The baby boutique was set up with string lights and holiday décor, and the window display featured tiny reindeer onesies, elf hats, and miniature mittens. Connor stopped in his tracks, pointing to a pair of fuzzy baby booties. “Look at those. Tell me those aren’t the cutest things you’ve ever seen.”
I was pretty sure my face was about to catch fire. “They’re… fine.”
“Fine?” He turned to me, incredulous. “Laney, they’re tiny boots. For tiny feet.”
Before I could stop him, he stepped inside, pulling me along. The boutique owner greeted us with a cheerful smile, holding up a holiday-themed diaper bag. “We just got these in! Perfect for new parents.”
Connor slung the bag over his shoulder, striking a pose. “Do I look like a cool dad?”
I grabbed his arm, yanking him toward the door. “Connor, we don’t need a diaper bag.”
“But it’s on sale,” he said, grinning. “And it’s practical.”
“For… o-other p-people,” I stammered. “We don’t have a baby!”
The boutique owner tilted her head, clearly confused. “Well, you don’t need a baby to shop here. Plenty of people buy gifts for friends and family.”
Connor smirked, grabbing a pair of the fuzzy booties. “Great idea. These will be perfect for… the future.”
I snatched the booties out of his hand, practically throwing them back on the shelf. “Nope. We’re not doing this. Next scavenger hunt item, let’s go!”
He laughed, raising his hands in surrender. “Okay, okay. Nobaby boots. But you’re acting a little weird, Laney. Everything okay?”
“Perfect!” I said, my voice a little too chipper. “Let’s go find the reindeer.”
I could feel Connor’s eyes on me, his curiosity growing. I looped my arm through his. The sooner we got to the next task, the better.
As we stepped back out into the bustling street, the lights twinkled overhead like tiny stars, and laughter from the square filled the chilly air. Connor reached for my hand, lacing his fingers through mine, and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“You’re quiet,” he said, glancing down at me. His gray eyes softened, searching my face. “Are you sure you’re okay? We can head back. Just say the word.”
I smiled, this time more genuinely. “I’m good. Just… taking it all in.” That much was true. I was internally sweating about him nearly finding out the truth, but other than that, I was swell. Great, even.
He nodded, his gaze sweeping across the square, the warmth of his hand steadying me. “It’s a good night. I can see why you love this place so much.”
My chest tightened—not in panic this time but in a sweet ache that made me want to laugh and cry all at once. This man, my husband, who had once thrived on skyscrapers and high-stakes deals, was falling in love with Cherrywood. And, whether he knew it or not, with the life wecouldbuild here. If he would try it.
I glanced up at the clock tower in the square, its face glowing faintly in the night. Just ten more days until New Year’s. Untilthe moment I could tell him everything—about the baby, about how I wanted this town to be part of our future, about how I could see us raising a family here. He had to get through the board meeting though. That was step one. Then… we could figure it out.
For now, I’d hold on to this perfect moment, to Connor’s hand in mine.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CONNOR
I couldn’t stop smiling. It was Tuesday morning, the day before the board meeting. I should be a nervous wreck. I should be stressed and going over the presentation a million times, but I wasn’t.
My wife was back. We had had the perfect date night, and even though I should be thinking about what to say, my mind kept going back to the skating rink and scavenger hunt. We didn’t win, but we laughed. We didn’t get back until midnight, and even though Laney had stayed the night, my tired mind raced with ideas.
This town needed someone to help it.
“I cannot believe you are on the cover of theCherrywood Times. You. Of all the grinchy people I know.” Petra rolled her eyes as she pointed to the papers on the table. “You almost took out a standandwent all out for the scavenger hunt. How do I know this, you might ask? Because Matt told me. He heard it from someone who saw the Zamboni incident, and this town is just wild. Why does everyone know everyone’s business?”
Petra had stayed in Cherrywood preparing with me, and the town was wearing on her. She wore a sweater that was clearly handcrafted. I wouldn’t mention it, but it made me smile.
“Because they all like each other.” I checked my phone to see how Laney was doing. The town’s events were picking up with Christmas nearing. Today was a Christmas tree farm celebration. She’d be outside all day, so I made a note to bring her more hot chocolate and find an extra blanket for her.
Plus, a part of me wanted to talk to the owner of the farm and see how they were doing. After a quick search into the town, it was clear they needed help or they’d continue to lose visitors. The thought of Laney’s parents unable to keep business at the hardware shop gutted me. I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. If they had someone in charge of improving the local economy… it’d help save a community. Jobs and lives.
