Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Vanessa stood on her front walkway as she prepared to leave the house, unable to stop looking at it even in the daylight.
The work that Henry had done was breathtaking even in direct sunlight.
The reindeer display still made her stare every time she looked at it, and the rest of the house was like something out of a holiday movie.
She was so absorbed in admiring the handiwork that she didn’t notice Jackson approaching until he spoke from directly behind her.
“You know,” he said, his voice warm with amusement, “you’re standing there looking as proud as a peacock. Anyone would think you’d decorated the house yourself.”
Vanessa laughed, turning to face her husband with a grin. “I can’t help it. And no one can deny that Henry did an absolutely fabulous job. I mean, look at this place—it’s like something out of a Christmas magazine.”
Jackson followed her gaze, taking in the display. “He really did. The man’s got quite an artistic eye. And apparently unlimited patience for your decorating indecision.”
“Hey now,” Vanessa protested, although she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “I prefer to call it ‘thorough consideration of all placement options.’ But yes, he was very patient. And look how perfectly it all turned out.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?” Jackson teased, dropping a quick kiss on her cheek. “Well, whatever you want to call it, the result is spectacular. Henry should be proud.”
As Jackson headed to his truck to go and check on the diner, Vanessa looked at her watch and realized she needed to leave soon for her lunch date with Imogen.
She’d been looking forward to this meal all week, partly for the chance to catch up with her best friend, but mostly because she was dying to hear about yesterday’s Secret Santa gift exchange.
The drive to Maplewood Tavern took only ten minutes, but Vanessa spent the entire time mentally rehearsing how she would bring up the topic of the gift exchange.
She needed to seem casually curious rather than intensely interested in every detail.
Like Mabel had said, Imogen was smart, so she’d pick up that something was going on if Vanessa wasn’t careful.
She had to be cool about it, and right now, she was feeling anything but cool.
She found Imogen already seated at a corner table near the windows, looking more relaxed than Vanessa had seen her in weeks. The stress lines around her eyes seemed softer, and there was a smile on her face that suggested good things had been happening.
“Sorry I’m late,” Vanessa said as she slipped into the seat across from her. “I got distracted admiring Henry’s decorating handiwork again.”
“No problem at all,” Imogen said, laughing. “I was early anyway. And I have to say, from what I could see driving by your house, Henry’s display is absolutely stunning. He really knocked it out of the park. You must be thrilled.”
“He really outdid himself,” Vanessa agreed, seizing the opening to steer the conversation in a direction that might eventually lead to Lincoln. “I’m just sad that he’s going home to an empty house after creating something so magical for other people. Did you know he’s a widower?”
Imogen nodded. “I think everyone who’s lived here for a long time knows. But no one really talks about it, just because it’s so sad, and no one wants to gossip about something like that. He’s such a nice man, it’s a shame that it happened to someone like that.”
“Exactly,” Vanessa agreed. “He’s such a good man—patient, kind, incredibly generous with his time and energy.
I just wish he could find someone who would appreciate those qualities,” Vanessa said, warming to her topic “He’s so quiet and introverted that I never really knew him until recently, but now that I’m getting to see who he really is, I think any woman would be lucky to have him in her life.
I hope he can find someone again. He deserves it.
Just like Mabel and George. I think everyone deserves to have a love like that, don’t you? ”
“Well, he had it once,” Imogen said. “But yes, of course. It would be wonderful if he found someone again. But I think a lot of people are lucky to have that even once in their lives, even if it doesn’t last. Twice is asking a lot.”
“I don’t know,” Vanessa said, smiling slightly. “I think we should all look for love whenever the opportunity arises.”
“Look at you,” Imogen teased. “Miss City Girl who never had time for a boyfriend before, turned into a complete romantic. Mabel has really done a number on you.”
“I’m just happy,” Vanessa said with a smile. “Jackson has done it to me, really. I want everyone to be as happy as we are. And speaking of being busy and happy, how is the chocolate sculpture going? The photoshoot is soon, right?”
“Next week,” Imogen confirmed. “It’s almost finished, and I’m so nervous, but I think it’s going to be perfect. I’m honestly so excited to see how it photographs.”
