Small Town Christmas (Blue Harbor #4) - Olivia Miles Page 0,26

promise Georgie that I’d get her a hot cider,” Cora said, pulling in a breath for courage.

“Did you now?” Maddie replied, and even though the great tree had not yet been lit, her eyes twinkled merrily.

Not exactly, but it was enough of a promise to give Cora a little courage. She couldn’t let a little girl down, especially at Christmastime.

Cora thrust her hands deep into the pockets of her coat and trekked across the square to where Phil was standing, listening to Candy talk with full-animation.

Seeing her, Candy nearly squealed, and before Cora could brace herself, she was enveloped in a long, squishy hug.

“We were just talking about you!” Candy cried joyfully, when she finally released Cora, causing her to nearly lose her footing.

Cora took a step backward, steadying herself, and flashed a glance at Phil, who looked appropriately amused. Cora, however, was not.

“All good things, I hope?” Only she needn’t have asked. Candy was forever singing the praises of the Conway girls. It was endearing, she knew, and it was probably why their father loved her so much, but Cora wasn’t so sure how she felt about Candy pushing her on a man she had just met.

“Of course!” Candy gave her an exaggerated wink and giggled loudly. “I was delighted to hear that you and Phil already know each other!”

That was a stretch, but because Cora didn’t feel the need to explain, she said nothing. “I was going to see if Georgie wanted to try some of that cider? It’s nice and warm, and the line is already pretty long.”

She glanced over her shoulder, where sure enough, the queue was wrapped in both directions, and Britt and Robbie stood side-by-side, working quickly.

“Oh! I see!” Candy’s eyes were round. “Well, don’t let me get in the way! I was just about to run and find Denny. He got to talking to Robbie’s parents, and when I saw this tall, dark, and handsome stranger over here, I couldn’t resist the urge to introduce myself.” She honked loudly, chuckling at herself, and Cora saw Georgie frown in confusion.

“How about that cider?” Cora whispered to her.

Georgie nodded happily and Candy mercifully jogged away, looking back a few times to give a less than discreet thumbs-up sign.

Cora closed her eyes briefly. She was happy in the dark that Phil probably couldn’t make out the flush in her cheeks that now heated her more than her wool scarf.

“That’s my father’s girlfriend,” she explained as they began walking toward the stand. “She’s mostly harmless, but certainly not shy.”

“Your dad has a girlfriend?” Georgie looked at her with interest as they joined the back of the line.

Cora sighed. He had been alone for more than fourteen years after her mother died, and none of them had even considered the possibility that he would find love again, much less want it. Yet here he was, happily attending the holiday event with Candy, who was an increasingly permanent fixture in their lives.

“My mom passed away a long time ago,” she said, seeing the sympathy pass through Phil’s eyes. No need to be a downer just now, not when it was one of Blue Harbor’s most festive nights of the year. “And yes, my dad has a girlfriend. And I should warn you that she works at the café next to the bakery, along with one of my older sisters.”

“Do you know everyone in town?” Phil laughed.

Cora looked at him quizzically. “Of course! That’s small-town living for you. My entire family lives in town. Over there is my cousin Gabby. She owns the flower shop. And her sister is a piano teacher. She’ll be performing tonight with the carolers. Now her other sister moved away, so I guess not every one of my family members lives in town right now.” And she was babbling. Cora was happy to see that they were nearly at the head of the line now. “And just to warn you, that’s my oldest sister, Britt, serving the cider.”

“Conway,” Phil observed, reading the sign. “Family business?”

Cora grinned. “Of course. Best fruit and wine in the county. Best in the state, really.”

“Best cider too, I hope,” Georgie said, watching as someone passed them with a steaming cup.

“The very best,” Cora said with a smile. She introduced Phil and Georgie to Britt and Robbie when their turn finally came, averting as best she could the look of curious interest that came over her eldest sister.

“Robbie has a daughter a little younger than you,” Britt told Georgie. “If you