Page 37 of A Bright Winter Season

Alexis sighed. “Oh, fine. I guess you’re both right. But can’t I at least hint to her that Jacob’s available?”

Julia shook her head. “No, I think that would be even worse. Then she’ll start to wonder and get in her head about him again. We’ll just leave her be. Let things work out how they’re going to work out.”

“Agreed,” Dean said.

“Fine. Pinky promise.” Alexis linked pinkies with Julia and then with Dean. “But if she ends up not dating Jacob, I’m going to be really mad at both of you.”

Julia laughed, and then froze, staring at something over Alexis’s shoulder with wide eyes. Perturbed, Alexis turned around to see what Julia was staring at.

Cedric Turner was walking through the dining room of The Salty Spoon, following a hostess to a table. As he got closer totheir booth, he noticed them and stopped with a big smile on his face.

“If it isn’t the Owens siblings! Well, most of you. Good morning.”

“Good morning,” Julia said, her tone overly bright. “How are you, Mr. Turner?”

Under the table, Alexis was clasping her hands tightly, hoping with all her might that Cedric had no idea it was her and Julia who had called him on the phone. The fact that Julia had called him “Mr. Turner” just like Alexis had on the phone wasn’t helping matters any.

“Oh, fine, fine.” Cedric’s eyes glinted almost mischievously. “You know, I had the strangest dream the other night.”

“Really?” Alexis coughed and hurriedly took a sip of coffee. “What was your dream?”

“I had a dream that I got a phone call from you in the middle of the night, Alexis.” Cedric shook his head, chuckling. “You were prying for information about someone.”

“How odd,” Julia said, glancing at Alexis, who was blushing furiously and blinking at the center of the table. “Information about who?”

“Oh, let me see… I think it was… oh yes! Jacob Dorsey. You asked me if he’s single or not.”

“Ha! What a weird dream.” Alexis shrugged, still a bright shade of pink. “I’m really surprised you dreamt that, Mr. Turner. I mean, Cedric. Really weird.”

“I’ll say.” Cedric grinned. “Well, you kids have a good day.” He waved goodbye and followed the hostess to the table she was leading him to.

As soon as Cedric was out of sight, Alexis leaned her head down onto the table and groaned.

“How on earth did he know it was me?” she whispered as Julia and Dean tried to stifle their laughter. “How could herecognize my voice? I called him on your phone, Julia, and we were sure he didn’t have your number saved.”

“Well, he’s known us since we were kids.” Julia wiped away a tear of amusement. “I guess he’s just got a good ear for voices.”

“Wait, you called Cedric Turner in the middle of the night?” Dean leaned forward conspiratorially, grinning. “And asked him if Jacob is single? You should have called me!”

“Well, we assumed that as our brother who is supposed to be loyal to Hazel, you would have told us that information if you already knew about it,” Alexis whispered.

“I can’t believe you called Cedric Turner in the middle of the night,” Dean said, shaking his head and laughing as quietly as he could.

“It wasn’t the middle of the night!” Alexis squeaked. “Just late.”

“Besides.” Julia grinned as she picked up her coffee cup and took a sip. “Didn’t you hear Mr. Turner? It was just a dream, it didn’t really happen.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Hazel finished washing the last pot and tucked it into the dish drainer. She paused to stretch and yawn, thinking to herself that it had been a good, productive day. She glanced over her shoulder at her kitchen table with a smile, looking at all of the Christmas decorations that she’d gathered for the pub’s Christmas event.

I can’t wait to start decorating in there,she thought.The Christmas decorations we always put up at the pub are cute, but this year the place is going to look absolutely magical.

She dried her hands off with a Christmas-themed towel that she and Samantha had picked out together earlier in the month, and then walked over to the kitchen table. She felt energetic, even though it was nearly ten o’clock at night.

I don’t feel ready for bed yet,she thought.You know what? I’ll take this stuff over to the pub now. I have a key. I’ll just drop it off in storage and come back home.

She began to whistle, liking her plan. It was possible that some staff members would still be at the pub, but she guessed that the place would be dark when she arrived. It didn’t really matter, however, since she had a way of getting inside. There were perks to being part of the Owens family, that was for sure.

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