Page 43 of Fall Surprises
The scent of sage and butter pulled me from sleep. I smiled into my pillow, still not quite believing I was actually here. Yesterday I'd flown in from Denver with the last of my belongings, and today—Thanksgiving—was my first real morning as a Wintervale resident.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Gus called from the kitchen area of his apartment above Main Street Bakery.
"What time is it?" I padded barefoot toward him, weaving through the boxes I'd shipped that had arrived yesterday.
"Seven. The turkey's been in for an hour." He stood at the counter in flannel pajama pants and nothing else, checking his timer. Flour dusted his bare shoulder.
"Of course it has." I wrapped my arms around him from behind. "Perfectionist."
"You love it." He turned in my arms, lifting me onto the counter. "Still can't believe you're actually here. Not visiting. Not flying back to Denver tomorrow. Here."
"Well, Emma officially took over the Denver office on Monday. My apartment's sublet. The movers delivered everything yesterday." I gestured to the wall of boxes. "So yes, I'm here."
"No regrets about turning down triple your salary and a California lifestyle?"
"None." I pulled him closer for a kiss. "Though ask me again after we figure out where to put all my stuff."
"We'll make it work." His thumb traced along my knee. "How long until your first Wintervale client meeting?"
"I don't even have an office yet." I laughed. "But Rory already wants to discuss her wedding next year. She texted me three Pinterest boards yesterday."
"Three boards already?"
"One is entirely devoted to napkin folding techniques. She's so excited—wants everything to be meaningful and perfect for their day."
"Sounds familiar."
"At least she's not demanding parmesan in her dairy-free meal like Raven did."
We started preparing the sides together in the small kitchen, me beginning the Brussels sprouts and sweet potato casserole while he monitored the turkey and worked on his pie. I kept bumping into boxes, and twice we collided trying to reach the same cabinet.
"This is going to take some adjustment," I said after nearly dropping the casserole dish when he opened the oven door.
"We've got time." He steadied the dish in my hands. "Your phone's been going off nonstop, by the way."
"Probably Emma about the Henderson winter wedding. She said she had it handled, but..." I reached for my phone, then stopped. "No. She's got this. I need to let go."
"Look at you, delegating."
"Shut up." But I was smiling. "Your parents are calling at noon, right?"
"Yeah. And your mom's FaceTime from her cruise is at one. Your dad's calling from Phoenix at two."
"The joys of divorced parents and separate holiday schedules."
Through the window, I watched snow beginning to fall on Main Street. The town was quiet—most businesses closed forthe holiday. The Purrfect Cup's window display had shifted from Halloween to Christmas overnight, complete with what looked like cats dressed as reindeer.
"Next year you'll have been here a whole year," Gus said, wrapping his arms around me from behind as I looked out at the snow.
"If you don't drive me crazy first."
"If you don't reorganize my entire apartment first."
"It needs organizing!"
"It was fine before you arrived with your label maker."
"I haven't even unpacked my label maker yet."
