And really, she told herself, it was no big deal. He was her high school sweetheart. No one ended up with their high school love. Or rarely, anyway. She’d been such a romantic back then, thinking of them as fated. Soulmates. What a joke that had turned out to be. Her father had been right after all. He’d insisted he was not someone she could or should build her life around. She’d known it was true as she’d stripped off her prom gown and crawled into bed, crying herself to sleep.
Yet, the way he’d left had hurt more than anything that had happened then or since. Raised in a cold and sterile home, she had clung to his warmth and sense of adventure. Her father had said he lacked discipline, but she’d known that wasn’t true. He simply wasn’t an academic like her father. No stuffy suit for Roan Hayes. It had not surprised her at all to learn that he’d become a stuntman.
The door swung open before she could knock, and Grace greeted her with enthusiasm. “Reese, so good to see you, sweetheart. Come in, come in. It’s cold outside.” Grace pulled her into a quick hug.
“This is for you,” Reese said, handing Grace the bottle of wine.
“How thoughtful of you. Shall we open it?” Grace asked.
“If you’d like, sure.” Reese drew in a breath, enjoying the homey scents of roasting meat along with a hint of cinnamon and sugar. Grace was famous for her Christmas cookies. For years and years, Reese hadn’t eaten cookies or anything sweet. She’d felt such pressure to remain thin for her dance. Now, however, after taking Mia’s cooking class last year, she was learning that food could nurture, delight, and comfort. In moderation, of course. But she allowed herself a cookie or two on occasion. Most people wouldn’t understand what a big deal that was for her. She was proud of herself for growing and evolving, even if it was sometimes still hard not to count every calorie that went into her mouth.
She shrugged out of her long coat, and Grace hung it in the entryway closet. While she did so, Reese took in the house, already decorated for Christmas. Their Christmas tree stood in the corner by the windows, at least nine feet tall and decorated with what looked like hundreds of cream and gold ornaments. White lights twinkled throughout the branches, with delicate glass icicles hanging from the tips. A woven basket skirt circled the base, already overflowing with wrapped presents. How anyone was this prepared for Christmas in the beginning of December was beyond comprehension. That was Grace Hayes for you.
Everything was perfect. A real fire crackled in the stone fireplace, filling the room with warmth and the soft scent of woodsmoke. Pillar candles of varying heights surrounded by sprigs of evergreen and pine cones were clustered on the coffee table. More greenery draped the mantel above the fireplace, interspersed with more candles and what looked like vintage glass ornaments.
Kris occupied a chair near the fire, still in his postal service uniform, a beer in hand and his Santa-worthy white beard neatly trimmed. Walter stood by the mantel talking to Pastor David and a woman Reese recognized as Mrs. Chen from the high school.
Through the open archway to the dining room, a long farmhouse table already set for dinner with a stunning centerpiece of fresh greenery, white ornaments, and candles running the length of the table.
This was what a family Christmas should look like. Not the minimalist decor once favored by her mother and father. Reese hadn’t yet bothered to decorate her little house. She hadn’t decided if she even wanted to. Christmas was about her studio and the recital. She always felt so wrung out by the middle of December, she wasn’t sure she would have the energy.
She stepped out of the foyer and in to the living room. She froze. Coming down the stairs was Roan. Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before Reese looked away, heart pounding.
Grace took her arm, pulling her close to the fire. “You know everyone, I think? Mrs. Chen, Pastor David, and Kris.”
“Evening, Reese,” Kris said with a warm smile. “Heard you’ve got quite the Christmas show planned at the studio. My granddaughter is very excited.”
“Maya’s a delight,” Reese said.
“She gets that from my wife,” Kris said.
“I don’t know about that,” Reese said. “You’re pretty charming yourself, Santa.”
Kris grinned. “I try my best.”
“Reese, glad you could make it.” Pastor David shook her hand. His kind eyes crinkled at the corners. “I haven’t seen you in church the last few weeks.”
“Oh, well, I’ve been busy with work,” Reese said, flushing. “I’ll try and make it next Sunday.”
“Very good,” Pastor David said. “It’s always nice to see your face in the pews.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Reese,” Mrs. Chen said. She was a petite woman in her fifties with eyes that seemed a bit world-weary. She worked with high school kids, which might explain it. God bless her.
“You too,” Reese said. “Do any of you know what Grace’s big idea is?”
“Not a clue,” Mrs. Chen said.
“All she told me is that she had an idea and wanted me to be a part of it,” Kris said.
Reese glanced over at Roan who had sat on the end of the sofa.
“Don’t look at me,” Roan said. “She just asked if I could come for dinner to hear about her idea.”
Kris grinned, shaking his head. “Sure is great to have you back in town, Roan. Did I hear right that Jason’s here for the holidays?”
“That’s right,” Roan said.
“How long were you away?” Mrs. Chen asked politely.
