Page 67 of Fake It Till We Fall
For forever, I would wait.
“You know I want to.” I released the box and pulled her close once more, giving her a sweet, slow kiss. “But it’s Christmas. Enjoy it. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Merry Christmas, Grayson.”
“Merry Christmas, Harper.” I let myself hold her eyes for another moment before I saw myself out the back door and into the night.
Chapter 17
CHRISTMAS DAY
Harper
The scent of coffee and cinnamon filled the air in the apartment, wrapping around me like the warm blanket Grandma had just unwrapped. “It’s lovely, sweetheart.” She ran her hand over the soft wool. “So cozy and warm. You spoil me.”
“The winters are so cold here, you deserve a cozy new blanket. But I hardly think I spoil you.”
“I told you not to get me anything, Harper.” She pursed her lips in mock disapproval. “I told you that I already got everything I wanted for Christmas this year, having you home.” She waved her hand toward the tree. “And this gorgeous tree. I can’t think of anything else I could ask for.”
I knew exactly what she could, and likely would, ask for. Having me stay in Trickle Creek would be the very best Christmas gift I could give Grandma. We both knew it. What she didn’t know was that I’d already made the decision.
I’d woken before dawn to sit by the tree. Enjoying my coffee in the quiet glow of its lights just like I had when I was a girl and would wake up to see if Santa had visited. Maybe itwas the stillness of the morning that had given me clarity, or maybe it was Grayson, or seeing Charli again and holding her baby. Maybe it had been being with Grandma in the restaurant, or more likely, it was a combination of everything that had happened in the last few weeks that had made it easy to see it. But for the first time in as long as I could remember, I yearned for something new.
With confidence, I finally replied to Captain Howard:
Merry Christmas, Captain. I’m sorry for the late notice, but I’m not going to be able to accept the position this time. Thank you for the opportunity.
I wasn’t sure yet exactly what it was going to look like, but I felt in my gut it was time for something new. Maybe something permanent. Something that could include staying a little closer to home.
Before I could attempt to tell Grandma about everything I’d been thinking of, she thrust another package into my hands.
“Grandma. You’ve already given me so much.” I gestured to the small pile of gifts I’d already unwrapped. A homemade scarf with matching mittens and a knit cap, a festive tea blend from Lauren’s store, and the new paperback from Plot Twist I’d been wanting to read. “Besides, I thought we said no presents.”
In response, she wrapped her new blanket tight around her shoulders. “I’m not giving back my blanket.”
I laughed. “Fair enough.”
“Besides, this gift is different.” She gestured with her chin. “Open it.”
Obediently, I tugged the ribbon and pulled back the paper to reveal a small wooden box, corners worn with age, the lid scuffedfrom use. “Oh!” My hand flew to my mouth as I stared at the old recipe box that had sat on her counter my entire life.
As a child, I’d spend hours flipping through the cards, reading her handwritten recipes, all with specific notes scrawled along the edges. More recently, I’d pulled out the restaurant favorites to show Kevin.
“This is your?—”
“It’syoursnow.” Her smile was soft. “Every sauce, every pie crust, soup and salad dressing. It’s time you had it, sweetheart. And hopefully, add to it.”
My heart squeezed. Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes. “This is…thank you.” I put the box down and crossed the couch to hug her. “I love you, Grandma.”
“Oh, sweetheart. I love you, too.”
When I sat back, a tear slipped down my cheek. “I don’t know what to say.”
Her hand covered mine. “Say that you’ll add your own special recipes to the box,” she said firmly. “And when the time is right, I hope you’ll pass it to someone else.”
I swallowed hard and nodded. “Of course, Grandma.”
“Good.” Her smile was warm as she sat back in her seat. “That’s the only gift I need this Christmas.”
