8. Nolan
8
NOLAN
A fter a dinner of his mother’s delicious chili and helping with the dishes, Nolan convinced Laney to come out to the firepit for a drink. The rest of the family had gathered around the television to watch one of their favorite Christmas movies, leaving them with some time alone. He loved his family, but having Laney to himself was what he really wanted.
“It’s no wonder you’re so great,” Laney said, accepting a glass of wine from his outstretched hand. “Your family’s delightful in every way.”
“Logan can be kind of intense,” Nolan said. “He promised to be on his best behavior tonight, so he doesn’t upset Mom. Sometimes he causes problems, even though that’s not his intention. He’s extremely loyal and protective of his family. Sometimes he puts his foot in it. He’s been known to be rude to some of the girlfriends we’ve brought to dinner over the years. But you need someone in a crisis—he’s your man.”
Laney had noticed he was the most assertive of the Hayes brothers but not in a bad way. He was simply passionate about his family. “I like every single one of your family members. And the kids are sweet as can be. I never want to leave.”
“Yeah, they’ve all been through some stuff too. I consider it a miracle how everything worked out for them,” Nolan said.
Laney’s eyes stung at the thought of those poor children losing their mother. “That must have been so hard for them.”
“It was. I didn’t know if they were going to make it through, but Abby really stepped up.”
“I’d have never known she wasn’t their real mother. Or Lily’s either.”
“My mom helped Luke raise Lily from the time she was two weeks old until last year when Abby dropped into our lives like a guardian angel.”
“People surprise me all the time—with how decent they can be. How generous.”
“Some can be. And some are the opposite,” Nolan said.
“What happened between you and your fiancée?”
Her question surprised him. “What makes you ask?”
“I’m curious. I want to know everything about you.”
“A lot of things. But in a nutshell, we weren’t suited. She found me overly sentimental and prone to melancholy.”
Laney laughed. “No way.”
“Yes, that’s actually what she told me when she broke off our engagement. Those were her words exactly.”
“She makes you sound like a Dickens character.”
Nolan reached over to tuck a stray hair under Laney’s knit cap, stealing a brief kiss. “You keep talking like that and I’m going to beg you to never leave my side.”
“You wouldn’t have to beg.” Laney’s pretty eyes reflected the flames of the gas firepit. “If you wanted me around, I would stay.”
He leaned over to kiss her again, the air warming between them. When he pulled away, she looked at him with stark vulnerability, as if she trusted him without reservation. It was a heady feeling.
“I got us a reservation at Mia’s for tomorrow night,” Nolan said.
Between the cookie decorating and dinner, he had stolen away to call Mia’s to see if he could score a reservation for tomorrow evening. As luck would have it, she’d had a cancellation. The restaurant was located up in the mountains in what was once a log cabin. Mia had come from an esteemed career as a chef in New York City but had decided to leave it all behind for a simpler life. Or that was the story she told people. Nolan had a feeling it might be more complicated than that. Regardless, the restaurant only seated six tables at a time and was so popular it was hard to get in. He planned on making sure Laney had the best date of her life. Maybe the last first date she would ever have? Now that would be a Christmas miracle.
But the way everything seemed to be going his way this holiday season, he had no reason to believe it wouldn’t come true.
The next evening Nolan picked Laney up right at six. When she came to the door of her aunt’s apartment, his breath caught. She looked like a dream in a red dress and black boots. Her hair cascaded around her shoulders in gentle waves, and her skin glowed with health and youth. If he wasn’t mistaken, she’d grown even prettier since she’d arrived. She no longer had dark smudges under her eyes, and she seemed lighter on her feet, as if the burdens of the past had lifted.
After saying hello to Edna, he escorted Laney to his SUV. Once he had her tucked into the passenger seat, he jogged around the back of his vehicle and slipped inside, thankful for the heated seat. “The temperatures are dropping fast tonight. Hopefully the roads won’t be too slick.”
“I’m glad you’re driving.” Laney smiled at him as she reached over to squeeze his hand. “Thanks for taking me out. It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper date.”
He started the vehicle and pulled out cautiously, aware of folks enjoying an evening in town. Soon, they were headed down Rabbit Run Road toward the mountain road that would lead them up to Mia’s. On the way he told her a little about what to expect.
“During snowy months, Mia has a driver pick up guests from the parking lot and take them to the cabin in a horse-drawn sleigh.”
“You’re kidding?” Laney gaped at him.
“No. I haven’t been there yet, but Luke took Abby last year, and he said it was like a fairy tale.”
“I would go anywhere with you, but it does sound intriguing.”