“And you’ve had enough time to work on it? I know the shop gets so busy.”
“I’ve been grabbing time here and there.
I’ve had to come in early and close early and take longer breaks, but it’ll be worth it.
Losing a tiny bit of revenue to make this happen is a good trade, I think.
Although I had a small setback,” Imogen admitted.
“Lincoln stopped by and accidentally startled me. I knocked over part of the workshop and thought for a moment that I’d destroyed hours of work. ”
Vanessa’s eyes widened. That wasn’t the story she’d been hoping to hear. “Oh no! Was it okay? Did it get damaged too badly?”
“Thankfully, no. Just some decorative pieces that came loose. Lincoln felt terrible about it and helped me put everything back together.” Imogen smiled. “He was really helpful, actually.”
“That was nice of him to help,” Vanessa said, proud of how innocent she sounded. “What was he doing at the shop? Just wanted to pick up another chocolate order?”
“Actually, he was there for the Secret Santa exchange,” Imogen said, and Vanessa had to bite her lip to keep from grinning. “It was a crazy coincidence—we ended up drawing each other’s names.”
“Really?” Vanessa forced herself to sound surprised, and her voice went a touch higher than she meant for it to. Imogen raised her eyebrows.
“I mean, the odds were against it, but I guess it’s not that crazy.”‘
“No, it’s pretty crazy,” Vanessa insisted. “I can’t believe it. What a coincidence, really.”
Imogen narrowed her eyes slightly, and Vanessa tried to dial it back. “Well, what did he get you? What did you get him?”
“You’re really invested in this Secret Santa,” Imogen said with a laugh, and Vanessa realized she might need to dial it back a little more. “It was really sweet, actually.”
The waiter chose that moment to show up with their food.
Vanessa tried to hide her impatience as he set down her grilled chicken salad with winter pears and Imogen’s venison burger and fries, assuring him they had everything they needed as she tried not to bounce in her seat.
All she wanted was more details. Surely the gift exchange had sparked something romantic.
Surely Lincoln’s thoughtful present had reminded Imogen of all the reasons she’d been attracted to him in high school.
Surely they were now planning their first official date in fifteen years.
“Well?” Vanessa prodded, and Imogen smiled.
“He gave me this gorgeous music box with a carousel inside, that’s also a jewelry box,” Imogen said, her expression softening. “He found it in an antique shop. It’s exactly like one I told him I wanted when we were in high school. One of those things I always dreamed about owning but never did.”
Perfect. Vanessa felt her heart skip with excitement. Lincoln had remembered something that personal and detailed? That was exactly the kind of romantic gesture that should have rekindled old feelings.
“That sounds incredibly thoughtful,” she said encouragingly. “What did you give him?”
“Ugg boots,” Imogen replied with a laugh. “He used to joke about wanting a pair all through senior year. He was obsessed with them.”
“Oh my goodness,” Vanessa said, her excitement growing as she felt sure that Imogen was going to tell her very shortly that she and Lincoln had decided to start trying to date again. “You both remembered specific things about each other from high school. That’s so sweet and meaningful.”
“It was,” Imogen agreed. “It was really special to realize that we’d both paid attention to those kinds of details about each other all those years ago and still remembered them. I’m glad I ended up doing the exchange.”
Vanessa waited again, expecting Imogen to continue with something like: “and then we realized we were still perfect for each other” or “and that’s when we decided to go to dinner together.
” But instead, Imogen simply reached for her water glass and changed the subject to ask about how Mabel was handling the business at the Christmas tree farm.
Vanessa tried to hide her impatience, filling Imogen in on George’s illness and the farm and the toy shop.
Imogen listened, both of them enjoying their lunches.
She talked about the chocolate project and everything she needed to have ready for the Sweet Confections photoshoot.
By the time their checks came, Lincoln and the gift exchange hadn’t come up again.
It was clear by the time they paid and were ready to go that despite how meaningful the gifts had turned out to be, Lincoln and Imogen had not spontaneously fallen into each other’s arms and declared their undying love.
In fact, from everything Imogen was saying, it sounded like they’d treated thing as a sweet moment between friends rather than a romantic moment straight out of a movie.