It was a loaded question.Of course, her friend didn’t know it.And not wanting to get into the mess otherwise known as her life, she settled for, “It’s okay.”
Holly reached out and gave her a quick hug.“How long are you back for?”
“I’m not sure.”When Holly sent her a curious look, Felicity said, “I mean, definitely until Christmas, but I don’t know if I’ll leave then or after the New Year.”
“Well, it’s good to have you back, even if it won’t be for long.”
Felicity looked around at the shop.She noticed little changes here and there, but for the most part, the place looked like she remembered.Chalk up one more place that hadn’t changed.
She turned back to Holly.“This place looks good.Your grandmother would be so proud of you.”Then Felicity got a somber look on her face.“I’m so sorry I didn’t make it back for the funeral.”
“It’s okay.I totally understand.The flowers you sent were beautiful.”Holly turned and straightened up a display of little white soaps shaped like snowmen.“I hope you’ll have some time so we can get some coffee and talk.”
Felicity nodded.“I should have some time when I’m not working at the bookshop.”
Holly’s brows rose.“You’re back there?”
The awkwardness returned, causing Felicity to glance away.She pretended to be interested in a gift basket of soaps and other assorted items.It was actually really cute.
She could feel her friend’s expectant gaze.“Connie could use some help for the holidays.”That much was true.The part about her needing money she left out of the conversation.“And, uh… It’s not like I have anything else to do while I’m here.”
“I thought you’d be spending your time visiting with your mother.She had to have missed you a lot.”
Felicity lowered her gaze as she nodded.“I didn’t tell her I was coming home.I thought I’d surprise her.The surprise was on me because her calendar is full between work and the holiday events.Besides, I’ve missed working at the bookshop.”
“I bet Connie is already trying to talk you into staying on.”
Felicity shrugged as she lowered her gaze.“She hasn’t said much about it.Well, I don’t want to keep you.I just wanted to say hey.”
This wasn’t a good idea.She shouldn’t have come here.She just couldn’t bring herself to admit that she’d been let go from her position at the publisher.She certainly couldn’t confess to her friend who was successfully running her own business.
Holly adjusted a sign on a nearby display shelf.“I’d offer to get coffee now…but there’s something I have to do.”
“I understand.”Felicity stepped forward and gave Holly another hug.Without another word, she headed out the door.
Maybe it wasn’t the things in Kringle Falls that had changed so much.Maybe it was herself who had changed.And she wasn’t sure it was for the better.
Chapter Eight
Avoidancewasparamount.
Although, even Justin knew he couldn’t spend his days at work and his evenings holed up in his apartment—even if it would help the word total on his current WIP.
Since he’d gotten home from work, he’d been at his desk.He sat in front of his computer, staring at the blinking cursor.The words just wouldn’t come to him.
He’d type a sentence and then backspace until it was erased.He groaned.He repeated this process over and over again.
He got up and paced.His brain searched for the next scene.All he came up with was a great big nothing.He had no idea where his characters were going or what their next obstacle would be.
He walked to the fridge and pulled out an energy drink.He took a gulp and then another.He grabbed a bag of red-hot tortilla chips from the counter and took them back to his desk.
He stared at the black screen.Some might call him a fool for working on the second book when he was unable to gain any attention for the first book.For all he knew, he didn’t have any talent.
However, what he did have was love for the written word, a big imagination, and he cared about these characters.So, he refused to shove this manuscript—this fictional world—into a drawer, never to see the light of day again.
All he had to do was write one word and then another word.His fingers moved over the keyboard, slowly at first, but then he picked up speed.And this time he didn’t immediately erase the words.He didn’t allow his internal editor to take over.He would later, but for now, the words stayed.He continued to type…
Garran looked at the being on the ground next to him.He didn’t know their name.He didn’t know where they’d come from.The only thing he knew was that they’d saved his life at great cost to their own.
