Page 18 of Christmas Promises

Edna clicked her tongue sympathetically. “Nolan’s a good listener.”

Laney smiled, warming as the image of Nolan’s handsome face danced before her eyes. “He’s good at most things—as far as I can tell.”

“Did you kiss him?”

Laney gasped. “Aunt Edna don’t be silly. I’m supposed to be on my honeymoon right now. I’ve no business entertaining romantic thoughts about anyone. I’m a hot mess.”

“Aren’t we all?” Edna got up to rinse her dishes and put them into the dishwasher. “In one way or another?”

Laney couldn’t speak for anyone else. She knew only that she had some hard days and nights to get through before she fully recovered from the heartbreak Josh and Dahlia had left. Still, it was hard not to think about Nolan and not wish to kiss him.

“You know what I can’t figure out,” Edna said, leaning her backside against the rim of the white kitchen sink and crossing her arms over her chest. “Is why Josh was going to go through with it. And how in the world did that nitwit of a girl stand it? I mean, it must have been incredibly painful to watch him act the faithful groom.”

“I’ve thought about that too. But I can’t spend too much time dwelling on whatever it is she felt or didn’t feel. I’m done with both of them.”

Edna’s cell phone beeped. She reached behind her where it had been charging by the coffeepot. “I bet it’s your mother checking up on us.” She picked up the phone and looked down at the screen. All color drained from her face. “Oh my.”

“What is it? Is everything okay with my parents?”

“Yes. The text’s not from your mother.”

“Oh, thank goodness. You scared me. Is it a friend?”

Edna shook her head. “No, it’s my one regret. Risen from the ashes.” Her voice sounded bitter, which was so unlike her that Laney was temporarily stunned into silence. Edna reread the text before looking over at Laney. “It’s a text from my high school sweetheart. He got my number from the alumni directory. He’s in Vermont and wondered if I want to meet for coffee or lunch.”

“How long’s it been since you’ve seen him?” Laney asked.

“Since graduation. He joined the army and left right after we finished high school. He’d joined up without telling me. I was devastated and hurt. We had a terrible argument and never spoke again. I have no idea what happened to him since then.”

“Really? Not even from mutual friends?”

She shook her head. “We lost touch completely.”

“Do you want to see him?” Laney asked.

“What could it hurt? It’s been over forty years. Surely, I won’t still feel the way I did then.”

“Right. Plus, aren’t you curious?” Laney asked.

“I guess I am.”

“Have him come to the bookstore so I can take a good look at him. Just in case he’s a serial killer.”

“You think you’ll know?” Edna asked, with a snort.

“Probably not, since I had no idea my fiancé and best friend were in love with each other.”

“Ah, well, even the most discerning of us have blind spots.”

Laney spenta good portion of the morning putting up decorations in the shop. One of the clerks helped her, and by noon she had all the garland and lights strung about the store. The tree would have to be done after lunch.

She headed to the back office to let Aunt Edna know she was going to slip out for a quick bite. To her surprise, a man was sitting in Edna’s guest chair.

“Excuse me, I didn’t realize you were with someone,” Laney said, standing in the doorway.

Her aunt flushed and stood. The man followed suit.

“This is my old friend Drew Crane. The one I told you about earlier. This is my niece, Laney.”

---