| |
“Oooh, I can’t wait for six o’clock!” Lilly giggled and twirled in the middle of the shop.
Lindsay smiled. It was impossible to stay mad at Lilly. The dear girl hadn’t been able to focus on anything today. Well, actually the whole week.
It was the end of the first week of December, the Christmas activities in Allison had begun, and Lilly had her eye on a young fireman. He was all she’d been talking about all week. It was Friday night, and tonight would be the annual Christmas Stroll, one of the many items on the agenda for the coming weeks. Everyone joined in and the festivities usually brought the whole town together.
It had been a busy week and Lilly’s absentmindedness was creating all sorts of problems. Charlie had had several double bookings this week, bottles in Lindsay’s shop had been placed in strange places, and Lilly had been on her phone most of the time.
“And next weekend is the Snowflake Festival, for three whole days!” Lilly sang as she continued dancing around the shop. “Don’t you just love this time of year?”
Behind Lilly’s back, Lindsay rolled her eyes. Could they survive another week of Lilly walking on clouds and talking non-stop about her fireman?
Immediately ashamed about her unkind thoughts, Lindsay put a smile on her face. Just because she didn’t have any expectations as far as love was concerned, it didn’t mean other people wouldn’t fall in love. It was the season in which magical things could happen. Just not to her, it seemed.
The door opened and Eleanor strolled in, dressed in red from top to toe. Making a turn, she clapped her hands. “Oh, Lindsay and Lilly, you’ve outdone yourself this year with decorating your shop—it looks delightful. By far the best Christmas-feeling shop in town.”
Lindsay hugged her friend with a real smile. Nobody could stay sad or irritated when Eleanor was around. “I love a winter Christmas. You remember our mother was American and our family often visited Aunt Charlotte here, in Alisson, over Christmas. For us, the snow and the sleighs, the time spent with family, and all things Christmas were pure magic. Christmas in South Africa is so different. To begin with, in December, it’s summer in the southern hemisphere. We used to spend Christmas Day on the beach!”
Eleanor shuddered. “That just sounds so wrong. I, for one, am so glad you and your sister have moved here. I’m Christmas shopping today. Next week Brooke and I are going to Bozeman. She got tickets for us to go and see The Nutcracker. Both of us love ballet and it will be Connor’s first experience.”
“Oh, he’ll love it!” Lilly exclaimed. “But you’ll be back in time for the Snowflake Festival, won’t you?”
“Of course. We won’t miss that.” Eleanor turned back to Lindsay. “Why don’t you join us, Lindsay?”
“Thanks, but we’re so busy right now.” Lindsay smiled. She couldn’t conjure up any excitement for anything, and with the mood she was in, she would spoil the outing for everyone.
“Maybe next time, then?” Eleanor smiled. “Is your brother not supposed to be back in Alisson already?”
“Soon, we hope. He still can’t give us an exact date, though.” Lindsay nodded. “It’ll be so great to have him here and to know he doesn’t have to go back again.”
“I’m so happy for you. And especially for all the unmarried ladies in town.” Eleanor winked.
“I don’t know about that,” Lindsay replied. “He’s not very enamored by the ladies at the moment. Bad break-up.”
“Alisson has a way of changing people’s minds, you know,” Eleanor said. “Who knows? Maybe he’ll find the love of his life here.”
Smiling, Lindsay shook her head. “Forever the romantic. But unfortunately, ordinary life doesn’t always work that way.”
Eleanor touched her hand. “It can be if you’re brave enough,” she said softly before she motioned with her hands. “I’m looking for something for Brooke. The poor girl worked so hard to finish the paintings for her exhibition next year. She wants to spend time with Connor during the school holidays. So I want to get her something special for Christmas. I know she loves your creams.”
“Well, come on then, let me show you—I’ve made a new batch that smells divine.”
“And your lovely studio? Any news when they can start rebuilding it?” Eleanor asked as they walked past the door that used to lead to the studio.
“Everything is on track, but they won’t begin building before next year. But it’s okay. I’ve converted the one room at home into a temporary studio, so I’m able to mix my creams. What Gavin is going to say about all the smells, I can just imagine.”
“Brooke said you showed her the plans and it’ll be much bigger than before?”
