I stare at her image, at the way she smiles and engages with the camera. For a moment, I feel like she’s smiling just for me, and the thought of it warms my heart. I bat the feeling away. These two are my targets, and it’s my job to bring them down.
“I can’t wait to bring you to your knees, Liza.” I can think of all sorts of things she could do for me from that position.
Starting my car, I pull away from the Winter Heights town hall and set my sights on Snow Hills, on easy money, and on Miss Liza Grable.
2
LIZA
I can’t help but have a bit of pep in my step today. Not only are we starting preparations for the holiday city decorations, but there has been a dusting of snow falling all day. I find it rather perfect and lucky. That was until a loud hiss filled the quiet library. I glance up over my glasses from the stack of books I’m sorting to see Eve and Krampus up to their normal antics. Those two can be a handful when they get this way.
“Why do you bother him?” I shake my head as Krampus bats at my best friend's hand.
“Cause I’m gonna make him love me sooner or later.” She leans down to say it in his face in a baby voice.
Krampus only hisses louder.
“Fine. You’re a brat.” They glare at each other until Eve finally breaks. Krampus wins their staring competition. He always does. “I don’t know why he dislikes me so much.”
I’ve explained to her time and time again that if she would just leave him alone, then maybe he would come around. That’s a big maybe. But she can’t help herself when she’s near him. I think Eve enjoys the challenge. If there is no challenge, it’s no fun.
She hops up onto the checkout counter, her dark ponytail bouncing. “He doesn’t like anyone,” I remind her. Except me.
“If he hates people, why do you bring him to work with you?” Krampus sits on his new bed that I got him so he could relax while I work. Of course I had to get him a new one for Christmas. Something more festive.
I didn’t find anything online good enough, so I ordered a plain green one and decorated it myself. I even put it on a stand that has lights strung around the bottom. It’s a small Christmas throne for him to sit upon and judge us all.
“Because he’s an introverted extrovert,” I respond.
“What does that even mean?” Eve gives me a look like I’ve lost my mind. It’s the same one she’s been giving me since she moved to town three years ago when she took a job as my mom’s executive assistant.
“He enjoys getting out of the house, but he doesn’t enjoy social interaction. He only wants it in small doses, if at all.”
“So what you’re saying is he wants to people watch.”
“Pretty much.”
“I love to people watch. We would do it together if you’d retract the claws, Krampus,” she tells him.
He ignores her and starts to clean his front paws, dismissing her completely. I don’t always bring him to work. Only when he nudges at me before I’m about to leave or if I know I’m going to be out of the house for a long period of time. It’s only the two of us, and I hate leaving him by himself if I don’t have to.
Also, the Christmas lights are being hung on the house today. I know that would drive him bonkers if he was alone with strange men outside the windows. He’d have a hissy fit. Literally.
“What are you up to?” I ask as she starts to go through the pile of books I have piled up in front of me.
“Did I read this one or is it new?” She holds up the holiday romance book that has a winter bride on the front. I bet a winter wedding would be the most magical thing in the whole world. At least to me it would be.
“It’s new. You’ll like that one.”
“Secret baby?” Her eyes get big. I give a nod. That’s all I’m willing to spoil. “I love when you do the holiday romance section.” She lets out a dreamy sigh. “Too bad there aren’t any good men around here.”
“There are some nice men around,” I rebuff. There’s the veterinarian, Clark, or Deputy Anderson.
“Then why aren’t you dating them?” She lifts one of her brows.
“Because it’s weird for me. I grew up with all these people.” Clark is a nice guy, but he’s gotten around. Who wants to date someone who has dated someone you know? And I know everyone in this town. Plus, I’ve never felt that sort of attraction for anyone.
“Yeah, so you know them super well and wouldn’t date them but think I should?”