The party was in full swing, a sparkling, happy celebration with everyone MJ loved most in the whole world all laughing and talking in the great room and entry hall of Snowberry Lodge. Through the front windows, she could see heavy snow swirling in the darkness, the kind of storm that turned Park City into a life-sized snow globe. Outside, the world looked magical and serene.
This celebration was so different from Christmas morning when they’d last gathered as a family. This one marked the end of the holidays, the year, and, for Cindy, the single life.
It would be a new season around here, for sure. Would MJ get to spend as much time with her sister? Would they have to face their finances and consider selling the place? How would Jack play into that?
“You look too serious for a party, Mom.”
MJ turned to meet Gracie’s gaze, always struck by how the mix of brown and gold with that mysterious touch of green perfectly matched her memory of George McBride’s eyes.
“Just pensive,” MJ said.
“About?”
She rooted around for a neutral response. “All I have to do to, well,undo the holidays, honey. Putting it all up is so much more fun than taking it down.”
“I’ll help you,” she said. “Sugarfall has all our New Year’s Day orders ready to roll out, and this week is a lull for the bakery. I’m here for you.”
MJ eyed her only child, sensing she wasn’t quite right tonight. “What about you? You look serious, too.”
Gracie brushed back some reddish gold hair. “I’m fine.”
MJ knew better, but she also knew not to press her daughter at a party. Social situations weren’t her favorite place and Gracie was not likely to open up until they were alone.
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” she whispered. “And I’ll take your help on the tree. I think Cindy will be…on a cloud.”
Gracie glanced across the room, but her attention fell on Nicole and Cameron tucked into a corner, looking completely smitten. They were laughing with Benny, who’d let Sir Isaac Newton sit in Elise’s lap, all of them delighted with whatever the spunky young woman was saying.
“Love is certainly in the air tonight,” Gracie noted on a sigh.
“For some,” MJ replied.
Gracie looked sharply at her. “Mom, are you sad that Matt Walker checked out? You were spending a lot of time with him.”
“Sad? Me? Honey, I don’t know the meaning…” Her voice faded. “Yeah,” she admitted. “I’m a little sad. How ridiculous is that?”
“About as ridiculous as me kind of crushing on a guy who turns out not only to be a retired pro football player but about to open the ‘anti-bakery’ across the street from Sugarfall.”
Gracie had filled all of them in on what Marshall Hampton was planning for Park City, but nothing more than that. MJ lifted a curious brow. “A crush? You never mentioned having a crush on him.”
“You never mentioned having a crush on Matt,” she replied with a sly smile.
MJ opened her mouth to deny it, then closed it, silent.
“It’s okay, Mom,” Gracie whispered, glancing at Cindy and Nicole. “This was their year. Maybe ours will be next year, which starts in”—she glanced at her watch—“very few minutes.”
“Oh! I have to be ready!”
“For what? We’ll kiss each other on the cheek.” Gracie leaned closer. “Along with Red and Benny. All the singletons.”
“No, no, I promised Jack…” She had cupcakes with sparklers on top and she wanted to ask Benny to figure out how to play “I Will Always Love You” on Red’s phone after Jack popped the question. It had been Jack and Cindy’s wedding dance song the first time around. And, it turned out, the words had been prophetic. “You’ll be surprised,” she finished, purposely vague.
Gracie gave a wry smile. “I don’t think anyone’s going to be that surprised, Mom. Look at the two of them.”
She did, and sighed, not bothering to try to keep the secret. “I’m happy for her.”
“You know, it’s okay for you to think about love again,” Gracie whispered. “I miss Dad every single day, but I know he wouldn’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life.”
“Hush, child. And even if I did…something like that, it wouldn’t be with a man who could be a criminal or married or God knows what. Matt was hiding something and it was big enough for him to haul out when I pressed.” She shook her head. “No, thank you.”
