Page 42 of Sugar Plum Serenade

Still, she’d promised. Colt. Anna. Maude. She’d given them her word. Yes, she’d made a promise to a ghost.

Tonight was for family. Ghosts, earrings, and the unexpected possibility that she loved Tuck could wait.

Ava was so excited to see her grandparents and all the brightly wrapped presents they placed beneath the huge Christmas tree, she didn’t seem at all distracted by Rosaline or any other spirits. Willow was, as usual, not as loud or active as her sister, but when she had the chance she jumped into her grandfather’s lap and snuggled there.

Olive thought her heart would break at the sight. She’d never really wanted children, even though she loved her nieces and her new nephew, but she’d never before felt so completely encompassed in love, family… and the idea of one day having all that for herself.

She took her mom a glass of water and a cookie, then sat beside her. Nathaniel slept, snug in her arms. Well, arm. Grammy Carson knew how to hold a baby and have a free hand to function. “So,” she said. “Tell me about this Tuck.” Before Olive had a chance to respond, her mother added, “Such an odd name for a grown man.”

If you think his name is odd, what will you think when we start talking about ghosts?She didn’t go there.

“Who told you about Tuck?” And what had they told?

“Dawn, of course. She was upset for a time that you were dating the man who delivered Nathaniel, but I think she’s come to terms with it. I don’t know what her problem was.”

Not going there.

“It sounds as if he did an adequate job. Dawn and Nathaniel are both healthy and happy.”

“He’d delivered a baby before.”

“So I heard.” She shifted the baby a little, bounced him lightly when he started to squirm. “I didn’t expect you’d find a man in Seawolf Beach. How inconvenient. It’s not like you’re going to be here much longer, and even with the best of intentions a long-distance relationship never works. I suppose a little distraction during the holidays isn’t a bad thing, not for a woman your age.”

“Mom!”

“I’m a realist, Olive. You’re thirty years old. I don’t want to see you alone for the rest of your life because one selfish, clumsy oaf…” She took a deep breath and looked her youngest daughter in the eye. “I don’t like to talk about that man. Yes, he injured your hip, but he did more than that. He destroyed your trust in men. Some don’t deserve trust, but many men are perfectly acceptable and trustworthy. And let’s face it,” she said in a lowered voice. “They do have their… uses. If this Tuck helps you move on, then who am I to question his silly name?”

“Mom, you talk too much.”

“So I’ve been told.”

“But you’re not wrong.”

Her mom’s response, “You usually hate that about me,” was followed by a sly wink.

Olive stood, stretched, and said her goodbyes. Dawn was surprised she was leaving so early, but Olive told a half truth. She hadn’t slept well last night. Let them assume she was going home to fall into bed and sleep.

She did need to stop by the Jasmine Street house, but sleep was not on her mind.