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“How do you mean?” Stella asked.

“My family—especially my dad—pretty much shunned me when I chose music instead of the military. We’ve never really recovered.”

“Might be worth a visit soon, then?” Stella asked. “Or maybe not. I’ve found that some folks shouldn’t be in your life, whether they’re family or not.”

“Do you really think that?” I asked.

“I do indeed. My toxic first marriage taught me that. Life is short. Surround yourself with people who love and support you. The real you, not some manufactured persona you put on to make someone else happy. If they can’t be that for you, then they shouldn’t be allowed into your life.”

“You sound like you know a little about that,” Luci said.

“Oh, honey, you have no idea what I’ve seen in this life of mine. But you have to have faith that the right people show up when you need them. Look at Jasper and me, for example. It took me a minute to understand he was my one and only. Fortunately, he didn’t give up too easily.”

“How did you know he was the one?” Luci asked.

Stella tilted her head, clearly thinking how to answer the question best. “It’s this feeling down deep in your bones, almost like your soul recognizes it before the rest of you.”

“Do people always know right away?” Luci asked. “Like what if your soul doesn’t tell your brain? Or your heart?”

“Some love stories unfold all at once, like Jack and Ivy,” Stella said. “And some take a little time and a little courage. Not everyone has an easy path to love. Obstacles seem to pop up at every turn. But if you’re meant to be, things unfold as they should. You’ll see.” Stella smiled, looking at Luci and then back at me, as if she knew exactly how I felt about Jack’s sister.

“Not that either of you has asked for advice, but I would say this—keep your eyes wide open. The love you want might be right in front of your nose.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Luci said.

I stayed quiet.

“Luci, I’m taking your mother and Ivy’s mama to lunch in town tomorrow,” Stella said. “They want to do some shopping at the Christmas Market. It’s such a treat to have some other women my age around the ranch.”

“My mom will love that,” Luci said. “She told me at breakfast that she’s having a marvelous time here. No one will want to leave at the end of the month.”

“Like I said, we’ll be here whenever you want to come see us,” Stella said. “Now, are you ready to decorate some cookies?”

We both chimed yes at the same time, like we really were eight years old.

8

LUCI

December 7

Cooking Lessons at the Restaurant

Gray · Steady snowfall

Supper: Mama Moon's Famous Roast Chicken · Christmas Potato Gratin · Blue Fern Christmas Salad

I’d not planned on going to the cooking lesson until Grant mentioned at breakfast that he’d be attending. After that, I just couldn’t stay away.

I checked on Knox before I headed to the restaurant. He’d sprained his ankle pretty badly during the sledding event. I’d advised him to stay off of it and use the crutches the Moon family had given him. I had little hope that he would do as I asked. Men were often times the worst patients. Especially stubborn ones like Knox.

We gathered in the restaurant’s kitchen at three in the afternoon. A row of whole chickens had been laid out on the big center island like slightly plump showgirls. Caspian Moon was in a white apron, shirt sleeves rolled up, smiling as everyone entered his kitchen. His wife, Elliot, moved behind him arranging bowls of herbs and butter and lemons. Like yesterday, Christmas music was coming from the overhead speakers.

Rhett, Holly, and Grant had already claimed spots, leaving one to the right of Grant and two others on the left of Rhett and Holly. My feet took me to the one next to Grant.

“Hey,” Grant said.

“How are you?” I asked.