Page 15 of Christmas Treasures

“The goat cheese my dad and I tasted in a little town in Vermont called Sugarville Grove. We’d come here during a road trip and stayed a few days. I never forgot it. As strange as it probably sounds, I decided to come back and have alook around. I fell in love a second time and decided to buy an old house on a piece of property.”

“And now you have a greenhouse.”

“And a cat named Figaro. Fig. Sadly, I think he may be the closest thing I have to a soulmate.”

Laney laughed, holding open another door. “Well, we’ll have to see how that plays out for you.”

Charlie took in the primary bedroom, all soft and serene, with layers of ivory and muted gray. A handmade quilt covered the bed, and built-in bookshelves wrapped one corner. A pair of mugs rested on the nightstand—one with a faded literature quote, the other bright pink with flowers.

“Do you want to see the nursery?” Laney asked. “And then I’ll take you downstairs and give you another drink.”

“Sure.”

Laney opened the next door and flipped on the light. The nursery was a gentle cocoon of sage green and honeyed wood. A white rocking chair sat near the window, and a mobile of tiny paper stars spun gently from the ceiling fan’s breeze. A shelf was already lined with children’s books. “This is what happens when a bookstore owner marries a literature professor,” Laney said, laughing. “We have a roomful of books for a child not yet born.”

“You’re going to be an amazing mom,” Charlie said.

Laney turned, surprise flickering across her face. “Thank you. I’m excited but nervous too.”

Charlie took one more look around, her throat tightening unexpectedly. The room was full of anticipation and softness. Very much like the little room her mother had made for her in their small house back in the day.

Laney touched her arm. “Ready to face the crowd?”

“It’s now or never.”

She followed Laney back down the stairs and into the living room. It was even livelier than when she’d firstarrived. Everyone was mingling, talking, and laughing. Nina was near the fire, deep in conversation with Abby Hayes. She was probably asking the poor woman a thousand questions about dogs. Nina wanted a dog but couldn’t bring herself to actually get one from the shelter or otherwise.

Laney excused herself to check on dinner but encouraged her to grab an appetizer and another drink. “I ordered some good wine from Max’s store,” she said. She gestured toward a table clearly set up for the party, containing food and beverages.

And who should be behind the table, opening a bottle of wine?

Max.

Of course.

He wore a soft navy Henley and jeans, sleeves pushed to the elbows. He looked at ease. Unlike her.

Before she could head in the other direction, he lifted his gaze to see her standing there, gawking like an idiot.

“Hey there,” Charlie said.

“Charlie, I didn’t know you were coming,” Max said.

“I was a last-minute invite. Someone to fill a chair.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.”

“It is actually. Laney told me outright.”

“Well, regardless, it’s nice to see you. You look great.” Max hesitated for a moment, seeming to take her in anew. “I like your hair that way.”

“Thanks. I have to keep it pulled back for work, but I wear it down otherwise.”

“Does it ever give you headaches?”

“What?” Charlie asked.

“The ponytails. A woman I once knew told me her head ached after a long day with it pulled back. She worked in a restaurant too.”

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