“Vanessa can handle it all for a little while. I’ll be back before you know it.”
An hour later, she returned from running errands—a trip to the pharmacy for lozenges, cough medicine, and George’s prescription, to the grocery store for orange juice, and the post office to drop off some paperwork that she’d seen waiting to be mailed out for the farm. When she came back upstairs, she saw that George was asleep, the breakfast tray mostly polished off and left by the bed.
She smiled to herself and quietly gathered up the dishes, retreating back downstairs. She did a quick wash and tidy up, cleaning the kitchen and living room enough to be presentable, and then surveyed it all with her hands on her hips, feeling satisfied.
It felt good to do something like this for George, intimate in a way that felt right for a deepening relationship. These were the kinds of gestures that built a relationship, Mabel reflected. Not grand romantic declarations or expensive gifts, but little things that showed how much the other person cared.
She left a note for him telling him to call her if he needed anything, and then grabbed her keys, heading back out into the cold.
As she drove, she saw the sign for Artisan Chocolates up ahead. She knew she should probably go ahead and go straight to the toy shop, but she’d been craving sweets all morning. The thought of some of Imogen’s peppermint bark made her slow down and find a spot to park, getting out into the brisk afternoon chill to go and get a treat for herself. She could use somethingfestive and indulgent, she thought, and that would be the perfect thing.
The store was packed when she walked in, the chime of the little bell over the door barely audible over the chatter of customers. She saw Imogen behind the hot cocoa counter, shadows under her eyes, and Katie handing out bits of free samples to customers as she bounced from one side of the store to the other.
“Hi Mrs. Mabel!” she chirped, holding out a tray decorated with Christmas trees all around it. “Want some fudge? Today’s sample is maple sea salt or pumpkin.”
“Pumpkin, please,” Mabel said with a smile, accepting the sliver that Katie handed her. Imogen tried to keep Katie from doing thistoooften, but on a busy day like today, she was sure that Imogen hadn’t even had the time to try to shoo Katie into the back room.
Mabel hung back, nibbling on the pumpkin fudge—which was incredible, as always—and waited for the shop to clear out a little. She was in no hurry, so she didn’t want to add to the pressure Imogen was clearly feeling. She watched and chatted with Katie as Imogen made hot chocolate, boxed up candies, and gift-wrapped presents, all in between ringing up customers. It was clear Imogen was tired, and Mabel gave her a soft smile as she approached the counter once the shop had almost emptied from the afternoon rush.
“Are you all right?” she asked sympathetically. “You look like they’re running you a little ragged.”
Imogen managed a tired smile. “That obvious, huh? I feel like I haven’t stopped moving in weeks. Between the holiday rush and Katie’s school activities and now this magazine thing…” she trailed off, shaking her head. “I’m burning the candle at three ends, I think, and it only has two. I’ve lit the middle on fire.” She laughed, and Mabel smiled. She understood very well how itcould get, and Imogen had more on her plate than Mabel had in years.
“Vanessa told me about the magazine feature.” Mabel beamed at her. “That’s got to be so exciting for you. It’s such an amazing opportunity. Something similar happened years ago with The Toy Chest, and it really changed things. It was a newspaper feature, not a magazine, so this could be even better! When are they coming to talk to you, do you know?”
Imogen let out a breath, glancing at the door to make sure no new customers had come in before leaning tiredly on her elbows. “I honestly don’t know yet. I called them yesterday afternoon, but I haven’t heard back about scheduling. Everything is happening so fast, and I’m too frazzled to think beyond getting through each day. I know I should be more organized about it, but between you and me, I’m barely keeping my head above water as it is. I’m so excited about it—I know it’s such a big opportunity and it’s a literal dream, but I don’t even have time to let myselfbeexcited right now, honestly.”
Mabel frowned worriedly. “Sweetheart, when was the last time you took some real time for yourself? I don’t mean an hour here and there between customers—I mean actual, honest-to-goodness relaxation time.”
Imogen laughed. “What’s relaxation time? Is that something people actually have?” She ran a hand through her hair, tugging her ponytail loose to fix it with an amused smile on her face. “Maybe sometime after Christmas.”
“It certainly is, and it’s something you need,” Mabel said firmly. “You’re going to burn yourself out if you keep going at this pace. When was the last time you went on a proper date? Had an evening that was just for you? Surely someone could watch Katie for an evening?—”
Imogen smirked, shaking her head, and some of the tension in her shoulders seemed to ease. “A date? That’s the first thingyou think of? Mabel, I can barely find time to do laundry, let alone think about dating. And yeah, I could get Emma’s mom to watch them both for an evening, but I just don’t want Katie to miss out on anything she wants to do with me for the holidays.”
“Well, that’s exactly my point,” Mabel said, clearly warming up as she barreled forward. “You’re so focused on work and being a perfect mother that you’ve forgotten you’re also a beautiful, intelligent woman who deserves some romance in her life. I bet any one of the eligible young men in Fir Tree Grove would love to?—”
“I don’t know how many of those there are,” Imogen said with a laugh. “But really, Mabel, I think you’re still in the honeymoon phase with George, so you’re seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. Being in love makes you think everyone else should be in love too.”
“Well, you might have a point there.” Mabel chuckled. “Although I have to say, we’re getting a pretty good dose of reality right now with George fighting this awful flu. We had to cancel our caroling plans because he could barely stay upright, let alone go around in the cold singing. Although he’s being a surprisingly model patient,” she added. “He’s hardly complaining about anything. I’m quite impressed.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Imogen gave her a sympathetic look. “Tell him I hope he gets better soon. He’s got the best nurse, though. And there will always be more caroling.”
“Exactly.” Mabel nodded. “I’m glad I can be there to take care of him. Vanessa helping with the shop has been so wonderful. I know I said for years I didn’t want any help, but more and more I’m appreciating being able to do something like this without worrying that it’ll hurt business.” She gave Imogen a keen look. “Maybe?—”
“Uh-uh.” Imogen shook her head. “I know where you’re going with this, and you might be right, but I can’t imagineinterviewing and hiring for the first time on top of everything else right now. It would just make things harder, not better, I think.”
“Well, you might be right,” Mabel agreed.
“It’s really a bummer George is sick, though. I should pack up a treat for you to take to him. Although—” Imogen grinned at her. “Even with the disappointment of missing romantic Christmas activities, you’re still glowing. You’re so obviously in love. It’s adorable.”
Mabel felt herself blush, which, she thought, was ridiculous and a wonderful thing to have happen at her age, all at the same time. “Well, I feel very lucky. This whole romance has done me a world of good, I have to admit. I’d forgotten how wonderful it could feel to have someone to care for and worry about.”
“It’s loosened up George a lot too,” Imogen pointed out. “Hedancedwith you at the Christmas party last year. I never thought I’d see George Lowery dancing.”
“I know what you mean. He always was a bit of a curmudgeon before this, wasn’t he?”
“It’s cute,” Imogen insisted. “It’s adorable how much he’s softened up with you. Love has been good for you both. And romance at any age is wonderful.”
