Page 43 of The Christmas Cottage
P.S. I stand by my opinion that this thing is very cute.
XOXO, Vanessa
He knew what was in the box as soon as he read the last line of the note. Smiling so hard that his face hurt from it, he opened the small box, laughing as soon as his suspicions were confirmed and he saw the crazy cat ornament nestled inside.
Lifting it out of the box, he immediately hung it on the tiny tabletop tree that he kept on his desk, right where he would see it as soon as he sat down. He looked at it for a long moment, then reached for his phone. He was starving, and the pumpkin lasagna was getting cold, but at that particular moment he couldn’t have cared less. He wasn’t wasting another second not texting Vanessa.
JACKSON: I got your gift. I stand by my opinion too—this ornament is definitely hideous. But I love it anyway. Thank you, this made my whole night.
JACKSON: Also, I have to tell you that I’m so excited that we got thrown together as Santa and Mrs. Claus. I wish it were under other circumstances than youraunt’s wrist being hurt, of course, and I know you were unsure about it at first, but I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see you again.
He reached for a fork, taking a bite of the lasagna as he tried not to watch his phone in anticipation of her texting back. A few minutes later, it buzzed, and he felt a leap of excitement as he reached for it.
VANESSA: I’m glad you liked your surprise! Honestly, I’m excited too.
That smile spread over his face again as he sat back in his chair, anticipation filling him as he thought of getting to see her again.
Vanessa tucked her blanket a little tighter around her, leaning down to turn the space heater that she’d brought out to the balcony up just a smidge. Imogen had suggested she come over to the bed and breakfast to hang out and have drinks, and Vanessa had eagerly accepted.
Having a friend over as an adult was a new thing for her, something she hadn’t done since dorm hangouts in college, and she had been thrilled at the idea. She’d managed to get a little bit of invoice work done for Russell before Imogen arrived, and she hadn’t felt a bit of guilt as she’d closed her laptop and ordered room service charcuterie, along with a bottle of wine.
Now, they were sipping glasses of a chocolate wine Imogen had brought, insisting Vanessa try it. She’d been unsure at first, but she had to admit it was surprisingly good.
“How have things been since your conversation with your boss?” Imogen asked, crossing her legs on the chair so that they were tucked up underneath her blanket. It was freezing cold out,but the small space heater and the blankets that they’d brought out with them made it warm enough to enjoy sitting out in the cold air with the gorgeous view of the lit-up town. “Has he left you alone?”
“Somewhat.” Vanessa took another sip of her wine. “As much as he can, I think. He’s gotten so used to having me there at his beck and call to fix everything, handle everything, that I think it’s become a compulsion to micromanage me. But I haven’t been picking up his calls unless I’ve set aside time to work, and I’ve been sticking to just the few hours that I’ve set aside to work when I’m not at the shop, or with Mabel, or doing something else. And honestly?” She laughed. “I feel recharged. I never knew what that felt like, before. I didn’t think Ineededto recharge. But I can see now that I was wrong about that.”
“Everyone needs to recharge,” Imogen said firmly. “It’s important. I know I don’t get as much time off as I really should, since I run my own shop. But even so, I still try to make time for self-care. I get a babysitter every once in a while so I can just go see a movie by myself, or take myself out to dinner. I buy the fancy soap and I always have bubble bath stocked up. It’s little things like that. You’re not a machine,” she added. “You can’t expect yourself to run like one and not break down eventually.”
“I think I’m figuring that out now,” Vanessa confessed. “And it feels sogoodto recharge. To just have dinner or drinks, spend time with my grandmother, go on a date—” She smiled over at Imogen. “Hang out with a friend. It’s honestly made me happier than I’ve been in a long time. I feel a little lonely, when I think about heading home. All I have there is work, and a nice apartment that I’ve never done much with or spent much time in. I devoted myself completely to climbing the ladder at work and pleasing my boss. But now I’m figuring out that isn’t all there is to life, and I feel happy—but also a little lost.”
“Have you thought of leaving?” Imogen asked tentatively. “I know that’s a lot to think about. And it’s not as easy as just packing up and moving somewhere new. But it might be worth thinking about. If you’re that much happier here…” She paused. “Of course, I don’t know enough to say for sure if that’s a good idea,” she added hurriedly. “I’m sure your job pays well, and while maybe your grandmother could hire you at the shop, I don’t know if?—”
“I’d be fine without the job,” Vanessa assured her. “Like I said, I’ve never taken time for myself. I never went on vacations, I rarely ever went out to dinner, I never splurged on treats for myself. I have plenty of savings. I could quit tomorrow and I’d be fine, especially if I had a job here. I’d have to buy out my lease on my apartment, but that’s not the worst thing in the world. It’s just?—”
She took a deep breath, her eyes widening as she realized what she and Imogen were really discussing, and what she was really thinking about. She hadn’t allowed herself to seriously consider it before, but now that Imogen had said it out loud…
“It’s frightening to think of leaving though,” she added quietly. “My life there isn’t making me happy. I can admit that now. But it’s safe, and comfortable. The easiest thing is to stay here until after the Santa event that I promised my grandmother I’d help with, and then book a flight home.”
“Is it really home, though?” Imogen pressed gently. “You can totally tell me if I’m out of line. I know we don’t know each otherthatwell, yet. But I think of home as a place where you’re happy. Where you’re surrounded by love. Where even things that are difficult feel manageable, because of the life you’ve built for yourself and the people around you. It doesn’t sound like you have those things, back home.”
Vanessa let out a long breath, taking another sip of her wine. “I don’t,” she admitted. “And you’re right. But I’ve barely letmyself even entertain the thought that I might want to stay. I just… I’m not sure, yet. It’s a lot to think about.”
“It is,” Imogen agreed. “And you shouldn’t rush a decision like that at all. But you should think about it.”
Just as Vanessa opened her mouth to respond, there was a knock at the door. “Hold that thought,” Vanessa said, setting her glass to one side as she went to go answer the door.
Christopher was on the other side, a smile on his face and his hands full. “Special delivery,” he said with a grin, and Vanessa stared, taking in what he was holding in his hands.
There was a vase full of beautiful Christmas roses, the sweet floral scent already filling the room, and a bag of special-order coffee, already ground. The moment she saw the coffee, Vanessa knew exactly who the gift was from, before she even looked at the card on the roses.
“Is that from who I think it’s from?” Imogen asked teasingly as she walked back into the room, after Christopher had handed over the gift and left. Vanessa was still staring wide-eyed at it, one hand on her chest as she read the note again.
“It is,” she said, blinking as she leaned in to smell the flowers. “They’re from Jackson.” She looked over at Imogen, feeling a faint flare of panic along with the warmth filling her chest. “Imogen, I think I’m falling for him. It’s been so long since I’ve even had a crush on someone that I’ve forgotten what it’s like. But this… it really feels like I am. And it’s scary.”
“I know,” Imogen said with a smile. “But honestly, Vanessa? If you feel that way, you should let yourself feel safe to explore it. Jackson is a good guy. He’ll never break your heart carelessly. You’ve found something good here. Why not see where it goes?”
Vanessa bit her lip. “I don’t have a lot of time to make a decision.”
