“I have to go, Joss,” Thea says. “I just wanted to check in. Something I’m learning in therapy is that I craved validation as a child and rarely got it. As I grew older, I looked for it in all the wrong places with all the wrong people. I know not everyone needs validation, but, well…you know how you said you were rooting for me? I wanted you to know I’m rooting for you too.”
What is it about this family? They have a way of hitting me right in the feels. “I appreciate that more than you know, Thea. Stay strong, okay? Just remember that no matter how hard it is to be away from Rex, you need to do what’s best for you right now because that’s what’ll be best forhimin the long run. Keep focusing on yourself and your health. And keep in touch if you can. I’m only ever a phone call away.”
“I will,” she says. “Thanks, Joss. Talk to you soon.”
*****
When Natalie and Selma return to the house, they’re all abuzz about Honeywell.
“It’s just socute!”
“Do you think it’s too late to convince my family to spend the holidays here?”
“I’m going to be spending all my non-filming time inside Sweet Escapes.”
I laugh dizzily as they chatter away, talking over each other and finishing each other’s sentences.
“I get it now, Joss,” Nat says, her cheeks still flushed from the cold, her eyes bright with happiness. “I see why you love Honeywell and why you’re sticking around. There’s just something about this place.”
A surge of joy warms me from the inside out at her words. It means a lot coming from Natalie since she knows me better than anyone. She’s always been protective of me, sometimes to the point of thinking she could orshoulddirect certain areas of my life. I’m the one calling the shots in my life now, and I’m proud to be the one who brought the three of us together here in this town I’ll be calling home.
“There’s a light tour in town tonight,” Selma says. “Apparently horse-drawn wagons will take people around town to see the light displays and holiday decorations. It kicks off and ends at Town Square, where there’ll be food and drinks for people while they wait for a ride.”
I noticed the event on the flyer Liam picked up in the café a few weeks ago. As much as I’ve enjoyed Honeywell’s holiday festivities, I figured I’d skip this one since I’d have to go on my own. “Nowthatwould have been immersion,” I say. “Too bad you’re leaving before it starts.”
“About that…” Selma says, eyeing Nat, who nods. “Think you could handle us for another night?”
“I haven’t done fun festive stuff like this since I was a kid,” Natalie says. “Plus, we want to meet this hot handyman that’s part of the reason you’re staying in Honeywell.”
My smile wavers. “I’m not sure if he’ll be there.” I fill them in on my conversation with Thea. “Even if Liamwasthere, I’m not sure a public event is the best place for a serious conversation like the one we need to have.”
At their disappointed expressions, I quickly add, “But I’d love to go with the two of you. I was planning to sit this one out, but it sounds like a lot of fun. And it’d be a good chance to introduce you to more people.”
“That’s settled, then,” Nat says. “Now, tell me: what does one wear to an event that involves a horse-drawn wagon?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
I wrap my hands around a cardboard cup of peppermint hot chocolate. My mouth waters as I lift it to inhale the scented steam and then take a long drink, letting my eyes slip closed.
It’s a beautiful clear night. The sky is a blanket of twinkling stars with the centerpiece being a nearly-full moon. I keep an eye out for familiar faces; I’ve spotted several so far, including Nathan and Rex. Nathan is watching Rex since Mae is in charge of the drink stand and Liam is away.
A red blur flies toward me and collides with me, nearly knocking me over. When small arms wrap around my waist, I realize the blur is Rex. With his arms still around me, he leans back to look up at me, his face lit with a giant grin. “I saw you on TV today!”
“Did you? What did you think? How’d I do?”
“You did really good and you looked really pretty,” Rex says. “And so did your friends. I didn’t understand what you were talking about, but Uncle Nathan says you’re going to be living in Honeywell. Is that true?”
“It is,” I tell him. “Part-time, anyway. I’ll still have my condo in Toronto and I’ll still be acting, which will require me to be away sometimes. But Honeywell will be my real, proper home from now on.”
“Yay! Can I come see your condo in Toronto sometime? Will you introduce me to all the famous people? Are you and Uncle Liam going to get back together now that you’re staying?”
My mouth opens and closes wordlessly, unsure where to start or how to answer. Nat makes a sound of appreciation from behind me, and I look up to see Nathan approaching. I could kiss him for saving me from Rex’s questions, especially the last one.
“Joss,” he says in greeting. The small smile on his face makes me grin even though I’m not quite sure why. He nods in Nat and Selma’s direction. “Joss’s friends.”
After I introduce everyone, Selma pulls a reluctant Natalie away to give me a chance to talk to Nathan.
“Guess we’ll be seeing a lot more of you around here,” he says.
