Chapter Sixteen – Sarah
What a magical evening! Sarah couldn’t recall the last time she’d felt so completely immersed in the holiday spirit. Even though she always enjoyed the holiday season with Emmy, this year seemed extra, extra special.
From their wonderful time choosing a tree from North Peak Pines, to decorating the tree in the town square along with other members of the Bear Creek community, and now Cocoa and Carols…and an intimate moment she’d shared with Michael as they looked over the town.
Not to mention being snowed in with Michael in the cozy cabin…
She smiled to herself. Michael had been a common denominator in these special moments, too. From the moment she’d met him, he’d helped make everything feel right. Helped her feel as if she belonged here, and that she could set down roots in this small town.
What a town it was. Yes, it wasn’t just the evening that was magical. It was the town and the people she’d met. As if they all carried a little magic. The magic of family, of friendship, of community.
“You look happy,” Pat said, linking arms with her daughter as they walked home from the town square. The snow crunched beneath their boots.
“I am,” Sarah admitted as Emmy skipped ahead, then circled back, too excited to maintain a straight path.
“Did you see how bright the lights were on the big tree? Like a million stars all in one place!” She clutched her carefully wrapped gingerbread cookie to her chest, protected in its little wax paper envelope. “And those cupcakes! Mom, I’ve never tasted anything so good in my whole entire life!”
“They were pretty special,” Sarah agreed, smiling at her daughter’s enthusiasm. “They looked almost too good to eat.”
“But cupcakes are meant for eating,” Emmy said matter-of-factly.
“You have a point there,” Pat said with a laugh. “What about your gingerbread cookie? Are you going to eat that tomorrow?”
“No. I’m going to give this to Dad when he comes,” Emmy announced, holding up her decorated gingerbread cookie. “Do you think he’ll like it? I put extra sprinkles on it just for him. He can eat it after we’ve been on the sleigh ride.”
Sarah’s heart constricted. “I’m sure he’ll love it, sweet pea.”
But the familiar doubt crept in. How many times had Liam promised and failed to show up? How many times had she watched Emmy’s bright smile fade into confusion, then disappointment, then that heartbreaking attempt to hide her hurt?
Then again, maybe this time would be different. He hadn’t seen Emmy for weeks, and it was Christmas. Even Liam couldn’t be immune to the holiday spirit, could he? She wanted to believe that, for Emmy’s sake, this time would be different.
But old habits die hard, as they say.
They reached the house, and Pat unlocked the front door. One by one, they stomped the snow from their boots before entering the warmth of the house. Emmy immediately headed for the kitchen, where she placed her gingerbread cookie on a plate with ceremonial care.
“There,” she said, arranging it just so. “Now it’ll be safe until Dad comes.” She yawned suddenly, the evening’s excitement catching up with her. “I’m going to get ready for bed, okay? Tomorrow I’m going to make Dad a special Christmas card with glitter. Lots of glitter.”
“Good idea,” Sarah said, helping Emmy out of her coat. “Need help with your pajamas?”
“I can do it,” Emmy insisted, already heading for the stairs. “I’m not a baby anymore.”
“You’ll always be my baby.” Sarah watched Emmy climb the stairs, and her heart filled with so much love for her daughter she thought it might burst.
“Tea?” Pat asked, hanging up her coat.
Sarah turned, grateful for the distraction. “Yes, please.”
Pat filled the kettle and set it on the stove. “What a wonderful evening that was,” she said, getting out mugs from the cupboard.
“It really was,” Sarah agreed, sinking into a kitchen chair. “I can’t remember the last time I saw Emmy so happy.”
Pat switched on the kettle, then came over and wrapped Sarah in an unexpected hug. “He might come,” she murmured, her arms warm and solid around Sarah’s shoulders.
Sarah looked up at her mother and smiled sadly. “I hope so, for Emmy’s sake.”
