Small Town Christmas (Blue Harbor #4) - Olivia Miles Page 0,68
up the window, determined not to be bothered by the star that sat on top and finding that she had succeeded. Christmas was officially ruined; what did the tree topper matter?
Cora curled up tighter in her usual spot on the sofa, with the best view of the tree, of course, her favorite chenille blanket covering her legs, and a holiday movie playing on the television screen. By all standards, it was the same as always, except everything was different, and everyone was missing.
Cora didn’t even protest when Candy suggested they watch a holiday movie of her choosing—a comedy that didn’t give her any of the cozy vibes she’d cherished so much. Cora found that she rather liked the modern, colorized film to the usual black and white that she had memorized by now. Besides, she wasn’t paying much attention to it anyway.
Her mind kept drifting back to the shop. And Phil. And every time she thought of the future and how uncertain it all felt, her stomach clenched, and she had to resist the urge to turn and talk to one of her sisters.
But they were not here. And that was why this Christmas Eve was not like any she had spent before. The movie and tree were just things. But the people…the people were what made Christmas so wonderful.
If only Phil could have understood that, Cora thought with a heavy sigh.
“How about I make us some more popcorn?” Cora’s father broke the silence, and Candy was clearly relieved. Since walking in the door, unable to mask her feelings, Cora had told Candy and her father about her exchange with Phil, and Candy had made it her mission to cheer her up, saying they would together find an even better space, something fresh, something better.
Her smile never wavered, and not long ago this may have worn on Cora’s nerves. But tonight she didn’t mind the optimism, because she was fresh out of it herself.
Cora’s father didn’t wait for an answer as he collected the empty popcorn bowl that Candy had made short work of and moved slowly to the door, his old injury still flaring up from time to time.
“Extra butter and salt, Denny!” Candy grinned broadly as she turned to Cora. “If you’re going to have a family movie night, you may as well double down.”
Double down. That’s what Cora had done, wasn’t it? Put everything into her shop. Her money, her inheritance from her mother, her time. And, up until recently, her heart.
She’d given her heart to someone else. Let herself lose sight of what was most important. And now, she stood to lose it.
Catching her frown, Candy paused the movie and jostled next to her on the sofa. “Now, it’s Christmas Eve. You’re not going to tell me that you’re going to let that man ruin this night for you? I know it’s your favorite night of the year.”
Cora gave Candy a weak smile. Her attempts at making the most of this holiday were obvious, from the light-up necklace she wore that was honestly making Cora little dizzy, to the oversized elf slippers that left Cora wondering where she shopped, because none of these items were sold in her shop, to the endless supply of spiked cocoa, even if it was so strong that Cora was still only halfway through her first mug. Still, she was grateful for the refills of marshmallows every ten minutes or so. Candy was never one to do something halfway.
And neither, Cora supposed, was she.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, Candy,” she admitted with a sigh. Tears prickled the back of her eyes and she blinked them away quickly. Took a sip from her drink instead. “That store was my entire life.”
Candy nodded sagely. “It was. It’s a terrible loss. But it’s also, if you don’t mind me saying this, maybe a blessing in disguise?”
Cora gaped at her. “How can this possibly be a good thing?”
Candy held up her hands defensively. “Now, just hear me out. Here you are, pretty as a Christmas card, sitting here with me and your father on Christmas Eve? Honey, that store is a wonderful place for you, and I know that your father couldn’t be more proud, but maybe…well, maybe it’s also been a good excuse for you to stay inside, tucked away, all alone. Maybe, if I may be so bold…” She paused. Candy was never anything if not bold. “Maybe you were a bit stuck in the past.”