Page 13 of Christmas Treasures

He fought tears. His parents were always so supportive and willing to deal with whatever their boys brought into their lives. “Thank youseems inadequate. But thank you.”

“That’s what we’re here for.” Dad reached over to squeeze Max’s shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get started on making that office of yours into a bedroom. We’ll get it cleaned out today and then get a bed and whatever other furniture we need.”

“You’re going to be fine,” Mom said. “You will be a great father.”

Max really hoped she was right about his ability to take a little girl into his life. Time would tell.

4

CHARLIE

Charlie adjusted the bottle of wine in her hand for the third time as she stood on Laney’s front porch. She could be home right now, feeding her sourdough starter and talking to Fig about how society over-romanticized socializing.

Instead, she was dressed in black slacks and a soft gray sweater, standing in front of the cheeriest front door she’d ever seen.

Laney opened it before she could knock. “You came.”

“I said I would.” Charlie forced herself to sound chipper, as if she didn’t regret every life decision that had brought her to this moment.

Laney pulled her inside. “Come on in. It’s freezing. Why aren’t you wearing a coat?”

“You’re sounding like a mom already,” Charlie said.

Laney laughed, resting her hand on her round belly. “I cannot wait to meet this little person.”

“Do you know the gender?” Charlie breathed in scents of roasted garlic and spiced cider.

“No, we decided to wait and be surprised. But I’m prettysure it’s a girl.”

“Really? Why?” Charlie asked.

“No idea. And I might be wrong.” Laney gestured toward the front room, where there were about a dozen guests mingling, enjoying drinks before dinner.

“Your home’s beautiful.”

“Oh, thank you. Nolan gutted and remodeled the entire house before I met him. Luckily, our taste matches perfectly.”

Charlie remembered the bottle of wine she’d brought. “I hope this is okay. It’s one of my favorite Italian Chiantis. I wasn’t sure what you were serving.”

Laney took the bottle of wine with a warm smile. “This is perfect. Come on, I’ll give you the quick tour of the house, but first, let’s get you a drink. Do you want a glass of cider to start? I can put a little rum in yours.”

“That sounds great.” She could use a little alcohol to loosen her nerves. Why was it so hard for her to just go to a silly party? At least she’d come. That was progress.

A minute later, a cup of cider in one hand, Charlie followed Laney down a softly lit hallway.

They stepped into the bright and inviting kitchen first. “Oh, this is great,” Charlie said, taking in the creamy white cabinets and framed open shelves filled with mismatched mugs and vintage enamelware. A wide-planked wooden island stretched through the center, with stools on one side, similar to the ones she had in her own kitchen.

Charlie couldn’t help but run her fingers over the wooden surface. “I love this.”

“Nolan made it from wood from an old barn or something like that.” Laney smiled. “Everything in this house has a story. It’s got Nolan imprinted into every inch.”

Charlie’s stomach did a little dip. This was a woman very much in love with her husband. She had to wonder what it felt like to love someone that much and have it returned. Butlove was for normal people. Not socially awkward misfits such as herself.

Charlie looked at the terra-cotta planters lined along the sill—rosemary, thyme, and what looked like lemon basil. “Your herbs look healthy.”

“That’s all Nolan. He and his mother planted them for me in the fall. I’m just trying to keep them alive.”

“I grow mine in my greenhouse.”

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