Small Town Christmas (Blue Harbor #4) - Olivia Miles Page 0,24

around, he realized that while the store was filled, most people were doing just that. He’d taken over many companies like this. Bought them out, restructured, set them up for a more successful future. Maybe he could share a little wisdom with Cora—guide her to a better path. A different path, technically.

“This is a big space,” he started, feeling her out.

“I need it for all my merchandise!” She laughed good-naturedly. “My sisters probably think I should buy less, sell what I have, but, well, I love it, I’m afraid. I’m my own best customer.”

Despite himself, he smiled. She loved what she did. And better—or worse—she loved where worked. She was a hard worker—something they had in common.

But it probably stopped right there.

“So you’ve always been in this space? You didn’t grow into it?”

Cora smiled. “Always here. The people I lease it from just love Christmas.”

Phil managed a polite nod but his jaw felt tense. It was true that his grandparents had loved Christmas. Still did, far as he knew. They fed into the fantasy of it all, much like their lifestyle in Blue Harbor—laid-back, carefree, every day felt like a vacation. But that wasn’t real life. And it wasn’t his life.

And in time, it was easier to forget the music and the lights and the joy that had come with that one perfect Christmas.

He realized, however, that it was Cora’s life. And that she probably wouldn’t be very willing to give it up.

“They were so supportive of me starting a shop like this that they gave me a great deal on the space, and it went a long way in enabling me to go through with it!”

Phil knew that the rent was low, but he’d assumed that was because this was a small town, not a big city where retail space went for a premium price tag. Now he shifted uneasily on his feet. He hadn’t considered that rents elsewhere in Blue Harbor might exceed Cora’s budget.

“Plus, this place has so much character,” Cora went on. “I love the winding rooms, how I can really get creative with the entire space. At Halloween, I even have a haunted house room.”

She rubbed her hands together for Georgie, who lapped it up, excitedly. “Can we come back for Halloween, Dad?”

“I think you’re with your mother for Halloween,” he said, realizing that next October would have been his Halloween with Georgie. His first since the divorce, and only because she was moving back to the Midwest.

Right when he was leaving.

Georgie pouted, while Cora finished wrapping their items. She tossed in a candy cane from the jar on the counter, giving Georgie a little wink.

That did the trick. His daughter’s smile was back, and as for Phil…his resolve was gone.

This was a conversation that couldn’t be had in front of his daughter. Or with a line of people forming behind him.

He paid with cash again, eager not to reveal his last name and connection to this store just yet, and sideswiped the snow globe on the crowded counter with the bag.

“Careful, Daddy!” Georgie warned. “My Christmas wish came true,” Georgie said, looking suddenly at Cora. “Did yours?”

Cora gave Georgie a little smile. “We’ll see.”

Phil was in a cold sweat by now. The store was stifling, his coat was heavy, and his guilt was strong.

“I think that the tree lighting is starting soon,” he told Georgie, even though he had originally hoped she’d be too excited about the new ornaments to bother with seeing a tree in town all lit up. But anything would be better than standing here, face to face with the woman whose life he would soon be responsible for ruining.

It was different when he dealt with businesses, company takeovers. He didn’t have to face the people. He didn’t have to know their stories.

“Oh, look at the time!” Cora’s eyes went to the Nutcracker themed coo-coo clock on the wall. “It’s just about time to close up shop!”

“You can come with us if you want,” Georgie said.

“Oh, Georgie,” Phil said urgently. “I’m sure that Cora has her family waiting for her. They have their traditions.”

Cora’s cheeks flushed. “It’s true we do, but…”

But? He held his breath, wanting to get away from this woman almost as much as he knew he really should continue their conversation, lay it all out there.

“Well, my sisters all have boyfriends now,” Cora replied, with a shrug. “I was going to meet some of my cousins…but…maybe I’ll look for you. I happen to know they have really good