He gave a little shrug. “I like small towns. I like towns with traditions. The owner of the hotel, Troy Sheenan, invited me to come and be Santa at the hotel and for the stroll.”
She buttered her roll. “Yeah, tell me about the stroll.”
“It’s a tradition. Marietta has their stroll the first Saturday of December. There is a hayride, then a lighting ceremony, and a procession around the town. It starts at the rodeo fair grounds and ends at the courthouse at Crawford Park.” He gave her a wink. “I might even be the star of the show.” He laughed and leaned back as the barman came over and sat down another glass of wine for Emma and a bottle of beer for Chris.
There was something a little weird about seeing Santa drinking from a bottle of beer. Shouldn’t he have one of those tankard things?
“There’s also a gingerbread contest if you like to bake, Christmas carolling, and more street vendors for food than you could ever imagine. All for the price of a three-dollar button. Now, where else in the world could you find something like that?” He gave her a nudge and lifted his bottle towards her, “Maybe it’s just good fortune – luck – that you ended up here.”
“Luck, yeah.” She blew a bit of hair from her forehead. “Luck’s something I haven’t had much of lately.”
“Well, maybe that’s about to change.”
There was something in his tone, just the way he said it. It really was like talking to Santa Claus. It seemed as if he could reassure her about anything and push all her troubles away.
She gave herself a shake and stared at her glass. It must be the wine. That, or just being overtired, because she was clearly losing her mind.
But Chris continued. “Look at you. You’re staying in the finest hotel for miles around. That’s not so unlucky.”
She gave a slow nod and took a sip of the wine and looked at the gorgeous surroundings. On the way down the stairs she spied a few other rooms that she wanted to explore. “Okay, I’ll give you that. I guess I am. But it’s for one night only. After tonight, I need to find somewhere else to stay. And I need to find a job. I probably won’t be able to find either in a town as small as Marietta.”
“As a matter of fact you might be wrong. I’m staying in a wonderful B & B. It’s called Bramble House. It’s not too expensive and I know they have room.”
She shook her head in amazement. “That’s weird. Someone else recommended Bramble House to me too.”
He folded his arms and gave her a knowing smile. “You obviously met someone good.”
Her body gave the tiniest shiver. “I might have. But that doesn’t solve my other problem. Where could I find a job in a place like this?”
“What kind of skills do you have?”
She gulped. This was kind of embarrassing. Her job record wasn’t fantastic. She’d never been fired. She’d just never found anything she loved. “I’ve done lots of things. Call centres, admin, sales, a bit of waitressing and a bit of bar work.” She hadn’t struggled at school in Scotland, it just hadn’t come easily. She wasn’t the type to go to university, so she’d drifted from job to job. And she’d never been afraid of hard work, so jobs had been easy to come by.
“Then speak to Troy Sheenan.”
“Who is that?”
Chris smiled. “He owns this place. And it’s holiday season. It will be getting busier. He’ll need some extra staff.”
She looked around. The Graff was a gorgeous hotel and she’d already met a few of the staff. In fact, everyone she’d met in this place so far had been kind and gracious towards her.
And it was just what she needed right now. Even if she hated that a little. Feeling fragile wasn’t really in her nature. But that was exactly how she felt right now.
She took another sip of wine and gave a little laugh.
“What is it?” asked Chris.
Everything just seemed so surreal. “I can’t believe the day I’ve had.” She gave her head a shake. “I won’t go into detail, but if you’d told me last night I’d end up in strange town, on my own, looking for somewhere to stay and a job, I’d have thought you were doolally.”
Chris gave a nod. “Now there’s a word I haven’t heard in a while. I like it. Scottish crazy. I might start using it again.”
She was astonished. Whenever she was relaxed lots of Scottish words seemed to come out. Most times in the US, people just frowned. They had no idea what she was talking about. How did an old guy from Montana know what doolally meant?
“Do you relatives in Scotland?”
Chris raised his eyebrows. “I have relatives the world over.” He leaned across the table and squeezed her hand. “Now, Emma, I know you think today has been bad. But give Marietta a chance. You might just discover that you’ve found the place you’re meant to be.”
He set down his beer bottle and stood up, straightening his jacket and giving a little bow before disappearing out of the door, whistling.
Emma leaned back in her chair. This place was getting madder by the second. The barman came over to clear her plate.
“Did you enjoy?”
She nodded. “Yes, thanks. It was lovely and just what I needed.” She paused for a second. “I just wondered, did Andrea mention my name to you or Chris when she was here?”
The barman shook his head. “Nope. But just in case you’re wondering. I’m John. And he knew my name, too.”
He gave her wink and walked off with the plate.
Marietta. Where on earth had she landed?
Chapter Four
‡
Mitch ran every morning. Marietta wasn’t that big but it was surrounded by miles of country roads, a lake, and mountains. There was always somewhere new to run.
So how come he’d ran past The Graff three times this morning?
Maybe it was that red car in the parking lot. The red car that he could spot easily without getting too close.
The red car that seemed to have vanished since the last time he’d circled around.
He stopped dead. And looked around as if he expected to see it somewhere.
It was gone. Definitely gone.
Something twisted inside.
Emma McGregor had sparked his curiosity. It wasn’t every day he met a runaway bride.
Where on earth had she gone? A few cars drove past and someone gave him a wave. He started running again trying to remember what she’d said.
It was ridiculous. He’d barely met her. Why on earth was he still thinking about her the next day?
Less than twenty-four hours ago she’d been about to get married. He didn’t exactly know what had happened – all he knew was the groom was a fool. Who let a g
orgeous, sparky woman like Emma McGregor slip through his fingers?
Something clicked in his brain. Maybe she hadn’t left Marietta? Maybe she’d just left the hotel? She’d said something about needing a job and somewhere to stay. He slowed his pace to a jog and did something he never thought he’d do. He jogged straight into the main entrance of The Graff.
Andrea lifted her head from the behind reception and didn’t even blink. “Hi, Mitch. What’s up?”
Now he felt foolish. He was trying his best to appear cool. But since he was currently wearing his running clothes and sweat was running down his back, he knew he was failing miserably.
He leaned on the reception desk, trying to let his breathing slow. “I was just wondering – about the girl who appeared last night – the bride…”
“Oh, Emma.” Andrea gave him a quick glance up and down and pressed her lips together in a smile.
“Yeah, Emma.” Why did he feel as if he was under the spotlight? He shifted and his trainers squeaked on the marble floor. “Has she left?”
It was a stupid question. He already knew the car had vanished.
Andrea gave him a knowing look. There was something mischievous in her eyes. “Yes, she’s left,” she said solemnly.
Mitch gave a nod. “Okay then. I just wanted to make sure she was all right. But she obviously is.” He turned to walk away. “Thanks Andrea.”
“But she does her first shift tomorrow.”
He spun back around. “What?”
Andrea raised her eyebrows.
He stepped back over. “Starts her first shift, where?”
Andrea smiled. “Here.”
Mitch couldn’t believe it. “She’s going to work here?”
Andrea nodded. “She spoke to Troy this morning. She’ll be working the breakfast shift, then as a housekeeper. She also volunteered to do any extra shifts in the bar.”
Mitch looked around again. “So, where has she gone?”