“Yes, exactly what I’ve wanted. I’m really looking forward to having more space. Here we are.” She picked up a tester jar and opened it. “Try this cream. It leaves your skin glowing. Lovely smells of frankincense, myrrh, and geranium with a little helichrysum in rosehip oil.”
Eleanor smelled the cream and rubbed a little onto her hand. “Ooh, I love it. I think I also want one of those. I’m probably beyond redemption, but what the heck, it’s Christmas—miracles can happen.”
Lindsay smiled but her heart ached. That word again. Miracle. She’d been hoping for a miracle for the past three weeks. Ever since Blake had left, she’d been dreaming about him striding into her shop with his big, lopsided grin. She missed him more with every passing day. It had been three weeks since she’d seen him, made love to him, kissed him. Surely, by now she should be able to not think about him every single minute of every day?
“Have you heard anything from Blake?” Eleanor asked innocently.
Lindsay shook her head as she wrapped the creams for Eleanor. “No, I haven’t.”
Fortunately, at that moment another customer entered and Eleanor couldn’t ask any more questions. Since Blake had left, Eleanor, Brooke, and Charlie had been taking turns asking her whether she’d heard from him. She wished she had a different answer for them, but he was gone; she wasn’t going to hear from him ever again.
She hadn’t even told her own sister about the night she and Blake had spent together. Or what had happened between them just before he’d walked out of her life. It was still way too painful to talk about him.
She put her hand against her heart. Surely, at some point, the pain would be more bearable?
––––––––
Later that evening, Lindsay finally locked the door to her shop to join Charlie and Logan, who were waiting for her outside in the street. To everyone’s delight, it had been snowing all day.
The street was busy with people scuttling in and out of shops, children racing around or taking rides with the sled dogs or on wagons.
“Come on, Linds,” Charlie called out. “Let’s move, it’s cold! Once the lights have been turned on, Logan will treat us to a hot dinner.”
“That sounds lovely.” Lindsay smiled and patted Charlie’s tummy. “How’s my niece? A little girl, sis—I’m so happy for you.”
Charlie’s eyes filled up and she hugged Lindsay. “I know. I never thought I’d be pregnant. I still pinch myself every day.”
“Do we have a name yet?” Lindsay asked as they joined everyone else who was walking down Main Street.”
Charlie looked up at Logan. “It’s a secret—we’ll share on Christmas Day. I’m so looking forward to having everyone on the ranch. I do hope you and Gavin will also stay with us for a few days?”
“Let’s see. Hopefully he’ll be here a few days before Christmas.”
Charlie sniffled and looked for a tissue in her bag. “I’m going to cry again!” She laughed. “These hormones are really messing with me. But I’m so happy he’ll also be close by.” She looked past Lindsay’s shoulder and smiled. “Hi, Jason.”
Lindsay turned around quickly. Since Blake’s departure, she hadn’t seen or heard from his friend. “Hi, Jason. Nice to see you.”
“Join us, Jason, we’re on our way to the square to watch the lights being turned on and then we’re having dinner.” Charlie smiled.
“Thanks, sounds nice.” He grinned.
“Hi, Lindsay,” another voice called out, and Stacey’s red head appeared.
“Hi, Stacey, it’s cold, isn’t it?” Lindsay greeted her friend and they hugged. “I don’t think you’ve met my sister and her husband? And this is Jason Coleman, also a friend. Everyone, this is Stacey Lawrence, she’s doing the website for my shop.” She made the introductions before all of them followed the rest of the crowd down Main Street towards the village square.
Charlie began to talk to Stacey, and Lindsay took a deep breath. This was her chance to find out if Jason knew anything about Blake. She cleared her throat and Jason chuckled.
“You want to know how Blake’s doing?”
She nodded.
“You could just phone him and find out, you know? That’s what I told him.”
“You spoke to him?”
“Texted. I get a message from him just about every day. Always with the same question.”
Lindsay’s heart was just about jumping out of her body.
“And what is that?”
“How’s Lindsay?”
“Why doesn’t he ask me?” she asked, pressing her lips together.
“That’s what I said.”
They walked in silence for a few minutes. Seconds later, Jason was the one to clear his throat. “Blake...well, he lost two people close to him in the past and still reckons it was his fault. He doesn’t think he has anything to offer you.”
