Chapter Twenty-Three
Bright and early, they stood side by side in the empty space. Two days before Christmas, the whole town was sleeping in.
Except for them. Two weeks ago, he’d never met Emma. Now, he stood with her in the possible future home of her business.
The floor creaked under Caleb’s boots as he moved around. “Can I tell you something crazy?”
“Crazy like ‘I see dead people’, or crazy like you like pineapple on pizza?”
He let out a laugh. “The answer to both of those questions is no.” He turned toward her, extending his arms wide. “I can see a built-in on this wall for all the little things that could get lost in a shop like this. Trinkets, pens, stuff like that.”
“Dark wood,” Emma added.
“Exactly. Maybe wallpaper on the back shelves for a pop of color?” He laughed at himself. “I’ve been working with my sister and Kayla for too long. But seriously, I think that would look great, don’t you?”
She drew an arm around his waist. “Maybe a long wood slab for the cash register? Built into the wall to save space?” She gestured to a blank spot of wall by the front door.
“I’m pretty sure I’ve seen the perfect piece of wood in the back room of my uncle’s hardwood store.”
She leaned against him. “I’m not crazy, am I? For wanting to do this?”
“If you are, then so am I. I can see it, Em. Yours Truly can be a real thing. You’ve got a good idea here.”
She rested her head on his arm. “Well, if we two overthinkers agree, then it must be a good idea. We still need to convince Sebastian to invest.”
He looked down, finding her already gazing up at him. “My brother wouldn’t have mentioned it if he wasn’t already seriously considering it.”
She let out a giddy noise. “Let’s get this key back to Sebastian, then. What time did you have to be back at Sky House?”
“Sabrina was vague. Just by sometime this afternoon to set up the letters to Santa event, then help set up for the choral concert in the chapel.”
“Wait, there’s a chapel?”
He laughed. “Yeah. It’s not fully renovated yet. It’s at the back of the property, surrounded by trees. It’s beautiful.”
“I must’ve missed that on the daily list of activities. But I’ve been a little busy.”
Her phone buzzed in her coat pocket. She pulled it out, rolled her eyes, and shoved it back where it’d come from.
“Everything okay?”
“Yes. Come on, let’s go back.”
He wanted to inquire further, but she was already at the door, key in hand.
He followed her, offering his hand as they stepped onto the street. She looked up at the gray sky, with the sun making a feeble attempt at shining.
“You know, if I’m going to stay here, I guess I need to find someplace to live.”
Caleb said nothing at first. He wasn’t sure if she was dropping hints that she wanted to move in with him.
She gave him a nudge. “You should see your face! I wasn’t asking to move in with you, Caleb. I guess with everything else, it just occurred to me that I’ll need a place to stay.”
He exhaled. “I didn’t think that’s what you were asking, but I wanted to be sure. Especially when it comes to Emerson and Poppy. That would be a big change for everyone. I want to be sure you understand what living with a toddler and a preschooler is like. It can be total chaos.”
“Of course. Do you know anywhere that’s renting? I mean, this isn’t the type of town that has those luxury apartment buildings every two feet.”
“I know of at least one apartment for rent in town. And Sabrina has a guest suite on the top floor of her house that she could rent out. She’s only there about half the time, anyway. Do you like cats? She has two.”
“I like cats just fine. So, you’re saying I have options. That’s good. Hopefully, the rent is a lot less than what I was paying in DC. “
Loaved Up came into view. Apparently, that’s where everyone in town was congregating, as the line wove out of the door.
“I can only imagine what that cost,” Caleb said. “I guarantee it’ll be cheaper here.”
“It wasn’t as much as you think, mainly because Davis covered most of those costs. But he lives in one of those ultra-modern buildings with every amenity, so it was expensive. Even for DC.”
“Well, here you’ll find such amenities as running water and furnaces that may or may not go out in the middle of winter. But they’re priced accordingly.”
As they approached the line of people snaking outside his brother’s bakery, several people turned to say hello. More than a few asked who Emma was. Including his annoying cousin, Dennis.
“So, a pretty lady moves to town, and you’ve already laid your claim on her? That’s lame, Caleb.”
He had to laugh at that. “About as lame as your pickup lines.” He turned to Emma. “You should thank me for saving you from Dennis.”
“Hey!” Dennis called after them.
Emma laughed. “I’ll take the key inside really quickly so we can hit the road.”
She brushed past the people at the door, assuring them that she wasn’t cutting the line. He watched as she leaned over the counter to talk to Sebastian.
It was as if she’d been a part of their lives forever. It was time to stop overthinking and allow himself to relax once and for all.
* * * *
This was the right decision—Emma knew it in her heart.
What was the worst that could happen? She’d fail as a business owner.
Start over again. But this idea was worth the risk.
She’d go to stationery and paper goods stores in DC and imagine herself running them, how she would stock the shelves, which artists’ work she would carry, and how she’d dress up the shop for the holidays.
She’d never have considered a small town. She hadn’t known places like Falling Leaves existed, and only a few hours’ drive from the city. A place where dreams like hers didn’t feel quite so impossible.
Once they returned to Sky House, she parted ways with Caleb, who had to get straight to work. She meandered through the main building before dropping down into a seat in front of the fireplace. She reached into her bag and pulled out her journal and travel watercolor palette.
Funny how this had quickly become a routine. She looked around, waiting for inspiration to take her. She’d already sketched the fireplace, along with the large Christmas tree. Perhaps the garland woven around the large wooden beams in the lobby?
She was terrible at sketching people. But she should probably work on that, especially if classes were going to be on offer at Yours Truly. She turned her attention to the myriad faces moving through the lobby. A few kids ran around their parents, decked out in their Christmas best.
Her eyes came to rest on the front desk, snagging on one familiar face. White-blond hair. Broad shoulders, slim build.
Oh, no. No, no, no. She rubbed at her eyes, finding that the sight in front of her wasn’t just some unfortunate vision.
But she’d never be that lucky. Davis had returned just in time to ruin Christmas.