Chapter 26
NASH
“You just twist the ropes together until you get your desired thickness.” Lynette stands over my shoulder, teaching me how to make homemade candy canes.
Since Sadie’s been hiding in her room all week, Lynette and I have been spending a lot of time together. She’s different than I imagined, different from the picture Sadie painted of her mom. Lynette is warm and service-oriented. Motherhood is the center of her life, and I like seeing her in her element. She’s a mother figure I never had.
“Twist them like this?”
“Yep, you’re a natural.” She smiles down at me, patting my shoulder. “And then when you’re out of rope, you form it into a cane shape to harden.”
“Hey, look at me.” My head kicks back, examining my work. “I’m a candy-cane-making pro my first time.” I hold my gloved hands up, waving them back and forth. “I might just keep these heat-resistant gloves. You never know when they’ll come in handy.”
“Nash Carter, you’ll have to get your own gloves. Those are mine.” Lynette returns to her spot at the counter, pulling out another red and white piece from the warm oven.
“How did you learn to do all of this?”
“I just taught myself. Jay worked long hours when he first started his business. So, I lined up my three little kids and started baking. Anything to keep them busy, especially during the holidays.”
My eyes cast over my mother-in-law, noticing the similarities between her and Sadie. “Your children are really lucky to have you as their mom.”
She pauses her work, glancing up at me with glossed-over eyes. “I don’t think any of them would say that.”
“A few bumpy years doesn’t take away all the good things you’ve taught them or the love you’ve shown. They’re lucky to have you, even if they don’t always admit it. And someday, if Sadie and I are blessed with children, the things you taught her will be passed down to my family. I’m thankful to you for that.”
She wipes a tear with her wrist, keeping her cooking hands free from contamination. “I don’t mean to get emotional.” She laughs nervously. “It’s just…” Her head shakes as she forces a smile. “I really appreciate you saying that.”
“What do you appreciate?”
For the first time all week, Sadie is dressed and out of bed.
“Hi!” I stand, moving to kiss her on the cheek but realize too late that a kiss isn’t appropriate.
“Uh…” She pulls back, dodging my advances, and now I feel like an idiot.
“Sorry for that.” I cringe. “Habit.”
“No, I’m sorry for pulling away. I wasn’t expecting to…” Her words drift to an awkward silence.
A nervous laugh falls over my lips. “Should we just start over?”
“That would be great.”
I pull out a stool for her. “Your mom and I are just bonding over homemade candy canes.”
My eyes flick to Lynette, who pretends not to have witnessed my clumsy interaction with her daughter. Each day is a new level of humiliating circumstances.
“Bonding, huh?” Sadie’s brows rise.
“We’re hosting the neighbor bash this Sunday, so I just thought I’d get a start on making some of the candy for that.”
“I can help too,” she offers.
“If it’s okay with your mom”—I glance at Lynette and then back to her—“I’ve been dying all week to go into town. Maybe you can show me around a little.”
“Oh, the doctor said I can’t drive?—”
“Naturally, I would drive us.” An amused smile covers my lips.
“It’s also the weekend, so things will be crowded with A Dickens Christmas.”
“That’s what I want to see.” I smile, trying to coax her into saying yes. “Come on. Be a tourist with me.”
She bites her bottom lip, hesitating. Always hesitating.
“I think getting out of the house is a great idea.” Lynette grins, and I appreciate the support. I need all the help I can get to win back my wife. “You can take my car. The keys are on the hook by the garage door.”
“Okay,” Sadie half-heartedly agrees…but she agrees.
“What are you going to show me first?” We walk together down Genesee Street, passing charming shops and restaurants.
If she were the old Sadie, we’d be holding hands, but I won’t let that depress me. At least she’s out of the house.
“Me?” Her head jerks back. “I’m not in charge.”
“This is your town, and you’re my tour guide, so technically, you are in charge.”
“Yeah, but I have a traumatic brain injury and a deceased brother I just learned about. Don’t I get a hall pass on life for at least a month or two?”
I feign a sigh. “I guess I can put you on the injury reserve list, which means I’m now in charge of our afternoon.” I glance up and down the street. “Where do we start with the Dickens stuff? I want the whole experience. Don’t cheat me out of seeing Ebenezer Scrooge.”
“I don’t know if the schedule is still the same, but carolers usually gather at the gazebo at two o’clock for a sing-along.”
My eyes drop to my watch. “That’s in, like, twenty minutes!”
Sadie’s lips twitch, fighting a smile.
“What?” I smile back.
“I’ve just never seen a grown man so excited about small-town Christmas stuff.”
“Well, you just don’t remember it. I’m like this every year.”
“Good to know.”
“So…” I point in both directions. “Which way to the gazebo?”
“This way.” She nods to the right. “You’ll be happy to know there are free refreshments on the way. Roasted chestnuts and eggnog.”
“We’ll skip the eggnog because I know you hate it, but roasted chestnuts on an open fire? That’s a Christmas classic.”
She stares at me for a long second. “I do hate eggnog.”
“I know, Sadie.” My smile spreads bigger. “I know you.”