Lindsay lifted her chin. She was done asking Blake for anything. “Well, that’s very clear then. I...”
“Well, if it isn’t the beautiful Lindsay Wilson,” a voice drawled close by.
Lindsay sighed but she turned her head and smiled. The local vet was walking behind them, grinning broadly with his very white teeth. “Hi, Roger.”
“What about dinner later?” he asked.
“Not tonight.” She smiled over her shoulder. “Give me a call after Christmas, won’t you?”
Next to her Jason chuckled. “You don’t really want to go out with him, do you?”
“He’s nice,” Lindsay said shortly.
“He smiles all the damn time,” Jason said.
“Well, it’s better than being taciturn all the time, like some people I know.” And she turned and began to ask Stacey about her website. It was hard enough to carry on day by day without Blake; she didn’t also want to have to talk about him.
Damn it, she hadn’t been looking for love; he was the one who’d insisted on protecting her. So, he’d lost two people close to him and that was his reason for not wanting to be with her? So had she, but she’d been prepared to open her heart to him anyway. What utter nonsense, and if she’d ever have the misfortune of seeing him again, she’d tell him that.
––––––––
By ten, Lindsay couldn’t keep her eyes open, and picked up her bag. “Thanks for the lovely dinner, Logan and Charlie, but I need my beauty sleep.
“It’s only ten o’clock,” Eleanor cried out. “The night is way too young for you to leave just yet. Besides,” she whispered with a wink, “I want to know about you and the vet.”
“Mom, seriously,” Brooke scolded.
“What? I’d thought she and Blake would hit it off, but both of them are too blind or too stubborn or too whatever. Anyway, life is short. Maybe Roger could be your backup plan.”
But Lindsay just smiled and waved to everyone. Charlie got up. “Give me a hug. Are you feeling okay?” she asked.
“Of course. It’s just been a busy week.”
“Let me walk you to the door,” Charlie said. “How are you really? And don’t you dare give me another ‘I’m fine.’ I don’t believe you anymore. You’re pale, you have circles under your eyes, which tells me you haven’t been sleeping properly, and you’ve stopped smiling.”
Lindsay threw up her hands. “What do you want me to say? Mark has been caught; I can’t begin to tell you what a relief that has been. I’ve only now come to realize over the past two years I’ve constantly been worrying he may show up here in Alisson.”
“His mistake was thinking you are still the same woman you were before. I’m so, so proud of the way you handled the whole thing. I’m very glad I didn’t have to watch him manhandling you, but you were so brave.”
“I’m really okay, sis...” she began, but Charlie shook her head.
“You’re miserable and Mark has nothing to do with that. Talk to me.” Charlie pulled her to the side. “You haven’t been very forthcoming about what really happened between you and Blake, but tell me—did the two of you end up in bed?”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Lindsay asked, blushing.
“As I’ve mention, you’re looking pale, and I’ve heard you mention more than once you’re tired.” Charlie grinned. “It’s just, when I was so tired, it turned out I was pregnant.”
Lindsay stared at Charlie, her mind blank for a moment. Then she laughed. “Don’t be silly, I can’t be... Besides, it’s way too early to know.”
Charlie’s eyes widened. “Ah. So you did sleep with him?”
Lindsay nodded.
“And how was it? And why haven’t you told me? I’m your sister and your BFF!”
“It was really amazing, but it was a one-time thing... Well, okay, twice, but he was very clear about the fact he’s not interested in anything more.” Lindsay swallowed, her thoughts racing. “But I can’t be pregnant...” Shaking her head, she dug out her car keys. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Linds...”
But panicking, she quickly made her way to the exit. Pregnant? She couldn’t be pregnant, could she? As she’d told Lindsay, it was way too early to tell; Blake had left three weeks ago. And besides, Blake had used protection every time, she was sure of it.
Except... She stopped. Except that last time.
It was still snowing lightly. She lifted her face up to the grey sky. Pregnant? With Blake’s baby? A little boy with his daddy’s serious brown eyes? Something warm opened up inside her, and the heat spread throughout her body.
Her heart aching, she continued to her car. She might be pregnant or she might not be. Whatever the case, she was alone in this. Blake had walked away, remember?