He smiled, keeping his eyes on the road. How was it that this woman always said exactly the right thing to make his heart sing? “The restaurant is small, and there’s a fixed menu. I hope you won’t mind that part?”
“Absolutely not. I can never decide what to order,” Laney said. “I actually looked Mia up today and found an interesting article about her from a few years back. She left her restaurant in New York abruptly. The article hinted at a love affair gone wrong and some kind of scandal involving a chef from another restaurant.”
“Maybe that’s why she came here. To start fresh.”
Laney nodded. “Seems to be a common theme here in Sugarville Grove.”
Soon, they had arrived at the parking area where they would be picked up and taken through the woods to the restaurant. However, the driver and sleigh were nowhere to be seen, but given the other cars parked, Nolan figured he was taking other guests to the cabin and would be back soon.
“Let’s stay in the car until he arrives,” Nolan said. “I don’t want you to get cold.”
While they waited, Nolan kept the vehicle running so they wouldn’t lose heat. A few minutes later, the sleigh appeared, lit with old-fashioned lanterns on either side. He turned off the ignition. “Wait for a second. I want to help you down in case it’s icy.”
“If you insist.”
He leaned over to kiss her quickly. “I do, in fact.”
The cold air hit him in the face the minute he was outside. He quickly went around to open Laney’s door and offered his hand to help her down. Although snow had fallen recently, the parking area had been plowed. But at this time of day, with the frigid temperatures, there were some icy spots. He made sure to hang on to her tightly as they approached the sleigh.
Two majestic Clydesdales stood tall and proud, their chestnut coats gleaming even in the dim light and their feathered hooves dusted with snow. Their harnesses jingled softly as they lifted their heads.
“It’s like a beer commercial,” Laney whispered, making Nolan laugh.
The driver, an older man bundled in a thick wool coat and hat, tipped his cap as Nolan helped Laney into the sleigh. “Good evening, Mr. Hayes. Miss Gray. My name’s Samuel, and I’ll be taking you to the restaurant.”
“How do you know our names?” Laney asked.
“It’s my job to know the names of our esteemed guests,” Samuel said with a deferential bob of his head.
Nolan settled in beside her on the bench while the driver tucked thick blankets over their laps. In addition, he handed them each two hand warmers. “Just to make sure you stay cozy during the ride.”
Seconds later, they were off. The Clydesdales began their steady trot, the rhythmic clop of their massive hooves strangely soothing. The sleigh glided smoothly over packed snow, the bells on the horses’ harnesses adding a cheerful melody. A low cloud cover hinted at coming snow, muting the moonlight. But the light from the lanterns illuminated Laney’s pretty eyes. He couldn’t stop watching her expressive face as they made their way to the cabin.
Laney tilted her head back to gaze up at the trees that loomed overhead, their branches heavy with snow that sparkled in the glow of the sleigh’s lanterns. “This is like a fairy tale,” she said softly.
“And you’re a queen.”
She giggled. “Hardly.”
They arrived at a clearing where the path opened up. Through the trees, a warm light beckoned them.
As they neared the cabin, the driver brought the Clydesdales to a stop in front of the main entrance. Nolan hopped down first, then held out a hand to Laney. For a moment, the two of them stood there, taking in the sight of the quaint cabin and the twinkling lights that decorated the small porch and awning. Smoke curled lazily from the chimney, and the golden light spilling out from the windows seemed to welcome them on this cold, dark night.
“Have a wonderful meal,” Samuel said. “I’ll be back for you when you’re ready.”
“How will you know?” Laney asked.
Nolan smiled, thinking how cute she was when she was curious, which appeared to be most of the time.
“Your host, Remi, will call me,” Samuel said.
“Do you have walkie-talkies?” Laney asked.
Samuel chuckled. “No, ma’am. Just phones.”
“I’m going to pretend it’s walkie-talkies, if you don’t mind?”
“Whatever suits you, Miss Gray, suits me too,” Samuel said.
“This is the best night ever.” Laney adjusted her scarf, glancing up at Nolan. “I can’t wait to see inside.” She turned back to give Samuel and the horses a wave goodbye. “See you soon.”
“Looking forward to it, Miss Gray,” Samuel said.
Nolan leaped ahead, opening the door for her before following her inside.
“Oh goodness, it smells wonderful,” Laney said.
It did indeed, wafting of tomato sauce, garlic, and freshly baked bread. He glanced around the dining area. There were six tables, all draped with red-and-white-checkered cloths, all but one occupied. One by the window, near the stone hearth, was empty, waiting for them.
