Before she could process what was happening, Celeste leaned in, capturing Ivy’s soft lips in a brief, heated kiss. It was both thrilling and terrifying, a spark of something new igniting in her chest. But as quickly as it began, she pulled away, confusion clouding her thoughts.
“I-I shouldn’t have done that,” Celeste stammered, her breath catching in her throat.
Ivy’s expression shifted, a mix of surprise and something deeper flickering in her eyes. “Celeste…”
“I need to think,” Celeste interrupted, her heart racing as she turned away, trying to push the moment aside. But the warmth from Ivy’s lips lingered, an undeniable reality that she couldn’t ignore.
As Ellie returned, oblivious to the tension, Celeste knew she had to confront her feelings—whatever they were—before she completely lost herself.
4
IVY
Ivy adjusted the wreath hanging on the bakery’s door, stepping back to admire the way the red ribbon caught in the light. It was just past dawn, and Hollyridge was beginning to stir, the sound of shovels scraping snow off sidewalks drifting through the still air. She loved this time of morning, the quiet before the rush, when the streets were calm and peaceful, and the bakery still smelled of last night’s fresh-baked bread.
The doorbell chimed, and Ivy turned to greet her first customer of the day—Mrs. Fischer, bundled in her thick wool coat and scarf. She carried the scent of cold air and pine needles with her as she stepped inside, stomping the snow off her boots.
“Morning, Ivy,” Mrs. Fischer said with a warm smile. “My, don’t you have the coziest little place in town.”
“Morning, Mrs. Fischer.” Ivy smiled back, quickly wiping her hands on her apron. “Cold out there?”
“Oh, it’s freezing, but the storm’s let up, thank goodness,” she said, glancing out the window where the world sparkled in crisp sunlight. “I suppose that means you’ll have company again.”
Ivy blinked, confused. “Company?”
Mrs. Fischer chuckled. “Haven’t you heard? Everyone’s talking about how that city woman—what’s her name? Celeste Winters—was seen helping at the Christmas market. People are mighty curious about her. Fancy CEO out here building gingerbread houses with the kids.”
Ivy’s stomach fluttered at the mention of Celeste’s name. “I hadn’t heard,” she lied, turning to adjust the display of sugar cookies to distract her hands. She could feel Mrs. Fischer’s eyes on her, sharp with curiosity.
“Well, I’ll tell you something,” Mrs. Fischer continued, leaning in conspiratorially. “Folks are wondering what she’s doing here. And with you, no less. You know how people talk.”
Ivy pressed her lips together, trying to keep her voice steady. “She’s just stuck here because of the storm. Nothing more.”
Mrs. Fischer flashed her a knowing smile. “Of course, dear. But I’d keep an eye on her if I were you. Big-city types, they don’t usually stay in places like Hollyridge without a reason.”
As Mrs. Fischer paid for her usual order of cinnamon rolls and left, the bell above the door chimed again, and soon, the bakery was filled with the buzz of morning chatter. Every now and then, Ivy caught snatches of conversation—Celeste Winters this, Celeste Winters that—and each time, it sent a prickle of nerves down her spine.
Was everyone talking about her? About Celeste? About…us?
It wasn’t like there was an “us,” Ivy reminded herself. Celeste had made that clear. She wasn’t here for the town, and she definitely wasn’t here for Ivy.
And yet…Ivy couldn’t shake the image of Celeste at the Christmas market, surrounded by children, her cool exterior softening in the glow of twinkling lights. It’d been a sight Ivy never expected, and one that, despite herself, she couldn’t stop thinking about.
Later that evening, Ivy sat on the floor of her living room with Ellie, sorting through a box of ornaments for the Christmas tree. The room was warm, the fire crackling in the hearth as they worked together, and the soft glow of the lights on the tree filled the space with a cozy warmth. Outside, the snow had stopped falling, but the world remained blanketed in white.
Ellie was carefully putting each ornament on the tree with utmost care, her little hands steady as she chose the perfect branch for each one.
“Mommy, look!” she exclaimed, holding up a glittering star. “It’s the one Grandma gave us last year.”
Ivy smiled, feeling a bittersweet tug at her heart. “That’s right, sweetheart. Why don’t you put it right there at the top?”
As Ellie stood on her tiptoes, reaching up to place the star, Ivy’s thoughts drifted. She could still feel the weight of the town’s gossip lingering in the back of her mind, like a shadow she couldn’t shake. People were curious about Celeste, rightfully so, but what would they think if they knew how much Ivy had been thinking about her?
Too much, she scolded herself.She’s only here for a few days. Don’t get attached.
But then there was a soft knock on the door, and Ivy’s heart jumped in her chest.
She stood quickly and moved to answer the door. Celeste stood there, her long black coat contrasting sharply with the soft, homey warmth of the living room. She was holding a small wrapped gift, and Ivy couldn’t help but to raise an eyebrow.
