Page 12

“Hey,” their other best friend, Valerie, said from a seat at a table by the window.

“Hi, Valerie,” Ana said happily.

As usual, Valerie looked like a fifties movie star, with her short, sleek hair and a gorgeous silk scarf. She was sipping a black coffee and perusing a magazine from the little stack Mal kept for people to relax with.

“Hang on, Ana,” Mal said, grabbing two more mugs.

“I can’t stay long,” Ana told her.

Mal nodded, then put back one mug and grabbed a paper coffee cup for Ana instead.

“Thanks,” Ana told her. “You know I’d spend the whole day here if I could. It’s so nice and cozy.”

“Not cozy enough,” Mal said, shaking her head. “I need to start decorating. It’s been really quiet in here today. I should have taken advantage.”

“I’m sorry to hear that it’s been quiet,” Ana said.

“Everyone ate too much turkey yesterday,” Valerie said briskly. “And they have leftover pie. They’ll be back with a vengeance tomorrow.”

“You’re probably right,” Mal said, nodding as she poured out two coffees. “How’s the shop, Ana?”

“It was wild today,” Ana told her proudly. “We started our clearance sale and it’s been non-stop since we opened.”

“That’s great,” Mal said with a smile.

“You discount too much, Ana,” Valerie said, looking up with a concerned expression. “It’s important to be more patient with handmade things.”

Ana chose not to point out how they couldn’t really afford to be patient.

“Mom likes to sew,” she said with a smile, shrugging. “And we need the space.”

“Hey, I’ve got an event coming up in a couple of days,” Mal said. “Sweet and savory trays for the college’s Winter Faculty Mixer, if you guys want to help out.”

“Definitely,” Ana told her.

“I’ll be here,” Valerie said.

Mal had been overwhelmed when it was time to prep her first catered event, so of course her two best friends were glad to lend a hand. Over the years, their prep nights had become a beloved tradition. And though Mal didn’t really need assistance anymore, the three of them would chat while they put together trays or baskets, and enjoyed an array of samples and sweets themselves, along with a steady stream of coffee and laughter.

“The season is coming,” Mal said fondly as she sat down opposite Valerie.

“My favorite,” Ana agreed, taking a seat beside Mal.

“So, what does everyone want for Christmas?” Valerie asked, leaning forward, her eyes sparkling.

“The perfect recipe for a signature treat,” Mal said, her eyes dreamy.

“A magical Christmas for Theo,” Ana added. “How about you?”

“Ask me again later,” Valerie said with a funny expression.

“Okay,” Mal said, waggling her eyebrows at Ana like she thought it was pretty funny that Valerie had asked what each of them wanted and didn’t want to share her own Christmas wish.

They both would have guessed that it had something to do with a certain handsome local police officer that spent an awful lot of time hanging around the jewelry store. But that was Valerie’s story to tell when she was ready.

“There go the three most powerful women in this town,” Valerie said, her eyes on the window.

Ana turned to see Betty Ann Eustace, Ginny Davies, and Shirley Ludd walking past, empty recyclable shopping bags over their shoulders.