Bayside Mistletoe

Excerpt

Judy Rivera tightened her new scarf and watched the snow fall outside. Though she hated the cold, the fat flakes sent a wave of excitement through her. It was nearly Christmas—her favorite time of year. She hurried out of the apartment she shared with her sister, nearly forgetting to lock it.

One of her neighbors waved and wished her a merry Christmas. She returned the greeting then raced to the main door. As soon as she stepped outside, the gust of cold air hit her face. Several snowflakes brushed against her cheek, melting right away. It was starting to feel a lot like Christmas.

She made her way to the parking lot and started her car. On the radio, President Carter was giving a speech. Judy turned the dial until she found a station playing festive music, then she turned up the volume for the short drive. It never took long to get anywhere in Enchantment Bay, Oregon, and it took even less time today. It seemed almost everyone else was staying off the road to enjoy the snow. Judy would have, too, but she had final exams coming up. Then just two more quarters and then she was a college graduate.

She smiled, just thinking of it. A college graduate. She’d be the first woman in her family. Her mom was thrilled, but her dad was pestering her about getting another degree. Her MRS degree. Dad was far more concerned about Judy getting married and having someone take care of her than he was her career plans. She loved him to death, but boy was he old-fashioned.

The snow was already letting up by the time Judy pulled into the diner’s parking lot. She tried to ignore the disappointment as she cut the engine. It wasn’t sticking to anything yet. The flurry might just be a fluke.

She grabbed her bag from the passenger seat and held her head high. It was just as well. She didn’t need the distraction, anyway. These final exams were important. She’d managed to keep her GPA high throughout her entire college career, and she was on target for her highest scores yet.

The cold chill hit her as soon as she opened the door, so she tightened her scarf again. She took in the diner’s new look with colorful Christmas lights lining the roof and a big wreath on the door, then she quickly ran inside. It was even more festive there with a giant Christmas tree and tinsel covering the walls. Let it Snow blared from the speakers. She found her friends at a booth near the back underneath a row of decorative stockings that hung on the wall.

Judy took in the sights of the diner as she walked over to her friends. Tinsel and colorful Christmas lights hung from walls and the air smelled of the freshly cut tree next to the register.

Amy and Nichole both looked up from a Sears catalog and offered smiles and greetings as Judy settled in.

“Do you know what you want for Christmas?” Amy asked. “We’re trying to figure out what to get people.”

Judy thought for a minute. “What I really want is a Walkman, but that’s too expensive to ask of you two. Maybe a Rubix Cube.”

Nichole flipped through the pages. “I’m trying to find the sweater Loni Anderson wore in an interview the other day. I need it!”

They discussed gift ideas for a few more minutes before Judy pulled out a textbook.

“Did you see the size of those flakes?” Amy asked after a while. “We’re going to have a white Christmas!”

“Don’t get your hopes up.” Judy played with a strand of her waist-length hair. “They’re already starting to disappear.”

Amy frowned. “You’re such a spoil-sport.”

Nichole hugged herself. “Actually, I think she’s the bearer of good news. Do you think the snow is really going away?”

“Go back to Texas,” Amy teased. “We Oregonians happen to like the snow. It’s magical.”

“It’s freezing.” Nichole looked out the window and shuddered.

They debated back and forth as Judy focused on her studies. Before long, they ordered some food. Her stomach growled at the thought of fries and a burger.

When their meals arrived, they shoved aside their books and notes then dug in, sharing holiday plans.

“I can’t wait to get back home.” A dreamy look came over Nichole’s face. “I’m going to lie in the sun and get rid of this permanent chill.”

“Have fun with that.” Judy popped a fry in her mouth. “I’m going to build a snowman family with my sister. It’s our tradition.”

Amy sipped her milkshake. “And I’m going with my family to chop down our tree. It’s going to be so much fun.”

“You two are so weird.” Nichole snickered. “I’m going to the beach and getting a tan. When I come back for next quarter, everyone else will be white as the snow but I’ll have a nice sun-kissed glow.”

“That’s just wrong.” Judy shoved her empty plate toward the edge of the table and grabbed her notebook. “Plain wrong.”

They all laughed.

“You guys going to the winter dance?” Amy asked. “Eric and I have already picked out our outfits. He wanted bell bottoms, but I finally convinced him that those are on the way out. He doesn’t want to let them go.”

“Good for you. I’m definitely making Dave go.” Nichole beamed. “He dragged me to Oregon for college, so he can’t complain about anywhere I take him.”

They both stared at Judy.

She squirmed in her seat. “I’m not going solo to another dance.”

Amy pouted. “Then ask someone. It’s not like you have to marry your date.”

Judy shook her head.

“You could at least try saying hi to a guy,” Nichole said. “That would help. It’d be a start.”

“I need to study.” Judy flipped the pages of her book and tuned out her friends as they discussed guys they thought would be a good match for her.

After a few minutes, they got bored with her ignoring them and also turned back to their studies.

Thank goodness. The last thing Judy wanted to think about was love—and that included a platonic date to the annual winter dance.

Nichole dropped her pen on her notebook and stared behind Judy. “Who is that fine specimen? I’ve never seen him in Enchantment Bay before.”

Amy gave her a sideways glance. “Don’t you have a boyfriend?”

Nichole nodded, not taking her attention away from whoever had just entered the diner. “Doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the sculpted art of male beauty. And this one… Wow!”

Judy tried not to pay attention to them, but then Amy gasped.

“What?” Judy looked up.

“Don’t look!” Amy’s eyes widened.

Judy twisted around. Her heart jumped into her throat the moment she saw him.

“I said, don’t look!” Amy whisper-yelled.

Judy’s breath hitched and her heart skipped a beat, then pounded like a jackhammer.

Gary Hunter stood at the front door. He didn’t just stand, he held himself like a man. He’d cut his long hair short and had the start of a beard, or he was badly in need of a shave. Either way, he was ten times more gorgeous than the day he’d broken her heart.

Her heart shattered all over again.

“Turn around, Judy!” Amy tugged on her arm.

Judy couldn’t pull away. Gary Hunter was back in town. She’d thought he’d left for good.

“Tell me everything,” Nichole said. “This has to be a fantastic story.”

“Judy!” Amy climbed over to her side of the booth and turned her head back to the table. “Don’t give him another thought.”

Nichole rested her chin in her palm. “You have history with him?”

Amy made cutting motions in front of her throat. “Let’s focus on our exams.”

Judy struggled to breathe. She may not be looking at him, but the image of the new Gary Hunter was permanently burned into her mind.