Page 51 of A Bright Winter Season

He shook his head. “No, I’d like to.”

“Okay.” She swallowed. “Yeah, just put them on the counter by the dishwashing area. Thanks.”

He nodded, forced a smile again, and walked away. She watched him go, feeling an ache in her chest.

My heart hurts,she thought.I wish I hadn’t made him sad like this. But I?—

She shook her head, feeling overwhelmed again. She didn’t even know what she was thinking, and her emotions felt like a confusing mess. She stood up, deciding that she would step outside for a moment to make sure that none of the outdoor signs pointing people toward the event had blown away.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Vivian looked around the pub’s Christmas event, watching the guests laughing joyfully and feeling her heart flood with happiness. The lights were twinkling and dishes were clinking together musically as people ate the delicious food that had been laid out on the buffet table. Sweet aromas of pastries and cakes blended with scents of spicy and creamy savory dishes. Guests were seated at the tables around the pub for the most part, but some of them were moving along the buffet table spooning food onto their plates and exclaiming in delight over how wonderful everything looked.

This warms my heart so much,she thought.So many people are here! This support is tremendous.

She smiled, humming cheerfully to herself as she walked around the dining room looking for empty plates to clear. The Christmas event was going beautifully, and she couldn’t have felt prouder of her family and her community.

Although the pub was nearly full, people were still arriving now and again, making the event feel full of a constant flow of energy. As she turned back toward the front doors, she saw Terrence walking inside the restaurant. A smile immediatelyspread across her face, and she was surprised by how happy she was to see him.

“Terrence!” She hurried across the room toward him. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Vivian.” He smiled at her as he removed his hat, shaking off a light dusting of snow. “I’m happy to be here. This event seems to have turned out fantastically.”

“It really has.” She felt as though she was glowing. She smoothed down the front of her blouse and adjusted the sleeves of her green button-down sweater, laughing breathlessly. “I’m so happy about it.”

“You should be.” He held his hat in his hands, the corner of his mustache curving upward in a sweet smile.

“I’m afraid we don’t have any snowballs here, though. Unless you brought some?” she teased.

“No, ma’am. But I have some at home.”

“That’s very wise of you. And I’m pleased to report that our vents are in perfect working order. You can check them out for yourself if you would like.”

He chuckled. “There’s no need for that. According to my records, the health inspector was already here, making an unexpected inspection of the air vents. It’s on record now that The Lighthouse Grill is considered to be safe in every way.”

She beamed at him. “I’m so glad to hear that. Would you like to get some food?”

“I’d love to. It smells incredible in here.”

“It does. Everyone who cooked really outdid themselves—” Her voice trailed off as another person stepped inside the pub. It was a man wearing an expensive coat and an overly confident smile.

Vivian’s heart flopped with disappointment when she saw him. She hadn’t expected Judd McCormick to show up to their Christmas party, and he was far from being a welcome guest. Itwasn’t that she bore him any ill will, although he hadn’t exactly endeared himself to her. She was worried that he was there to cause trouble—and the self-satisfied smirk on his face did nothing to allay her fears.

Judd stepped up to a couple of people who were walking up to the buffet table and said in a loud voice, “Good evening, folks. I’d like to offer you a couple of vouchers for free beer at McCormick’s brewery. We’re open tonight, if you want to swing by this evening.”

“Maybe later,” the man said, taking the vouchers doubtfully.

“Why not now?” Judd’s smile was undisturbed, although his eyes glittered with frustration.

“Oh, absolutely not,” Vivian murmured. She marched toward Judd with a firm expression. “Mr. McCormick.”

Judd turned to her, clearly unsurprised to see her there, as if he’d been aware of her watching him all along. “Mrs. Owens. What a sweet little party you’re hosting.”

Vivian maintained her composure and spoke politely. “I’m asking you to please refrain from doing that at our community event.”

“Why?” Judd’s smile widened, becoming wolfish.

She cleared her throat. “Because people are here to have a good time with loved ones and friends. I don’t want anyone to miss out on that because they felt pressured into going over to your brewery for free beer tonight.”

---