A cosy, massive couch set up in the living room faced the roaring fireplace and a TV. There were books and DVDs and even videos lining shelves. The tree wasn’t up yet, but other decorations had been hung. They weren’t the coordinated effort of the cabin, but they fit together and screamedfamily home.It was a collection of things Hallie’s mom had obviously been gathering over the years. Things her kids had made alongside more recent decor upgrades.
The whole place was cluttered but not scary. Audrey often wasn’t great with overly busy spaces—they felt too chaotic—but it wasn’t overwhelming. It was just nice, soothing.
“Come on in, you two, I’ve got fresh-baked cookies in here,” Hallie’s mom called again.
That explains the smell, Audrey thought, fully aware of how welcoming that was too.
Hallie smiled at her and put their drying pants atop a sideboard.
“She won’t mind us leaving those?” Audrey asked, unable to fully block the thought that their pants were contaminated and spreading dirt in the house as she looked in the direction of Hallie’s mom’s voice.
“Not at all,” Hallie said softly. “So, cookies?”
Audrey sucked in a breath, the air full of cinnamon and sugar and deliciousness. “Cookies.”
Hallie looked satisfied as she led the way to the kitchen, and it was only as they moved through the house that Audrey realized they were on a lake. A frozen one, covered in snow, but, out of the windows, there was definitely a lake. And balconies that overlooked it. Maybe it was no wonder Hallie had such a thing about balconies, she’d grown up with incredible ones.
A woman in a flannel shirt, sleeves rolled up, looked at the two of them as they entered the room. Her wide smile was so similar to Hallie’s, even if she was quite a bit taller than her daughter.
“Audrey,” she said in welcome, walking over to greet the two of them from around the kitchen island. “We’re so glad to have you. Are you more of a peanut butter blossom person or a snickerdoodle person?”
Audrey breathed a laugh, looking across the spread she was referencing. Her hands were itching. “Uh, when it comes to cookies, I’m the easily pleased type.”
Hallie’s mom laughed. “Exactly what I like to hear.”
“Hey, Mom,” Hallie said again, pressing a quick kiss to her mom’s cheek before she clambered into a seat at the island. However, she only stayed there for a second before she hopped down and proceeded to wash her hands.
Audrey felt mildly sick. Hallie was washing her hands so Audrey could do hers. She’d noticed Audrey couldn’t come into the house without doing that. She really was observant.
Once they were both done, Hallie’s mom directed Audrey to a seat beside Hallie back at the island and moved to stand across from them. “So, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, hot apple cider?”
Audrey blinked. She really had it all.
“Coffee, please,” Hallie groaned, as if the prospect of a hot cup of coffee was the best thing she’d ever heard.
That was the moment Audrey realized she hadn’t had breakfast either. Guilt spilled through her, but Hallie didn’t accuse her or hate her. She simply reached to take one of the peanut butter cookies as she smiled at Audrey.
“Uh, yeah, coffee works,” Audrey said.
Hallie’s mom smiled wider. “Is that what you want? I promise I’m happy to make other things.”
Caffeine wasn’t a great idea when she felt this way, but she didn’t want to be a problem. She ran her nails against the pad of her thumb out of everyone’s view. “Any chance you have decaf?” she asked, feeling more than a little awkward.
“I absolutely do. I wouldn’t get a wink of sleep these days if I didn’t have my decaf. Sure, I could give up the coffee, but I might as well give up living at that point, so don’t you worry, we’re stocked on all the decaf you want.”
Audrey smiled gratefully. “Decaf would be great, thanks… uh…”
Hallie laughed as her mom shot her a look. “You didn’t tell the poor woman my name?”
“I’m not going around referring to you as Tracy, Mom,” Hallie shot back, and everything about it felt natural and safe. A million miles from what family had always been for Audrey.
“Yeah, okay. I’ll let you off,” Tracy said as she moved around the kitchen, making three coffees like she really was delighted to do it. She didn’t bother with a formal introduction, just absorbing Audrey into the group without drawing attention to the fact that she was new.
Hallie nudged Audrey. “I bet I can eat more cookies than you can before we finish our coffees.”
Audrey laughed in surprise. “But they’re not the same size. How do we know if it’s a fair contest?”
“Oh, that’s on you, scientist. Make smart choices if you want to beat me.”
