It had been a long time, but she had been to mistletoe shoots before. Nothing affected her like watching Evan just now. It made her skin tingle and her belly do somersaults. He had a commanding presence with the other men. She saw how they respected him, even though he was younger than most of the men on the field.

His eyes were focused and alert. His back muscles clenched. His biceps flexed under his flannel shirt. And of course he was the one to have the biggest heap of mistletoe. He had always been a competitive athlete. She had to stop the fluttering in her belly.

One night together didn’t mean anything. She knew that. It was just something that happened. People hooked up at the holidays all the time. She had to stop thinking about it.

Jamie poked her in the ribs as they walked back to the barn. “I told you he’s the hottest mayor in the state,” she giggled. “I should put that on a monogram,” she teased.

“You keep mentioning it,” Cami whispered.

“Because it’s true. And he’s single. And gorgeous. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.”

Cami shook her head. She hoped no one around them could hear their conversation. She couldn’t think of anything more mortifying than one of the local gossips picking up a story about her and Evan.

“Uh-uh. That’s not happening again.”

“And why not? You’re both single. Both available. Both in Harpers Point. And what’s more romantic than Christmas? It’s the perfect time to fall in love. Again.” She winked devilishly. “I could help.”

Cami didn’t know how to tell her friend the biggest reason was Evan. He made it clear when he dashed out of bed he wasn’t interested in moving beyond the past. He was still angry with her. It was a one-night stand, basically. She was a big girl. She could handle it.

Before Cami could protest Samantha saddled up to them wearing a designer coat and matching boots. “Hey, you two.” She leaned in for a group hug. “Isn’t this crazy? The three of us here like this?”

“Sam,” Jamie squealed. “When did you get here? You look adorable.”

“Five minutes ago. I missed the opening. How did they do?”

Jamie smiled. “Fantastic. Especially the mayor.”

Cami rolled her eyes. She wasn’t going to escape this conversation no matter what happened. They walked arm in arm in the McKinley’s barn.

“I bet he did.” Samantha giggled. “He’s always been good with a gun.”

“Can we please talk about something else?” Cami begged. “What about my snickerdoodles? Want to try one, Samantha?”

They walked to Jamie’s booth. They had spent most of the night baking and wrapping the cookies for the display. Cami was happy with how they had turned out. It might get some buzz going for The Sweet Treat.

She had pulled up her bank account this morning. It wasn’t looking good. It would be another month before she had another royalty payment. Each month those numbers were getting smaller and smaller. She had already opened a new credit card just to buy supplies for the candy. Not to mention, packaging, wrapping, and containers she needed to sell the sweets.

She wished she had a manager to set up a website. But that would cost more money, and right now she had to get through the Christmas season. This could be enough to steady the shop while she planned on how to grow the business.

People passed Jamie’s booth and picked up the cookies. She saw smiles on their faces. It didn’t matter what came next. Whether it was the flotilla or the Snow Ball, she couldn’t turn down a job because of Evan. They had gotten the sex out of their systems. Now she had to work to survive.

People were going to talk. They were going to whisper about them. He was going to give her the cold shoulder. She just had to get used to it. The Sweet Treat was all she had, and he wasn’t going to ruin it for her.

“Cami?” Jamie prodded.

“Huh?”

“You look lost over there. Mrs. Hamilton wants to know if she can order some fudge.”

“Oh.” She blinked, realizing she had zoned out for too long. “Hi, Mrs. Hamilton. Fudge?” She chewed nervously on her lip. “When do you need that by?”

“Well, I’d like to ship it to my nieces in Connecticut before Christmas.”

Cami picked up a pad of paper to jot down some notes. “Ok. And how much do you need?”

“I usually order a pound for each of them.”

“And how many nieces do you have?”

She waited while the woman counted on her fingers. “Twelve.”

“Twelve nieces?” Cami almost choked.

“Yes. When can I pick it up?” she asked. The holly leaf earrings she wore shook every time she talked. She was an animated speaker.

“Why don’t I take down your number, and I’ll call you as soon as it’s ready? I’ll have it for you this week.” Her stomach twisted in knots as soon as she said it. She knew the fudge recipe wasn’t ready.

“That would be lovely. I’ll stop by as soon as it’s ready.”

“Did someone say The Sweet Treat is selling fudge again?”

Cami smiled. “We sure did. Are you interested in placing an order?”

A woman in cat-themed Christmas sweater stepped forward. “I love that fudge. We live in Hopper’s Glen, but drive up every year for the mistletoe shoot and fudge. I’d be willing to drive back if you have some.”

Cami felt the anxiety start to creep in. She was making a promise she wasn’t sure she could keep. Her fudge was adequate, but it wasn’t extraordinary. She was also facing an empty bank account if she didn’t make some sales.

“Then I will make sure to have some for you.” She smiled at the woman.

She turned to Jamie and Samantha who were standing behind her. “I think I’m going to be making a lot of fudge this week.”

“You’ve got this,” they whispered.

