Chapter 2 #2
“As is the pizza.” Lincoln took a bite, letting out an appreciative hum. “Tastes like football games during high school and Christmas parties here at the rink.”
He thought he saw something flicker across Imogen’s face at the mention of high school, but it was only there for a second.
“Actually,” he began, “I’ve been meaning to ask you something.
I’ve been thinking about expanding the concession offerings here, and I was wondering if you might be interested in supplying some of your peppermint chocolates?
I could buy in bulk. I know you already provide the hot chocolate mix, and that’s been incredibly popular. ”
Imogen turned to look at him, and in the rink’s softer lighting, he could see just how tired she looked.
There were shadows under her eyes that hadn’t been there before, he thought, and an expression of overwhelm passed over her face for a moment before she shook it off.
She hadn’t meant for him to see it, he thought, but it had been there all the same.
“That’s a really sweet offer,” she said, but her voice lacked its usual enthusiasm.
“I’d have to think about timing and quantities…
the shop has been so busy lately that keeping it stocked has been an effort.
But if you can give me an estimate of how many you think you’d need per order, I can see what I can do… ”
“Hey,” Lincoln said gently, forgetting about business entirely. “Are you okay? You seem a little overwhelmed.”
For a moment, Imogen’s carefully maintained composure wavered. She glanced at Katie, who was now attempting to spin with Emma, both girls dissolving into giggles when they nearly collided.
“I’m fine,” she said automatically, then caught herself.
“Actually, no, that’s not true. I’m exhausted.
” A tired smile flickered on her lips for a minute before disappearing.
“The holiday rush has been incredible for business, which is wonderful, but I feel like I haven’t stopped moving in weeks.
And I keep worrying that I’m not doing enough for Katie, that she’s missing out on things because I’m always working.
I always want her to have the best Christmas possible, and I worry I’m not doing enough. ”
Lincoln felt a flicker of protectiveness that surprised him.
But then again, maybe it shouldn’t have.
He’d always felt this way toward her in high school, when she’d overdo it studying or tried to do too many extracurriculars.
Imogen had always been an overachiever, and while he’d loved that about her, he’d worried about her at the same time.
He supposed he still did.
“Is there anything I can do to help?” he asked. “I mean that seriously. I know you’re managing a lot on your own.”
Imogen’s expression softened, and she smiled at him. Right at him, and it oddly made his heart feel a little lighter in his chest.
“You’re always so helpful already,” she said softly.
“I still can’t thank you enough for helping with Katie’s bike last year for Christmas, I would never have gotten it home and under the tree on my own.
And you selling my hot chocolate here adds so much to my sales every month.
Honestly, it makes a big difference. I couldn’t possibly ask you for anything else. ”
Lincoln shook his head. “Imogen, the hot chocolate thing is a net gain for me, honestly. I swear I get twice as many customers when people know they can get your hot chocolate here as a treat while they skate or watch their kids. As for the rest of it—that’s what friends do.”
Imogen smiled. “You are definitely a good friend.”
He felt a strange pang in his chest at that, and shrugged it off.
“Look,” he said quickly, “Since things are so busy at the shop—and that’s great honestly, congratulations—don’t even worry about the chocolates.
The last thing I want to do is make you more stressed out.
It sounds like you don’t need another order to think about.
I thought it might be a good addition to the rink, but if it’s too much pressure on you, absolutely not. ”
“No, wait,” Imogen said quickly. “Actually, I’d love to do that.
The extra income would be really helpful right now.
The holiday season is profitable, but there are so many upfront costs—special ingredients, seasonal packaging, increased inventory.
It comes with a lot of expenses, keeping the shop stocked for the holiday season.
And I’m so grateful for your business already.
We help each other—you say my chocolate brings in more visitors here, but I think it works the other way too.
Customers try it out here and come to my shop for more.
” She took a breath, smiling at him. “Another partnership would be super helpful. I’d love to. ”
Lincoln studied her face, making sure she wasn’t just saying what she thought he wanted to hear. “Are you sure? I don’t want to add to your stress.”
“I’m sure,” Imogen said, and this time her smile reached her eyes. “I think selling them here is a great idea.”
“I could come pick them up myself at the store,” Lincoln offered. “It’s great that you drop off the hot chocolate powder here, but that would save you a trip. I could even get both orders at once. Save you some time?”
“That would be helpful,” Imogen admitted, and he could see the grateful look on her face. “I feel like I spend half my time running deliveries when I should be in the shop.”
“Consider it done,” Lincoln said, feeling a smile on his face to match hers. “I’ll come by the shop sometime next week to work out the details.”
“Mom! Mom, watch this!” Katie’s voice carried across the rink, and both adults turned to see her attempting a small jump. She landed successfully, her reindeer nose glowing triumphantly.
“That was amazing, sweetheart!” Imogen called back, and Lincoln could see some of the tension leave her shoulders as she focused on her daughter’s joy.
“She’s really gotten fearless on the ice,” he observed. “I remember when she was afraid to let go of the wall.”
“She gets that from her father,” Imogen said, then immediately looked like she regretted the comment. She rarely mentioned Katie’s father, and Lincoln had never pressed for details.
Before he could respond, Katie was skating toward them, Emma right behind her.
“Lincoln, can we do the light show now? Please? Emma’s dad is coming to pick her up soon!”
Lincoln checked his watch. “Perfect timing. Let me go set everything up.”
He made his way to the light booth, aware that Imogen was joining the girls at the edge of the rink to watch.
This was his moment to create something magical—not just for the kids, but for her.
He wanted to give her a few minutes where she could just enjoy watching her daughter experience pure joy, without worrying about anything else.
Lincoln dimmed the main arena lights and started the first sequence of his carefully programmed light show.
Red and green spotlights began to dance across the ice in rhythm with the opening notes of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, and the children’s light-up noses became part of the show, creating moving points of red light that complemented the programmed effects.
He could hear the squeals and gasps of delight from the kids as the colored lights swirled around them, turning the ice into a magical winter wonderland.
Lincoln had synchronized the lights to build with the music, and he could tell they loved it.
Katie was spinning in circles, Emma nearby, and he saw a smile on Imogen’s face as she watched, her stress momentarily gone.
That made him feel best of all, he realized.
Seeing her expression lighten for a minute made him feel like all of the hours spent planning the show were worth it, even more than the excited cheers coming from the ice.
As simple as his life was these days, he thought, this made him feel more fulfilled than anything else ever had—seeing the result of all his hard work be the excitement and wonder of the kids on the ice and Imogen’s smile from where she was standing.
If there was one thing that Lincoln Blackwell knew for sure, it was that he didn’t regret coming back to Fir Tree Grove for a second.