Chapter 20
EVE
Icouldn't believe that Maddox had gotten a shed for our ticket booth.
It wasn't even something I'd considered doing because I wasn't sure if the light trail would be permanent.
I'd thought I could use a table, but a shed was so much better.
It protected us from the wind and cold and made the entire trail feel legit.
The building was inviting with the twinkling lights and the wreath someone had added to the door.
We hung signs that indicated the proceeds went solely to the fire department.
I wasn't sure if that's what drew people, or it was just the trail itself.
It seemed like people were grateful for a holiday activity to do with their family.
This time of the year, people were looking for ways to enjoy the holidays with loved ones, and I hoped they thought of Christmas Town when making their plans.
I spent the evening taking people's money and directing them to Sofia located at the lit archway at the entrance. It was nice to work the event with Maddox and Sofia.
Sofia seemed excited to check wristbands and enjoyed interacting with the visitors. I fielded questions about the trail, how long it was, and whether there was an opportunity for Santa pictures. There wasn't, but that was a great idea.
I'd assumed that families could go to Santa's workshop on the square before or after enjoying the trail. But we could have a Grinch photo opportunity in the trail. Maybe another little shed where visitors could visit with him.
The fresh ideas were swirling in my head. Some of the shop owners were reluctant to try new things, but it was where I thrived.
One of the reasons why we decided to buy Christmas Town was that we would be our own bosses. I wasn't stifled with a town council or something similar. I had to navigate shop owners opinions, but ultimately, the final decision was ours.
I hadn't seen much of Natasha since Ford had proposed on a different light trail in the area. I assumed they were busy enjoying their new relationship. Maddox and I were finally dating for real, which felt great. I hoped that our tenuous relationship would grow stronger over time.
It was late for Sofia, so I said goodbye to them in the parking lot. Maddox secured Sofia in the cab of the truck and then kissed me softly goodbye.
He'd grown bolder in front of Sofia, and I liked it a lot.
I watched them drive away and then got into my own SUV to head home. When I first moved here, the cottage was a welcome break from the town, but now, it seemed quiet. I was growing used to Sofia's constant chatter.
Here, it was just me, and I couldn't imagine being single again, filling my time with work twenty-four seven. Maddox had made me see that there was more to life than that.
Once I'd gotten ready for bed, I sent Maddox a text.
Eve: Thanks again for the ticket shed. It's perfect.
Maddox: I'm glad it worked out. I figured you'd need something.
Eve: It makes the light trail official, and the lights on the building are a nice touch.
Maddox: I hope you'll be able to use it for years.
Eve: You think the light trail will be that popular?
Maddox: Yes.
I'd been cautiously optimistic, but Maddox was confident.
Maddox: Come over for breakfast tomorrow.
Did I have anything I had to do? The town could operate without me. Or at least I hoped it could. We didn't have any events scheduled.
Eve: Okay.
Maddox: Sofia will love seeing you there.
Eve: How about you? Will you love seeing me?
Maddox: Of course I will. I'm starting to get addicted to you.
My body warmed at that declaration
Eve: Just what every woman wants to hear.
Maddox: I want to see you all the time. I hate that you have to go home at the end of the night.
Eve: I suppose we could talk to Sofia at some point about spending more time together.
Maddox: Yeah, but this is new. We have to take it slow.
Eve: Right.
That was the right thing to do, even if I was anxious to spend more time with them. I sank into my pillows. I could be patient.
He had some things to work through in therapy and with his support group. And I'd be here for him while he did that.
I wasn't sure what my plans were for Christmas. Natasha would probably spend it with Ford's family. Would I be alone?
I couldn't spend the entire holiday with Sofia and Maddox. They probably had their own traditions, ones that didn't include me.
I'd be on my own this holiday season, and I'd have to be okay with it. I might get a few hours with Sofia and Maddox, and that would have to be enough. I could sign up to volunteer at food banks and meal services at missions.
For the next couple of weeks, I needed to deliver the toys that the parents couldn't pick up. That would keep me busy.
Satisfied I had a plan, I fell asleep.
The next morning, I got up early, showered, and was at Maddox's house by eight. He'd said he could only hold Sofia back from eating for so long, and he wanted us to enjoy breakfast together.
When I knocked, Maddox answered. "Sofia's watching TV."
I smiled as I stepped inside. "Is that why she isn't greeting me?"
