“Well,” Henry said finally, “I should probably head home and let you and Jackson enjoy your evening. But if you think of any other adjustments you’d like me to make, just give me a call.”
“Henry, wait,” Vanessa said impulsively as he started to gather his tools. “Would you like to stay for dinner? Jackson should be home soon, and there’s chili in the crockpot. You know Jackson’s pumpkin chili is amazing.”
For a second, she thought she saw something that looked like a faint longing in his face, and then it disappeared as he shook his head. “That’s very kind of you, but I should get out of your hair. You two probably want some time together after a long day.”
“The invitation stands anytime,” Vanessa said firmly. “You’re always welcome. I hope you know that.”
“I appreciate it,” he said, giving her a faint smile before gathering up the rest of his things and heading to his truck.
As Vanessa watched him go, she felt her heart twist with a hint of sadness. He’d worked so hard to make everything perfect for her and Jackson, and she wished he had someone to do the same for him, to appreciate what he could do for his own home and someone who loved him and lived with him. She watched him leave sadly, unable to stop thinking about it.
He’d worked tirelessly to transform their house into something that would bring joy not just to them but to everyone who passed by. He’d moved heavy decorations multiple timeswithout complaint, been patient with her indecision, and somehow managed to create a display that exceeded her wildest dreams.
And now he would go home to an empty house. She couldn’t help but think of how many lonely years he’d passed already, and how many more were to come. It would be so wonderful if Henry could find love again, if someone could see past his quiet exterior to the warm, generous man underneath. Someone who would appreciate his patience, and his creativity.
The sound of Jackson’s truck pulling into the driveway interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see her husband getting out, his expression shifting from tired to amazed as he took in the glowing lights.
“Wow,” he said as he came to join her. “This is incredible.”
“Isn’t it?” Vanessa linked her arm through his, leaning in to rest her head against his shoulder. “Henry did an amazing job. And he was so patient. He moved that reindeer display so many times until I decided where I wanted it, and he never complained. Also—” She grinned up at him. “He told me you helped with the sleigh. It’s beautiful.”
“Well, I couldn’t be as much help with the decorations as you needed, but I can be handy with woodwork. I was glad to chip in.”
“The reindeer are perfect now too,” Vanessa said with a smile. “I’m glad Henry was willing to get it just right for me.”
Jackson whistled low under his breath as he studied the intricate details of the light work. “The man’s an artist.”
“He said his late wife used to rearrange their furniture every other month, so he got plenty of practice moving things around,” Vanessa said. “Jackson, did you know Henry was a widower?”
Jackson glanced at her. “Of course. I’ve lived here a long time. Why?”
“I didn’t know. It’s so sad.” Vanessa looked at the lights again, still leaning against Jackson. “They didn’t have enough time together.”
Jackson leaned down, pressing a kiss against her hair. “All the more reason to appreciate it all while we have it.”
Vanessa nodded, her chest tightening. “I keep thinking about him going home to an empty house after spending all this time creating something so magical for us.”
“Maybe we should invite him for Christmas dinner,” Jackson suggested. “I mean, really invite him. Not just a casual ‘you’re welcome if you want to come’ but actually ask him to be part of our celebration.”
“I already tried to get him to stay for dinner tonight,” Vanessa said. “He said we probably wanted time together, but I got the feeling he was just being polite. I think that’s a good idea.”
“Well, I’ll work on it.” Jackson leaned down, giving her a gentle kiss. “I love you.”‘
“And I love you.” She kissed him back, a smile on her lips. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“And I feel the same.”
They stood there in the cold for a little longer, enjoying the glow of their newly decorated home, and Vanessa promised herself that she would make sure to never take any of it for granted.
And she hoped that sometime, in the not too distant future, Henry would have someone who felt the same about him, once again.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Imogen turned on background Christmas music as she locked the door of the chocolate shop behind her. She was in early, determined to start working on her project for the photoshoot. After much deliberation between whether she should work on it at the shop or at home, she’d finally settled on the shop, where she had a larger freezer for keeping things cold, and less of a chance of Katie whirlwind-ing her way through something she was working on.
She’d gotten to the shop an hour early, needing the uninterrupted hours to make some progress. It was going to be the most ambitious project she’d ever attempted by far. The chocolate workshop was taking shape on a large work table she’d cleared specifically for the project, its foundation already more impressive than she’d imagined when the idea had first struck her at the ice rink. She found herself using every technique she’d ever mastered over her years of making and experimenting with chocolate, and a lot that she’d only read about and never actually put into practice.
The base structure was built from carefully molded dark chocolate walls, each one cast in custom molds she’d created by carving precise patterns into food-safe silicone. The walls werecarefully etched to look like stone, and she’d begun on the gabled roof, making sure each shingle for the roof of Santa’s workshop was perfectly applied. She’d spent hours perfecting the chocolate blend, finding the exact cocoa content and the temperature that would give her the structural integrity she needed. It wasn’t going to be eaten, so she didn’t need to worry about flavor so much as it actually standing up and staying that way. Normally, she worried about taste first and then presentation, but for this, it was the other way around.
