Small Town Christmas (Blue Harbor #4) - Olivia Miles Page 0,69
a bigger sip of cocoa from her mug. The schnapps burned her throat, but it did the trick. She’d need to finish the rest if she was going to get through this conversation with Candy, because Candy wasn’t just being pushy for once.
She was also right.
“I suppose it was my safe place,” she admitted. “Christmas in general had a way of boosting my spirits. Making me shut out all the tough stuff in life.”
“And there’s nothing wrong with a little joy and celebration. But I’m just saying,” Candy continued. “It would do you good to get out more! Love doesn’t just walk through the door.”
Only in Cora’s case, it sort of had. Or at least, so she’d thought.
Now she leaned her head back against the pillows, remembering the first time she’d seen Phil, when he’d pushed through the door of her shop, catching her by complete surprise. So much had changed since then, and not just the status of her business.
She’d changed, she realized. She now knew what it felt like to be with a man that she cared about, and to hold Georgie’s hand in hers, to feel like a part of a family. A family different than the one that had once inhabited this big Victorian home.
Now she understood how her sisters were ready to spend their holidays elsewhere. Why they felt fulfilled with these new arrangements. That there was more to life, if she was willing to take a chance.
Only after Phil had let her down, she wasn’t so sure that she was.
“Popcorn is ready!” her father cried out from the hall. “Extra butter just for my lady.”
Candy simpered, but her eyes glowed with happiness that was so contagious, even Cora couldn’t help but smile. Her father had found a way to open his heart again. To make changes, and adjust.
Maybe she could too.
The doorbell rang just as they were about to get the movie started.
“Carolers?” Cora checked her watch. Normally she’d look forward to this—her cousin Jenna organized it every Christmas Eve with members of the choir, going door to door, singing one carol at each home, and it was always a surprise to see what you heard each year.
But tonight, Cora struggled to find the enthusiasm to push the blanket off her legs. She wasn’t so sure she could fake the delight in Candy’s expression.
But as it turned out, she didn’t have to. A cold burst of winter air filtered into the front room and there, over her shoulder, stood not one, but all three of her sisters.
“What?” She blinked in surprise, but couldn’t deny the smile in her face. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Change of plans,” Maddie said, unwinding her scarf. Amelia and Britt were already untying their boots, and their father was taking their coats.
Cora looked at Candy, who didn’t look surprised in the slightest. Come to the think of it, neither did Cora’s father.
“I’ll just go make sure that popcorn is buttered to my standard,” Candy said with a wink as she pushed off the couch and disappeared with Denny into the kitchen.
Cora’s sisters descended upon her.
“We heard about Phil,” Britt said. She sat directly in front of Cora, on the base of the hearth, shaking her head. “You know it will be all right, Cora. We’ll make sure of that.”
“There are other places on Main Street, or near it. I went through something similar when I thought I’d have to give up my space for the café,” Amelia pointed out.
Cora nodded. “I know. It’s not just about the move. It’s about…the betrayal, I guess.”
“I can’t get over the nerve of that man! And the Keatons! Did you try calling them?” Maddie asked.
Cora shook her head. “They’ve been good to me. If this was what they wanted, then who am I to convince them otherwise? Maybe they need the money. And if they’re not coming back to town, really, why do they need to hold onto all their properties?”
“But they loved this town,” Maddie said, looking as confused as Cora felt. After all, Mrs. Keaton had loved her holiday shop more than nearly anyone else in town.
“It’s the reality of their circumstances,” Cora said, trying in vain to convince herself it was this simple. “And now mine.”
“Just the same, I could throttle Phil Keaton for leading you on like that! Playing nice, just to let you down?”
Cora blew out a breath, feeling miserable. “I suppose that’s exactly what he did. Tried to let me down gently. So much for that.”