“And if he doesn’t, it’s his loss.” The kettle let out its shrill whistle, and Pat let go of Sarah and went to make the tea.
If only it were that simple. Sarah’s mom and dad had never let her down, never broken their promises. So Pat had no firsthand experience of the pain such actions could inflict on a child. Sharp, raw, lingering.
“I’m just going to go up and say goodnight to Emmy,” Sarah said, excusing herself as she fought to control her rising anger.
As she climbed the stairs, she forced herself to let it go. She refused to let Liam spoil the evening.
When Sarah entered Emmy’s room, she found her daughter already tucked in bed, her favorite stuffed penguin clutched tightly in her arms.
“All set, sweet pea?” Sarah asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Emmy nodded, her eyes already heavy with sleep. “Do you think Dad knows he has to wrap up warm?”
Sarah’s chest ached. This visit, the sleigh ride with her dad, was so important to Emmy it seemed to have eclipsed all else. “I’m sure he does. But we can always send him a text tomorrow. Okay?”
“Okay.” Emmy snuggled down in her bed. “I can’t wait.”
“I love you.” Sarah leaned forward and pressed her lips to Emmy’s forehead.
Emmy’s eyes fluttered closed. “Night, Mom. Love you, too.”
Sarah smiled down at her daughter and made a silent wish that she would have the most amazing Christmas and a wonderful life, wherever that life might take her.
Then she crept from the room and headed downstairs, where Pat had settled at the kitchen table with her tea.
“Thanks, Mom.” Sarah sat down, wrapping her hands around the warm mug to chase away the residual chill.
“So,” Pat said, a sly smile playing at her lips, “how was your moonlit walk with Michael?”
Heat rushed to Sarah’s cheeks. “It was good,” she said, taking a sip to hide her face. “He wanted to show me the view from the lookout.”
Pat’s eyebrows rose as she tried and failed to smother a smile. “Is that all?”
Sarah stared into her teacup, watching the amber liquid swirl. “I don’t think I’m ready for anything more than that.”
Pat’s smile faded, and she reached across the table to cover Sarah’s hand with her own. “Don’t let what happened between you and Liam stop you from finding love again.”
Sarah’s eyes misted with tears, and she looked away. “I won’t,” she promised. “It’s just not the right time. We’ve only just moved here, and I want to focus on Emmy. I want her to be happy.”
“And she wants you to be happy,” Pat said gently. “We both do.”
Sarah nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. For just a moment, she allowed herself to picture a future with Michael—his warm smile across the breakfast table, his strong hands helping Emmy build a snowman.
His arms around Sarah at night as he held her close to his chest. But that was just a fairy tale, wasn’t it? Real life was messier, more complicated.
Sarah had baggage. A trunk full. Liam’s call had proved that tonight and had briefly spoiled her mood this evening. Was it fair to expect Michael to be with her while she unpacked that baggage?
He deserved better.
Pat finished her tea and stood with a small groan. “I’m off to bed. Don’t stay up too late.”
“I won’t,” Sarah promised. “Goodnight, Mom.”
When Pat had gone upstairs, Sarah carried her tea through to the small alcove that served as her temporary office. She settled at the desk and opened her laptop, pulling up the design program. The North Peak Pines logo appeared on her screen, and she smiled despite herself.
She worked steadily, losing herself in the familiar rhythm of design as she refined and expanded the designs Michael had preferred.
She played with different fonts, experimenting with color schemes that would catch the eye without being garish.
As she worked, she thought about what Michael would like.
What would make those brown eyes crinkle at the corners.
When the designs were finally complete, she saved her work and closed the laptop.
Upstairs, she changed into her pajamas and brushed her teeth, then paused at the window.
The night was clear now; stars scattered across the dark sky like diamonds on velvet.
Somewhere out there, Michael was probably looking at those same stars.
Sarah pressed her fingertips against the cold glass. Bear Creek glittered below, peaceful and serene under its blanket of snow.
If only she could capture some of that peace and serenity.