Page 7

Mabel felt a familiar sense that there was something more to the situation than Imogen was strictly letting on. She had a suspicion that something was going on to make Imogen quite so bright-eyed and cheerful, even more so than her normal self. But she’d learned her lesson from last year; she decided not to push it. Instead she just smiled to herself, thrilled to see that everyone around her had such wonderful things going on in their lives.

And hers was just as bright. She had a dinner date with George after work, and she was looking forward to it—she had been all week.

Love was definitely in the air, she thought, just as it always seemed to be in Fir Tree Grove around Christmastime.

CHAPTER FIVE

The GPS announced Nicole’s arrival in Fir Tree Grove just as the late afternoon sun began to set, casting long shadows across the snow-dusted streets. The Christmas lights were just beginning to flicker on as she pulled onto Main Street, lighting up the town in a way that made her slow down to take it all in.

It was everything the town’s website had advertised and more. Gingerbread-perfect houses and rustic storefronts, people walking everywhere, snow coating the ground and cobblestoned streets in between drifts. It was clear this town took Christmas seriously, Nicole thought as she followed the directions to Hearthside Cottage Bed and Breakfast. Not every store was decorated, but it was still only just after Thanksgiving, and from what she could see so far, no expense was spared.

It looked as much like a postcard or a holiday movie as she could have hoped, and she felt her spirits lift despite how tired she was as she turned down the street that led to the B&B.

She was here. Actually here, in a town she’d never visited, having left behind everything familiar for the chance of starting over. She almost couldn’t believe she’d made such a reckless choice, but seeing the town in person, she didn’t regret it a bit. It was exactly what she’d hoped for.

The streets weren’t overly busy, which seemed right for a late Sunday afternoon, but she could see people walking about still, with bags and packages. She wondered how many of them were residents and how many were tourists—the website had said that Fir Tree Grove had a lively tourist economy—and she thought she could already see herself settling down here. It felt warm and familiar and homey, even though she’d never really visited anywhere quite like it before.

It was exactly what she’d hoped to find when she’d searched for “small town Christmas magic” in her moment of desperately needing escape. But seeing it now and actually being surrounded by the postcard-perfect atmosphere she’d craved from her empty suburban house, she felt a stab of surprising loneliness mix with her excitement.

The town was beautiful and perfect, but seeing it for the first time also felt bittersweet. This would be her first Christmas alone in decades, since she and Carl had been married. She’d stayed busy enough while packing up the house and getting ready to leave that she’d managed to keep the realization from intruding too much, but the reality of it crashed in as she looked around.

This was it. She was on her own, with no one to build her life around except herself any longer. The thought felt scary and intriguing all at once, and she took a deep breath, trying not to let her thoughts run away with her. There was no point in it, she told herself—the decision had been made, the circumstances were what they were, and she could either be unhappy or make the best of it. She wanted to do the latter.

She focused on taking in the scenery around her, noticing as she drove that she was passing what looked like an adorable little diner—the Snowdrift Diner, the sign out front said. It had a rustic, retro feeling to it that immediately drew her, seeing the large windows and the vinyl booths inside. She could smell the scent of comfort food, warm and rich and making her stomach growl. Not too much further, she passed a cabin-styled building called the Maplewood Tavern, with similarly delicious smells floating out.

It was a reminder that she hadn’t eaten since grabbing a breakfast sandwich and coffee when she’d gotten on the road that morning. She considered stopping for food, but after so many hours on the road, she felt grimy and in need of a shower and freshening up. A late lunch or dinner could wait until she’d had a chance to get settled into her room and clean up and change, she decided, as she made the final turn that would take her to the Hearthside Cottage B&B.

The Victorian-style establishment appeared in front of her moments later, every bit as charming as she could have hoped. The wraparound porch, iced trim on the eaves, and Christmas tree twinkling visibly from the window all looked like something straight out of a Christmas movie. She felt a smile on her face as she pulled into the small parking area beside the building, noticing with relief that there were only two other cars present. She wasn’t ready for a crowd of cheerful fellow travelers comparing notes on their Christmas vacation plans.

