It’s too cold for this,” Natalie said, her feet pounding the river walk pavement behind Reese.
“Four months ago you were complaining it was too hot,” Reese called, her fogged breath dropping over her shoulder like a cape.
“Well, we were running up a mountain,” Natalie said between breaths. “And it’s Christmas Eve—shouldn’t we get holidays off?”
“Christmas Eve morning. It’s not a holiday until tonight.”
“Speaking of Christmas,” Shelby said. “I can’t wait till you girls see Penelope’s Christmas outfit.”
“Why am I suddenly picturing her in red velvet and a white beard?” Reese asked.
Shelby laughed. “No, no. More like a red boa and white tulle.”
Julia shook her head. “You have no shame.”
“She made it in September,” Natalie said. “Slow down, woman—it’s too hard to talk while we’re running.”
Shelby had fallen in step beside her, and Natalie stage-whispered to her, “How can a woman with such short legs move so fast?”
“I heard that.” Reese traded a smile with Natalie.
Reese slowed her pace and they jogged in silence for a few minutes, none of them fully awake yet. Shelby seemed different these days. Not just in love—she was at peace. Reese thought about all her friend had been through with the teenage pregnancy and her fateful decision. She was so glad Shelby had shared her burden with them. She could only respect a woman who pushed past a painful mistake and let God do a new work.
A sluggish fog hung over the river, mingling with flurries that fell from a gray abyss. Snow nested on the evergreen branches lining the river walk, and in the distance Sugarcreek Mountain rose majestically into the clouds. She’d have to take her new skis up there soon. There was a fluffy layer of snow just waiting for her on Switchback Pass. If she could only find the time.
“So what time are we meeting?” Julia asked. They were exchanging gifts at Natalie’s shop later.
“Three?” Natalie suggested.
“Can’t,” Reese said. “I have to put in a full day.”
“I have a couple clients this afternoon too.” Julia pocketed her gloves.
They agreed on five, which would give the other girls time to spend the rest of Christmas Eve with their men and families.
After a while they slowed to a walk. Natalie and Shelby caught up, and the four spanned the deserted path. The rhythmic pounding of their sneakers and their huffs of air broke the otherwise silent morning.
“I heard Sawyer was back in town,” Julia said as they cooled down.
“He came into the coffee shop last night.”
Reese could feel her friends’ eyes on her. “I already know. We ran into each other Saturday night at the ice rink. Literally.”
“Are you okay?” Shelby asked.
Reese knew she wasn’t referring to the collision. It was the first time she’d seen Sawyer since they’d broken their engagement, having deftly avoided him when he’d passed through town in the spring.
She shrugged. “It was awkward, but we got through it. Griffen was there too, which only made it more awkward.”
“Do you think you’re over him?” Natalie asked.
Julia’s dimple appeared with an ornery smile. “Sawyer or Griffen?”
Reese shot her a look, then addressed Natalie. “Oh yeah. That boat has sailed.” She’d known she was over Sawyer, but seeing him had confirmed it. “Griffen, though—that’s another story.”
“What’d you get him for Christmas?” Shelby asked.
Reese had thought long and hard about that one. In the past they’d exchanged trinkets. While he was away it had dwindled down to Christmas cards.
“A Catamount sweatshirt.”
“What’s that?” Shelby asked.
“The University of Vermont mascot,” Natalie said.
“Griffen played on their hockey team.”
Shelby nodded. “That’s a safe gift.”
“Personal, but not too personal,” Julia said.
“Good, that’s what I was going for.”
“You should’ve gotten him a photo frame,” Natalie said. “And put a picture of you two in it with a note that says”—she swiped her hand across the sky—“Friends make the best lovers.”
Shelby and Julia laughed.
Reese felt a flush climbing her neck. “That’s real subtle.”
They paused for Natalie to tie her shoe, then picked up the pace again.
“You should know,” Reese said, “that I’ll be going to the New Year’s Eve bash with Joshua Campbell. And we’ll probably be going out a lot in the near future.”
“Joshua Campbell . . . ?” Natalie said.
“Did I miss something?” Julia asked.
Reese waved off their curiosity. “Nothing like that. It’s all part of my plan to help Griffen see me as more than his little buddy.”
“Yeah, now he’ll see you as Josh’s girlfriend,” Julia said.
“I had to do something. Besides, Josh knows the score.
He’s just helping me out.”
“I think you should tell Griffen the truth, Reese,” Natalie said. “Why play games when you can just be honest?”
“Because honesty could cause an irreparable fracture in a very important relationship.”
“Well, your plan might not work, and then you’ll be back to square one.”
“Even so, at least our friendship will be intact.”
Natalie shook her head. “It’s like those walls you busted down. You were afraid what you’d find behind them, but you found just what you’d hoped for.”
“This isn’t a wall, it’s a relationship.”
“But sometimes you have to take a chance.”
Reese knew she was wasting her breath. If something like this had happened to Natalie, her friend would bust right through the wall. But Reese wasn’t Natalie, and she had to do things her own way. Better safe than sorry.