“Nothing,” Sophie said, way too quickly.
“Just going over some ideas for the festival,” Alexander added smoothly.
I’d narrowed my eyes at both of them, but they’d just smiled innocently.
Now it’s the afternoon before the festival, and I’m at the shop helping Mom pack orders for an out-of-town delivery.The shop smells like peppermint and balsam, and there’s holiday music playing softly from the speakers Dad installed last week.
I’m wrapping vintage ornaments in tissue paper when I finally voice what’s been bothering me.“Do you know what Alexander and Sophie are up to?”
Mom looks up from the box she’s taping shut, her expression amused.“Those two are thick as thieves.I’ve given up asking.”
“They’re definitely planning something.”
“Oh, absolutely.”Mom shakes her head.“I came down early this morning and was shooed out of my own kitchen by Sophie.She said I was disrupting their strategy meeting.”She sounds genuinely miffed.
I grin.“You sound upset that Alexander didn’t include you.”
“Well, I am!”Mom says indignantly.“I want to be included in their schemes.”
I’m about to respond when Dad emerges from the back room, toolkit in hand, wiping his hands on a rag tucked into his overalls.“Who’s not including my beautiful wife?”he demands, mock-outrage on his face.“Tell me their name.I’ll knock their front two teeth out.”
“Your youngest daughter,” Mom says dryly.
Dad immediately grins sheepishly.“That’s my baby.”Mom rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling.I laugh, shaking my head at both of them.
“Bathroom sink’s fixed, by the way,” Dad adds, tucking the rag back into his pocket.“Should last you another few years now.”
“You’re a miracle worker, Bob,” Mom says fondly, then glances at me.“What time are you meeting Alexander?”
“Six o’clock.At the entrance to the festival.He was very specific about the time.”I carefully nestle a crystal ornament into the box.
“We’ll go together,” Mom says.“Apparently there’s some huge event before the festival officially opens.”
“I’ll need to get changed first, though,” I add, looking down at my jeans and my shirt, one of Dad’s old flannels.I’ve just finished my sentence when the front door opens.I glance up.
My jaw drops.
Victoria Castellano stands in the doorway, and her face lights up the moment she sees me.“Olivia!”She opens her arms, moving toward me with genuine warmth.Behind her, Alexander’s father—Jacob—steps inside, brushing snow off his shoulders with a smile.
I’m still processing when Victoria pulls me into a hug.She smells like expensive perfume and something that reminds me of peonies.“It’s so wonderful to finally see you again, dear,” she says, pulling back to look at me with those soft blue eyes.“It’s been far too long.”
“What are you doing here?”The words tumble out.Victoria’s smile is gentle, but there’s determination in her eyes.“My son has been hiding from me.But he forgets that I’m his mother.”
I blink at her, my brain scrambling to catch up.“I don’t understand.How did you get?—?”
“When were you two going to tell me you were dating?”Victoria asks, her voice warm but with gentle reproach.
Mom appears from behind a display, curiosity on her face.“Who is this?”
I manage to find my voice.“Mom, these are Alexander’s parents.”
Mom’s face lights up immediately.“Oh, how wonderful!”She extends her hand to Victoria.“I’m Carol Hartley.Olivia’s mother.”
Victoria takes her hand.“Victoria Castellano.Please, call me Victoria.And this is my husband, Jacob.”She gestures to Alexander’s father, who’s examining a display of hand-carved nutcrackers with genuine interest.
She turns back to me, squeezing my hand affectionately.“I’ve been trying to get my son settled down foryears, Olivia.And you—” She frowns.“You could have said something when we talked on the phone.”
I feel my cheeks turn warm.“I’m so sorry,” I manage.Then, because I’m not above self-preservation, I throw Alexander directly under the bus.“We were keeping it a secret.Alexander thought it was best.”Let him deal with his mother.
