Page 37 of Mechanic’s Christmas Match

“I think you should go see Mal,” her mom told her quietly as business in the shop thinned out a little.

Ana’s eyes went to Theo, but he was deep in conversation with Alice Cassidy, who had come in ostensibly looking for a sweater, but clearly just wanting to say hello to Ana’s mom and spend some time with the little boy.

“It’s still early,” Ana said automatically.

“Be with a friend,” her mom said, so much sympathy in her eyes Ana had to look away. “We’ll be fine here.”

“Thanks, Mami,” she said.

As she pulled on her coat, she tried not to think about the fact that she had made a pledge not to talk about romance with her two best friends. So far, Valerie had been especially strict about enforcing the rule.

Maybe I’ll catch Mal alone, she thought to herself, feeling a twinge of guilt at the thought. I just need her wisdom.

In this particular situation, Valerie was the one whose wisdom Ana really craved. But Valerie was so dead-set on this no-men pact that Ana didn’t dare ask her to break it. After all, Valerie was almost always right.

Ana set out, drinking in the sweet, cold air of the little town. Though it was dark out, there were still folks out walking their dogs, or heading to the train station to wait for loved ones coming home from the city.

The shop windows along the way all glowed with Christmas lights and she stopped to admire the scene that was set up in the toy store window. Lily Hathaway, now Lily Williams, always had a pretty, snowy scene in the window for her small customers over the holidays. And there was always a Santa riding in his sleigh pulled by tiny reindeer swooping overhead. As usual, the whisper-thin fishing lines were barely visible. Lily had such a magical ability to set a scene.

Ana walked on, taking in the familiar sights of her hometown. Most days, she found it comforting that things didn’t change much here. But she’d been feeling restless all day.

I just need Theo with me to help me notice the little surprises, she thought to herself.

Turning onto Park Avenue, Ana gazed down the block of beautifully decorated shops and felt her heart warm a little when her eyes landed on the bakery. It would be good to see her friends, no matter what they talked about.

“Hey,” Mal said fondly when Ana pushed open the door, sending the bells above it jingling.

“Hi, Mal,” Ana said.

She knew that her sadness had bled into her smile when Mal’s own smile dropped and a furrow appeared in her brow.

“Oh, Ana,” she said, coming out from behind the counter. “What’s wrong?”

“We made a pact,” Ana said, shrugging.

“Valerie’s not here,” Mal offered.

“She’s almost always right about this stuff,” Ana said, feeling torn, but determined to be true to her friends. “Maybe I just need a night off from thinking about it.”

“I’m here for that,” Mal said with a smile. “I’ll grab us some snacks. Want to text Valerie and see if she can get away?”

“Definitely,” Ana said.

She slipped into a seat and shot off a quick text. By the time she was done, Mal was coming back with a plate holding two scones.

“My latest attempt at a signature treat,” Mal said with a smile, waggling her eyebrows.

“Oh, yum,” Ana said.

The door swung open, sending the bells jingling merrily again.

“Hey,” Valerie said, stopping to turn the sign to Closed before heading to the table to join them. “What’s that?”

“Scones,” Mal said. “I’m hoping one might become my signature treat.”

“Nothing wrong with a good scone,” Valerie said. “What are the flavors?”

“How about a blind taste test,” Mal offered.