Down the hall, she could hear her father’s voice mingling with Beckett’s, their words indistinct but their tones comfortable. Last night’s conversation with Beckett by the fire had left her unsettled. Not because of anything he’d said, but because of how much she’d wanted to keep talking. How for the first time in years, she’d felt the tightness in her chest loosen just a little.
She pushed back the covers and padded to the window. Fresh snow blanketed the yard, pristine except for the path Beckett had cleared to the driveway. The sky was a brilliant blue that hurt her eyes, so different from Denver’s hazy urban gray.
“I should read a book,” she said aloud to the empty room. The thought surprised her. When was the last time she’d read something that wasn’t a medical journal or hospital policy update?
She showered quickly, pulled her hair into its usual low bun, and headed downstairs. Her father sat at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee and the newspaper.
“Morning,” he said, not looking up.
“Good morning.” Tessa poured herself coffee from the pot. “Is Beckett around?”
“Hardware store. Something about a broken latch on the shed.”
She nodded, though her father couldn’t see it. “I thought I might walk into town. Get some fresh air.”
He folded the newspaper and looked at her then. “Supposed to be clear all day. Good day for a walk.”
Was that approval in his voice? She couldn’t tell. “Do you need anything before I go? Medication check or...”
He tapped his pill organizer on the table. “I’m all set. Beckett makes sure of it.”
Of course he did. “Right. Well, I’ll have my phone if you need me.”
He nodded and returned to his paper. She hesitated, then grabbed her coat from the hook by the door and stepped outside.
The cold hit her lungs like a shock, clean and clarifying. She followed the shoveled sidewalk into town, her boots crunching in the snow. Sweet River Falls looked charming, with the storefronts decorated with garlands and lights, and smoke curling from chimneys. She’d forgotten how beautiful it could be.
She passed the town square, where a Christmas tree stood tall and bright even in daylight. A banner hung across Main Street announcing, “Sweet River Falls Welcomes You Home for the Holidays.”
Home. The word caught in her throat.
She pushed into Bookish Cafe, and the warmth enveloped her immediately, along with the rich scent of coffee. The cafe was busier than she expected, with nearly every table occupied by people chatting over steaming mugs.
Annie looked up from behind the counter and waved. “Tessa! What a nice surprise. What can I get you?”
“Just coffee, black. And I thought I’d get a book while I’m here.”
“Coming right up. And the new releases are on that shelf by the window.”
She wandered over to the display and ran her fingers along the spines, reading titles that meant nothing to her. How had she fallen so out of touch with current books? There had been a time when she devoured novels, staying up late to finish just one more chapter.
“Here you go.” Annie appeared at her side, holding out a large mug. “See anything that catches your eye?”
She accepted the coffee. “I honestly don’t know where to start. It’s been... a while since I’ve read for pleasure.”
“Hospital work doesn’t leave much time for that, does it?”
“No. Though that’s not a great excuse.”
“Well, let me help.” Annie scanned the shelf and pulled out a paperback with a blue cover. “This one’s gotten wonderful reviews. It’s about a woman who inherits her grandmother’s house in a small coastal town and discovers family secrets. A bit of mystery to it.”
She took the book, flipping it over to read the back. “Sounds perfect, actually.”
“Excellent choice,” a deep voice said from behind her.
She turned to find Beckett standing there, a small paper bag in his hand. His cheeks were flushed from the cold, his eyes bright.
“You’ve read it?” she asked, surprised.
