“Careful,” Madison said, pulling Cassidy back. “I’m pretty sure it’s a Norway spruce.”
“Don’t have to tell me twice.” She took a step back, allowing Madison to lead her upstairs and down the hall to Edith’s private apartment.
The door looked like the rest of the guest rooms on the floor, plain white with a numbered plaque on the front, but when Madison opened it, it revealed the combined living and dining space of a quaint little apartment.
The living room was cozy and inviting, centered around a small fireplace. A plush wingback chair sat angled beside it, witha floral footstool tucked neatly underneath. A soft, white quilted throw was draped over the back of the couch, which faced the hearth. To the left, an oak dining table dominated the remaining space. She could tell the table wasn’t usually that long. Edith had added the leaves to expand it for company. It made the whole apartment feel like the kind of place where stories were swapped over games of cards and second helpings were expected.
Off to the right was the kitchen, partially closed off by a set of upper cabinets and a central island that created a small sense of separation without feeling cut off from the rest of the apartment.
Edith had gone all out for tonight’s crafting club gathering. She had trays set out with bite-sized ham and Swiss pinwheels, bacon-wrapped dates, miniature quiches, and a bowl of rosemary-spiced nuts. A wooden board held an assortment of cheeses, crackers, and red grapes, while a tiered stand was stacked with gingerbread men and snowflake-shaped sugar cookies.
“I have mulled wine!” Edith said by way of greeting once Madison and Cassidy reached her.
The scent of warm red wine, cinnamon, orange, and clove filled the room.
“I’d love a cup,” Madison said, joining Edith in the kitchen.
“Make that two,” Cassidy said, still taking in all the food before her eyes wandered to the supplies for tonight’s craft.
The dining room table was a crafter’s paradise. There were white socks, baskets of buttons, felt hats, glittery sequins, hot glue guns, fabric scraps, and even a few crochet hooks with yarn if anyone wanted to really go all out.
The rest of the women arrived right on time.
Kit had baked cinnamon rolls, of course, and paired them with Zach’s homemade apple butter.
“I’m sorry,” Cassidy said, seeing everyone walk in with something. “I should’ve brought chocolates. My head’s just not where it needs to be.”
Mrs. C. waved Cassidy’s concern away. “It’s probably a good thing you didn’t. We have enough food to feed an army.”
“And then some,” Mrs. Bishop said, adding a cream cheese veggie pizza to the table.
Cassidy took a sip of the mulled wine, letting its warmth seep through her chest. The room buzzed with chatter and laughter as the women gathered around the table, pulling supplies closer with their plates of goodies. For a moment, she let herself soak it in, the easy conversation, the delicious food, the smell of the glue guns heating up.
She needed this.
That was, until Mrs. Bishop gave her a pointed look over the rim of her wine glass. “So,” she said casually, “any updates on the Liam front?”
The room went quiet, too quiet. Even the snowman heads seemed to lean in.
Cassidy shook her head. “Wow, okay. We’re just diving right in, huh?”
Mrs. C. waved a dismissive hand. “No sense in pretending otherwise.”
Cassidy let out a sigh and reached for a glittery top hat, as if gluing tiny felt accessories might shield her from the truth. “No, I haven’t heard a peep.” It had been two days without a sound from Liam.
Kit pointed her glue gun like a weapon. “If you ask me, he should’ve talked to you before running off like that.”
“I know. I agree. I get it that he was hurt. I just really want to talk to him and straighten things out.”
“And tell him about his shop,” Madison added.
“What happened to the Hot Honey Farm Shop?” Edith asked, brows lifting as she paused mid-sip of her wine.
“The Gingerbread Jerk struck again,” Kit said, gluing on her snowman’s head.
“No!” Mrs. C. said at the same time Mrs. Bishop asked, “When?”
“Yesterday sometime. And Liam’s switch-on is next week,” Cassidy said.
