2 Yule Be the Death of Me Read Online Free

winter.”
    Vivienne
walked over to where he was standing and admired the thick coat of wet snow
that transformed the now barren trees and brown grass into something out of a
snow globe. “There’s always something special about that first big snowfall.”
    Joshua reached
behind and rubbed his back. He had spent the afternoon shoveling out her sidewalk
and spreading some pet-safe ice melt to prevent slick spots. “I know what you
mean. It has a way of reminding us we’re not kids anymore while at the same
time making you want to get into a snowball fight and go sledding.”
    Vivienne
brushed his hands away and took over with a quick massage across his lower
back. “Well, the cleanup part I could do without.”
    Joshua let out
a little moan as her fingers loosened some of the knots in his back muscles. “I
used to wonder why so many older people went to Florida for the winter. Now, I
get it.”
    “Christmas in
Florida just wouldn’t seem right.” Vivienne reasoned as she moved her arms up
his back to just below his shoulder blades. “I just can’t imagine opening
presents and then going outside for a swim in the pool.”
    “Boy, I sure
could.” Joshua sighed. “No more shovels or heavy bags of salt.”
    “You only have
to deal with hurricane winds that blow the roof off and storm surges that pound
your house walls away.” Vivienne replied with a splash of reality about living
in a tropical climate. “No matter where you go, there’s always something.”
    Joshua turned
around to face her. “I suppose you’re right. But it sure feels good to daydream
about it.”
    She was happy
to see the sunlight peeking out from the patches of pale blue where the clouds
were breaking up. “We better get ready to leave for the contest. I want to get
there early to see what the competition has come up with.”
    Although the
contest award wasn’t going to be given out until three in the afternoon,
Vivienne and Joshua arrived an hour beforehand at Loft 226 art gallery to see
all of the entries.
    The gallery,
located on Main Street, was sandwiched between LaGreca’s Furniture and Aunt T’s Toys. Unlike the other building interiors that had
plenty of exposed brick, Loft 226 had covered their walls with plain white
sheetrock to act as a neutral canvas for the artwork on display. The pine
floorboards, also painted white, assured that the space itself disappeared
while patrons took in what each artist had created.
    The owner of
the gallery, Todd York, welcomed Vivienne and Joshua with a firm handshake as
they stepped into the warm space that smelled of gingerbread and mulling
spices. He was nearly six feet tall and bean pole thin. Dressed in a monochrome
black suit, with his light blonde hair neatly parted to the side, he looked
every bit the fashionable gallery owner. “I’m so glad you both could come.” He
leaned close to Vivienne and lowered his voice. “I think you have a great
chance of winning today.”
    Vivienne felt
her face blush with pride. “I didn’t work solo on this. Stephanie was an equal
partner.”
    Todd nodded.
“Is she coming too?”
    Vivienne shook
her head. “She’s finishing a paper for one of her night classes at the college
today.”
    “That’s a
shame, but education is important.” Todd remarked. “May I take your coats?”
    Joshua helped
Vivienne out of hers to reveal one of the new outfits she had treated herself
to for the upcoming holiday season of parties and business functions. The
jade-green dress was dressy enough for the occasion, but still felt easy and
relaxed.
    Todd’s eyes
focused on her outfit. “I saw that in Kathy’s store the other day. I must say
it looks fabulous on you.” He gushed. “Your red hair really sets it off.”
    “Thank you so
much.” Vivienne smiled. She knew that Todd was one of only a handful of men in
town who actually shopped at Trade Winds Clothier. Although the menswear
section in the store was only a small corner, Kathy was more than happy