Page 39 of Christmas Promises

“We know how much you love birds,” Laney said.

“I do.” Edna hung a bird on a lower branch, stepping back to admire how it looked nestled among the greenery.

Nolan joined in, carefully unwrapping the vintage-style Santa. “This guy’s a beauty. Where should he go?”

“Anywhere. He’s so cute,” Aunt Edna said.

Laney held up a sparkling snowflake ornament. “Isn’t this one festive?” She hooked it onto a branch near the center, where it glimmered under the warm glow of the fairy lights.

Next, they added the bulbs, which filled in a lot of the blank spots.

When they unwrapped, the rustic star made of twigs and twine, Aunt Edna pressed a hand to her chest. “This is the perfect topper. Rustic and simple. Just like me.”

“Laney thought you would like it,” Nolan said. “If you have a footstool I can put it in place.”

Aunt Edna nodded. “I have one in the kitchen. Two seconds.”

While she was out of the room, Nolan grabbed Laney, pulling her against him for a kiss.

Aunt Edna returned with a footstool. They separated, but it was too late. They’d been caught.

“I see how it is,” Edna said, grinning. “And I don’t even have any mistletoe.”

Nolan stepped onto the footstool and carefully placed the star atop the tree. He jumped down to admire his work. “Now it’s complete.”

The three of them stood for a moment, taking in the fully decorated tree. It glimmered with warmth and charm, although the branches could use a few more decorations.

“It’s all so lovely,” Aunt Edna whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “Thank you both. I never would have done this on my own.”

“Maybe you can invite Drew over for dinner?” Laney said, cheekily. “I’m going to Nolan’s for the evening, so you’ll have the place to yourself.”

Aunt Edna flushed the shade of a raspberry. “I don’t know about that. He might not want to come.”

“Doesn’t hurt to ask,” Nolan said. “Take it from me. Sometimes they say yes.”

Laney wrapped her arms around her aunt. “You should do it. Enjoy yourself. You’ve got me here to help with the store. Maybe it’s time to do a few things for yourself.”

“Yes, well, maybe I will ask. I don’t have time to shop and cook though,” Edna said, looking worried.

“Borrow one from my mother’s playbook and order takeout,” Laney said. “And just have fun without thinking too much.”

That was certainly her own plan.

10

NOLAN

They left Aunt Edna to her date with Drew and headed out to his place. In no time at all, he had the tree positioned in the corner of his living room, near the window. Laney said it would look good from the outside, and who was he to argue? Everything she touched looked magical.

Laney had disappeared into the kitchen, promising to make him one of her favorite Italian peasant meals she’d learned during her time there. While she bustled around the kitchen making adorable noises with the pots and pans and sometimes singing along with the Christmas music playing through the built-in speakers, he set to work stringing the lights onto his tree. He could get used to her being here in his house, making it feel like a home. He turned on the gas fireplace and breathed in the scent of the fir needles, happier than he’d felt in a long time.

Soon, he had the ornaments unpacked and had strung the lights on the tree. He wandered into the kitchen to check in with his date. Laney was just opening a bottle of wine. “Would you like a glass?”

“I’d love some.” He sat on one of his stools at the island, watching her as she poured the burgundy-hued wine into glasses.

He breathed in the delicious aroma of simmering tomatoes and herbs. “That smells really good.”

“Chicken cacciatore is one of my favorites, even though it’s not considered fancy or anything in Italy. Cacciatore means hunter-style, which reflects a rusty, hearty type of cooking associated with the countryside. In southern Italy, it includes red wine, tomatoes, and whatever else people happen to have. Olives. Peppers. Onions.”

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