Page 55 of Christmas Promises

He plopped down next to Edna, who looked up briefly before returning to the paperback she must have had in her bag.

Penelope flipped through a magazine. Tucker had his eyes closed, resting the back of his head on the wall behind him. Now that they knew Laney would be all right, the tension in their faces had eased as it had in Nolan’s chest.

He opened his soda but didn’t drink it, setting it on the table beside him. Fatigue had started to creep in, but he was determined to wait until she woke up.

“You don’t have to wait,” Penelope said tightly. “Maybe come back in the morning. We’re her family. We can take it from here.”

Taken aback, it took him a moment to think of what to say. “Thank you, but I’m staying until she wakes.”

Tucker’s eyes fluttered open, and he sat up a little straighter before placing his hand on his wife’s knee.

“I was surprised to see yourentirefamily here,” Penelope said, her gaze as sharp as a predatory bird. “It’s not as if they know her.”

“They met her at my mom’s cookie decorating party, and they immediately liked her. For obvious reasons. She’s pretty great.” Nolan’s tone had grown cold. He was tired of this woman’s open hostility. “But mostly, they know she’s important to me. Which means she’s important to them. That’s how it is in my family.”

“It’s kind of the way it is in Sugarville Grove,” Edna said. “People take care of their own.”

“Isn’t that terrific? What a great community. Right, honey?” Tucker turned toward Penelope. “Isn’t that what you meant to say?”

“Nolan’s family is a family who gives back a lot to the people in our town,” Edna said. “I can’t think of anyone who’s ever said an unkind word about any of them.”

“How nice.” Penelope folded her hands in her lap, gazing behind Nolan as if she were studying something on the wall.

Edna’s brow creased as she stared her sister. “Penny, what’s wrong with you? Laney loves it here. Why do you care where she lives?”

“I don’t,” Penelope said.

“You just don’t want her to live here. With me.” Edna’s voice was quiet but brittle, evoking the image of icicles in Nolan’s mind. “But I don’t understand why.”

Penelope didn’t say anything for a moment. “She’s my daughter. Not yours.”

“Is that what this is about?” Edna asked. “My relationship with her threatens you?”

“Weren’t you quick to sweep in and offer to take her home with you?” Penelope asked. “To heal. Isn’t that what you said?”

“It sounds like me.” Edna played with the crystal she wore on a chain around her neck.

“She could have healed at home with me. That’s all I’m saying,” Penelope said. “Instead of you using this unfortunate incident to your own advantage. You’ve been trying to get her back here for years. You can’t tell me you haven’t tried to lure her back here with promises of the bookstore.”

“I’ve invited all three of you to visit. Why’s that a crime?” Edna asked.

“It’s not,” Tucker said. “We’re just shaken up. What happened at the wedding was such a shock. And whether or not Laney’s happy here or not and whatever this is between Nolan and her—it’s a shock to us. That’s all. It’s as if a year went by since we saw her when it’s only been a few weeks.”

Penelope’s lips twitched, obviously thrilled to have her husband’s support.

Edna continued to fiddle with the crystal around her neck. “And for the record, I didn’t have any ideas about Laney buying me out of the shop until she arrived. You should see her there. She’s a natural.”

“That’s true,” Nolan said, before realizing he should keep his mouth shut. This was not his business. In fact, he should leave.

“Do you really think this is what she wants?” Tucker asked Edna.

“I can tell you this. She shines when she’s at work, and she smiles more than I’ve ever seen her smile when she’s with Nolan. That’s all I need to believe this is the right thing for her.” Edna closed her paperback and set it next to Nolan’s soda can on the table. “But ultimately, it’s up to her what she wants to do. She’s a grown woman, Penny.”

“I’m not Penny anymore.” Penelope glared at her sister. “I left that sad little girl here. I’ve no intention of bringing her back any time soon. And all this talk of looking out for one another here in Sugarville Grove? Where was all thatcommunity supportwhen we needed it? No one helped us out. They left us out there with Dad. Don’t you remember how cold and hungry we were most of the time?”

“I remember,” Edna said. “But you’re wrong. Walter Hayes and his family helped us. Don’t you remember that Christmas?”

Penelope drew in a sharp-sounding breath, then went still, staring blankly into space. “I’d forgotten that.”

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