cider at this event,” she whispered faux conspiratorially. “And my cousin Jenna is the head of the Christmas choir. They always put on quite a show.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Phil said, backing away to the door.
A good plan, actually. A nice plan, by all accounts. But not the original plan. Not at all.
*
Well, that was smooth.
Cora rolled her eyes skyward as she closed the door and turned the lock. Her eyes met the ball of mistletoe and she tightened her lips. She’d never get a Christmas kiss at this rate! Every time she ran into Phil, she was all nervous and jittery. She should be grateful that Natalie had already left to take her daughter to the tree lighting event, or Cora was pretty sure that she would have been on the receiving end of a lecture on how to flirt. As a single mother, Natalie wasn’t shy about her desire to settle down and find a father figure for her young child.
She wasn’t shy in general.
Whereas Cora…She pulled in a breath.
Tonight she would have to do better.
Tonight. Her stomach rolled with fresh nerves and she dashed up the back stairs and into her bathroom to touch up her hair from a long day’s work.
Bundled in her warmest coat and softest scarf, she headed down Main Street a few minutes later. Even from her building, she could see that the town square was already bustling. The annual tree lighting was one of her favorite traditions in town; the large, illuminated tree was the centerpiece of the annual Winter Carnival.
Cora didn’t care what people said. Blue Harbor may be a summer destination for most, but in her opinion, nothing could top the tried-and-true holiday festivities that were a hallmark year after year.
Except maybe a newcomer to town…
Her eyes somehow fell immediately on Phil and Georgie when she approached the snow-covered square, but rather than approach them right away, she decided to say a quick hello to her sisters while she was still alone. Maddie had already been suggestive enough for one week, and tonight she didn’t need anyone ogling her or teasing her if she was enjoying a few minutes of Phil’s company. Which she hoped to do, very much.
Amelia and Maddie had decided to join forces for the snacks stand, while Britt and Robbie were handling the cider stand, with mulled wine also on the menu. It was just like old times, seeing Amelia and Maddie together, and Cora felt a warm glow fill her chest.
Maybe her sisters were right. They’d each moved on and grown, but ultimately, everything was still very much the same.
“Don’t look now, but—” Maddie started, but Cora just shook her head.
“I already saw him,” she said, hoping that she could retain a neutral expression.
“Saw who?” Amelia perked up with interest. Even though they were standing near one of the many bonfires set up as warming stations, she shivered in her coat.
“Oh, just a very attractive single father who happens to be staying in town until Christmas.” Maddie waggled her eyebrows. “Or possibly longer.”
Cora’s heart flip-flopped. “Did he say that?”
Maddie pointed at her. “See! I knew you liked him! But no, he didn’t say anything. I was just guessing. I mean, if he’s in town for a month, who says he can’t stay longer?”
Cora tried to hide the disappointment she felt. “He’s in town for the holidays, Maddie. He lives in Chicago. He made it very clear that he has a big job to get back to. And I know that his daughter spends most of her time with her mother, too. Besides, I’ve only bumped into him a few times. It’s not like he has sought me out. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves here.”
“Point him out,” Amelia ordered, clearly ignoring Cora’s excuse, and Maddie all too happily obliged. Craning her neck, Amelia nodded approvingly. “Very cute. And so is the little girl. So what are you doing standing around talking to us, Cora? Go over there!”
Cora shifted the weight on her feet, feeling the snow crunch beneath her boots. “I will, in a minute. I was just…giving them time to settle in.”
“To settle in? Or to have one of the many single and searching women in town swoop in?” Maddie tsked under her breath. “And here comes one now.”
Cora looked over in alarm, and was almost relieved to see that it was just Candy.
“Well, now you have to go over there,” Amelia said, laughing.
“You need to save the poor man,” Maddie agreed.
“Fine. I did