He pushed the feelings down, locking them firmly away. “I should let you get back to work,” he said, stepping back slightly and trying to ignore the way his heart was racing. “Thatsculpture isn’t going to finish itself, and I’m sure you’ll have customers soon.”
“Thank you again for the music box,” Imogen said, cradling it carefully in her hands and beaming at him. “It’s really beautiful. I still can’t believe you remembered.”
“Thank you for the boots.” He was already missing the warmth and comfort of the Ugg boot he’d tried on. “They’re going to make the long days at the rink much more bearable. I’ll think of you every time I wear them,” he added, and then realized he probably shouldn’t have said that.
As he headed for the door, Lincoln found himself fighting the urge to turn around and find an excuse to stay longer. But Imogen had work to finish, and he had his own responsibilities waiting.
Still, as he climbed back into his truck and carefully placed the shoe box on the seat beside him, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had just happened between them. Something that went beyond just exchanging a friendly gift.
They’d both remembered something special about each other, something that each of them had wanted but never gotten from anyone else or even for themselves. It meant that they both remembered little details about one another, that some part of their connection had never really gone away, even if there were a lot of years between when they’d been more than friends and now. That had lasted through all those years and distance and the changes life brought, and he couldn’t help but think that meant something.
As he drove home through the bustling Saturday streets, Lincoln found himself smiling despite his confusion about what any of it meant. The music box had made her cry with happiness. The Ugg boots were exactly what he’d always wanted. And for a few minutes in her chocolate shop, surrounded by her hardwork and artistry, he’d felt like the most important person in her world.
That was going to have to be enough, he decided. Anything else was too risky.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Vanessa stood on her front walkway as she prepared to leave the house, unable to stop looking at it even in the daylight. The work that Henry had done was breathtaking even in direct sunlight. The reindeer display still made her stare every time she looked at it, and the rest of the house was like something out of a holiday movie. She was so absorbed in admiring the handiwork that she didn’t notice Jackson approaching until he spoke from directly behind her.
“You know,” he said, his voice warm with amusement, “you’re standing there looking as proud as a peacock. Anyone would think you’d decorated the house yourself.”
Vanessa laughed, turning to face her husband with a grin. “I can’t help it. And no one can deny that Henry did an absolutely fabulous job. I mean, look at this place—it’s like something out of a Christmas magazine.”
Jackson followed her gaze, taking in the display. “He really did. The man’s got quite an artistic eye. And apparently unlimited patience for your decorating indecision.”
“Hey now,” Vanessa protested, although she couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “I prefer to call it ‘thorough considerationof all placement options.’ But yes, he was very patient. And look how perfectly it all turned out.”
“Is that what we’re calling it?” Jackson teased, dropping a quick kiss on her cheek. “Well, whatever you want to call it, the result is spectacular. Henry should be proud.”
As Jackson headed to his truck to go and check on the diner, Vanessa looked at her watch and realized she needed to leave soon for her lunch date with Imogen. She’d been looking forward to this meal all week, partly for the chance to catch up with her best friend, but mostly because she was dying to hear about yesterday’s Secret Santa gift exchange.
The drive to Maplewood Tavern took only ten minutes, but Vanessa spent the entire time mentally rehearsing how she would bring up the topic of the gift exchange. She needed to seem casually curious rather than intensely interested in every detail. Like Mabel had said, Imogen was smart, so she’d pick up that something was going on if Vanessa wasn’t careful. She had to be cool about it, and right now, she was feeling anything but cool.
She found Imogen already seated at a corner table near the windows, looking more relaxed than Vanessa had seen her in weeks. The stress lines around her eyes seemed softer, and there was a smile on her face that suggested good things had been happening.
“Sorry I’m late,” Vanessa said as she slipped into the seat across from her. “I got distracted admiring Henry’s decorating handiwork again.”
“No problem at all,” Imogen said, laughing. “I was early anyway. And I have to say, from what I could see driving by your house, Henry’s display is absolutely stunning. He really knocked it out of the park. You must be thrilled.”
“He really outdid himself,” Vanessa agreed, seizing the opening to steer the conversation in a direction that mighteventually lead to Lincoln. “I’m just sad that he’s going home to an empty house after creating something so magical for other people. Did you know he’s a widower?”
Imogen nodded. “I think everyone who’s lived here for a long time knows. But no one really talks about it, just because it’s so sad, and no one wants to gossip about something like that. He’s such a nice man, it’s a shame that it happened to someone like that.”
“Exactly,” Vanessa agreed. “He’s such a good man—patient, kind, incredibly generous with his time and energy. I just wish he could find someone who would appreciate those qualities,” Vanessa said, warming to her topic “He’s so quiet and introverted that I never really knew him until recently, but now that I’m getting to see who he really is, I think any woman would be lucky to have him in her life. I hope he can find someone again. He deserves it. Just like Mabel and George. I think everyone deserves to have a love like that, don’t you?”
“Well, he had it once,” Imogen said. “But yes, of course. It would be wonderful if he found someone again. But I think a lot of people are lucky to have that even once in their lives, even if it doesn’t last. Twice is asking a lot.”
“I don’t know,” Vanessa said, smiling slightly. “I think we should all look for love whenever the opportunity arises.”
“Look at you,” Imogen teased. “Miss City Girl who never had time for a boyfriend before, turned into a complete romantic. Mabel has really done a number on you.”
“I’m just happy,” Vanessa said with a smile. “Jackson has done it to me, really. I want everyone to be as happy as we are. And speaking of being busy and happy, how is the chocolate sculpture going? The photoshoot is soon, right?”
“Next week,” Imogen confirmed. “It’s almost finished, and I’m so nervous, but I think it’s going to be perfect. I’m honestly so excited to see how it photographs.”
“And you’ve had enough time to work on it? I know the shop gets so busy.”
“I’ve been grabbing time here and there. I’ve had to come in early and close early and take longer breaks, but it’ll be worth it. Losing a tiny bit of revenue to make this happen is a good trade, I think. Although I had a small setback,” Imogen admitted. “Lincoln stopped by and accidentally startled me. I knocked over part of the workshop and thought for a moment that I’d destroyed hours of work.”
