She squeaks again, then bursts into laughter. “Again!”
“Kid, you could’ve died.” I set her firmly on her feet and glare down at her. “Don’t do that again.”
“What? That was epic!” She fist-pumps.
“Anna!” Liza runs up and drops to her knees, pulling the girl into her arms. “Are you all right?”
“I’m good. The new guy caught me.” Anna hitches her thumb at me.
“Thank you!” Liza turns her eyes to me, her gaze open and warm. “Thank you so much. That could’ve been really bad.” She holds Anna at arm’s length. “You sure you aren’t hurt?”
“I’m sure.”
“Anna?” her harried mother calls from the passenger side of the minivan. “Get on in here before you freeze!”
“Bye!” Anna skips away, then stops. “I’ll see you at the library tomorrow afternoon. Don’t worry. I’ll save the good glitter for us before my brother can eat it all.” She keeps skipping into the minivan.
“Thank you again.” Liza stands. “I mean it. Anna is kind of a mess, but she’s such a sweet child. I’m Liza, by the way.”
“It was nothing.” I hold out my hand. “Crane.”
She takes it, and I swear my whole body warms at her touch. With a wry smile, she says, “Oh, I know your name, your star sign, your address, and pretty much everything about you. Word travels fast around here.”
“Everything?” I ask, still holding her hand.
“You’re a Leo, right?”
I chuckle. “I am.”
“See what I mean?” She steps a little closer, our hands still clasped. “Well, I know we’re all glad to have you here.”
“Glad to be here.”
“Mom said you’ll be taking over the old Smith place.”
“Yep, I didn’t bring much with me, so it’s good it came furnished. But I’ll be honest with you, it needs a lot of work.”
“If you need help, I’m right next door.”
“Is that so?” I play dumb. “I didn’t realize.”
“Yep. Mine’s the Craftsman house with the yellow shutters.”
“Great. I’m going to start airing stuff out and painting tomorrow. Feel free to stop by whenever you like.”
“Okay.” She looks down at where our hands are still joined. “I think you’ll need that hand back if you intend to get any work done.”
I squeeze her fingers gently and force myself to let go. “Are you always in charge of the Christmas décor?”
“Not just decor.” She beams. “I mean, yes, I oversee all the town decorations and coordinate with the businesses and homeowners to sort of advance a cohesive theme for the season, but I like to think my main job is to ensure that everyone feels the spirit of Christmas. Décor is one way to do that, and acts of service are another. That’s why we raise money for various good causes like snacks for hospital staff and patients, food and litter for the animal shelter, and lots of other things. We don’t just want to look like we love Christmas. We want to show everyone that holiday magic exists in their own lives.”
I raise a brow. “None of that was in the brochure when I moved here.”
“Do you think it should be?” She smiles.
“I think if the brochure had you in it, this place would be bursting at the seams with new residents.”
Her cheeks turn a bright pink that has nothing to do with the chilly winter wind. “That’s very kind of you to say.”
“Not kind at all. Just the truth.”
“Liza, are you going to introduce us?” A woman–one I recognize as the mayor’s assistant—hooks her arm through Liza’s.
“As if you don’t already know. Eve, this is Crane. Crane, meet Eve, my pushy, nosy, bossy best friend.”
“Guilty as charged.” She shakes hands with me.
I notice Liza staring hard at where we touch, then seeming to loosen up a little when we let go quickly. Interesting.
“Don’t get too friendly with Liza, buddy. I need her to be mysterious and unobtainable. That way she’ll fetch more money at the bachelorette auction.”
“Oh my God, Eve.” Liza gives her a deadly glare.
“What?” Eve shrugs. “You know what I’m saying, right, Crane?”
“I understand. But don’t worry, I already find her plenty mysterious and unobtainable.” That’s not a lie. What drives her to invest so much in this Christmas thing? I’m curious about her. And the unobtainable part–well, I’m not here to seduce her. I’m here to get dirt on her. All the same, seducing her has already jumped all my other priorities and landed at the top of the list. It doesn’t make sense, and I don’t pretend to understand it, but just being near her makes my blood heat in a way I’ve never felt before. I want to keep talking with her, to have her share her passions with me. But that’s not my job. It’s not why I’m here. I need to keep my eye on the ball. Easy money.
“Good.” Eve nods. “The feminine mystique is still intact.” She pulls on Liza’s arm. “Let’s go. I’m freezing, and I’m certain Krampus is wondering why you aren’t home yet.”