Jingle Spells by Vicki Lewis Thompson Page B

one of her nicer sweaters. Until she understood the corporate culture at Evergreen, she’d go with something a bit less casual than her usual techie outfit of old jeans, a faded T-shirt and a hoodie.
    She was in the lobby chatting with Mrs. Gustafson about things to do in town when Cole walked in. Taryn might have been prejudiced, but the guy knew how to make an entrance. He swept in wearing that long black coat, a green wool scarf, and no hat. His tousled dark hair gave him a rakish look she’d never been able to resist.
    â€œAh, Cole!” Mrs. Gustafson, plump and graying, clasped her hands together. “Your guest is a delight. She’s already in love with our little town. I hope you’re planning to give her a tour.”
    Cole’s bemused smile indicated he hadn’t planned anything of the sort. “Uh, sure. Why not? But first we have some business to take care of at Evergreen.”
    Mrs. Gustafson waved a hand at him. “Well, I know
that.
The guests you bring here always have business at Evergreen. But Taryn has taken a real interest in Gingerbread, haven’t you, dear?”
    â€œI have.” Taryn had to work hard not to laugh at Cole’s uneasiness. “And I’d love a tour if we have the time.”
    Cole’s green eyes flashed with amusement. “I’ll see to it. Shall we go?”
    â€œI’m ready when you are.”
    â€œHave fun, you two!” Mrs. Gustafson called after them as they left the cozy lobby.
    â€œWe will!” Taryn called back.
    â€œChatting up the landlady?” Cole said once they were on the front porch.
    â€œIs that a problem?”
    â€œNo, I just...do you really want a tour of Gingerbread?”
    â€œI wouldn’t mind.” She took a deep breath of the crisp air as they started down the sidewalk toward the parking area. “I like it here.”
    â€œWell, good...that’s good.”
    She glanced at him, and his cheeks were ruddy. It could have been from the cold, but she suspected he was agitated. “You’d prefer I never come back here, right?”
    â€œI can’t stop you from doing that if you want to.”
    â€œBut it makes you nervous.”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou’re the one who raved about the Christmas cheer in Gingerbread. And sure enough, the place is charming. I have friends who would love to vacation here.”
    He sighed. “Then they should.”
    â€œI think so, too.” She longed to assure him everything would be okay, because she was going to figure this out, but saying anything like that would alert him to her covert plans. For now, he couldn’t know what was in her mind and her heart. Soon enough, he would.
    Getting into his sleek black sedan reminded her of their songfest the night before, but she doubted he wanted to repeat that. He was tense this morning, and she had a hunch as to why. He was second-guessing his course of action. Pulling out of the inn’s parking lot, he drove slowly down the street. As they rolled along, Taryn checked out the shops.
    Cup of Cheer bustled with morning activity. “Cute coffee shop,” she said. “I suppose you never go there.”
    â€œNo, but my sister Belle does.”
    â€œShe still lives in Gingerbread?” Back in college, he’d mentioned two brothers and a sister, but she hadn’t thought to ask where they lived now.
    â€œWe all work for Evergreen.”
    â€œOh. That’s nice.” Or it could have been, except that if everyone had to keep the same damned secret, what kind of life did they have here? “Will I be meeting them?”
    â€œWe’ll see. Depends on everybody’s schedule.”
    â€œYou don’t want me getting chummy with your siblings, do you?”
    He glanced over at her. “The thing is, they know you were my college girlfriend.”
    â€œAha!” That pleased her immensely. “Then I’d be surprised if they didn’t