Page 10 of Christmas Promises

“Yeah. You remember him?”

“Of course I do. He was with us a bunch that summer.”

Nolan’s voice grew husky. “Dylan was shot as we came out of a bar one night. We’d been out celebrating my graduation—five years ago yesterday. He’d come all the way to Boston to help me celebrate. We went out for dinner and then drinks.” He dipped his chin, studying his beer. “A car came roaring toward us and before I knew it, a rifle appeared out of an open car window and started spraying bullets. Dylan shoved me down and covered me with his body, saving my life.”

“That’s horrific.”

“He was the best person I ever knew. Everyone loved him.”

“I’m really sorry.”

He shrugged. “It’s been hard to go on without him, knowing what potential he had to spread good in the world. I miss him every day. I try to honor his memory by living fully and treating people the way he always did. God, that sounds so trite.”

“Not at all.” She gazed at him for a moment, reflecting on the years that had come and gone since she last saw him. So much had changed for both of them, yet there was a feeling of familiarity that made it seem as if no time had passed. Was it true that friends from youth always brought you back to the past? “I don’t think I’ve ever had a friend I could say such things about. Dahlia was not that kind of friend.”

“Clearly not.”

“I can’t decide which was worse,” Laney said. “The betrayal of her or him.”

“I’d feel that way too.”

“Like I said, Dahliawasn’tthe best person I knew. I don’t think anyone else would say that, either,” Laney said, chuckling under her breath. “We had a complicated friendship. One based mostly in competition.”

“Ah, yeah. She wanted what you had.”

“Basically.” She sipped from her drink. “Or she and Josh could be soulmates, and it was all supposed to happen this way.”

He nodded, wrapping a large hand around his beer glass. “Maybe time will tell that tale, huh?”

“Yeah. In the meantime, I have to figure out how to rebuild my life.”

“Sugarville Grove is a great place to start.”

“Do you live in town here or near your work?” She found herself curious about his life, his daily routine and habits. She wanted to ask him about everything all at once but held herself back. Josh had told her one time after dinner with friends that she could be intrusive with her questions. She’d been offended and embarrassed and vowed to temper herself from then on. It was only that she was so interested in other people, not that she was nosy. Well, maybe those were the same things?

“Do you remember that house we used to ride past on our bikes on the way to the lake? The one you’d always make me stop at so you could stare at it for a bit?”

“Oh my gosh, yes. The green one with the white trim. I loved that house. At least from the outside.” She could recall the lazy summer afternoons with Nolan, drifting past the house on their bicycles while chatting about who-knew-what. They’d never run out of things to discuss.

“I bought it. The previous owners were elderly, and nothing had been updated for probably thirty years. I had it gutted and remodeled.”

“I’d love to see it sometime.” My God, had she just invited herself over?

“I’d love to have you over. Anytime.”

Their food came then, and they continued to chat as they ate the savory meals. Laney learned more about his work at the university and his love of teaching. He filled her in on his brothers. Max ran the country store. Logan was a family law attorney in town. Luke ran the farm after his father retired and had recently married and had three children.

“Wait. Three? How’s that possible?”

Nolan explained that his wife, Abby, had become the guardian of her cousin’s children after the cousin’s sudden passing. Luke had a little girl named Lily from his first marriage.

“I’m telling you, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room during their wedding,” Nolan said. “We’re all rooting for them. And those kids.”

“What a beautiful story.” Laney’s eyes filled, thinking of how life could be so cruel and good all at the same time. Maybe not always at once, but one thing she knew and kept reminding herself of—bad times didn’t last forever. She just had to get through these next few months—to heal and decide what to do with her life next.

“You’re staying all month?” Nolan asked.

“At least through the new year. Maybe longer. Aunt Edna said I can stay as long as I want, but I worry about imposing. She does need the help at the bookstore, so that makes me feel better.” She blew on a forkful of potpie. “Actually, she wants to retire and has been hinting around that I should buy her out.”

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