asked.
Lucy looked startled but forced a smile. “Sure. Everything’s fine. Perfect. I’m home. What could be wrong?”
She obviously didn’t want to talk about whatever was bothering her. Abby could wait. She had learned when they were roommates that Lucy sometimes needed to process things in her own way before she was ready to share.
“I’m so glad you were able to make it here a few days early. Your grandmother seems overjoyed to have you back.”
Lucy’s face softened. “Thank you for taking such good care of her these past few weeks.”
Abby poured a cup of coffee and sat across from her. “I enjoyed every minute of it, as I’m sure you knew I would. I can see why you’ve always raved about your grandmother. She is a remarkable woman.” She paused. “You take after her in a lot of ways.”
Lucy gazed at her and then, to Abby’s total astonishment, she actually sniffled a little. What in the world was going on? Lucy never cried.
“She’s pretty wonderful. I wish I could be a tenth the woman she is.”
Abby touched her friend’s hand. “Why do you always put yourself down like that? You’re bright, beautiful, caring. Winnie’s granddaughter, through and through.”
“I love you, you know,” Lucy said.
“I love you, too,” Abby said.
“I don’t have another friend I could have called at the last minute to help out with Winnie.”
Abby didn’t know why Lucy was in this strange, reflective mood. It was very unlike her.
“It worked out for all of us.” She hesitated, then plunged forward. “We’ve had a wonderful time here in Silver Bells, but now that you’re back, I was thinking maybe Christopher and I should take off and go home to Phoenix.”
“No!” Lucy said, eyes widening. “You can’t go already!”
“Winnie never really needed my help, at least not with her health. She has a vast network of friends who could have stepped in for the minimal care she needed, which was mostly helping her wrap up her arm so she could shower at night and helping her dress. She’s become so used to the cast she doesn’t need even that now. I was glad I could help get things ready for the Silver Belles’ event, but that’s all done now. Now that you’re home, there’s no real reason for us to stay.”
“Other than I want you to! I was so looking forward to spending the holidays with you and Christopher. Can’t you stay at least through Christmas?”
“That’s another week and a half.”
“Right. Not long at all.”
What would she do here for a week and a half? Besides spend time with her son enjoying a winter wonderland.
“Winnie will want you to stay through Christmas. You know she will. And of course I want you to. Ethan probably does, too. You two looked like you were getting along great last night.”
Abby could feel herself blush. How could she explain to Ethan’s sister that he was the main reason she worried that she should leave now, before she did something completely stupid like fall in love with him?
“What’s waiting for you in Phoenix now except moving boxes and an empty apartment? Would you rather spend the holidays alone with Christopher there or here in Colorado in this house you’ve decorated so beautifully for the season, being with people who love you? Namely me and Winnie.”
At least she hadn’t included Ethan among that number.
“You would break Winnie’s heart if you left before the holidays,” Lucy went on. “While you were out shopping, my grandmother mentioned at least twice how much she was looking forward to having Christopher around this year to brighten the season.”
“I’m beginning to remember why I always hated arguing with you.”
Lucy grinned. “Because I can get my point across in eight languages?”
“That, and you don’t leave room for anyone else to get a word in edgewise. In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never let anybody stand in the way of what you want. Even when they start out thinking they want something else.”
She wasn’t sure what she said but Lucy said nothing, only stared at her for a long moment with a strange look in her eyes.
“Thank you for that reminder,” she finally said. “I needed it.”
“Glad I could help,” Abby said, completely baffled.
“So does that mean you’re staying?”
Abby knew when she was beat. It didn’t help that she had been thinking many of those same things. “Christopher has loved his time here. I suppose we can stay until Christmas. Everything you said is true. We will be going home