Page 29

Ted gave it an approving look. “Okay, I’ll take it.”

Emmie noticed he didn’t ask the price and realized it didn’t matter to him.

“Can you wait?” Ted asked her.

“Sure.” She’d already decided the store was too pricey for her.

Ted carried a small gold bag and left the store with her.

“Care to have a glass of wine? Or if you prefer, a cup of coffee?” he asked her.

“A glass of wine sounds perfect. I’m stuffed from a late breakfast and could use the time to sit and relax.”

Ted led her to a small French café in an alleyway between two commercial buildings on Main Street. “It’s warm enough to sit outside, and the lunch crowd has mostly gone. They have a lovely wine selection. What would you like?”

“Something light,” Emmie said, as a waitress approached them.

Ted placed an order for a sparkling rosé wine and then faced her. “I’m glad I ran into you. I hope you’ll meet me for dinner tomorrow. Tonight is the kids’ last day here. I’ll be celebrating with them.”

“Dinner sounds lovely,” she said, delighted to be asked. “I didn’t realize your children were leaving this soon.”

“They each have other families to visit,” said Ted. “That’s the way it goes with married kids.”

“I have the same situation with my daughters, which is why they couldn’t join me. It’s something I’ve had to get used to.”

His gaze settled on her. “I’m really glad we met. It’s made a big difference for me.”

“For me, too,” she said, filling with a warmth she couldn’t deny.

They chatted for a while longer, then Ted said he had to get back to the hotel.

While he headed to his family, Emmie stayed in the Main Street shopping area to buy gifts for her daughters, avoiding the jewelry store that was beyond her price range.

Standing in front of a mirror in a clothing store, Emmie gazed at her reflection and decided to add highlights to her hair back home. Anything to brighten her face, which had become drawn with sorrow. Here, the sun gave her cheeks a healthy glow. Or maybe she looked much happier because she had a plan going forward, a plan to embrace life.

###

Back at the hotel, she laid out her purchases on her bed, giving them another look. Satisfied that she’d done well, even buying the baby a gift, she carefully rewrapped them for the trip home.

Her cell rang. Lauren. She picked up the call. “Hi, darling! I left you a message. How is your Christmas going?”

“It’s fine, but it’s hard work having company for too many days. Rick’s parents are leaving tomorrow, and I really need the rest.”

“You’re not overdoing it, are you?” Emmie asked, concerned by how tired Lauren sounded.

“I don’t think so. But there’s no way this baby is going to wait much longer to arrive,” said Lauren. “Tell me about your vacation. Have you been able to rest and read, like you wanted?”

“Yes, and no. I told you about my Christmas Eve activities. The man who played Santa and I have met for lunch, and he’s going to take me out to dinner tomorrow.”

There was a pause, and then Lauren said, “So, you’re dating?”

“I suppose you could call it that, though he’s here with his family and spends most of his time with them, of course. But it’s made me think that I might want to be more social at home.” Emmie knew her girls weren’t ready for the news that she was becoming serious about any other man. They both had adored their father.

“Have you talked to Gemma?” asked Lauren.

“Yes, she knows I’m going out with Santa,” teased Emmie, trying to add some levity to their conversation.

“I want you to be happy,” said Lauren. “But I have to get used to the idea of you being more social, as you call it. I’ve got to go. Rick’s mother is calling me. Love you, Mom.”