Page 51 of A Match Made at Christmas

“You’re still wearing it,” Howie said.

Peggy looked caught, her eyes wide, as she glanced at Howie. Her hand followed his eyes to the necklace dangling at her neck. She quietly tucked it under her coat.

Howie took a step toward her, then reached over and pulled the necklace out so it was visible again. “It looks nice on you.”

It was dark outside, but Pru could still see the blush on Peggy’s cheeks. The older woman cleared her throat.

“I didn’t mean for you to see that,” Peggy said.

Hayes took a step toward Pru, but neither of them spoke. The movement must’ve reminded Howie they weren’t alone.

“I gave her that necklace when we were kids,” Howie said. “For graduation.”

“You went to school together,” Hayes said, as if piecing together a puzzle.

Howie stayed focused on Peggy. “We did. And when we graduated, Peggy was the one who planned to travel the world. She was quite the adventurer.”

Pru frowned. That didn’t sound like Peggy. As far as Pru knew, the older woman had never been off the island. What had changed?

“What is the necklace?” Pru asked.

“It’s a compass,” Peggy said. “On the back, it says ‘For my true north.’” She picked up the necklace and turned it over between her fingers.

Howie’s smile faded. “You were, too. You kept me in line.”

Peggy’s cheeks turned pink.

“You still up for an adventure, Peg? With me?”

They stared at each other for a long moment, so long that Pru started to feel like an intruder. Finally, Peggy looked away.

“I’m not sure this is a good time to have this conversation,” she said.

“We’ll give you two some privacy.” Hayes gave Pru’s arm a tug. When she looked at him, he motioned with his head for her to follow him. As they slowly crept toward the door, Howie took a step toward Peggy.

“Peggy, there are a few things I need to say.”

Before they heard anymore, Pru and Hayes slipped off the roof and into the stairwell.

Pru glanced at Hayes. “We’re just going to leave them out there?”

He started down the stairs. “Yep.”

“On the rooftop in December?”

“Yep.” He grinned. “They’re adults. They’ll be fine.”

“They’re gonna freeze,” Pru said.

Hayes waggled his eyebrows. “Maybe they’ll think of a creative way to stay warm.”

She rolled her eyes. “What do you think—they’re going to have one conversation and suddenly everything will be okay?”

He went completely still and his gaze dipped from her eyes to her lips and back again. “Is that so hard to imagine? A lot could be worked out if they’d just be honest with each other.”

Pru’s heart thudded in her chest, like the sound of a bass drum in a marching band. Her thoughts turned to that kiss. A kiss that almost set her on fire. A kiss she should absolutely regret but didn’t. A kiss that had only left her longing for more.

Hayes was right—she’d tried to deny it, but it was high time for honesty.

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