"I suggested new carpet and a fresh coat of paint."
Morgan cut into his meat."I assume you'll need to check the electrical."
"I worked that into the estimate.Natasha doesn't think the prior owners updated anything."
He whistled."Natasha took a risk buying that place."
"It's her dream, and it sounds like they inherited enough to cover the purchase and any repairs.No point in waiting for a leak or a fire."
"You know if they got an inspection?"Cooper asked.
"They bought it as is."I popped a slice of turkey into my mouth.
"Sounds like you have it under control," Dad said.
I drank water to wash down the meat and said, "It's a big project, but it's coming together.The hardest part is keeping it quiet for the guests.I don't want to cause any trouble for Natasha."
"You still care about her," Mom said.
I tensed, worried my siblings would read into her statement."I would treat any innkeeper the same."
Mom continued as if I hadn't spoken."It's a shame you broke up back then.I really thought you two would get married.High-school sweethearts."
Tension formed between my shoulder blades."I wasn't ready to get married, and it wasn't fair to ask Natasha to be tied to me while she was going to college.Besides, I was focused on my career."
Mom waved her hand."High-school sweethearts makes for such a great beginning."
"If you don't break up," Cooper quipped with a grin.
I gave Cooper a cut-it-out look from across the table.Mom was nostalgic, but she also wanted us to settle down.Lincoln had raised her expectations when he fell in love with an out-of-towner.As Penny's doctor, he'd stopped by her house to check on her, and they got snowed in together.That was all it took for those two to fall in love.
I was fairly sure most people didn't meet their significant other and fall in love that quickly.Just like it was crazy to think that Natasha would want anything to do with me after I treated her so callously.
"I have to visit Christmas Town.I haven't been there in years, and I've heard the shopping is fabulous.I remember there being an ornament shop,” Maria said.
"Clara owns that one.I haven't been inside of it yet."I'd really only seen town hall, the coffee shop, inn, and diner."There are a few places to eat: a restaurant inside the inn, the diner and the pizza parlor for more casual fare.”
Mom's eyes flashed with interest."We'll have to make a day of it."
"The entire town is decorated for Christmas year-round.It's like it's preserved in time or something.If you ever need your Christmas fix, you need to go there," Aspen said.
"I could use some new decorations.I'd love to see Mistletoe Inn.I bet she's doing a fabulous job with it."
"I think she'd like to hear you say that.She's a little worried about whether they'll succeed."
"Is it just first-time business-owner jitters?"Dad asked.
I rested my elbows on the table."Eve and Natasha took over the town.The existing shop and restaurant owners are skeptical of their vision.They want to keep things the way they were," I said.
"I'm sure the girls can handle it.She's a hard worker," Mom said firmly.
"What did Natasha do before she bought the town?"She hadn't mentioned it, and I hadn't asked.
Cooper raised his brow at me as if asking what the hell I was doing.
If I wanted Mom to get off the trail, I wasn't doing a good job.
Mom frowned as if remembering the details."She went away to college and didn't come back until her parents passed away.It was tragic, but I'm pleased their girls came home to live."
