She turned off Main Street leaving the bookstore behind them, drove a little way out of town, over a covered bridge spanning a river in full flow, and there, nestled among fir trees and instantly recognizable from the photos, was the Maple Sugar Inn.
Claudia instantly forgot about the bookstore.
The inn stood two and a half stories high, its covered porch and balconies strung with lights and festive greenery. Snow clung to the pitched roof and frosted the windows. The front door was framed by two tall Christmas trees studded with tiny lights. The whole place sparkled with old-fashioned holiday charm.
Erica pulled up and switched off the engine and they all sat in silence for a minute.
“Well,” Anna said, her eyes fixed on the inn.
“Yes.” Claudia’s eyes were fixed on the same place. Warmth spread through her. She’d never seen anywhere so magical. It was like stepping into a Christmas card. “I guess the website and the photos didn’t lie.”
“It’s everything Christmas in Vermont should be.” Anna actually sounded choked as she put her hand on Erica’s arm. “This is going to be wonderful. Thank you for choosing somewhere so special. I’m excited.”
Erica said nothing.
Her hands were clenched on the wheel. Her lips were slightly parted,as if she was trying to remember how to breathe.
Either she was totally overwhelmed by the same Christmassy feeling that had engulfed everyone else—and being Erica that was unlikely—or something else was going on. And if the whiteness of her knuckles was anything to go by, it wasn’t good.
Claudia reached forward and touched her shoulder. “Are you okay, Erica? Is it not what you expected?”
Erica didn’t answer.
“Erica?” And now her mind was working, sifting through the options. To the best of her knowledge, Erica had never been to Vermont before. She’d definitely never stayed in the Maple Sugar Inn. Had she worked with them in a professional capacity? No, that seemed unlikely.
She looked at Anna, who caught her eye and gave a tiny shrug.
“I don’t think we’re supposed to park here,” she said. “We should probably drive around to the parking lot at the back. That’s what the instructions said.”
Mention of the parking lot seemed to rouse Erica. “Yes. Right. Parking lot.” She cleared her throat. “Good plan. So everyone is happy with it, yes?”
“Yes, of course. How couldn’t we be? But are you—”
“I’m looking forward to seeing our rooms and talking about books.” Erica checked her mirrors and headed to the parking lot. The road had been cleared but snow lay banked at the sides.
They pulled into an empty space. In the space opposite them a man was unloading logs from the back of a truck marked with a logo.
Claudia squinted.“Peterson’s Christmas Trees.Mmm. I’d buy a Christmas tree from him any day.”
“I’m guessing he’s around thirty.” Anna picked up her bag and got ready to pull on her coat. “Isn’t that a little young for you?”
“Not according to Erica. And he’s older than John’s current girlfriend.”
Claudia didn’t want to think about that, so she allowed herself a moment to sit back and simply admire. Distraction could be a good thing.
The man wore a heavy-duty jacket and a pair of work boots that had seen plenty of action. His hair was dark and edging toward his collar, his expression serious and approaching stern. As he steadied the logs he noticed them and gave a quick smile by way of greeting that transformed stern to sexy.
Claudia smiled back. “Nowthat’sa man who probably carries a wrench in his back pocket at all times, and knows how to change a tire.”
Anna laughed and Erica sighed, apparently roused from whatever dark mood had been gripping her.
“Please. I know how to change a tire. Anytime you want me to change your tire, let me know. I’ll happily change your tire.”
Anna looked at her. “You do know it’s not about the tire?”
“Yes, I know it’s not about the tire,” Erica said. “I’m just saying I don’t need some man to change my tire.”
“Even if he’s cute?”
