Aimee Thurlo - Homespun Christmas

“Will’s still staying with you, right?” Myka asked. Tanner and Betty’s older brother was also the town’s police chief.

She nodded. “I’ve filed a restraining order against Tony, so he’ll go back to prison if he comes within three hundred feet of me. But he still scares me.”

“Will’s a trained officer and almost Tony’s size. You shouldn’t worry.”

Evie ran back into the room and offered Betty a cookie. “These are great, Mommy. Myka makes the best chocolate chip cookies ever.”

Betty smiled as she took the cookie.

“Can I watch TV?”

Betty looked at Myka, who nodded. “Go ahead, it won’t bother us,” Myka said.

Betty waited until Evie’s favorite cartoons popped on screen, then she changed the subject.

“How’s Josh doing? I heard he’s back in town.”

“He’s fine, I guess,” Myka said. “He wants to sell his dad’s house, but I warned him about the real estate market these days.”

“I’m going to ask him to look at my renovation plans for the inn. I’d like to knock out some walls, and since he’s an architect, I thought he might tell me where it’s safe to do that,” Betty said. “I don’t think we should mention that Will’s part owner, though.”

“You think Josh still carries a grudge? He and Will had fought over Sophie back in high school. That was a lifetime ago.”

Betty laughed. “No, not at all, but Josh and Will have always been like oil and water. They’ve already had a run-in.”

“What happened?”

“Josh missed a stop sign as he was coming into town.”

“Let me guess. The one on Orchard Lane that’s buried by the house-high tumbleweeds?”

Betty nodded. “The town doesn’t have a weed and litter crew anymore. Heck, if the rest of us didn’t know the stop sign was there, we’d miss it, too.”

“Did Will give him a ticket?”

“Yeah. All he said was that Josh was pushing his buttons.” Betty rolled her eyes, then glanced over at her daughter. Seeing Evie engrossed in the show, she continued in a low voice. “I think the real problem is that he doesn’t want Josh back in town.”

“That’s none of his business. Why does he care?”

“Will may not actually say it, but he thinks it’s his duty to look out for you, his little brother’s widow. He’s convinced Josh has always had a thing for you.”

“No, that’s not true. Besides, I choose my own friends. Your brother needs to butt out.”

“I agree. Getting back to Joshua, I haven’t seen him in ages. Can we go over there and say hi?” Betty asked.

“No need. He’s coming over in a few minutes.”

“Ah. You two going on a date?”

Myka shook her head, but before she could elaborate, Betty added, “Too bad.”

“Joshua Nez isn’t right for me, Betty. The most we’ll ever be is friends.” Hearing a knock on the door, Myka stood. “That must be him now. Come on in, Josh.”

Joshua came in a moment later, wearing a lightweight sports jacket, dress slacks and an open-necked shirt. Myka bit back a sigh. No matter what he wore, he was always eye candy. Although he looked professional, there was an unmistakable ruggedness about him. Untamed—that word fit him the best.

Seeing Betty, Josh smiled. “It’s been a long time,” he said, and shook her hand. Looking down at her daughter, who’d come over, he smiled. “And who’s this?”

“I’m Evie,” the girl said.

“Pleasure, Evie.” Joshua shook hands with her, too, and she beamed.

Evie looked back at Betty. “Is it okay if I go outside to play with Teddy Bear?”

Myka looked at Joshua. “She means Bear.”

Joshua raised his eyebrows. “From what you’ve told me, that dog is way too big to play with a kid Evie’s size.”

“He’s like a big teddy bear,” Evie said. “And he’s my friend. Can I go get him, please?”

Myka crouched in front of Evie. “Bear’s not around right now, sweetie,” she said gently. “When Mr. Nez went to heaven, Bear wanted to be by himself for a while.”

“Oh, okay,” she said. Then, after a heartbeat, “Can I have another cookie?”

“One more and that’s it,” Betty said.

Myka smiled. “I love the way kids do that. No disappointment lingers for long. They can switch gears in an instant.”

“I envy her that, too,” Betty said softly, then focused on Josh. “I’m glad you’re here, Josh. I wanted to ask you a favor. Would you drop by the Blue Spruce Inn on Main Street tomorrow morning? I’ll trade you breakfast—all homemade—for your opinion on my renovating ideas. We have a tight budget, so I have to make sure I don’t make any costly mistakes.”

“Who’s we?” he said, picking up on that immediately.

Betty winced. “Myka, Will and I are partners.”

“It’s mostly Betty’s thing,” Myka said quickly. “Will and I chip in with the property taxes and help out with other expenses when we can.”

“Wait a sec. I’m missing something. You’re spending money to fix up an inn here in Independence?” he asked.

Betty nodded. “It’ll be more of a B and B. A lot of people come into this part of the state during hunting and skiing season, and on summer vacation. It’ll be a seasonal business, but I think we’ll be able to make it work.”

“I’ll be glad to stop by tomorrow and take a look,” Joshua said, “but I should warn you. One of your partners may not appreciate my input.”

“That’ll be Will’s problem, then. Myka and I would really appreciate your expertise,” Betty said.

Hearing the grandfather clock chime, Myka gasped. “Oh, no! We have to go right now, Josh. The meeting is at Liza’s house and we’ll be late.”

“Wait—you’re going to a crafter’s meeting?” Betty asked, looking at Josh. “There aren’t any woodworkers there, I don’t think. It’s mostly the knitting, crocheting and weaving crowd.”

“Tonight will be different,” Myka said. “We’re going to do some serious brainstorming and try to come up with ideas on how to help Independence. The more input, the better. Why don’t you come, Betty?”

“I wish I could, but I have to get Evie home, then it’s dinner, bath and bed. Let me know what happens.”

Myka saw Betty and Evie to the door, then came back for her purse.

“What’s Betty’s story?” Joshua asked, after she’d left. “That was Tony’s kid, right?”

Myka nodded. “Betty’s had some rough times, thanks to Tony, but she and her daughter will be okay now that they’re back home,” she said, unwilling to add any more details. “Ready to go?”

* * *

WHEN THEY ARRIVED, people were in the den hovering around a table covered with inexpensive snacks—everything from pretzels to chips, salsa and iced tea.

The gathering, normally consisting of ten or twelve, was nearly double that size. Many familiar faces were present, mostly the husbands and adult children of the regulars. Liza’s sofa and two easy chairs had been supplemented by several dining room chairs and a dozen metal folding chairs borrowed from the Independence Methodist Church.

As Myka stepped into the room, Liza caught her eye then went around to the TV, the focal point of the family room.

“Time to get started, everyone,” she announced.

As a hush descended, Myka moved to stand beside Liza. “I’m glad to see you all here. Most of you know Joshua Nez,” she said and motioned to where he stood. “I’ve asked him to join us because he’s an architect and he comes up with new ideas all the time. Joshua’s also a native of Independence and knows our community.”

Several shout-out welcomes to Joshua went around the room, then Myka continued. “We’re all having a tough time getting by these days. Individually, none of us are in the position to help the community. What we need to do is pull together. A lot of you already know that I’ve got my own small internet business,” she said, and saw people nod. “Business is good, so I’ve been thinking of expanding my inventory to include a variety of crafts. I don’t have the cash to buy your pieces, but I could take them on consignment. Almost everything I’ve listed over the past months has sold within a week or less. Something like this could help everyone’s bottom line and, ultimately, the town’s economy.”