Page 46 of Meet Me at the Christmas Cottage
They had just stepped out of the Tourism Bureau, heading in the direction of Martha’s, when Mia stopped them. “Hey, Jonah! Bronte!”
“Hey, Mia, how’s it going?” Jonah lifted the hand that wasn’t currently wrapped around Bronte in a wave. Seeing the small girl on Mia’s hip, he asked, “Is this Maggie?”
Smiling, Mia looked to the pink-coat-clad toddler, who had just decided to hide her face in her mom’s neck. “Yes, this is Maggie. Maggie, can you say hi?”
Maggie turned her head, peeking one dark-blue eye from her hiding place and lifting her hand quickly in a wave before burying back into her mom’s neck. “I’m so sorry. She’s generally very sociable, but someone skipped her nap.”
“No worries. I can’t believe she’s so big.”
“They grow like weeds, that’s for sure.”
He couldn’t wait to have a family of his own. To have his own kids who would be growing like weeds. He hadn’t been lying to Bronte when he’d said he needed to be able to provide for his family. Would a bookstore really allow him to have the big family he wanted? Or should he sacrifice a little bit of happiness and just take over the clinic as planned?
Continuing their walk toward Martha’s, Mia shifted Maggie in her arms and turned to Bronte, concern lacing her features. “Bronte, I heard about your fall. How are you feeling?”
Jonah felt Bronte stiffen beside him, and he tightened his arm around her.
“I’m doing okay.” Bronte leaned into him, and Jonah’s pulse picked up just a tick. “Just a little headache.”
Jonah knew Bronte was downplaying how “little” her headache must be, but he hoped the ibuprofen had kicked in.
“I’m so glad. Please let us know if you need anything, okay? I know you’re in good hands with Jonah here.” She playfully nudged Jonah with her shoulder.
Bronte smiled and ducked her head.
“Well, this is me.” Mia motioned to the shop they were in front of,Beautiful Homes Art and Realtypainted on the door. “Maggie and I are going to warm up for a bit, and I’m going to see if I can’t get her to sleep for an hour before the Christmas tree lighting. You guys will be there, right?”
“We wouldn’t miss it!” Jonah replied.
They said their goodbyes and dodged the few people on the sidewalk to make their way next door to Martha’s.
The sun had started to set, making all the lights on Main Street brighter. Crisscrossing between one side of the shops and the other, the lights had always been one of Jonah’s favorite parts about Christmas on Jonathon Island. The shops spared no expense in their decorating. Even the few shops that were still empty had a Christmas window display—including one with a very lifelike Nativity scene—upon closer examination, Jonah realized it was real people.
At one time, Martha’s had been the only restaurant open on the main strip during the holiday season, and there wouldn’t have been any open booths. Thankfully, with the pizzeria and the bar and grill now open, they should be able to get a spot to sit for a few minutes before the lighting.
Warm air engulfed Bronte and Jonah as they stepped into the buzzing restaurant, and Jonah could feel Bronte physically sigh at the warmth. Jonah scanned the room for an empty table, and his stomach fell when he didn’t see any—there weren’t even any spots at the bar.
“Jonah, Bronte, back here!” Dani lifted her mug in greeting and motioned for them to join her, Liam, Declan, and Lily in the corner booth in the back.
After taking off his gloves and shoving them in his coat pocket, Jonah held up two fingers in Vera’s direction and mouthedhot chocolatesbefore weaving through the tables to the back booth. Dani motioned for Liam to move farther into the booth, leaving room for Jonah and Bronte to join them.
“Bronte, this is Lily and Declan.”
Jonah nodded at the couple on the opposite side of the horseshoe booth as he slid in next to Dani. He had to admit he’d been glad when Mika Beth had mentioned in one of their monthly calls that Lily and Declan had gotten back together. Lily’s fun, purple-streaked hair went perfectly with Declan’s put-together MBA self. “Declan is Martha’s son, and he and Lily own the fudge shop in town. Still rocking the purple hair, I see, Lily.”
“They’re just highlights, and it’s lavender, Jonah,” Lily pointed out, twisting a strand of hair in her fingers.
“Lavender, purple. Same thing, right?”
Lily’s nose wrinkled. “Uh, no.”
“I like them,” Declan said, nuzzling Lily’s hair.
Lily giggled. “It’s nice to meet you, Bronte.”
“Nice to meet you too,” Bronte said as she slid in next to Jonah, who turned to help her out of her coat.
“Nice goose egg,” Liam pointed out.
