Finally, with a quiet breath, he started the engine again, the truck rumbling to life beneath him. As he eased back onto the mountain road, Liam looked back at the glow of the town, a faint, shimmering promise beneath the winter sky.
And for the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of something like hope—warm, fragile, and just within reach.
NINE
CASSIDY
Tuesday, December 2nd
“We have a lovely new town, don’t we?” Cassidy said to Muff as she bent down and scratched behind her fluffy white ears. Last night had felt like a Christmas movie come to life with the Christmas carolers, reindeer paddock, and Santa’s house. The only thing that had been missing was Liam. And Cassidyhadmissed him. Trying to figure him out was quickly becoming the best part of her day. But even without him there, she’d had a marvelous time. If she wasn’t so run off her feet, she’d volunteer at the house to be an elf.I do have the hat already, she thought as she tugged her stocking cap lower.
She and Muff had just taken a much-needed break in a loop around the lake near the inn, the frozen water shimmering under the pale winter sun, before heading into town to let the pup sniff every garland-wrapped lamppost and snowbank in sight.
Cassidy had flipped the shop sign to “Closed,” along with a handwritten note that said, “Back in 30 minutes.” If her shop continued to stay this busy, she’d have to come up with a plan for Muff. Cassidy was hesitant to hire someone, not when her shopwas still a baby. Rita had had a couple of longtime employees, but they’d decided to retire when she did.
Maple Falls was starting to come alive with holiday magic, even on an ordinary weekday afternoon. Zoe’sflower shop, Cherry Crush,had a stand of mini holiday bouquets and mistletoe bundles tied with red-and-white twine, the scent of pine and eucalyptus drifting onto the sidewalk. TheLittle Lantern Bookshophad a book tree in its window, stacked high and wrapped in twinkle lights, topped with a shimmering silver star that reflected the snow outside.
She paused to admire the oversized silver snowflake clings decorating theMaple Leaf Caféwindows, where the owner, Zach and Emily’s mom, Anita, had tucked faux poinsettias, evergreen branches, and birch twigs into her sidewalk planters, creating a splash of color against the winter white.
Muff pranced beside her on their walk back. The entire time, Cassidy took in the heartwarming decorations and reflected on how welcoming Maple Falls had been. Anita had dropped off a grilled cheese and tomato bisque just before noon. “Just wanted to make sure you took time to eat,” she’d said, buying twenty dollars’ worth of handmade peanut butter cups on her way out.
Even Mayor Bloomfield had stopped in to see how Maple Falls’ newest business owner was doing and to see if there was anything he could do to help. Cassidy had assured him she was all set.
She honestly couldn’t believe how kind everyone was being.
But a part of her—and if she was being honest, it was a rather large part—wondered how long it would last.
Cassidy had been told many times that she was a bit much, especially this time of year, with her oversized holiday sweaters, random Christmas trivia, and her tendency to talk to marshmallows. The Midwest didn’t always do quirky. And shehadn’t lived here since she was a little girl. A lot had changed since then, including her.
But she’d also learned that she had to be true to herself. Anything less would end in heartbreak. The French Bastard had taught her that lesson.
They’d met at culinary school. At first, he’d found her adorable, endearing even. He’d swept her off her feet with his charm. Told her she was beautiful. He’d opened her eyes to the world—fine dining in Paris, lavish gifts, last-minute getaways. They’d been to so many places—Monaco, the Swiss Alps, Iceland, Tuscany, Bora Bora.
But little by little, he’d chipped away at her confidence.
“Are you sure you’re going to wear that?”
“Have you ever thought about contacts?”
“Braids again? What are you, five?”
It hadn’t just been about her appearance. He’d second-guessed her every creative instinct. Her ideas. Her spark.
“Citrus and white chocolate? No. Never.”
“Do you even pay attention in school?”
“That will never work.”
Soon, she’d stopped defending herself. Stopped offering ideas. In the end, she wasn’t even a partner in the shop they ran together. She was just an employee. Worse than that, her opinions didn’t matter. She didn’t matter.
She’d lost herself. And it still hadn’t been enough.
He’d tossed her aside, cheating on her with an intern in their apartment. She’d walked in last year to see Santa’s little helper riding her boyfriend in their bed wearing nothing but a big red bow.
Cassidy couldn’t believe that it had taken losing everything to make her realize she didn’t want any of it.
Now, she wouldn’t dim her light again. Not for anyone. She’d fought hard to get here—to Maple Falls, to this shop, to thismoment. She was rebuilding something real, something hers. And anyone who couldn’t see her magic didn’t deserve a seat at her table.