Black-and-white photographs of Italian villages and landscapes that hung on the wall drew his attention, but not for long. A man with silver hair, dressed in a formal black suit, appeared. “Good evening, Mr. Hayes and Miss Gray. Welcome to Mia’s. I’m Remi, and I’ll be taking care of you this evening.”
Remi took their coats, hanging them on hooks near the front door, then led them over to the empty table by the window. Nolan noted that Remi had perfect posture despite his lanky frame. Did the man ever cut loose, or was he always so formal? No one had ever seen Remi in town, so he had no idea what he was like outside of work. In fact, it had been rumored that Remi had come with Mia from New York.
A young man arrived with glasses of prosecco and a small pastry of some kind, setting them on the table and then bowing before scuttling away. “You must forgive my grandson for bowing,” Remi said quietly, his mouth twitching with what appeared to be repressed humor. “He’s watched too many English movies.”
“He’s perfect,” Laney said enthusiastically.
“Before you enjoy your sparkling wine, allow me to tell you what Mia’s prepared for you this evening.
“Please do,” Laney said, leaning forward.
“Accompanying the prosecco is a savory puff pastry filled with ricotta, spinach, and a hint of nutmeg—a delicate and warm bite to start your evening. As you know, tonight’s menu is a fixed course, carefully curated by Mia to reflect her family’s culinary traditions. First, we have an antipasto of marinated artichokes, prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella, paired with a crisp pinot grigio. The second course is linguini with clams in a white wine sauce, accompanied by a light and refreshing vermentino. For the main course, a tender braised lamb shank accompanied by roasted root vegetables will be enjoyed with a robust Chianti. And to conclude, a serving of Mia’s signature tiramisu, complemented by a sweet Moscato d’Asti."
Laney’s eyes sparkled. “What a treat this is. Thank you, Remi.”
“Our goal is to exceed your expectations in every way.” Remi smiled, clearly as charmed by Laney as Nolan was. "I shall bring the antipasto shortly. Should you require anything else, do not hesitate to ask. I aim to make this an evening you’ll never forget.”
As Remi walked away, Nolan raised his glass of prosecco. "Thank you for the pleasure of your company.”
Laney hesitated for just a moment before clinking her glass against his. "To first dates. Or the first as adults anyway.”
“We didn’t really date, did we? More like hanging out every free second we had.”
“Wasn’t it the best?”
“It was,” Nolan said. “In every way.”
They each lifted the savory puff pastry to their mouths. Nolan actually groaned with pleasure as the crisp, flaky crust melted in his mouth, giving way to a warm filling of creamy ricotta and spinach, with a hint of nutmeg adding depth.
"This is heavenly. It’s simple, but the flavors are so balanced. Perfect with this.” She lifted her glass before taking a sip.
“That might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.” Nolan drank from his glass, savoring the tickle of the bubbles and tart flavor. “They must be hard to make?”
“The pastry is but not the filling.”
“That was a rhetorical question.” He laughed. “But I forgot you’re an expert.”
“Not really. But I do love food. My mother hates that about me.”
“No, that can’t be true.”
“ Hate might be a strong word, but she’s always on me about my weight.”
“From what I can see, you’re just right.”
She flushed and shook her glossy head of hair. “You’re sweet to say so, but as my mother would say, ‘There’s room for improvement’. It’s just that I prefer to eat and read over counting calories and exercising.”
“Who doesn’t?”
Remi brought out the antipasto, a beautifully arranged plate of marinated artichokes, prosciutto, and fresh mozzarella. As Laney took a bite of the artichoke, she closed her eyes for a moment. "The marinade is perfect—just the right balance of tangy and savory."
Nolan nodded, enjoying the creaminess of the mozzarella paired with the salty prosciutto. “Delicious.”
Laney dabbed her lips with her napkin. “This is bringing back memories of my time in Italy.”
Nolan raised his eyebrows, intrigued. “When was that?”
"I spent a summer there—taking culinary classes. I learned from an Italian chef who insisted everything be made from scratch. I was in heaven.”
He tilted his head, observing her. The woman sitting across from him was an artist, curious and sensitive. She might just possibly be the perfect woman for him.
Remi returned, placing the linguini with clams before them, the steam rising in fragrant curls of white wine and garlic. The briny aroma of the clams mixed with the richness of the sauce made Nolan’s mouth water.
“Parmesan?” Remi asked.
They both nodded. Remi stepped over to the service station near the door to the kitchen and promptly returned to grind fresh Parmesan on their dishes of pasta.
