Page 43 of Meet Me on Mistletoe Lane

“Gianna’s is the Gingerbread House Contest,” Sam said, smiling as he laid down a Draw Four against James.

“That’s because she always wins,” Jo added.

I laid down a Reverse. “I don’t always win.”

Sam and Jo made a face before the three of us cackled.

“I’m surprised you don’t win, since you’re the chef, right?” James asked her.

Jo took a sip of her water. “Gingerbread houses are more about engineering. Baking shouldn’t be that stressful.”

She also hated losing.

“We go caroling on Christmas Eve, too,” I added, trying not to make eye contact with James for fear that he would know I’d spied on him singing.

“I don’t sing, but that sounds cool.” He laid down a Draw Two against Sam and smiled when Sam grumbled as he picked up two cards.

I raised an eyebrow. “You don’t sing?”

James tilted his head to the side as he looked at me. “I mean, I sing, but not in public. It’s not something my dad is a fan of.”

Who would not be a fan of a voice like that?

“Sounds like your dad isn’t a fan of a lot of things,” Sam said, echoing my thought.

“He wasn’t always that way.” James popped a few fries into his mouth and shrugged. “Things just became different after he and my mom split. He likes Gianna, though.”

“What does that mean?” Sam sat up straighter.

“Gianna gave him a great coffee recommendation, and my dad lives on coffee.” He grinned at me. “He was impressed with her knowledge of old movies—”

“You do have a weird habit of knowing random film trivia,” Jo added.

“And she also made him laugh harder than I’ve heard in a long time.” James took a long drink of his Coke.

I mean, the stuff Aunt Sofia says is always good for a laugh.

“My parents invited you guys to our farm so they could give you a tour,” Sam said, switching topics as he laid his cards face down on the table. “Did your dad mention it to you?”

“No.” James frowned and fell back in his seat. “He probably hasn’t listened to the voicemail yet. I can barely get him away from work at home, and it’s even worse here and under this deadline from the bank.” He played with the straw in his cup. “I thought maybe being here around all this Christmassy stuff would…I dunno…bring us closer together. Kinda like we used to be. It’s stupid, I know.”

“That’s not stupid.” I laid my cards on the table.

James sighed. “Still. I really feel like if he took part in some of the stuff you guys do here that it could be exactly what he needs, but I don’t think he’ll listen to me.”

“Your dad does seem pretty stubborn,” I admitted. “I don’t think this is something any one person can do alone.”

None of us spoke for a while. The door to the diner opened and closed, bringing in a chilly breeze, which ruffled the fliers taped to the windows. One blew loose from its tape and floated over to our table, where it landed on top of our forgotten cards.

It was one of the advertisements about the annual Christmas Movie at The Market with the poster of It’s a Wonderful Life at the center and one of my favorite quotes from the movie.

“ ‘No man is a failure who has friends,’ ” James whispered, reading the flier before he made eye contact with me. A slow grin spread across his face. “I think I have an idea.”

Phineas rang the bell for an order that was ready for a table as Jo took another sip of her water.

James clasped his hands in front of him and lowered his voice. “What if I pretend to date Gianna so she can bring her holiday flair closer to my dad?”

Excuse me?