“A Garrick?” Oh. It was all clicking into place. “Did your husband happen to buy a Vallerton set at Midge’s Antiques today?”
Her eyes widen. “Yes … well, I’m not sure if it’s a Vallerton, as you call it. But he was at Midge’s Antiques. He told the lady he needed a nativity set from the early 1900s that was pretty rare. But like I said, he bought the wrong one. How’d you know?”
In her husband’s defense, the sets debuted around the same time and are both rare and valuable. I can see how he made the mistake, especially if he didn’t know what he was looking for. “I’ve been searching for a Vallerton set. They’re hard to come by.” And just like that, every whimsical feeling that’s been swirling through me over the past hour shrivels dead. The sole reason we’re stuck here in Sugarvale is because I had one goal—get the Vallerton.
“Ah, I see. They must be just as rare as Garricks. But that’s all she wants. We once had a set when she was younger and lost it in a move.”
“That’s disappointing,” I hear myself say, as if my voice is outside my body.
“Yeah, I didn’t know it was worth that much.” She glances at my card again. “I’m not sure what we’re going to do. The woman at the store won’t take back the set, and so I guess we’ll have to give it to our daughter. Though her heart was entirely fixed on the other.”
“I have a Garrick.”
CHAPTER 24
I takea hot shower but can’t get rid of the stinging chill. It’s settled in my bones. I should be happy, ecstatic even. The other day, I thought we’d need a Christmas miracle to get the Vallerton, and it happened. The miracle being me in the right place with the right nativity set to trade with Candace Whitman. She gets my Garrick and Leo gets the Vallerton. I fulfilled my end of the bargain.
And I’m absolutely crushed.
Mostly, I’m disappointed in myself. When Candace mentioned needing my set, I offered it up without hesitation. The words spewed out of my mouth before I realized what I was doing. It scared me, to be honest. Why is my default to surrender without thought? Like if someone needs a new brain, I’d say, “Oh, here, take mine!” Though it doesn’t matter now, since I feel I officially lost it anyway.
Just as I lost the Garrick.
I’ll get over it. I faced a bigger devastation with Gran’s passing … but then, why does it feel like losing her all over again? I know the answer, yet I don’t have the headspace to acknowledge it.
I slip on Leo’s hoodie and sweatpants. They’re both too big, but I roll down the waistband and fold up the sleeves. I should probably dry my wet hair, but I only want this day to be over. Topknot it is. Drawing in a ragged breath, I exit the bathroom.
Leo’s watching college basketball highlights and scrolling on his phone. My seating options are a marshmallow bean bag or an inflatable gummy bear. I choose the bean bag.
His smile broadens as he takes me in. “You look cute in my clothes.”
I press the cuff to my face and inhale. “It smells like you.” That will probably embarrass me come morning, but all my filters are scattered downstairs on the women’s bathroom floor. I haven’t been the same since I walked out of there.
“I’m not getting that back, am I?”
“I’m glad we understand each other.” I try to match his teasing, but my tone falls flat.
If he notices my dampened mood, he kindly gives me a free pass. He holds out his phone, showing me the weather radar on the screen. “The bulk of the snow has stopped. I say we take the turnpike tomorrow. It should be clearer than backroads.”
“Agreed.” I glance at the tub of antiques, which has one less Garrick nativity set and one more Vallerton. It’s a good thing. I did a good thing. Christmas is a season of giving. Look at me—I’m embodying the whole Santa Claus thing.
“You okay?”
I suddenly realize that Leo’s turned off the TV and is staring at me. He doesn’t know about the trade, and tonight I’m going to keep it that way.
“Oh, me? Yep. All good.” Just a bit of emotional scar tissue that I’m hiding beneath forced smiles and rapid nods.
He reaches out and sweeps a rogue lock of hair from my cheek. “You sure?” His touch sends a shiver through me. “Cold?”
“Very.”
He goes to the thermostat. “Kicked up the heat. That should help.”
Maybe with the chill, but not the numbness. That will go away with time. Hopefully.
“You sure you’re all right?”
I must look awful. “Yeah, I’m overtired.” I move slowly toward the bed, but Leo intercepts my hand, tugging me to him.
