for the festival and to grill Mark.” She winks. She slides the bag over her shoulder and asks, “Do you need rooms for the night?”
“No. We will be driving back home in a couple of hours. It’s not far from here.”
“Well, let me know if you change your mind. I’ll be out there celebrating with our family and friends.” She takes Dean from Mia and says, “Thanks.” She kisses Mia’s cheek and leaves.
“Sorry, my sister’s overly friendly.”
“I like her.”
“She’s married,” Derek snarls with Lily in one arm and Jacob in the other, coming from the door.
“Hello, Derek.”
“Aunt Mia, Uncle Mark, I’ve got to tinkle.”
“Okay. Come on, baby.”
“I’m not a baby, Daddy. I’m a big girl,” she says while clinging to her father.
“She’s adorable.”
“Well, you have an interesting family, Sheriff Stone. Mia, I’d like a moment alone with you, and then we’ll go enjoy the festivities.”
“I’ll be waiting outside, babe.” I leave them to talk, but I’m not going far.
“Hello, son.” I turn, and my eyes widen.
“What the hell are you doing here?”
“That kind of language on Christmas isn’t very becoming of the sheriff.”
“You need to leave right now. You’re not welcome here.”
“Actually, I am. I was invited.”
“Not a soul would invite you here.”
“That’s what you think. Now, I heard you have a girlfriend. That’s extremely interesting.”
“Nicki, you should leave now.”
“‘Nicki’? I’m your mother.”
“You will never be my mother. Now, if you don’t leave, I’ll have you arrested for trespassing.”
“I don’t have to leave town, but I’ll leave this filth.”
“Takes one to know one.” I storm away, aching to punch someone in the face. Once I find out who brought her here, I’m going to destroy them.
“Sheriff Stone. Everything okay?”
“Yes. Where’s my father?”
“At the bookstore, helping them set up.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter Seven
Mia
I see a woman attempting to touch Mark, but he quickly tears his arm away from her grip. I can’t see her face at this distance, but she’s beautiful and then I hear the words coming from Derek. “What do you mean Nicki’s here?”
I call feel the color drain from my face and my stomach turn. That’s her. The enemy, the heartbreak, the other woman. “Sweetheart, is something wrong?”
It takes me a second to process my mother’s words. Shaking my head lightly, I mutter an excuse. “Nothing more than a headache, Mother. I’m going to head upstairs for some rest.”
She rubs my temples lightly, attempting to alleviate the pain like the wonderful mother that she is, but that’s not where my true ache lies. “Well, Fabio is driving the rest of the family here now as well. We might decide to get a room. Your father is going to get a hold of the owners and see what they have available and if it’s worth the effort. It also depends on what your cousin plans on doing.”
“Okay. Go on. I’ll be fine right here.”
“Are you sure?” She gives me that look that makes me wonder if she knows I’m lying.
“I’m a big girl, mama,” I insist and then kiss her cheek which produces a big smile from her.
“But you will always be my little girl.” She kisses my forehead and then slips on her gloves. As soon as my mother follows after my father, I sneak out the entrance and stare at the woman from a distance. There’s the woman from the grocery store whose face I can’t forget. She sees me and gives me the nastiest glare. I smile brighter even though I don’t feel like it. Mark’s ex is here, and I’m not sure I can stand seeing her.
I walk toward the hardware store, hoping to talk to the old man because other than the Stones, I don’t know anyone else. Stepping inside, I see Frank smiling. “Miss Fiore, it’s good to see you this afternoon. Merry Christmas. Uncle Hank, this is the woman staying at the inn.”