Laney twirled linguini on her fork, her eyes lighting up after the first bite. “I can taste the sea. It brings back memories of the Mediterranean. The color of the water is not exaggerated. It might be the prettiest shade of blue there is.”
Nolan took a bite and let the flavors unfold on his tongue. “I’d love to go to Italy. Not just for the food but also to see the art and culture. Maybe someday I will.”
“You must go. It’s life changing.”
As they ate, Laney shared more about her time in Italy—the bustling markets, the simple but exquisite meals, and the long evenings spent learning the rhythm of Italian kitchens. “Their approach to food is like love. The purest kind.” Her voice softened with obvious nostalgia. “They’re not in such a hurry to stuff themselves as quickly as they can with as much as they can. It’s about savoring each bite. Cooking with local ingredients that have been part of family recipes for centuries. The epic dinners we had—are not something I’ll ever forget. Nor will I forget this one.”
By the time the lamb shank arrived, the conversation had deepened. The meat was tender, falling apart at the touch of a fork, and the roasted root vegetables glistened in a light herb glaze. Nolan watched as Laney relished her first bite.
"Mmm," she murmured. "The herbs add a brightness that’s just perfect."
Nolan chuckled. “I don’t think I can ever come here with anyone but you. No one would appreciate it as much.”
She let out a happy-sounding sigh. “I love it here. Maybe Mia would let me move in?”
“I wonder if she lives here in the cabin?” Nolan asked. “Now that you mention it, I haven’t heard, which is unusual in this town. It’s hard to keep anything to yourself.”
“Should we ask Remi?”
Nolan shook his head, chuckling. “I’m thinking no. He doesn’t seem like the type inclined to share gossip.”
“That’s too bad. My innate nosiness has been awakened.”
“I prefer to call it curiosity,” Nolan said.
When dessert arrived—a decadent tiramisu with layers of mascarpone and espresso-soaked ladyfingers—Laney couldn’t hide her delight. "This might be the best tiramisu I’ve ever had. It’s light, and the coffee flavor’s just right. Sometimes it’s too overpowering. Not this one.”
Remi appeared just as they were finishing up, settling the bill with Nolan before thanking them for their patronage. “Miss Mia sends her best, but she’s unable to come out to greet you tonight.”
“That’s fine. But please tell her how much we enjoyed everything,” Laney said. “I can’t wait to come back.”
“I’ll look forward to that, Miss Gray.” Remi bobbed his head before escorting them to the front.
When they stepped back outside, the sleigh was waiting, Samuel greeting them with a knowing smile.
“Did you enjoy your meal?” Samuel asked.
“So much,” Laney said. “Everything was divine.”
“We’re counting the days until we can return,” Nolan said as he followed Laney into the sleigh.
Samuel covered them with blankets, and soon they were headed away from the cabin. Nolan reached for Laney’s hand and scooted closer to her. “Are you warm enough?”
She snuggled against him. “I’m perfect.”
Yes, you are.
“This has been a fantastic night,” Laney said. “Thank you for such a thoughtful date.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Maybe I could cook for you sometime?” Laney asked, sounding dreamy.
“You say when and I’m there.”
The sleigh glided through the snowy mountain path, the world around them hushed except for the clomping of hooves, jingling bells, and an occasional whinny. If only he could hold on to this moment forever. But he feared his days and dates with Laney were numbered. The more he got to know her, to witness her love of life and adventure, the more he doubted that she would stay in Vermont. There was no way a woman like this would be satisfied as the wife of a nerdy college professor.
No sooner had those morbid thoughts entered his brain than she rested her head against his shoulder. “I’ve been thinking about Aunt Edna’s offer.”
“Yeah?” He held his breath, frightened to hear what she was about to say.
“And I think I’d be a fool not to take her up on it even though it’s not the wisest decision financially. There’s something about this place that feels so right to me.”
“Despite the quietness of it?”
“Because of the quiet. I can hear my own thoughts here, instead of having them drowned out by the noise of the city.”
“I want you to stay. Very much.” That slipped out before he could stop himself.
“I’m glad.” She sighed, nestling closer. “I never imagined this would happen. The day of the wedding, I thought I might die from pain and embarrassment and yet here I am—with you on a sleigh ride. Nolan Hayes, my dream man. Isn’t life strange and beautiful?”
“Am I really your dream man?”
“Since the moment I met you. No one ever measured up to you.”
“I’ve felt the same way about you.”
“Aren’t we lucky, then? To have found our way back together?”
“Yes, we are,” Nolan said. “Very lucky.”
The horses shook their heads and whinnied, as if encouraging this second chance at love.