Small Town Christmas (Blue Harbor #4) - Olivia Miles Page 0,18

and Amelia found her happily ever after.

Maddie’s cheeks flushed and she swallowed hard as their eyes met. “But speaking of Cole, I’ve meaning to tell you that—”

She stopped, her expression lifting to one of unabashed excitement as the door jingled and a cold burst of winter air filled the otherwise deliciously warm and spice-scented room.

Maddie leaned in and whispered, “Don’t look now, but that guy I was telling you about is back.”

Cora stifled a groan. “Is this how it’s going to be? Now that you have a boyfriend, you’re going to try to fix me up with any man that orders a latte? You’re worse than Candy, you know that?”

Maddie pulled back and shrugged. “Suit yourself. But you’ll never meet anyone if you sit home every night the way you do.”

“I don’t sit home every night,” Cora scoffed. A guilty flush crept up her cheeks when she thought of how she’d spent the night before, not that she’d be letting on. “I mean, not every night.” Really, was it so bad to be a homebody? She loved her cozy apartment, loved relaxing after a long day. But she supposed it wasn’t exactly a good way to meet someone, unless it was someone who came into her shop…Her mind drifted back to Phil.

“Not every night, but…most nights?” Maddie gave her a scolding look, but there was a knowing smile teasing her mouth as she tended to Cora’s coffee, not bothering to specify the order. Everyone in the Conway family—and probably in town—knew that Cora liked peppermint lattes…every single day of the year.

Because she suspected that her sister was still watching her from the corner of her eye, Cora refused to so much as glance over her shoulder, even if she was a little curious about this man that Maddie was so intent about her meeting.

“Hey,” a voice interrupted her thoughts, causing her to jump, and she turned at the sound of it, rich and thick and just smooth enough to make her stand a little straighter.

She smiled in surprise at Phil, who was grinning right back at her. “Hello!” Oh, she really hoped that she didn’t say that with the enthusiasm that she felt.

She glanced sidelong at Maddie, who was watching, wide-eyed, with interest.

“So you took me up on the suggestion,” she said, wondering if she should really take credit for referring Phil here when this was the only bakery in town and it was breakfast time, after all.

“Oh, this is our second time here,” Phil said. He motioned to Georgie, whose nose was pressed against the glass display case as she considered her options. Clearly, this task required utmost concentration.

Phil grinned at Maddie who said, rather cheekily if one were to ask Cora, “Welcome back!”

She gave a little lift of her eyebrow to Cora. Cora did her best to pretend not to notice.

“What can I get for you today?” Maddie asked.

“Two of the cranberry scones, a regular coffee—”

“A candy cane hot chocolate! Please, Dad?” Georgie begged.

After a beat, Phil said, “The hot chocolate.” He motioned to Cora’s to-go cup. “And whatever she’s having.”

Cora opened her mouth to protest, but Maddie shot her a look that was brief but clear. One that only they as sisters could read in the eyes.

“Thank you,” Cora said, smiling. “You didn’t have to.”

“Oh, but I did.” Phil’s brow pulled a little as he handed over some cash. He seemed quiet for a moment, until he said, “If it wasn’t for you, I’m not sure that we’d be spending Christmas in this quaint little town.”

“You seem to be embracing the idea.”

He gave a look that said otherwise. Clearly, he didn’t share his daughter’s—or her—enthusiasm when it came to the holiday.

“What makes Georgie happy, makes me happy.”

“You’re a good father,” Cora said. She knew one when she saw one; after all, she had firsthand experience with the best man a girl could have ever had, especially after they lost their mother.

Phil didn’t look convinced. “Depends on the day.”

She grinned, trying her best to avoid meeting Maddie’s eye, who was no doubt memorizing every word of this exchange to report back to their older sisters. “And what do you have planned while you’re in town?”

“Other than decorating our new tree?” Phil shrugged. “What do people do in town for Christmas?”

Maddie made a big show of clearing her throat, but feigned innocence as she handed Phil his scones. Cora could have swatted her.

If her sister thought that Phil was fishing around for a date, she was probably mistaken. The