Page 56 of A Match Made at Christmas

“About that kiss?” Harper’s eyebrows bounced.

Pru looked at her, then at Nan, whose smile seemed to suggest that yes, she’d seen it too.

“Just about stuff,” Pru said.

“Well, we’re here to take you out. We haven’t been in Nantucket for the Christmas Stroll in ages, so we want to take full advantage.” Nan held up a small booklet that Pru recognized immediately as the program for the Christmas Stroll. There was a profile of her and the surf shop inside, along with a list of every event that was happening that weekend. She flipped it open. “I made an itinerary, and I was sure to hit all the best spots.”

“Oh, really?” Pru tried to muster some enthusiasm, but truthfully, she just wanted to go find Hayes.

“There’s an ugly sweater contest and then lunch at the Nantucket Hotel,” Nan said, flipping through the booklet. “Of course, we can stop in any of the boutiques in town, and I found a modern calligraphy class—I’ve always wanted to try that. Then I thought we could do the Holiday House tour to close out the day.”

“That’s a lot,” Pru said.

“Like I said, I want to take full advantage.” Nan’s smile matched Harper’s. How could Pru say no?

“Do you know what Hayes is doing today?” Pru asked.

“Oh, he and his dad left early this morning,” Nan said. “Who knows what they’re doing? Are you ready? Is there anything on this list you want to skip?”

“Maybe the ugly sweaters?” Pru grimaced.

“Oh, thank goodness,” Harper said. She reached into her bag and pulled out a hideous Christmas green sweater with strands of actual tinsel and gold and red glass ornaments attached to it. “I really did not want to wear this.”

Pru laughed. “Are you sure? I think you might actually win with that.”

Harper tossed it in the garbage and turned toward the door. “Let’s go.”

On the way to the Nantucket Hotel, they stopped to watch as Pru’s decorated Christmas tree “talked” to the children who dared to stop in front of it.

“Is there a video camera in there?” Nan asked, squinting.

“I’ll never tell,” Pru said, though in truth, she didn’t know. All she knew is that someone from the Nantucket Chamber was seated in the window of City Hall, right behind the tree. He spoke to the kids by way of a microphone, and judging by their reactions, the event was a hit.

Nan linked arms with Pru. “You should be very proud.”

She tried to swat the compliment away, as usual, but somehow, this one penetrated her heart.

They walked on toward the hotel, where they found a spot on the glass enclosed terrace. They ordered from the ala carte menu and Pru checked her phone a thousand times, wondering why Hayes had gone radio silent.

Was he having second thoughts? Wishing he could take back what he said the night before? Regretting the way their relationship had changed?

She shoved the thoughts aside and forced herself to be rational.

After they ate, they stopped at a craft show where Harper picked up a turtle ornament and Nan bought a wreath made entirely of seashells. They stopped in three different boutiques and Mitchell’s Book Corner and Pru browsed, but mostly continued to check her phone.

“Dear,” Nan said as they settled into their seats for the modern calligraphy class. “You seem preoccupied.”

“I’m sorry. I am a little distracted,” Pru said. “Hayes didn’t say anything when he got home last night, did he?”

“Anything like what, dear?”

Like he loves me?“Oh, I don’t know. We didn’t really get to say goodbye last night. I guess I just wondered . . .”

At her pause, Nan finished the sentence. “Where things stood?”

Pru nodded.

“Well, there is only one way to find out,” Nan said. “When you see him again, you can ask him.”

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