Nashville, and she was, against all the odds, considering staying. And not for Eleanor or Theo. For her. As she sat by the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree in the cabin, with the fire roaring and snow beginning to fall on the newly cleared lawn outside the window, she knew in her heart that it was time for a change.
It wasn’t like she had much of a life back in Nashville, or barely anything worth returning for. She needed to live in a place where people put relationships first. Trudy and Judd had stopped what they were doing to help their neighbor take care of the cabins; Eleanor had loaned her—a lodger—her car without hesitation; everyone she’d met in town had been more than friendly. Although she had no idea what she’d do for income, where she’d find an apartment, or if Theo would be around… Feeling a rush of appreciation for her new neighbors, she’d made a big pot of stew and called Trudy to ask her, Judd, and Rex over for dinner, and she’d invited Eleanor to join them.
They were at the door right on time. Lila hopped up to let them in and when she did, Rex was standing in front of his parents with an enormous smile on his face. He rushed in and gave her a hug around the legs.
“Hi,” she said, backing up with him to let his parents in. “How are you?”
“I’m great,” Rex said. “Theo came over!”
“He did?” Lila asked, trying to swallow her shock.
“Yeah! He said he heard I was missin’ him. Did he come see you?”
“He didn’t.” Her cheeks flushed. She took Rex’s coat as Trudy and Judd shrugged theirs off, and hung them all on the hooks by the door. Trudy offered a look of sympathy over the little boy’s head.
“How long did he stay?” Lila asked, hoping she didn’t sound too disappointed.
“Not too long. He said he had to get back to where he was going,” Rex told her.
“And where was he going?” she asked, trying not to sound desperate but dying to know. Did that mean he was still in the area?
“He didn’t tell me,” Rex answered. “But he promised he’d come back to see me as soon as he could.”
“That’s really nice.” So he’d definitely got her text. Which meant that she was able to reach him—if he would ever stop ignoring her. But after hearing Piper’s last article and reading the letter in his office, did she even want to? The question hung in the air around her as Eleanor peeked her head inside the cabin.
“Hello-o,” she said, pushing it open wider upon seeing everyone gathered inside. “I brought this for you,” she said, handing Rex a giant candy cane while balancing a gorgeously festive poinsettia in her other arm.
The child’s face lit up as he grabbed it. “Thank you, Mrs. Eleanor,” he said, giving her a side hug to avoid the huge plant she was holding.
“You’re welcome.” Her eyes shone with motherly adoration. “Merry Christmas.” Then she turned her attention to Lila. “And this is for you.” She handed Lila the poinsettia.
“That’s incredible,” Trudy said, leaning in to get a better look at its bright red-and-green foliage.
“You didn’t have to get me anything,” Lila told Eleanor.
“It’s only a tiny gesture to say a very big thank you for everything you’ve done—not just hosting tonight.” She tipped her nose up. “It smells divine in here.”
“Thank you. I made stew and I’ve warmed some bread in the oven. Y’all come on in and dish yourselves a bowl so we can warm up while we’re talking.” She ushered them all into the kitchen, cradling the plant. Lila showed them to the bowls and spoons. Then she took the lid off the pot and stirred it with the ladle, the savory aroma of beef and vegetables floating through the air. “I’ll just put this poinsettia in the living room while you all get your stew. Be right back.”
Lila went into the other room and set the plant on the floor next to the fire. Then she pushed her feelings of rejection aside and took a quick second to text Theo. She typed: That was really nice of you to visit Rex.
Regardless of what Theo had done, he’d been nothing but wonderful to Rex, and Lila was happy that he’d thought enough of the little boy to come see him.
After dinner Judd and his family headed home, but Eleanor had stayed for a cup of coffee. They’d settled