“Especially if he’s cute. I don’t want him getting a false impression of me and thinking I’m helpless.”
“It’s not about being helpless,” Claudia said. “It’s about someone doing something for you because they want to. I miss that.I miss having someone who knows all the little things about me. I miss those thoughtful gestures. In the early days John used to bring me a cup of coffee in the morning before he left for work, particularly on the days when I’d worked late at the restaurant. And it was always cold by the time I woke up, but I drank it anyway because it made me feel close to him. Does that sound weird?”
“Cold coffee? Not weird. Disgusting.” Erica caught Anna’s eye and cleared her throat. “Maybe it’s an acquired taste.”
Claudia didn’t expect her to understand. Erica valued her independence above everything else, and she hated someone doing something for her that she could do herself. It was as if she believed that any selfless gesture on someone else’s part would require a show of weakness on hers.
“I liked being a person who someone wanted to do things for. Now if I want tea, I make it myself.”
“If I want tea, I call room service,” Erica said and lifted a hand to stop Anna’s gentle admonishment. “Yes, I know, I’m a heartless woman. It’s been said before. But there is nothing better in this life than being able to change your own tire and make your own tea. Self-love is the new long-term relationship. Hadn’t you heard?”
“But people do things for other people because they want to, not because the other person is incapable. Like that guy.” Claudia watched as he walked away from them toward the inn. “He looks like the steady, reliable type. The sort that isn’t going to run in a crisis. He’s carrying logs because he cares about someone. He wants them to be warm and comfortable.”
A young woman appeared in the doorway and greeted him with a few words and laughter.
“Judging from the look on her face and his, I think he’s taken,” Anna said.
“He’s probably carrying logs because he is being paid to do it. And of course he’d run in a crisis. That’s what men do.” Erica unclipped her seat belt. “Now, can we stop this conversation and start our vacation?”
Claudia watched as the man disappeared through the door at the back of the inn.
She didn’t believe he’d run. She thought he’d stand fast and handle whatever was barreling toward him. But she wasn’t really interested in him. She wasn’t interested in a relationship at the moment, but it was a relief she could still admire an attractive man when he crossed her path. That felt like another step forward.
Whoever that man loved, she thought as she grabbed an armful of gifts, was a lucky person but nowhere near as lucky as the woman who owned the inn.
Claudia had never believed in love at first sight but looking at the shimmering windows and snow-covered roof of the Maple Sugar Inn, she suddenly did.
Forget the man; what she really wanted was the inn. If the inn belonged to her, she was sure she’d live happily ever after.
NINE
Anna
The inn was warm and welcoming. As Anna stepped over the threshold and saw the tall Christmas tree sparkling with lights and ornaments she thought,I wish I were here with Pete.
He’d suggested that the two of them go away together several times lately and she’d always found a reason not to. It was one of the few points of tension between them. He didn’t seem to understand that she needed to be around for the kids. It was hard to find the time. Now she was wondering if she should have made the time.
“I want to live here forever.” Claudia gazed at the tree. “You’re a vacation genius, Erica.”
“Yes.” Anna was about to ask Erica if she was happy with everything when a young woman emerged from a room at the back. It was the same woman they’d seen greeting the man with the logs. Her cheeks were flushed and her hair formed a cloud of curls around her smiling face.
“Hi there, you must be Erica, Anna and Claudia. Welcome. I’m Hattie.”
This was Hattie?
She looked so young. Too young to have a child and be running the inn.
And then Anna remembered she would have been around the same age when she’d had the twins.
She glanced at Erica, expecting her to take the lead as she’d made the reservation, but Erica was standing frozen, staring at Hattie.
Anna had no idea what the problem could be.
Erica was often blunt and efficient, but she was never rude. Also, she was rarely silent. Usually, she would be taking charge by now, not because Anna and Claudia were in any way less competent, but just because she couldn’t help herself.
Anna waited another beat, and then stepped forward and stretched out her hand.
“Hi there, I’m Anna. This place is incredible. I feel as if I’m on the set of a Christmas movie.”
