“So in addition to good weather and new farming techniques, the orchard’s record year might be due to…?”
Mabel shrugged. “Songs and cider?”
Daniel smiled. Around them, the crowd, led by the mayor, started belting out “Jingle Bells.” Mabel took Penny’s arm and said to Daniel, “Can I pull her away for a moment?”
Daniel nodded. “I’ll be right here.”
Mabel led Penny to the edge of the crowd, where the singing wasn’t as loud. “Okay,” the older woman said, taking a deep breath. “I might owe you an apology for what I said earlier. Ike and Ed think I pressed too hard.”
“I see,” Penny said cautiously. An apology probably was owed, but she was so used to the town’s usual meddling behavior that the possibility of getting one hadn’t even crossed her mind.
“I figured,” Mabel said, “it wouldn’t hurt for the two of you to know certain things about each other, since you’ll be spending time together.”
“I see,” Penny said again, still unsure how to respond.
“Look at it this way. It’s another thing for the two of you to talk about.” Mabel glanced at Daniel, who was singing along with the crowd. “If you want to, of course.”
“Of course.”
“What I’m truly sorry about is that louse of a fiancé of yours.” Mabel took Penny’s hands in hers and squeezed. “I didn’t know.”
“It happened a while ago. I’m mostly over it.”
Mabel’s eyes didn’t leave hers. “Mostly? Not completely?”
Penny felt a rush of emotion. “Mostly but not completely.”
Mabel gave Penny’s hands another squeeze. “The good news is — you’re almost there. Get yourself across the finish line. You’re ready.”
CHAPTER 13
The next afternoon, for the third time in three days, Penny found herself in her car, driving to meet Daniel for another day of Christmas activities. This time, her destination wasn’t the orchard. On today’s schedule was a holiday double: picking a tree at Abner’s Christmas Tree Farm, then decorating it at Heartsprings Valley Cafe. The drive was sunny, traffic was light, and a fresh dusting of powder (courtesy of a brief snowfall that morning) imbued the fields outside her car window with a bright white glow.
The cheerful holiday tune playing on her car radio had it right: It was beginning to look a lot like her favorite time of the year.
As she hummed along, she realized that despite the anxiety she felt about her parents’ upcoming move, her primary mood today wasbuoyant. Last night’s Wassail had been more eventful than she’d anticipated — and so was her author-sitting gig. She hadn’t known what to expect when she’d agreed to accompany Daniel Bedford around town on his Christmas tour, but today’s activities were definitely creating a tingle of anticipation.
You’re attracted to him, her inner voice said.Don’t even try to deny it.
With a sigh, she accepted the truth of that. A spark existed between her and Daniel —a spark that wasn’t affecting only her. What he’d said during their sleigh ride made it clear that he felt something for her, too.
Which, she reminded herself, was perfectly natural and normal. Being attracted to someone was a healthy, ordinary part of the human experience. It had been a while — too long, really — since she’d felt that sense of possibility and connection. Having it happen again was, well,nice.
And the best part, she reassured herself as the radio launched into the familiar tale of a certain famous reindeer, was that this particular spark wasn’t anything she needed to get worked up about. After all, Daniel Bedford’s presence in her life was temporary. Their paths, currently entwined, would soon part. He’d return to New York, she’d get back to her normal routine, and that would be that. His visit to Heartsprings Valley would become a memory, something she’d remember asan unexpected and,yes,enjoyable interlude.
The clarity of the realization was simultaneously grounding and, if she was being honest with herself, a tad deflating. With a determined effort, she turned her attention back to the drive. Her destination, the tree farm, was up ahead. After turning off the main county road, she aimed her car down a narrow lane toward a farmhouse and barn nestled at the base of Heartsprings Ridge. Rising behind the barn were hundreds of future Christmas trees, their green branches dusted with fresh snow.
As the parking lot in front of the farmhouse came into view, an SUV with a big tree strapped to its roof passed her by. Inside, she caught a glimpse of a mom and dad in the front seat and two laughing kids in back.
That’s what Christmas is about, she told herself.Families creating memories together.Maybe today’s activities would help Daniel see that.
As she pulled in, she saw that Daniel had already arrived and was standing next to his car with Eva, who waved at her excitedly.
“Afternoon!” the girl exclaimed as Penny climbed out of her car. “I have great news!”
“News?” Penny asked.
“Mr. Farraday called. He said helovedthe videos I sent him and wants me to keep doing exactly what I’m doing.”
