Page 96 of The Clause in Christmas
Eyes twinkling, Luke held her gaze. “I promise, you’ll find out soon.”
Something in Luke’s expression caused Cassie’s heart to flutter. Or maybe it was the tender way he ran his thumb along her finger. Whatever the reason, Cassie tilted her chin toward Luke and closed her eyes as he kissed her once more.
But this time, different images flashed before her.
Visions of hope for the future.
Epilogue
Eliza loved New Year’s Eve. Especially this year.
She could practically smell the tantalizing aroma of fresh starts and endless possibilities carried on the crisp winter night air.
Pulling the collar of her plum-colored peacoat tighter around her neck, she shivered, more from excitement than the cold. A combination of space heaters, two bonfires, and nearly every resident in Poppy Creek huddled together in the town square, created a cocoon of warmth. All eyes were on the clock tower of the courthouse, counting down the seconds until midnight.
The dulcet notes of “Auld Lang Syne” complemented the collective expressions of hope and nostalgia, and Eliza swayed along with the melody.
The coming year would be different.Shewould be different.
Although Poppy Creek embraced her and Ben, showering her with love and support even during her unexpected pregnancy, she saw the way people looked at her. Their smiles could never quite hide the pity in their eyes.
In high school, she’d spouted all her grand plans with the confidence of youth—go to culinary school and study abroad in Paris under the tutelage of a renowned pastry chef before opening an artisan bakery in San Francisco.
Then, one wrong choice had changed everything.
Not that Eliza regretted Ben for a second.
Catching sight of a little boy tugging his father’s arm, begging to be lifted onto his shoulders, Eliza’s stomach churned with doubt. She’d debated bringing Ben tonight. But he could rarely stay up this late. And since Sylvia preferred watching the New York City ball drop on television, Eliza let Ben stay home with his grandparents.
Home…Eliza’s feelings regarding that particular word were complicated. She’d lived in the two-story, periwinkle-blue farmhouse all her life. But she never expected to raise her family there. Or to still be living with her parents going on twenty-seven-years.
Her chin instinctively raised a little higher as the thought of owning her own bakery sprang to mind. Finally, she’d make something of herself! No more “poor Eliza.” She’d be a businesswoman, able to stand on her own two feet. Maybe then everyone would stop trying to fix her up with older, more stable men. If she wanted a relationship—which was a hugeif—she could find one on her own.
Yep! Look out, Poppy Creek! The next year would be full of changes!
And not only for her…
Eliza stole a glance in Luke and Cassie’s direction.
Cassie stood in front of Luke, leaning against his chest while his arms were wrapped around her, holding her close. Eliza couldn’t help a small sigh, noting the way Luke rested his chin on top of Cassie’s head. The two lovebirds seemed to melt into each other, as though they existed as one person.
Jealousy niggled at Eliza’s heart, but she forced it aside. She was happy for her friends. Truly, she was. But whoever said it was better to have loved and lost was a cold-blooded liar.
Eliza took a deep breath. She couldn’t entertain that line of thinking.
Tonight was about Luke and Cassie.
Eliza noticed a few more heads turning in their direction. Okay, more than a few. The entire town seemed to shift focus from the clock tower to the blissfully unaware couple.
Heat crept up Eliza’s neck, coloring her cheeks. She shouldn’t have said anything. Luke told her in confidence. But then, he should have known better than to share a secret with her. She’d only been able to keep one secret her entire life. Solely because she didn’t have a choice.
With only a few minutes left until midnight, the townspeople collectively held their breath in anticipation.
Luke slid his arms from around Cassie and cleared his throat.
“What’s wrong?” Cassie turned to take in Luke’s nervous expression.
Maggie and Dolores sniffled, linking arms as they gazed on with the rest of the crowd.
