Page 49 of Christmas Promises

“It’s going to be fine, Mom. You’re not losing me just because I’ve fallen in love with Nolan.”

Mom gasped. “You’re in love with him?”

“I’ve never felt like this about anyone else. Now that I’m with him, I can understand what was missing with Josh. He did too but didn’t have the courage to tell me the truth. I’m glad I found out before it was too late.”

“They’ve had the nerve to post photos of theirvacation.” Mom spit out the last word. “It’s in very poor taste. I want to add a hashtag that says ‘not your honeymoon’ and ‘cheater cheater pumpkin eater.’”

All three of them started laughing and couldn’t stop. Finally, wiping their eyes, they managed to get themselves together. Her mother might be strong-willed and difficult, but Laney could aways count on her even when things went horribly wrong.

“Thanks, Mom.”

“For what?”

“For being you,” Laney said. “For always having my back.”

“Well, that’s my job, isn’t it?” Mom’s cheeks flushed, and her mouth twitched into a smile. “And you’re welcome.”

“We’ll have dinner tomorrow with you and Nolan and get to know him a little,” Dad said. “I’m sure that will alleviate your mother’s worries.”

“It will, Mom. He’s just—oh, he’s just—I don’t know how to say it without sounding trite. He’s smart, loyal, and kind, and he makes me laugh. I’m utterly smitten.”

“You sure never lit up like that when you talked about Josh,” Dad said. “It’s good to see you like this, sweetheart. You deserve to have the kind of mad love your mother and I have.”

“Oh, Tucker, you’re a sentimental old fool,” Mom said, but she continued to smile.

“Let’s call you a cab and get you back to Aunt Edna’s,” Dad said. “We’ll come by and visit you at the shop tomorrow, if that’s okay?”

“I’d love it, and I’m sure Aunt Edna would too.”

As Laney stood to leave, her mother hugged her, lingering for a few seconds, holding Laney tight. Laney closed her eyes, enjoying her mother’s familiar scent.

“I’m proud of you,” Mom said. “I always have been.”

“Thanks, Mom. I’m proud of you too.”

She bade them good night and walked out of the front entrance of the warm inn and headed toward a waiting cab. She’d done it. She’d stood up to her mother. She’d advocated for herself. And as a result, her mother had opened up about her own insecurities.

This month had been full of lessons. Laney hardly felt like the same broken woman she’d been when she’d arrived in Sugarville Grove.

Was it possible that she’d finally grown up? The idea put a spring in her step as she slipped into the back seat of the cab.

“Where to, miss?”

“Take me home, please. I live above the bookstore.”

“You got it.”

Yes, she was going home with Aunt Edna for now. Someday, it would be with Nolan. She felt quite certain about that even though her parents worried she was making impulsive decisions. Sometimes one had to trust their gut. Maybe all the time?

Again, so many lessons.

Merry Christmas to me.

12

NOLAN

Nolan had stood in the middle of the town center for a few minutes after Laney left with her parents, completely at a loss as to what to do with himself. He wandered around town blindly, thinking through what had just happened. The look on Laney’s face had him worried. She’d shared with him how hard it was to go against her mother’s wishes. And from his observation, her mother was none too happy to see Laney wrapped in his arms.

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