When I left Liam’s place a few days ago, I was tempted to turn for the road out of town instead of Cherry Lane. There was a huge part of me that wanted to put Honeywell Hollow in my rearview mirror. I couldn’t do that to Mae and Rex, though. Or to Liam, despite what happened. Running away would have cemented in his mind that he was right about me, and I didn’t want him thinking for a minute it was easy for me to leave this town or the people I’ve grown to love. Him included.
So I went home, and that’s where I’ve been for the last several days. I’ve convinced myself it’s a quarantine of sorts; I feel fine, but I don’t want to spread germs around, especially this close to Christmas. The solitude I came to Honeywell for isn’t as wonderful as I expected it to be, but that’s likely because I know what I’m missing now. I’ve spoken to Rex and Mae on the phone—my heart dropped into my stomach the first time Rex called me and Liam’s number flashed across my screen—but mostly I’ve been using this time to think.
And, as usual, once I started thinking—about my past, present, and future—my brain wouldn’t shut off.
I stayed in a loveless marriage for too long because it was safe and familiar. I’ve coasted along in my career for too long, taking roles I’ve enjoyed with people I’ve (mostly) genuinely liked, but I can’t remember the last project that truly excited me. I came to Honeywell to ‘figure some things out’, thinking I’d learn to enjoy my own company again, ponder my career, and maybe take up a hobby. Love was not on the agenda. My desire to be a temporary hermit was smashed to smithereens almost immediately and now here I am, attached to this town and its people.
I’m basically the heroine from one of my own movies. I’m the closed-off Scrooge of a woman who flees from her life in an attempt to escape the holidays and the pressures of reality only to discover everything she’s been missing in a quaint small town. I’ve played this role a dozen times—it’s what earned me the Queen of Christmas title. But it turns out reality is a million times better than any fiction.
In my movies, this would be called the ‘black moment’. The couple has a blow-up or there’s some obstacle keeping them apart. Of course, being short and sweet movies, the problem is usually resolved within minutes, sometimes with a grand gesture and sometimes with the characters having a revelation. The CEO who wants to build a strip mall where the Christmas tree farm is realizes the error of her ways and convinces her company to build elsewhere. The grouchy Christmas-hating single dad recognizes the importance of family, love, and the festive spirit, and goes all out to make the holidays extra special.
So if this is my black moment, it’s time for this Scrooge to come up with a plan. I need to prove to Liam that being in Honeywell is more than just ‘playing house’ for me, more than a blip on the timeline of my life. He was right when he said we had something special and could be amazing together. Now I have to hope he still feels that way.
I’ve learned my own strength and worth over these past few weeks, so whether Liam decides he wants to pursue a relationship or not, I know one thing: he was right about Honeywell being my home. Whatever happens between us, I’m going to find a way to make this town a permanent part of my story.
How I plan to do that involves Natalie, Selma Melissa Graham, and the Pascal sisters. The filmmakers literally rewrote their script with me in mind; I think it’s safe to say they’ll be willing to work with any requests I may have.
*****
“Were you ever planning to tell me you’re doing a press conference with Selma, or was I meant to find out with the rest of the world when it aired?”
Since Nat and I are on a video chat, I make sure to give my eyes an overexaggerated roll at her theatrics. “I’m telling you now, aren’t I, Natalie? It’s not my fault I haven’t been able to get a hold of you. And I did have my people call your people…”
Natalie throws her head back and laughs. “You did, you did. So I understand I’ll be seeing Honeycreek in person sooner than expected? Can’t you come to Toronto for the interview?”
“It wouldn’t work,” I tell her. “It has to be here. It’s a long story, but you and Selma will both be here soon, and I’ll tell you then.”
Nat purses her lips, which I recognize as an attempt to hold back an argument. Finally, she asks, “Does this have anything to do with the hot handyman you’ve been seeing?”
I swallow a sigh at the mention of Liam. I haven’t seen or heard from him since the day I left his house. When I first arrived in Honeywell I couldn’t go anywhere without running into him, but now he’s nowhere to be found. I’ve wanted to call him or drop by his place countless times, but I ultimately decided to give him the space he clearly needs. That hasn’t stopped me from asking Nathan and Mae about him every time I’ve talked to them, though.
“Yes,” I tell Nat. “But not only him. This is for me too. And for Honeywell. I promise I’ll explain everything when you get here and it’ll be worth coming all this way.”
Nat’s eyes narrow at the screen, giving me the sense she’s scrutinizing my face. I expect another joke or a string of rapid-fire questions. Instead, she gives a decisive nod. “Okay, Joss. I’ll be there. You can count on me for whatever it is you have planned.”