She breathed in the cold, crisp December air as she stepped out of the car and went around to get her bags, enjoying the clean scent of pine and snow. Everything seemed fresher here too, like she could breathe better. She took several deep breaths, letting the anxiety that had built up over the drive flow out of her, and headed toward the front door.

Inside was just as magical. The small lobby smelled like pumpkin and cinnamon, and Nicole could see into the sitting room just beyond, with the Christmas tree by the window and a crackling fire leaping in the hearth. A winding staircase led up to the upper floors, and she saw a handsome man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties at the front desk, going over a logbook.

He looked up with a smile. “You must be Nicole Peterson. I’m Christopher Holcomb. Welcome to the Hearthside Cottage Bed and Breakfast.”

Nicole felt most of the remaining tension leave her shoulders at his warm greeting. She’d spoken to Christopher briefly when she’d made her reservation, but a phone conversation couldn’t convey the genuine hospitality that radiated from him now. He clearly enjoyed running this place, but more than that, the fact that he’d known she was the one who would be checking in around now and called her by name made her feel more welcome than any other hotel ever had.

“I’m so glad to be here,” she said, and she knew she genuinely meant it. “I’m glad too, that you could rent a room out to me for so long. I’m sure that’s not the easiest thing to do, this time of year.”

“Nonsense.” Christopher smiled, waving her statement away. “We’re always glad to have anyone who wants to stay here. And we’re never too busy to welcome someone new to Fir Tree Grove, especially during the holidays.”

Nicole looked around as he found her reservation, taking in the holiday decorations. Outside, the porch had been wrapped with fresh garlands studded with lights and clusters of pinecones. Inside, she saw more garlands and twinkling lights in the lobby, accented inside with deep velvet ribbon that added to the Victorian feel. She saw a wreath hanging on the door to what she figured must be the dining room that was hung with what she thought might be genuine vintage ornaments, and there were a number of other vintage decorations scattered around on most available surfaces.

It made the place feel like a home without being cluttered, and Nicole already loved everything that she saw. A grandfather clock ticked softly in the corner, and classical Christmas music was playing from an antique gramophone in one corner.

“All right, then,” Christopher said, jolting her from her thoughts as he handed her a brass key with a tag on it that had her room number. “Your room is all ready for you, and…” He moved over to a glass-domed plate and handed her what looked like a freshly baked muffin on a napkin printed with holly leaves. “Fresh pumpkin muffins. I can have coffee or hot cider sent up to your room, whichever you would like.”

The mention of fresh-baked muffins made Nicole’s stomach growl audibly, and she realized she was hungrier than she’d thought. “That sounds wonderful,” she admitted. “I didn’t eat much on the drive, and everything smells incredible. Hot cider would be amazing.”

“I’ll have it sent right up,” Christopher promised. “I hope you enjoy your stay.”

“Thank you,” Nicole said with a smile, taking a bite of the muffin. “Oh my goodness, this is delicious.”

“We pride ourselves on all the food here being some of the best you’ve ever tasted,” Christopher said with a smile. “Breakfast is served every morning from six until ten, and you can choose from a menu the night before. Just let me know before you turn in tonight what you’d like to have tomorrow morning. We always have snacks and cider or cocoa or coffee available free of charge any time of day.”

“That sounds amazing.” Nicole smiled. “I love this town already.” She paused for a moment. “I’m looking to start over somewhere new,” she admitted. “So this is a trial run to see how I like Fir Tree Grove. To see if it’s the right place for that new beginning.”

Christopher’s expression softened. “Well, you’ve certainly chosen a good time to get acquainted with the town,” he said. “The next few weeks are when Fir Tree Grove is at its absolute best—we take Christmas very seriously around here. It’s a magical time to decide if this is the right place for you. I hope you love it as much as we all do.”