Page 58 of Christmas Promises

“My dad’s a big softy.” Nolan wasn’t surprised by this story. He’d heard similar things from others.

“But that’s not all. I guess he told your grandmother and grandfather the story, and they put together a fundraiser so they could have a few presents to open. Your grandmother made a turkey and all the fixings and had Walter take it out to them on Christmas morning.”

“I did not know that.” He stared at her, clearly shocked. “How come no one ever mentioned that to us?”

“I’ve no idea. But she said a lot of memories from that time came rushing back to her when she saw your dad just now in the waiting room. She’s tried to put aside her childhood—pretend it didn’t happen. Which is why she doesn’t want me back here.”

“It makes sense.”

“I thought so too.” Laney reached up to cup his chin. “We’re connected by more than we ever knew. Our families are tied together by kindness that goes back generations. Edna and your mom have been best friends all these years. My mom left and never looked back. To her, this place represents failure and poverty. However, the good news is that she’s remembering the good parts too. Most of which are because of your family.”

“Does this mean she might grow to like me?”

“I think so. But even if she doesn’t—even if she never approves of me staying here and buying the bookstore—I’m doing it. The first thing I thought of when I woke up just now was you. I don’t know why or how, but you’ve become my whole world. I don’t want to leave you. Not ever.”

“I feel the same way about you.”

“Some kind of force we can’t truly understand brought me back here. To you. To Aunt Edna. To your family. It all ties together.”

“Kind of like a Christmas miracle, huh?” Nolan asked, his voice thick.

“Kind of.” She hesitated, hating to wreck the moment, but she wanted to always tell him the truth, no matter how ugly. “The doctor says I’ll have an exposed immune system now, with a slightly increased risk of infections. He told me I have to be extra vigilant about my health. To be honest, he scared me a little. I’ve taken my health for granted, and now I have to pay attention to what I’m eating, getting enough rest, and exercise.”

“Don’t be scared. I’ll look after you,” Nolan said. “And we have my mother around to make sure we’re eating properly and taking care of ourselves.”

Laney’s stomach warmed, thinking of Grace Hayes and how good it felt to be part of the fold. “I’m grateful to your whole family. Please tell everyone thank you for coming to stay with you while I was in surgery.” Tears pricked at her eyes. “I’m so touched. Truly. Like I’m part of something, which is a pretty wonderful feeling. As I’m sure you know.”

“I do know. But seeing them through your eyes has made me appreciate them all the more. I want to marry you, Laney Gray. I’ve wanted that since the first time I laid eyes on you.”

Her heart fluttered with utter joy. “I want to marry you. I think since before I ever met you. I knew you were out here, and then I found you and lost you again.”

“Never again.” He kissed her hand, careful of the tubes poking into her arm. “I won’t lose you again.”

“You won’t. I know exactly where I’m supposed to be. With you.”

The next twoweeks were full of holiday activities in combination with healing. Because her surgery had been laparoscopic, she recovered remarkably fast. They sent her home to Aunt Edna’s after only two days in the hospital and encouraged her to walk short distances to prevent blood clots and keep her strength intact.

Nolan took it upon himself to show up every morning and escort her on a walk, a habit that stuck even after she felt perfectly fine. They enjoyed strolling through the quiet town square in the early morning, taking in the lights before they dimmed in deference to daylight.

After a week, Aunt Edna agreed that she could come back to work, but made her promise to tell her if it became too much.

But the store energized her. Anyway, Laney’s heart was so full that it felt as if she were walking on air. The more hours she spent at the shop, the more she knew it was exactly where she wanted to spend her time and energy. She convinced Aunt Edna that they should do more events to get more people into the store. Her first idea was to host a cookie and story time for children aged two to eight. Laney readThe Night Before Christmasto a room full of wide-eyed kids. Just as she closed the last page, Santa made a surprise visit—ho-ho-hoing right into the bookstore. The kids were so innocently delighted that it brought tears to Laney’s eyes.

There were several family dinners at Grace and Walter’s, which included her parents and Aunt Edna. They attended church all together on Sundays. The last Sunday before Christmas, Sophie, Jack, and Lily lit the Advent candles, and then the whole family went ice-skating. Laney had to watch only since she was still healing, but she had a wonderful time anyway. Even her mother was out on the ice, surprising everyone with her skills.

Several days later, Laney and Nolan arrived at Max’s annual Ugly Sweater Party after everyone else, having gotten diverted by a few kisses before they headed out into the frigid weather.

When they walked in, Max sauntered up to say hello wearing not only an ugly sweater but a pair of reindeer antlers. His sweater was a riot of mismatched patterns—one sleeve featured a garish Christmas plaid, while the other showcased neon-green polka dots. Across the front, a 3D Santa dangled precariously from a chimney, complete with cotton balls that represented puffs of smoke.

“Welcome to your first Ugly Sweater Party,” Max said to Laney. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“I’m glad to be here.” She smiled back at him. “Thanks for including my parents, too.”

“We’re family now. Lucky you,” Max said facetiously.

“We are lucky,” Laney said.

“I’ll put our jackets in the bedroom and get us something to drink.” Nolan shrugged out of his coat and helped her take off hers before giving them to Max to hang in the closet.

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