*****
The clicking of camera shutters greets me as I climb out of my car. A small crowd has already gathered, some of them with professional cameras and video cameras, and some with cell phones. I smile and wave as they follow me down the sidewalk, firing questions and comments at me.
“How do you feel about Alan’s engagement so soon after your divorce?”
“Do you have anything to say to Alan and his new fiancée?”
“What are you doing in a place like Honeywell Hollow?”
“Is it true you’ve called Selma Melissa Graham here to finally bury the hatchet?”
“Give us something, Josslyn. You must have something big planned to call the media here just days before Christmas.”
I pause outside Sweet Escapes with my hand on the door. “All will be revealed soon. Thank you for coming all this way. No photography past this point, please.”
I slip inside the café, shooting a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure the photographers heed my request. They all fall back, some of them gathering in a huddle on the sidewalk while others head across the street to the park. I inhale deeply, my mouth watering at the scents I’ve come to expect when I enter Sweet Escapes. I’ve been thinking so much about the concept of ‘home’ recently, and I’ve realized Sweet Escapes is home. Honeywell Hollow is home. The people I love are home. Home is a feeling as much as it is a place, and I feel it here.
One of those people I love and consider home barrels toward me now. Rex throws himself against me, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Hi buddy! It’s so good to see you.” If the little squeak he releases is any indication, I’m hugging him too tight. I release him and grip his shoulders, my eyes sweeping over his face. “How are you doing? I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too. I got a letter from my mom today. She said she’s starting to feel better and she loves me and misses me. And she sent me a drawing, look.” He pulls an envelope from his back pocket and carefully frees a sheet of folded paper, which he hands to me. The drawing is a full-page pencil sketch of Thea, Rex, and Liam, and it’s good. Really good.
“Uncle Liam said we’ll smooth it out and frame it so I can put it by my bed,” Rex says. He takes the drawing back and admires it, eyes shining with pride. His expression shifts suddenly, brows drawing together. “Are all those photographers outside here for you?”
“They are, yeah. A couple of my friends are meeting me here and the press knows about it.”
“Oh. Are you leaving Honeywell soon?”
I open my mouth, then close it. I’m not sure how much to tell him. “It’s…kind of complicated,” I say slowly. “But I want you to know I love you and I’m not going to disappear from your life. There’ll be times when I’m really busy or I’m traveling and you might not hear from me as much, but I promise I’ll be in your life for as long as you want me.”
He drops his gaze to the floor. My eyes flick down and I nearly laugh when I see he’s not wearing winter boots like I expected, but rather a hilariously furry pair of Chewbacca slippers. When he raises his head again, he gives me a shy smile. “Is forever okay?”
My eyes and nose sting with the threat of tears. I kneel in front of him so we’re eye to eye. “I was hoping you’d say that. Forever sounds really good to me.” I hold out my arms and he throws himself into them, wrapping his arms around my neck and holding on tight.
He dashes away when I release him, calling over his shoulder that he’s going to get back to his coloring. Mae joins me a moment later, pulling me into a hard hug before cupping my face and giving me a long, searching look.
“You okay?” she asks.
“I think so,” I tell her, letting out a shaky laugh. “At least I will be.”
From the corner of my eye, I spot a flurry of activity outside. Raised voices and camera flashes have me turning to see Nat and Selma among the photographers, smiling and posing for pictures in front of the giant nutcrackers. Butterflies take flight in my stomach.
“Are you sure about this?” Mae asks.
I whip around to face her. “I am. Are you having second thoughts? I can have Nat and Selma meet me somewhere else if you don’t want this much focus on Sweet Escapes. Or we can film somewhere other than Honeywell if that’s what you’re—”
“Joss.” Mae’s eyes are full of amusement and affection as she grips my shoulders. “I know you’ve put a lot of thought into this. I wouldn’t have agreed—and neither would Town Council—if I didn’t think this was a fantastic idea. Having a movie filmed here with three big stars is going to benefit the overall economy of Honeywell, and that, plus the donation from the Pascals means the center can stay open permanently.”
“I don’t know about stars…” I murmur.
Mae swats at my arm. “Is that all you took from what I said?”
I laugh, grabbing her hand and holding it. “I can never thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me.”
“Oh honey, are you kidding? It’s a pleasure. Having you here these last few weeks has been incredible. Seeing how you fit in, watching you come into your own…watching you and Liam fall in love…”
I swallow hard. “What if this isn’t enough? What if he thinks this is all for show?”
“My boy is smarter than that.” Mae’s confident tone infuses me with the confidence I need to stick to my plan.
Outside, Nat and Selma break away from the gathered paparazzi and enter Sweet Escapes. I suck in a deep breath, squeeze Mae’s hand, and go to greet them.