"And while you're there," she lowers her voice conspiratorially, "stop by Theo's stand—he makes the most incredible hand-carved wooden boxes. Tell him I sent you, and he'll show you the special ones he keeps under the counter."
Emily's eyes light up. "Ooh, insider tips. I like your style, Glenda."
"Been here a long time, dear. I know where all the treasures are hidden." She straightens up. "Now drink your coffee before it gets cold. I gave you both my special holiday blend—cinnamon and nutmeg with a hint of chocolate. Your auras told me you needed something festive today."
With that cryptic comment, she pats my shoulder and returns to the counter, greeting another customer by name.
"Our auras?" I mouth to Emily, who stifles a laugh.
"I don't care what my aura supposedly said, this coffee is amazing," she whispers back.
We finish our drinks in comfortable silence, watching people pass by the frosted windows. The café feels like a warm bubble, separate from the rest of the world.
"Ready to check out this market?" I ask eventually.
Emily nods, gathering her things. "Absolutely. I might even find something for Bash while we're there."
"You don't have to get him anything," I say.
"Of course I do. He's family now." She says it so matter-of-factly that it catches me off guard.
Family.The word settles over me, unexpected but not unwelcome.
As we bundle up to brave the cold again, I glance back at the watercolor picture of the snowboarder. On impulse, I go to the counter to ask about it.
"That one caught your eye, did it?" Glenda smiles knowingly. "It's by a local artist—Sarah Montgomery, actually. Sebastian's sister."
I blink in surprise. "Sarah painted that?"
"She's quite talented. Did a whole series of her brother when he was competing. That's one of the last ones she did before his accident."
I stare at the painting with new appreciation. "Is it for sale?"
"Everything's for sale, honey," Glenda says. "For the right person."
Ten minutes later, Emily and I step back onto the snowy street, the carefully wrapped painting tucked safely in my bag. It feels right, somehow—a piece of Bash's past that I can give back to him.
"To the Winter Market?" Emily asks, linking her arm through mine.
"To the Winter Market," I agree. "Let's see if Glenda's insider knowledge is as good as her coffee."
Emily and I spend another hour exploring the Winter Market, the air filled with the scent of pine, cinnamon, and woodsmoke. The local artisans have transformed the end of the street into a winter wonderland of handcrafted goods. Just as Glenda promised, Theo's wooden boxes are exquisite—each one a miniature masterpiece of inlaid woods and secret compartments. Emily finds a perfect one for Dad's cufflink collection.
By the time we head back to the house, both of us are loaded with bags, our cheeks flushed from the cold and the satisfaction of successful shopping.
"I'm exhausted," Emily announces as we stamp snow from our boots in the entryway. "Shopping is more tiring than skiing."
I laugh. "That's because you approach it like an Olympic event."
"Strategy is everything," she says with mock seriousness. "I'm going to wrap these before Mom gets nosy. Are you coming?"
"I'll be down in a bit. Need to hide these first," I say, lifting my bags.
The house is quiet as I climb the stairs, I think mom’s still out with Mrs. Harper out enjoying the afternoon and dad should still have Bash preoccupied. I push open one of the empty bedroom doors with my hip, relieved to find it empty. Not that I don't want to see Bash, but I need to hide his gift before he spots it.
I set my bags on the bed and carry the wrapped painting and a few other items toward the walk-in closet. As I'm reaching for the light switch, strong hands grab my waist from behind.
I let out a startled squeal that turns into a giggle as I'm guided further into the closet. The door clicks shut behind us.
