As we sit together on the couch in the living room, Mae tells me more about Honeywell. A few of the tidbits of info are things I already learned from Liam last night, but I don’t mind. She mentions Liam a lot, along with Nathan, and her daughter Fiona, who’s been traveling the world for years and rarely makes it back to Honeywell.
“Her dad and I couldn’t be happier for her,” she tells me. “Her dream was always to travel, and she’s doing it. My husband—he’s originally from Ireland—he did his fair share of traveling when he was younger before settling in Honeywell. I love to travel too, but I swear wanderlust runs through their veins, the two of them.”
“How did your husband end up in Honeywell of all places?” I ask.
“Funnily enough, we met on our travels. I was on a group tour in Dublin, where Seamus happened to be visiting friends, and we met in a pub. After just that one evening together, I split from my group to go off with him. We traveled all around Europe together for nearly a month, and then he came back to Canada with me. The rest, as they say, is history.”
Her story, paired with the sweet, wistful smile on her face makes my eyes sting. My cynical side may be making more of an appearance than usual recently, but stories like that still get to me. Grand, sweeping romances that stand the test of time aren’t something you encounter often. It’s certainly almost unheard of among celebrities. “What about his wanderlust? Honeywell Hollow isn’t exactly a hotbed of international culture or cuisine.”
She lets out a short burst of laughter. “That it’s not. Seamus said I was worth settling down for. And we still traveled as much as we could, even when Fiona came along. He’s been happy here, though. We have a good life. He says despite being to almost every corner of this globe, he’s never felt as inspired to write as he does right here in Honeywell. Every single one of his books has been written here.”
“Wow.” It comes out breathy, awed. I read other people’s words for a living, but the thought of writing them myself has always been beyond me. And the thought of finding that much inspiration in this tiny town? It boggles my mind.
Back to studying me as she did before, Mae nods her head slowly. “That’s the magic of Honeywell. We’re one of those obnoxiously charming towns with a close-knit community that you don’t think exist in real life. The kind of townsyou’velikely only encountered on a movie set.”
My heart stops. I’ve been looking down at the mug in my hand, and now my eyes snap to hers. “You know who I am.”
“I do. Big fan.” She gives me a cheeky wink that has me releasing a shaky laugh.
“Thank you?” The words come out sounding like a question.
“I didn’t want you thinking I was trying to befriend you because of your fame. I’ve seen how people can act, how they change around someone famous. I’ve gone to countless events and signings with my husband where he’s fawned over like a rock star, asked inappropriate questions, probed about his personal life. The two of you are extremely talented at what you do, but you’re also just people. And as much of a fan as I am of your work, I want you to know I see the person underneath. She’s the one I’ve been talking to this morning, the one I hope to get to know better.”
It takes me a moment to digest her words. The sincerity in her voice and in her eyes tell me every word of what she said is true. I don’t have to worry about what I say around her, or wear the mask that sometimes feels like a permanent extension of myself. “Thank you,” I say again, firmly this time. “Truly.”
She reaches over to pat my hand. “And with that, it’s time for me to go. My daughter sent me a recipe from Scotland this morning that I’m just itching to try.”
Despite my protests, she collects both of our mugs and takes them to the kitchen. I meet her in the front hall and hold her coat while she dons her boots. “You should come to the café later. I’ll be there until six or so, and I can show you around, introduce you to some people. Show you more of the magic of Honeywell.” She winks at me again as she slips her arms into her coat and fastens the buttons.
She must sense my hesitation because she adds, “By then I’ll have those mince pies made. You can be my taste tester. Unless you don’t like mince pies, and then I’ll find something else for you to sample.”
This makes me laugh. “Deal.”
She gives me a quick, tight hug before opening the door. She speaks to someone as she steps onto the porch, and a deliveryman appears a second later, holding a large cardboard box.
“Josslyn Hazelwood?” he asks.
“That’s me.”
He hands me the box and tells me to have a nice day. I wait in the open doorway, watching him walk with Mae to her car before jogging to the delivery van parked at the end of my driveway. I wave to Mae as she pulls out, then peer at the box in my arms. It’s from Natalie.
With a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, I take the box to the kitchen and open it. There’s a handwritten note on top from Nat that reads:Since you’re determined to make a go of it in Honeybun Corners, I thought I’d send a little care package/survival kit. Some things are for comfort, others are for…pleasure. Keep me posted. Love you! ~ Natalie xo
I begin pulling items from the box. First is a pair of fuzzy blue socks, followed by a mug with an illustration of a llama with the words ‘No Drama Llama’ scrawled over its head. The mug is stuffed with tea bags and individual packets of hot chocolate. Next is a pair of paperback romances with a sticky note attached:I asked one of the booksellers at Indigo for recommendations and she raved about these two. I bought copies for each of us; let’s read them and discuss over wine in January. xo.I chuckle to myself as I reach into the box again and pull out…a jumbo box of condoms.
“God, Nat, really?”
I can imagine her cackling as she chose these items and packaged them up for me. The final item in the box is small and covered by another sticky note. I pick it up and read the missive:Just in case you don’t find a man in Honey Town…
I have a feeling I already know what it is. As I peel off the sticky note and see the small purple vibrator beneath, laughter rolls out of me. Between this and the giant carton of condoms, I’m grateful Natalie’s package didn’t arrive in time for me to open in front of Mae.
CHAPTER FIVE
Sweet Escapes, in keeping with the rest of Honeywell Hollow, is like something out of a movie set. It’s cozy and homey with a variety of mismatched tables and chairs scattered throughout, as well as a seating area that includes two couches and three squashy armchairs in front of an electric fireplace. The air is perfumed with the scents of coffee and freshly baked goods—butter and cinnamon and chocolate, oh my! A low hum of chatter fills the space, along with the sound of forks clinking against plates and the tinkling of spoons stirring hot beverages.
Mae emerges from a back room with a large box in her hands. A string of silver garland is draped around her neck, and there’s a reindeer antler headband perched on her head. A few people laugh and make comments as she passes, and she gives her head a jaunty shake, making the bells on the antlers jingle.
She spies me hovering near the doorway and gives me a broad smile. “Joss! You came. You’re just in time to help me North Polerize the café.”
