Page 18 of A Bright Winter Season

“What happened?” Hazel asked.

“Nothing, that’s just the third time I’ve messed up my counting since I started.”

“I can stop talking to you, sorry. I’ll let you count without distracting you.”

Alexis shook her head. “No, it’s not your fault. You’re right, normally I can listen and count.”

Hazel could tell that something was stressing her sister out. She reached across the table and squeezed Alexis’s hand. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m really distracted. I just got some news, and it’s good news, but I—well, I’m totally overwhelmed. And I’m already tired and my brain feels foggy—and well, I’m really having trouble concentrating today.”

“What’s the news?” Hazel asked. “Something with your jewelry business?”

Alexis shook her head. “No, it’s—well, I’m… pregnant.” She flushed pink and smiled slightly.

Hazel leapt up, squealing. “Alexis!” She raced to hug her sister. “I’m so excited for you! Oh my gosh, this is amazing.”She clasped her hands, feeling overjoyed, as she wiggled into the booth seat next to Alexis.

“Thank you.” Alexis laughed breathlessly. “I feel like I just got handed a whole kingdom and I don’t know what to do with it. I’m happy but I’m also so completely overwhelmed. I’m so busy, with the pub and my new business. Not to mention this party! And in some ways, Grayson and I are still getting settled in our new house, and we’ve only just hit our stride again in our relationship. Throwing a baby into the mix is—well, it just feels like too much.”

Hazel looked her sister in the eyes. “It will be okay. You’ll figure out how to navigate it all. Some things will have to go to the back burner, so to speak, but it will be more than worth it, trust me. What does Grayson think?”

Alexis blushed a deeper shade of pink and coughed gently.

“You haven’t told him?” Hazel gasped.

Alexis shook her head. “Not yet. I will, obviously. And I think he’ll be really happy. I think. Children were always more of a hypothetical conversation for us. We’ve never really talked seriously about starting a family—not in terms of actual, real-life details.”

“He’s going to be thrilled. And remember, he’s your partner in all this. It’s his job to reassure you and walk with you through this new journey. I know he wants to be there for you in all this, but you need to let him be.”

“You’re right.” Alexis sighed. “I guess I just feel as though I need some time to process it myself before I tell him. Right now, it still kind of feels like a dream to me.”

Hazel kissed her sister on the side of the head and went back to her seat on the other side of the table. “I hear that! I remember feeling that way when I found out I was pregnant with Samantha. I also didn’t feel ready—I was so young. But you justhave to take it one day at a time. I know it feels like a lot, but you have nothing to be worried about.”

“Thanks, Hazel.” Alexis took a deep breath and smiled. “That’s all good advice.”

Hazel smiled back at her sister, and they shared a moment of understanding. Then Alexis laughed breathlessly and went back to counting her money. Hazel picked up what remained of her sloppy joe and took a big bite out of it.

At that moment, Jacob Dorsey walked into the pub.

Hazel froze, mid-bite, as she watched Jacob stroll into The Lighthouse Grill. She felt surprised to see him, and for a moment she couldn’t understand what on earth he was doing there after closing hours, but then she remembered that the air vents needed to be replaced.

He must be here to start work on that or something, she thought.It makes sense that Mom hired him.

She set down her sloppy joe and wiped her messy face and hands as Jacob strode toward her and Alexis with a smile.

“Hey, Hazel! Hey, Alexis.” He grinned at them.

“Hey.” Hazel cleared her throat, feeling a little awkward since she hadn’t been expecting to see him and she’d been such a mess a few moments earlier. She had to admit to herself though, she remembered a time when her current situation would have made her feel mortified. As it was, she felt a little uncomfortable but not nearly as self-conscious as she used to feel around the handsome handyman.

“Sorry to barge in on you both while you’re busy,” Jacob said. He was as friendly and easygoing as ever, and his manner made Hazel feel less uncomfortable right away. “I’m here to look at the air vents.”

“Sure.” Alexis glanced at Hazel as if worried she was upset by Jacob’s presence, and Hazel wished she hadn’t done it. Jacob had no idea that she’d been planning on asking him out not thatlong ago, and she wanted to keep it that way. “Thanks for coming in, Jacob. We appreciate your help.”

“Oh, of course.” Jacob nodded. “Sorry I got here so late. I got held up at another job.”

“No, you’re all good.” Alexis smiled and stood up. “I’ll show you where to find the vents.”

Alexis led Jacob away from the table, glancing back at Hazel in concern as she went. Hazel found herself chuckling. Although Jacob was as handsome and kind as ever, and she could easily remember why she’d had such a crush on him, being near him wasn’t upsetting her in the slightest. She smiled quietly to herself and finished eating her sloppy joe and French fries.

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