Mistletoe Bay by Marcia Evanick Page A

Chase.
    â€œUmps,” she replied. She still didn’t see what the difference was; both guys were out on the field calling the shots and pointing out when someone made a mistake. Referees and umpires were the same thing.
    Coop and Chase both rolled their eyes.
    She shifted Corey’s weight again and dug into her pocketbook, searching for the keys. It was probably Einstein’s theory that her keys always disappeared inside her purse, no matter how big or small it was.
    â€œHere, Jenni,” said Felicity as she stepped out from in between two pickup trucks, “I’ll take him.” Felicity reached for Corey.
    â€œThanks.” Maybe now she’d be able to locate her keys. She took off the mittens and started to dig.
    â€œHello, Mr. Armstrong. Fancy meeting you here.” Felicity’s grin was wide and knowing.
    â€œIt’s Coop, remember?” Coop walked the remaining steps to Jenni’s dark blue SUV. “You called me Coop at the snack stand earlier.”
    â€œThat’s right, you were at the snack stand picking up three hot chocolates and two coffees.” Felicity smirked.
    â€œYou were standing there with a bunch of girls checking out the guys.” Coop smiled back.
    Jenni shook her head as Coop and Felicity traded quips. She removed a bottle of water from her pocketbook and placed it on the hood of her car. Next came the travel-size box of wipes, tape measure, cell phone, and calendar. The keys still weren’t there.
    Jenni opened up the brown canvas bag and removed a bottle of moisturizer, a tube of hand cream, and three lip balms in assorted flavors. Next came a box of crayons, pens, and three notepads. A pair of boys’ socks with dinosaurs on them, a toy catalog, three Christmas lightbulbs in various sizes, and a cooking spatula were added to the small mountain of items gathering on the hood of her SUV. Still no keys.
    Felicity started to laugh, while Coop stared in awe at the pile of stuff Jenni had taken from her purse. “Jenni, check your coat pockets.”
    â€œWhy, I remember putting the keys in here somewhere.” She dug deeper and came up with a handful of bubble gum, Legos, and a butter knife.
    â€œWhat’s the knife for?” asked Coop.
    â€œThe glove compartment gets stuck sometimes.” Two AA batteries and a Hot Wheel were added to the pile.
    â€œCheck your pockets,” groaned Felicity, “before you get to the personal hygiene products.”
    To save herself the embarrassment of hauling out half a dozen or so tampons, she reached into her coat pockets, just to prove Felicity wrong. She closed her eyes and groaned as her cold fingers wrapped around her keys.
    â€œSee . . .” Felicity’s voice trailed off as Jenni quickly interrupted.
    â€œIf you say ‘I told you so,’ you’re walking home.” She started to scoop everything back into her pocketbook. She was only half joking, but she was embarrassed because Coop was standing there watching her empty out her pocketbook while holding her son Tucker. Tucker wasn’t a lightweight. The kid could pack in the food, especially if it was sweet.
    â€œI told you so,” quipped Felicity.
    â€œUh-oh.” Chase looked at his Aunt Felicity. “You’re in trouble now.”
    â€œNah, and do you know why?” Felicity giggled. “Because I’m getting a ride home with Sam, not your mom.”
    Jenni replaced the last item and unlocked the doors. “Does your mom know?”
    â€œI called her about fifteen minutes ago. She said it was okay, as long as I was home by eleven.” Felicity rolled her eyes. “Can’t you talk to her, Jenni? I’m the only kid in my class that has to be home that early. Some of the kids don’t even have curfews.”
    Jenni reached for Corey and strapped him into his car seat. He never even opened his eyes. “Sorry, hon, you know your mom and I have an agreement. I don’t