Because of Jack, of course.
“Oh, Jack,” she whispered on a sigh that sounded as confused as she felt.
She and her ex-husband had been spending a lot of time together, giving the holidays a whole different feeling than she’d ever expected. Between planning sleigh rides, coordinating guest lists, and handling Copper’s occasional stubborn streak, it all felt so right and natural.
But Cindy couldn’t help wondering…were theyfriendsnow? Or was there something humming quietly beneath the surface? Something dangerously close to old feelings?
“Cindy Starling Kessler!” MJ called out in a sing-songy voice. “You’re missing the magic! Stop working and help me decorate the big tree! I know you’ll want to be sure it’s perfect.”
Jack and Pedro had taken a truck out to the ridge that morning to pick a gorgeous fir tree and set it up in the lodge’s great room. Now, the tree was ready to be covered with Snowberry decorations. Which meant MJ would haphazardly toss her favorites in the front and Cindy would have to stealthily rehang them so they looked, well, yeah.Perfect.
Pushing up from her desk, Cindy abandoned the numbers and headed into the great room. She did want to make sure the tree looked good, but maybe this was her opportunity to talk with MJ about Henry Lassiter’s offer.
“I thought we were waiting for Benny to get home from school,” Cindy said, coming around the corner to the room where guests frequently congregated.
No one was there now, though, since they were smack dab in the middle of a great ski day.
“We are,” MJ assured her. “But I thought we should get started.” She leaned back, her hands on her hips as she gazed up at the deep green Douglas fir that towered toward the beamed ceiling. “She’s a beauty, huh? Things are looking up, don’t you think?”
Cindy nodded, following her sister’s gaze to the top of the tree. “Literally.”
The twelve-footer looked lovely in the rustic two-story great room at the front of Snowberry Lodge. The Christmas tree filled the spacious room with the scent of the season and looked grand next to the tall stone fireplace.
All around the room, worn but well-loved furniture—plaid armchairs, a soft caramel-hued couch, handwoven blankets—were piled with tissue-wrapped boxes and half-open storage bins filled with ornaments.
MJ, in a red cable-knit sweater and her usual messy bun, reached for an ornament and discarded it, grabbing another.
“What’s wrong with that snowman?” Cindy asked.
“I’m looking for my favorites to fill up the front.” She shot Cindy a look. “I know you’ll tell me to spread them out, balance the color, and for the love of dear baby Jesus, don’t put the homemade ones in front.”
Cindy laughed. “I hate that I’m so predictable.”
“You’re just the only person who decorates a tree like it’s a math equation,” MJ teased.
“I’m organized,” Cindy said in self-defense, looking into the open bin. “And you are…”
With a grin, MJ plucked out a blue glass star and hooked it on a branch, front and center. “A go-with-the-flow kind of girl,” MJ finished for her. “If the star fits, hang it, I say. Who cares if it’s photo worthy?”
Cindy shrugged. “Trust me, the one I have at home is not balanced or neat and have you seen Gracie’s? Red and Benny went to town.”
“Exactly why I thought I’d start this one before Benny gets home from school.” MJ pulled out a tiny wreath made from painted dried pasta. “Remember this? Gracie made it in first grade.”
Cindy came over and took the ornament in her hands, the memory softening her heart. “Even way back then she could make food into a work of art. Now, she does it with sugar and icing and has a line out the door.”
MJ reached into the box again and pulled out another ornament, her eyes glinting as she hid it from Cindy. “Here’s an oldie but not moldy.”
“Show me.”
MJ dangled the ceramic oversized engagement ring with 1995 painted on the side.
“Oh.” Cindy’s shoulders dropped. “The year Jack proposed. We probably should get rid of that one.”
“Why?” MJ said, turning to find a branch for it. “It’s part of our family history. Good or bad, it matters.” She snagged a spot right next to the star instead of hidden in the back where it belonged.
Cindy eyed the decoration and considered moving it, but something stopped her.
“What exactly is going on with you two, anyway?” MJ asked after a beat, trying to sound casual, and failing completely.
