Epilogue
One Year Later
The hired band plays Jingle Bell Rock on the makeshift stage near the stone fireplace as people dance in Santa hats. A ten-foot Christmas tree sparkles with blinking fairy lights next to the picture window but doesn’t obstruct the view of the backdrop mountains as the din of chatter mixes with the music.
Hints of sage, rosemary, and garlic drift through the woodwork as families, couples, and groups of men and women sit to enjoy the meals at Wild Sage.
I catch the half-smile on Mia’s face and ask her about it as she serves another plate of goat cheese and walnut canapes with local honey drizzle. These are complimentary for those having drinks at the holly-twined bar, where two bartenders struggle to keep up with the never-ending orders sprouting out of the machine.
“Do you like the entertainment?” I whisper in Mia’s ear as she scoots by to leave the platter on the shiny bar for the patrons to snack on.
The kickoff to the Christmas season is a roaring success. It feels like half the town is here. I know logically there can’t be that many people, but that’s how it feels with all the familiar faces I’ve grown to recognize and care for over the last twelve months. I expect more, the reservations fully booked for tables as they have been, almost since day one, but the bar seating is still first come, first served.
Mia laughs at the question.
“The kids in my class love this song again this year,” she admits, nodding at the band. “I’ve heard every rendition known to mankind. I don’t understand their fascination with it!”
“Maybe you should have put in a karaoke machine,” Christian suggests, overhearing Mia’s comment.
I give my best friend a scathing look, and he holds up his hands in mock surrender with a mischievous smile on his face. Mia sets the food down and returns to us, taking in the overflowing restaurant with pride.
“This is amazing, Mason,” she breathes, shaking her head. “The kitchen can’t keep up with the orders. You’ve been consistently serving up nights like this since you opened.”
I grin at her. “It helps that you’re a genius in marketing and attracting customers from around the county,” I remind her.
“I’m so proud of you, Mason,” Mia tells me, the affection on her face transparent.
“You’re going to be even prouder when you hear what I did today,” I inform her with a wink.
“Hold that thought!” she tells me, placing a peck on my cheek. “There’s another platter waiting in the kitchen.”
She disappears, leaving Christian and me alone in the dining room. When I turn to him, he’s not looking at me. His eyes are trained on the door, where the hostess is leading an attractive young woman in.
“Oh, wow…” Christian rasps. “Is that who I think it is?”
My gaze follows his, and I snort. “I’d love to confirm or deny that for you, but I have no idea who you’re talking about.”
“That’s Ava Norwood!”
The name means nothing to me. “And she is…?” I prompt.
“We went to high school together. Her mom owns Sweet Treats—the bakery.” I stare at him, but before I can ask him why he’s lost all the color in his face, he excuses himself. Shrugging, I venture off to make my rounds amongst the patrons, ensuring that everyone is content.
“What is in this?” one guest demands, her eyes popping with pleasure. “I’ve never had perch done like this before!”
“I can’t believe this is eggplant!” another coos. “I don’t even like vegetarian dishes, and this is…” She kisses her thumb and forefinger. “My compliments to the chef.”
I don’t tell her I created all the recipes. It’s not about the credit or glory. It was about seeing if I could do it. But I never get tired of hearing the flow of compliments.
And I did it thanks to Mia’s endless support.
The band finishes their set, and I hurry to claim the microphone from the singer.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” I say into the mic. “Welcome to Wild Sage, and thank you so much for joining us tonight at the Christmas season kickoff celebration.”
A burst of applause follows my announcement, and I grin at Mia, who lingers by the bar, her face alight with pleasure.
“My whole life, I’ve dreamed of having my own restaurant,” I continue. “Following my passion, spreading my wings, and doing what I really wanted, but it wasn’t until I met one very special woman that I realized it was possible. Mia? Come up here, please.”
If they clapped for me, they go crazy for Mia, and I’m brimming with pride to have the popular teacher on the stage beside me.
“If not for Mia, none of this would have been possible,” I continue. “Which is why it is only fair that she has her own special dish on the menu, a dessert that is very near and dear to my heart. You’ve probably sampled it before, but now it’s officially part of the menu.”
I wave at the sous chef, and a minute later, a silver cake cart rolls out as Mia sputters. “What did you do?!”
“I had it on the menu originally,” I confess in her ear. “But I changed my mind. I offered it as a special a couple of times. It’s just so freaking popular; I’d be a fool not to put it on the dessert menu.”
The sous chef removes the lid, and Mia laughs gleefully as her hazelnut chocolate cake is revealed.
“I present Mia’s Heavenly Hazelnut Cake!”
The murmur of appreciation in the crowd is nothing compared to the affection on Mia’s face. “It looks just like the one I made you!” she whispers.
“I know,” I chuckle. “I had to do a covert operation with Mrs. J. She gave me the recipe.”
Mia throws her arms around me, and the patrons clap again.
“Everyone should have a piece before they go,” I inform the group before handing the mic back to the band and stepping off the stage. Taking my new wife’s hand, I help her down and pull her aside. “There’s one more surprise,” I tell her. “If you can handle it.”
She laughs at my lead-up. “Is that your way of telling me that you did something extravagant?”
“Yes… but I promise you’ll like this a lot.”
Mia cocks her head and looks at me, pursing her lips. “Okay…?”
“You know that farmhouse we were looking at, close to your parents’ place?”
“The one with the chicken coop and stables?” Excitement tinges her voice, and I know I’ve made the right decision. “What about it?”
“I may have signed the paperwork with the realtor this afternoon.” Her jaw drops, half a dozen emotions fluttering through her eyes, but I rush on. “You need to put your signature on the papers, too. I paid for with some of the money from my inheritance, but it belongs to both of us. Obviously.”
A slow, happy smile touches the edges of Mia’s lips as she cups my face with her hands. “Are you crazy?” she breathes with a laugh. “What if I say no?”
I shrug. “Then I guess I will have to sell it,” I answer honestly. “But I’m really hoping that I didn’t miss with this Christmas present.”
She raises on her tiptoes and kisses my lips softly, nodding as she lands back on the flats of her feet. “You’re right, Mason. This is incredible! When do we move in?”
“Hopefully just before Christmas—if you want, Mrs. Adler.”
She bobs her head vigorously. “Oh, yes, yes, I want, Mr. Adler.”
I embrace her tightly and kiss the top of her head, elated for the future ahead of us. It is only going to get better for us here in Spruce Crossing.
Love Christmas romances? Read all about Christian and Ava in Second Chance Holiday!
Second Chance Holiday: Spruce Crossing Christmas Book Two
I thought I had left my past behind.
Returning to Spruce Crossing so soon was never part of my plan. But when my mother abruptly retires and leaves me in charge of the family bakery, I have no choice but to face my past.
As I struggle to prove myself to the town and fill my mother”s shoes, I’m faced with another dilemma: Christian Hargrove, my high school sweetheart.
Old feelings resurface, and Christian and I find ourselves drawn to each other once more.
But Christian grapples with a life-changing offer, and our newfound happiness is put to the test.