Have Gown, Need Groom by Rita Herron

Waitress. “It’ll be fun, you know Dad always decorates the car lot for Christmas the day before Thanksgiving. Maybe you can help string some lights. I’m going to help Joey hang bows on the glass windows and mistletoe over the entryway, get people in a lovey-dovey mood.”
    So they would kiss.
    She wondered how Jake’s mouth would taste, if his kisses would be as hot and dark as his eyes.
    “I think Dad bought an eight-foot Santa to perch on the back of one of the convertibles. He’s going to decorate it like Santa’s sleigh. He even talked about trying to find some real reindeer this year for the Christmas commercial.”
    Every year their father’s Christmas ads grew more elaborate and inventive. Hannah had once thought all the antics funny, but her mother’s abandonment had fast launched her into adulthood. Too bad it hadn’t jolted her father into a more mature form of advertising.
    “I think he’s going to hire some teenage girls to dress up like elves and give out candy, too. Should be fun to watch.”
    “That’ll certainly draw a crowd,” Hannah admitted.
    “Come on.” Mimi motioned toward the door.
    “Dad doesn’t need me,” Hannah argued. “The salesmen can help him.” Although Jake shouldn’t be climbing ladders with his injury, she thought with a twinge of worry.
    “The salesmen will probably be swamped with all those early-bird specials Dad advertised,” Mimi said. “Now, let’s move, Hanny. I won’t take no for an answer.”
    Hannah laughed at the silly childhood name. When she’d lapsed into her too-serious, philosophical, analytical shell, Mimi had always been able to coax a smile from her. Had she really been so serious about life that she’d forgotten how to have fun, even how to enjoy the holiday spirit?
    Was she afraid?
    Her sister wagged a finger at her, indicating her disheveled appearance. “You’ve been working yourself day and night ever since you called off your wedding to Seth. What are you trying to do, punish yourself?”
    Hannah winced at how close her sister had come to the truth. She had thought she should somehow make up for being irresponsible by helping out more in the ER. And work was the only thing that kept her from obsessing over that crazy dream and this totally insane attraction to Jake Tippins.
    Of course, maybe he wouldn’t be at the dealership. Or maybe he’d be so busy selling cars he wouldn’t even notice her. And maybe when she saw him this time, her reaction would be rational, sane, dispassionate.
    “I’m not letting you stay here like some monk anymore.” Mimi grabbed her arm and jerked her forward. “It’s time you lightened up and had some fun.”
    “Then we should go someplace besides Dad’s car lot.”
    “Okay, how about a strip club?”
    “Mimi, can’t you think of anything besides sex?”
    Mimi’s smile faded into bewilderment. “Well, you’re the Scrooge who doesn’t want to help us decorate for Christmas.”
    “I’m sorry,” Hannah said, well aware Mimi had good intentions.
    “I told you I won’t let you sit here and pine anymore.”
    “I’m not pining.”
    “Strip club or Dad’s?”
    “How about a movie. ” Hannah tried to extract herself from Mimi’s catlike clutches, but Mimi dragged her through the door and hauled her up the sidewalk.
    “Look, Hannah, Dad’s worried about you and—”
    “Tell Dad not to worry. I can take care of myself.”
    Mimi huffed, lifting her curly bangs from her forehead as she paused at her car. “You are so damn independent. If you won’t go for yourself, at least do it for me. You know the whole family gets together to decorate. It’s tradition.”
    And tradition was important to Mimi. “But Alison won’t be there.”
    “Yes, she will. She came home this morning.”
    A sharp pain hit Hannah for her selfishness. As fun-loving and erratic as Mimi seemed, she harbored a sentimental side. She’d always insisted on family gatherings for special occasions—probably to make