“I’m kidding, of course,” Sofia added.
“What do you need done?” The decorating had been fun, and it would be more of a nice exercise than a burden for her to take that on again.
“Well, it’s kind of a big ask, so feel free to say no, but the float that usually pulls Mr. and Mrs. Claus in the parade is kind of falling apart. It needs to be repainted. I’m planning to do it—”
“He’s planning to do everything himself, and that’s impossible.” Sofia rolled her eyes.
“I can paint,” Holly said confidently.
“Are you sure? I just need a little assistance. You won’t have to do much.”
“Show me where all the materials are tomorrow.” Holly buttered a roll. “Seriously, I need to pay you back for this incredible dinner.”
“All your meals are on the house this week, if you help with painting. That’s my least-favorite task.”
“I will hand-make all her meals myself, if it means I don’t have to paint,” Sofia added. “But that’s enough work talk. Holly, are you seeing anyone?”
The question was so sudden that both Holly and Ash jerked their heads around in surprise.
“Seeing anyone?” Holly was generally good at interpreting expressions in cultures all over the world, but sometimes they were a little vague, and she wanted to make sure she had it right. It had come out of nowhere.
“Yeah, like, are you dating anyone? Either seriously or casually?” Sofia popped a berry from her fruit salad into her mouth. She eyed Ash delightedly, who was looking uncomfortable for once, and seemed to be trying to suppress a grin.
“Oh. No,” Holly said. “I don’t have time for that. Work takes most of my focus.”
“I see. I’m surrounded by workaholics.” Sofia let out a disappointed sigh.
“What about you?” Holly asked. “Areyouseeing anyone?”
Ash grinned, and Sofia grimaced.
“No, but not for lack of desire. This town’s just too small for all that. The only decent single guy left is Ash, and no offense, but he’s just a little too young and idealistic for me.”
Ash tossed a roll at Sofia, and Holly grinned, though her mind was swirling. Sofia couldn’t be more than a few years older than Ash.
“What about a tourist?” she asked, watching the two of them in amusement. “You probably meet lots of people at the restaurant.”
“That’s true, but I’ve met more toads than princes, I’m afraid.” Sofia pursed her lips. “But enough about me. Why don’t we discuss why the town’s most eligible bachelor is still single?”
Ash narrowed his eyes at her. The conversation had been like tossing a beach ball of embarrassment around the table, landing on one person for a moment, to everyone else’s delight, then being tossed away by the holder with relief.
Holly perked up a little, wanting to hear the answer.
Ash cleared his throat. “Haven’t dated the right woman yet. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, what do we want for dessert?”
The rest of the evening passed with pleasant small talk. Holly burst into laughter more than once as Sofia told tales at Ash’s expense. To his credit, he never looked more than mildly embarrassed. He laughed along, occasionally interjecting to half-heartedly defend himself. Holly’s watch vibrated wildly throughout their dinner and warmed her wrist. She tucked her hand into her coat pocket after they finished eating.
When dessert wound down, the three of them loaded their dinner containers and dishes into the picnic basket, and Ash carried it as they walked back to the Emerald House.
Holly glanced toward the woods and spotted Ivy watching them through trees, just as the reindeer had the first evening Holly and Ash had walked down the forest path together.
“Didn’t that look like a fawn?” Ash asked, frowning. “That’s odd. It’s not their season. Must have been something else.” He shook his head and continued to walk up the path. Meanwhile, Holly stood stock-still, unable to breathe. She glanced in Ivy’s direction again, but the reindeer had disappeared into the forest.
ChapterTwenty-One
Holly woke up early the next morning and went outside to check on the reindeer. She’d snuck a roll into her coat pocket during the gazebo dinner, and she held out her hand to give each of them a piece. Ivy shook leaves off the top of her head as she emerged from the forest to greet Holly and claim her treat. Clove licked her lips in satisfaction.
Holly eyed Ivy suspiciously. “What were you doing last night?” Holly had settled down since the initial shock of Ash’s seeing the reindeer, but it still made her nervous. Emerald Hollow was full of unknowns, and the frustration of not having an explanation was grating on her.
