Outside, snow fell steadily, softening the world into silence.
Inside, he closed his eyes.
And let the darkness settle in.
THIRTY-SEVEN
CASSIDY
Monday, December 15th
Cassidy felt sick to her stomach. She couldn’t believe Liam would just disappear like this.
“Does he do this often?” she had asked Madison.
“No, not often. But he’s not himself this time of year, and when he needs a moment, it’s best to give him one.”
She was wiping down the cocoa bar for the third time that morning, glancing out the window at his darkened shop across the street, when the bell over her door jingled.
Beth Hawthorne stepped inside, bringing a swirl of cold air with her, followed closely by Mrs. Bishop and Mrs. C., who was already unwrapping a butterscotch candy.
“There she is,” Beth said warmly, pulling off her gloves and walking straight over to give Cassidy a hug. “Honey, don’t you worry about a thing.”
“Beth, I?—”
“We all saw what happened,” Mrs. Bishop cut in, her cheeks flushed from the cold. “That slimy ex of yours dropping to one knee like he was in some cheap holiday movie.”
Mrs. C. sniffed. “If I’d been closer, I would have whacked him with my purse. Hard.”
Cassidy let out a strangled laugh, tears pricking her eyes.
Beth squeezed her shoulder. “Liam just needs a little time, honey. He’ll come around. He always does.”
Mrs. C. nodded, rummaging in her purse. “And when he does, you tell him we said he better not let a two-bit French soap opera villain ruin what you two have.”
Mrs. Bishop was peering around the shop, taking in the scent of warm cocoa and the soft glow of the twinkle lights. “You keeping up okay here, dear? Need us to run deliveries? I’ve got nothing but time now that my knitting club is off for the holidays.”
“I-I’m okay,” Cassidy stammered, overwhelmed by the kindness. “I’m thinking about pulling out of the competition though. After everything, I’m just not sure?—”
“What!” Mrs. Bishop shouted. “You can’t do that!”
“Nonsense. Do you know how many Team Cassidy sweaters we’ve sold? This town loves you!” Mrs. C. added.
Beth smiled. “It’s true, and the competition has been so good for the town. Don’t you worry about Liam, and don’t you dare worry about what anyone else thinks.”
“Are you sure?” Cassidy knew winning was a long shot, but after the drama she’d caused, she wasn’t sure if she even had a chance. Not that she wanted to quit…
“Quit talking like that. You’re going to win. You just wait and see!” Mrs. Bishop said, putting an end to the conversation.
Mrs. C. clapped her hands. “Now, who wants spiced cocoa? Because I, for one, think this situation calls for extra whipped cream.”
Cassidy let out a watery laugh, the tension easing from her shoulders for the first time all day. She glanced outside at thefalling snow, then back at the women crowding around her cocoa bar, fussing over marshmallows and stirring sticks.
She still didn’t know when Liam would come back.
But at least, in that moment, she knew she wasn’t alone.
It was that evening when she noticed something very wrong. She was outside, getting ready to step out for a walk with Muff, when she looked over and saw Liam’s shop.
