Page 40 of A Match Made at Christmas

She pulled on her boots and coat, then rushed off down the street to pick up coffee and pastries, but when she returned to her cottage, she found it empty.

Hayes had left a note on her kitchen table.

Had to go help Mom with some stuff at home. Thanks for listening last night. You’re the best! –Hayes

She stared at the words until they lost their meaning. She texted him:

You left before coffee.

Sorry. And thanks for last night.

Anytime.

She stared at the phone as the three magical dots appeared, then disappeared. She waited a minute before deciding the conversation was over. She looked at the freshly decorated Christmas tree. On the top, instead of an angel or a star, Hayes had affixed a photo of the two of them that he’d printed from his phone the night before.

The truth was, she’d let herself daydream last night. Enough to make herself blush as she thought about it now. She’d pretended they were a couple from the moment they set out looking for a tree, and she’d carried on with the mental charade until she woke up in his arms that morning.

This was probably unhealthy.

She didn’t want to wonder if she and Hayes might actually be soulmates. But she also didn’t want to lose him.

She opened the white wax-paper bag from the coffee shop, pulled out the blueberry scone, and took a bite. The way she felt, she’d probably also eat the bear claw intended for Hayes.

Heart otherwise engaged.

Was it ever. Aunt Nellie knew it. Howie knew it. And maybe it was time Hayes knew it too.

But Pru had a feeling she wasn’t that brave.

* * *

Hayes textedPru the next day:

I have an idea. Can you get Howie to the Ale House for dinner tomorrow night?

Sure, I can ask.

K. 7 p.m. Boiler Room. You meet me there at 6:30.

You got it, Noni Rose. ;)

Funny. I’m never gonna live this down, am I?

Not a chance.

Chapter 13

A Foolproof Plan

Pru arrived at the Ale House promptly at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night and found Hayes waiting for her in the entryway.

“Is Howie coming?”

“His calendar is shockingly open,” she said. “Or maybe he just cleared it for me.” She followed Hayes through the restaurant to a room near the back, usually reserved for private parties. It had been decorated for the holidays and, like the rest of the space, dazzled under the shine of hundreds of twinkling white lights.

On Nantucket, everything twinkled and glowed at Christmas.

At the center of the room were two tables, each decorated with a sprig of evergreen in a vase tied with a red plaid ribbon.

---