I did know, actually. I’d even witnessed it, but I would never tell anyone else that. It had been a beautiful, private moment, and I wanted them to have that for themselves. I simply beamed as everyone else chatted happily around me, ready to welcome Max into the crazy family of mine.
“They’ll be along, I imagine,” Dad said. “But for now, they said they wanted a bit of time to work out details. I’d imagine they have a lot of things to talk about. So, let’s eat.”
The table was filled with all sorts of delicious dishes: roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, freshly baked bread, and a variety of salads. There was also a large bowl of Fran’s famous cranberry sauce, which I eagerly spooned onto my plate. The scents and sounds of the meal enveloped me, filling me with a sense of comfort and belonging.
As we sat down to devour the amazing spread, the conversation flowed easily, with everyone sharing stories from their week and laughing at old family jokes. The warmth of the fire crackling in the fireplace and the soft glow of the candlelight created a cozy, festive atmosphere.
“You’re awfully quiet tonight, Dad,” I said, plating a large spoonful of carrots. “You okay?”
He patted my hand with a gentle touch. “I have a lot on my mind, Ivy girl. That’s all.”
“I’ll say,” Joy growled. “Ijustgot the town map changed to include The Sweet Shoppe, and now this!”
“And now what?” I asked, totally confused.
“You don’t know?” Dad set down his fork and frowned. “I have to say, I’m a little flummoxed about this. I thought you and the MacDowell fellow were getting along. You two looked fairly cozy last night.”
I cut my eyes to my stepmom. “Do you know what’s going on? Because these two are talking over my head.”
“Just tell her, Luke,” Fran said softly. “I don’t think she knows.”
A sudden feeling of dread swept through me. Why was everyone suddenly refusing to make eye contact with me? “Dad, what’s going on?”
“Connor MacDowell called me this morning,” Dad said. “He’s breaking his lease. He’ll be out of the building by the end of the month.”
“What?” I jumped up and knocked over my chair, surprised by my own reaction. “He can’t be serious! I don’t understand. He just—I mean.” I stood there, dumbfounded and unable to articulate just how hurt I felt that he was leaving.
What was he thinking? Why would he do this when it was so obvious he was going to be a big success in Jingle Junction?
Dad leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers, his eyes never leaving me. There was a hint of a smile on his lips. “Now what, Ivy? What will you do now?”
I frowned at him, confused and lost. What was that supposed to mean? I wasn’t Connor’s keeper. “I don’t know. It’s out of my hands, and I have nothing to do with this. Nothing.”
That was the truth, and something inside me started to ache at the thought of it.
“Maybe you should go talk with him,” Dad said gently. “He’s over the Henderson’s old cottage, the blue one on the way to the depot.”
As if that would do any good, I thought. “I don’t know. I’m so confused.” I reached down and righted my chair. “Why wouldn’t he say anything to me?”
“You heard Dad,” Joy said. “Go talk to him.” She grinned. “If you get him to stay and make it so I don’t have to change the mapyet again, I’ll make it worth your while.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’m not a kid anymore. I can’t be bribed.” I sighed and sat down instead of rushing out the door, despite having to fight myself not to do so at that exact second. “What do I say to him?”
“Let your heart guide you, Ivy,” Dad said. “You can never go wrong doing that.”
I wasn’t so sure about that. But whatever the case, Dad’s encouragement seemed to be the breaking point I needed because I didn’t hesitate any longer. I stood up and headed for the front door, grabbing my coat, while my family called happily after me, wishing me luck.
28
Ihad a comfort zone, and this wasn’t it.
But maybe comfort zones weren’t all they were cracked up to be.
There may have been reasons why I had been so cautious about stirring up any trouble before, but I was beginning to think this was not one of those times. Being a people pleaser sometimes meant smoothing over or ignoring things that weren’t pleasant, but this was one thing that needed to be confronted head-on.
Something must have happened to push Connor to the edge. To leave so abruptly, when he said he felt like he’d found a home at last, after four years of drifting. Whatever it was, the timing of Connor leaving Jingle Junction was no coincidence. There was only one way to find out what that was, though, and that meant getting face-to-face with him and finding out the truth.
I could hear Angus barking before I even reached the front door of Connor’s one-story cottage. Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, exhaling in a long, slow breath.
