With practiced ease, I added salt to the stew and gave it a stir.The familiar aroma began to fill the kitchen once more.
"Why don't you sit down for a bit?"I suggested gently.
Grandma nodded slowly, allowing me to guide her to a chair at the small kitchen table.She sat down heavily, her shoulders slumping.
"I'm sorry, Claire," she said quietly.
I squeezed her hand reassuringly."No need to apologize," I said firmly."Everyone makes mistakes."
She nodded again but didn't say anything more.
As I returned to stirring the stew, my mind raced with thoughts and emotions I couldn't quite sort out.But there was no time for that now.Lunch had to be ready soon, and guests would be expecting a warm meal.
I busied myself with chopping vegetables and preparing ingredients, my hands moving automatically through motions practiced over years of working alongside Grandma in this very kitchen.
But despite my best efforts to focus on the task at hand, I couldn't shake off that moment of confusion in Grandma's eyes.It lingered like a shadow over our bright kitchen filled with Christmas cheer.
Chapter5
Christian
Holly Ridge had the kind of quaint charm that belonged in a snow globe.As I strolled down Main Street, I noticed the shops decorated with twinkling lights and evergreen garlands.It was as if the entire town had decided to collectively embrace the festive spirit.
The aroma of freshly baked pastries wafted from a nearby bakery, drawing me closer.I stepped inside and was greeted by the warmth and the sound of Christmas carols playing softly in the background.
"Morning."I nodded to the woman behind the counter, her cheeks rosy from the heat of the ovens.
"Morning," she replied, her smile genuine."Can I get you anything?"
I glanced at the display case filled with an assortment of pastries and bread."A coffee and one of those cinnamon rolls."
As she prepared my order, I observed the customers, mostly locals by their friendly banter and familiarity with each other.It reminded me of home, though it felt like a lifetime ago.
"Here you go," she handed me my coffee and pastry."Enjoy."
"Thanks."I found a corner table and sat down, savoring the warm roll and hot coffee.The combination was comforting, almost making me forget why I was here in Holly Ridge.
The door jingled as more customers entered, bringing with them a burst of cold air.Among them was an elderly man who settled into a chair by the window.His eyes met mine briefly before he turned his attention to his newspaper.
After finishing my snack, I decided to continue my exploration.The tree-lighting ceremony Claire mentioned would be later in the evening, and while I had declined her invitation, part of me was curious about this place.
Walking further down Main Street, I came across a small park where children played in the snow under the watchful eyes of their parents.The scene was idyllic.
I approached a bench and brushed off some snow before sitting down.The cold seeped through my coat, but I didn't mind.It grounded me in reality, something I'd been struggling to hold onto lately.
Lost in thought, I barely noticed when someone sat next to me.
"Lovely day, isn't it?"
I turned to see a middle-aged woman with kind eyes and an easy smile.
"Yeah," I replied, not quite sure what else to say.
"I'm Mary," she offered her hand.
"Christian."
We shook hands, her grip firm yet gentle.