He sighed. "A bomb could go off when she's watching TV, and she'd have no idea."
"I'm sure I was the same way as a kid," I said, surprised when he leaned down and kissed me.
His hand tangled in my hair, angling me so that his tongue could dip inside. Heat curled in my belly. I wished we were alone, but I knew that wasn't going to happen today. This was a tease for later.
He slowly pulled away.
I smiled, leaning into him. "That was a nice greeting."
"I missed you."
"I like the sound of that." The moment felt intimate and made me long for more like this.
He curled his fingers around mine and led me into the kitchen where there was a stack of pancakes on one plate, eggs with bacon on another.
"This looks great."
"Sofia, breakfast is ready," he called before squeezing my hand.
I slid onto the stool as Sofia ran into the room. "Yum, pancakes."
Maddox stacked two pancakes on a plate and poured syrup over them.
Sofia raised a brow. "Whipped cream?"
He sighed, moving toward the fridge. "Just this once."
"You can't have pancakes without whipped cream."
"Yet you do most mornings," Maddox muttered, and I couldn't help but giggle.
He dispensed the whipped cream over her pancakes so that it formed a swirl. Then Sofia sprinkled chocolate chips on top.
Maddox nudged a bowl of cut-up strawberries toward Sofia's plate.
Sofia lifted her fork to cut into the stack.
"Coffee?" Maddox asked me.
"Yes, please." I grabbed a plate, stacking it with a little of everything. "I love breakfast at your house."
"You should come more often," Sofia suggested.
I cut into my egg and then asked, "What are you guys doing today?"
"I'm sure we'll stop by the light trail tonight again. Sofia enjoyed working it."
I nodded at the memory. "It was so much fun."
He gave me a pointed look. "I have a feeling we'll be busier tonight."
"We should go shopping for Christmas," Sofia said between bites, her lips covered in chocolate and whipped cream.
"We should go to Christmas Town first," Maddox agreed, piling his plate high with food.
Sofia nodded. "They have a lot of cool stores."
I smiled. "She's right. It is really cool."
"We can go there," Maddox said.
Conversation turned to Sofia's holiday concert at school. Breakfast with them beat eating alone at my tiny table.
My phone buzzed. "This is Angela. She owns the ling—" I glanced over at Sofia who was listening intently. "One of the shops in town. I'd better take this."
Maddox pointed down the hallway. "You can take it in my office."
I ducked into the room across from the guest room I'd stayed in before. I barely registered the dark paneling before answering the call. "Hello."
"Eve? There's a problem." Angela's voice was panicked.
My stomach lurched. "What happened?"
"There's a leak in my shop."
"What do you mean?" I asked as my heart pounded harder.
"I was trying on a new product in the dressing room—"
I bet that was a nice perk of her job, pretty lingerie at her fingertips.
"When water seeped under the door," Angela said as if she still couldn't believe it.
"Did you call Hudson?" He was the Sterling brother that was on call for plumbing concerns.
"He's here already."
"Can I talk to him?" I asked, not sure what I should do in this situation.
I heard the lower tenor of Hudson's voice in the background.
"Listen, Eve. I think you should see this. You need to come here,” Angela insisted.
I didn't want to leave Maddox and Sofia, but they already had plans for the day. I'm sure they'd be okay if I needed to take care of this. "I'll be right there."
I clicked off the call and walked into the hallway.
Maddox was just walking toward me. "Is everything okay?"
I waved my phone around. "There is a water leak at one of the stores. Hudson's there, but Angela said I needed to see it in person. I have a feeling there's a lot of damage."
He nodded grimly as we walked together toward the kitchen. "You need to go then."
My brows furrowed. "You don't mind that I have to leave?"
We entered the kitchen. "We have shopping to do anyway, and we can't shop for you if you're with us. Right, Sofia?"
Sofia nodded as she rinsed her dish in the sink. "That's right. We have lots of shopping to do."
I gathered my purse and keys from the counter. "Thank you for breakfast."
"I'll walk you out."
My mind was racing with all the possibilities. If there was standing water, that would mean ruined wood planks, and I was fairly sure those were the original floors. Angela had insurance for the contents of the business, but we were responsible for the building itself.
Outside, Maddox opened my door for me. "Are you going to be okay?"
I shook my head. "Sorry, I'm thinking of worst-case scenarios. We started renovations on the inn first, knowing we were taking a risk with the age of the buildings in town."