Page 49 of Savoring Christmas
“This is gorgeous, Reese,” Mia said honestly.
Thelma leaned over to get a bite for herself. She groaned. “Reese, this is wonderful. I don’t know how you do it.”
Reese flushed, ducking her head but clearly pleased. “I just followed the directions.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Mia caught Logan glancing at her, that subtle look they shared when one of them was about to say something difficult.
“Reese, there’s something I wanted to tell you,” Logan began, setting his fork down. “Before you hear it from someone else.”
Reese’s brows drew together. “That sounds ominous.”
“It’s about my cousin, Roan,” Logan said gently. “My suspicion is that it’s the same Road you spoke of recently since it’s the only Roan I ever knew of in these parts.”
Reese nodded slowly, “Yes?”
“My mother told me he’s coming back to Sugarville Grove. To live.”
The color drained from Reese’s face, her spoon clinking against her plate. “You’re joking.”
Mia reached across the table and touched her arm. “We didn’t want you blindsided.”
Reese’s voice stayed calm, but Mia noticed the way her shoulders had gone rigid. “When?”
“My mother said sometime next year,” Logan replied. “He’s been injured, apparently, so has to give up his work as a stuntman.”
“How sad for him,” Reese said, with a bitter twist to her mouth.
“Are you okay, sweetie?” Thelma asked.
Reese drew a slow breath, her chin lifting. “It’s been nearly fifteen years since I’ve seen him. It’ll be fine.”
It was the kind of statement that dared anyone to argue, but everyone at the table could see in her eyes that it was anything but fine.
Thelma gave Reese’s hand a squeeze. “Whatever his reasons for leaving, you’ve built a beautiful life here. And you’ve got all of us.”
“Absolutely,” Harold said. “We’re your family now.”
Kris offered a warm smile. “You’re ours to look after now. What’s it called? Imprinting?”
Harold shook his head. “That’s ducks, my friend.”
“Well, then consider yourself a very loved duck,” Kris said to Reese.
Some of the tension left Reese’s shoulders, but the shadow in her expression lingered. Sensing she’d had enough on the subject, the group let the moment settle before drifting back toward their dishes.
“I’m mad at myself about the salt,” Abby said mournfully.
“Don’t be silly,” Mia said. “Remember, this is for fun. And the good news about cooking? There’s always an opportunity for a second chance.”
“Again, like life,” Harold said, glancing at Thelma.
As plates were passed back to their rightful owners, conversation shifted naturally to what awaited them in the town square.
Thelma’s eyes softened as she set down her fork. “You know, I went to the very first tree lighting we ever had in Sugarville Grove. I must have been six. I can still feel the excitement—standing there in the cold, bundled in my best coat, watching that tree light up for the first time.”
Harold nodded, smiling at the memory. “I was there for the first one too. It was magical. I thought it looked like the North Pole had landed right in Sugarville Grove. After all these years, I still feel the same way.”
Reese’s expression warmed. “I looked forward to it every single year growing up. It didn’t matter how hard things were—that night, everything felt beautiful and full of possibility. Still does.”