* * *

It was nearly dark. The barn sparkled with Christmas lights. Mason jars flickered with vanilla candles, dangling from wire. Cami looked around and remembered why she loved this event so much when she was a child. It was like there was Christmas magic in the air.

Every corner of the barn was decorated to perfection. Somehow it didn’t feel forced or contrived. It was part of the wonder of Harpers Point. The people here knew how to celebrate Christmas in a way she had never experienced anywhere else.

Why had she spent so many Christmases without this? Why had she separated herself from her heritage? It was hard to shake the guilt and remorse. Last Christmas she had dinner with her manager as they tried to map out her final launch strategy to re-negotiate her contract. A year later, and he was someone she hadn’t spoken to in months.

There was nothing magical about that Christmas, or the eleven others that came before it. Why had she lost so much of herself? Before she could fall down the road to regret, the crowd inside started to murmur.

Cami looked up from the basket. She had rearranged the last few snickerdoodles. She had to catch herself from sighing.

The atmosphere changed as soon as the hunters walked through the doors. The barn erupted in applause. A few of the designated gatherers started to string the mistletoe on the beams overhead. It hung low in graceful swags over the dance floor. The band in the corner started to play music.

And there was Evan in the center of it all. Tall, dark, and handsome. Her heart leapt into the back of her throat.

“Look who’s back,” Jamie chided. “And manly as ever.

Samantha leaned in. “I’m supposed to head home to get supper ready, but I wouldn’t mind staying to watch you two dance.” She winked. “Nate can handle the kids a little while longer. I left a casserole out for him anyway.”

“Oh no. There will be no dancing.” Cami shook her head. “Go see your husband and kids,” she begged.

“You two were prom king and queen. You have to dance. I’m not missing it.” Samantha ’s perfectly arched eyebrows were high on her forehead. Cami knew she wasn’t the only one expecting a show.

Cami spun on the heels of her boots. “Says who?”

“Says all the people pushing Evan over here.” Samantha pointed.

“This is ridiculous. And silly.”

Oh no. Damn it. The interference was as bad on his end as on hers. Evan reluctantly crossed the worn wide-planked floors and stopped in front of Jamie’s booth.

“Hi again.” Cami smiled. She couldn’t stop the butterflies. “Good shoot?”

The crowd behind him strained their necks to eavesdrop. She wanted to tell them to back off. It was obvious what was happening. They were being pushed together, even though something told them to resist like the opposite ends of magnets touching.

“Yeah. I think it was the best shoot we’ve had. It will be good for the budget.”

“Oh, that’s good.” The budget? That was about as impersonal as he could get. If he was going to be like that, then she’d pretend they hadn’t had the hottest sex in the history of Harpers Point. Two could play this game.

“Yeah.” He nodded, eyeing Jamie and Samantha with a cynical stare. Shit. Why did it make him look sexier? They quickly pretended to be busy with ribbons and straightening the display signs for Jamie’s Creations.

“Look. You don’t have to say yes. But as mayor, I have to start the first dance for the barn dance.” He looked over his shoulder. Cami could see the frustration in his eyes. “Would you dance? We can get it over with quickly.”

She frowned. “That’s not much of an invitation.” She stood firmly behind the booth.

He groaned. “Sorry. I don’t like being pressured into things.”

Her stance softened slightly. “You could dance with someone else. It won’t hurt my feelings.” Although, she wondered if it would make her jealous. Could she watch Evan dance with another woman in his arms only a few feet away from her? After that night they shared?

He held his palm forward. “Dance with me, Cami. Come on. Just this once?”

She bit her lower lip. “All right.”

She pretended not to hear Jamie and Samantha whispering behind her when she rounded the corner of the booth and her hand landed in Evan’s. His grip was firm and strong as he walked her to the center of the dance floor.

She swallowed hard, knowing everyone in the barn was staring at them—only at them.

“Shouldn’t someone else dance?” she whispered.

“I wish.” He leaned toward her ear. “We just have to get through the one song.”

His hand clasped at her waist and she aligned with his body. Maybe that was the problem. One song was too long, or it wasn’t long enough. She couldn’t tell. Everything felt different when Evan held her. They swayed together, turning slightly to the beat.

How could one man make her feel dizzy like a teenager all over again with just one dance? Somehow at the same time the years were layers between them. Either a boundary they would never surpass, or layers they would have to chip away. The dance felt like it was both.

Cami closed her eyes and inhaled his spicy masculine scent, mixed with a hint of the wilderness.

As the song ended, they stopped moving. Cami heard a low chant from the crowd, but she couldn’t quite make it out.

“What are they saying?” She looked into Evan’s eyes for answers.

He cocked his head to the side and paused. “They’re saying look up.”

Cami’s gaze drifted to the bough of mistletoe over their heads. Her cheeks turned an instant crimson color, but it didn’t stop the crowd.

Evan pressed his lips together before leaning toward her and planting a kiss on her cheek. Then he dropped his hold on her waist and walked off the dance floor.