““Funniest thing, I got all the way to that spring house then plumb forgot what I’d—” Tempy stopped in her tracks and looked between the two of them. Then slowly looked up. Jake followed her gaze, as did Aletta, and he saw a sprig of mistletoe hanging above them. He smiled, but Aletta only looked back at him, her expression saying she wasn’t yet convinced. But that was all right. He had a little time yet. And though Aletta Prescott didn’t know it, he could be awfully persuasive when he put his mind to it. He leaned down and kissed her forehead, lingering only a second before he turned and walked out the door, tossing Tempy a discreet wink.””
