Michelle nodded.
“Warning: I followed a theme.”
“I thought you might.” And she could never have enough of Audrey’s ceramics. Not only were they beautiful and unique, they were meaningful. Handmade gifts had always been her favorite, not that anyone in her family shared that opinion. They were more likely to be impressed by a price tag or a brand name than by sentiment.
Audrey handed Michelle a box that was taller than it was wide. “Careful with this one. Keep it upright while you’re opening, okay?”
“Now I’m intrigued.” A vase or teacup wouldn’t need to remain upright, nor would it be this large. Remembering her earlier promise to herself, Michelle yanked the ribbon to untie the bow, then ripped the paper away as recklessly as she dared, doing her best to ignore her mother’s chastising voice in her head.
Audrey let out a little whoop. “That’s what I’m talking about!”
Michelle laughed as she tossed the paper to the floor. “That was more fun than I expected.” In fact, she felt a rush of exhilaration completely out of proportion to the act she’d just committed.
The white box under the paper was a larger version of the one she’d opened earlier. Michelle lifted the flap and found herself staring at leaves. The top of a plant, to be more accurate. Intrigued, she removed the box to reveal a neatly potted plant in a ceramic container that was clearly an Audrey Lind original.
“It’s my blazer.” She felt herself smiling as she swept her gaze over the design on the pot, which was obviously a recreation of the blue tweed blazer Audrey loved so much. It made a beautifully unique pot design.
“It is,” Audrey confirmed. “And that’s a miniature rose plant. It doesn’t have any blooms this time of year, but I thought roses might suit you ... so elegant and romantic.”
“I love roses,” Michelle murmured, touching one of the leaves gently. She was careful not to prick herself on a thorn, now that she knew what type of plant this was. “They’re a classic for a reason. Thank you. This is beautiful, and I think you’re right. It suits me.”
“It totally does, and you’re welcome.” Audrey leaned in to kiss her cheek. She was so tactile, and while Michelle wasn’t used to it, having been raised to keep her hands to herself, she loved being touched and kissed by Audrey at such unexpected times. It made her feel ... cherished. Her chest filled with warmth, another sensation she associated with Audrey.
Audrey gave her another kiss. “Now I’mdyingto know what’s in the giant bag.”
Michelle wasn’t generally a gift-bag sort of woman, but it had been necessary to disguise this one. If she’d wrapped it properly, Audrey would have been able to tell immediately what it was. “Go on and open it, then.”
Audrey knelt on the floor beside the gift bag, running her hands over it experimentally, and then a wide smile bloomed on her face,leading Michelle to suspect she had felt the distinctive shape of the frame inside. Carefully, Audrey removed the decorative paper from the top of the bag, revealing a canvas wrapped in shipping paper.
“Oh my god. I can’t wait to see what this is,” she said as she lifted it from the bag.
“It’s a piece by one of my favorite artists in London. I thought you might like it.”
“I know I will,” Audrey said with such vehemence, that warm feeling in Michelle’s chest intensified. She removed the protective paper to reveal a polished cherry frame containing a colorful, somewhat abstract painting of two women clenched in a lovers’ embrace. “Oh, Michelle ...,” she gasped. “Oh wow, it’sgorgeous.”
“I’m glad you think so. It caught my eye when I visited her shop over the holiday.”
“Is this the same artist who did the painting over your bed? Because I love that one.”
“It is,” Michelle said, pleased that Audrey had recognized the artist’s style, although not entirely surprised. They both had a good eye for art, after all.
“The colors! And the emotion between the women ... it’s so evocative. I absolutely love it.” Audrey gazed appreciatively at the painting, then at Michelle. “This is one of the best gifts anyone’s ever given me.”
“Really?” That genuinely surprised Michelle.
“Yeah, my family is intimidated to give me art since I know more about it than they do. My artist friends give me pieces they’ve created, but that’s different. This piece ... knowing that you picked it out especially for me. It’s perfect. I love it.”
They’d both been using that word a lot tonight, and Michelle wondered if Audrey was feeling anything as intense as she was. After her divorce, Michelle had resigned herself to a life alone, certain that was the safest option for her.
And yet sitting here in Audrey’s living room, with a Christmas tree sparkling and cheerful music playing, torn wrapping paper all over the floor, Michelle felt more at home than she could ever remember feeling. More comfortable. More ... joyful.
As much as it frightened her to admit—even to herself—she couldn’t imagine a future without Audrey in it. And that meant the most unexpected thing had happened.
Michelle had fallen in love.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Michelle’s skis made the most satisfying crunching sound as they skimmed over the snow. Skiing was one of her favorite things to do in Vermont in the wintertime, although she hadn’t gone last year because skiing alone had felt like a lonely prospect.
