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Immediately ashamed about her unkind thoughts, Lindsay put a smile on her face. Just because she didn’t have any expectations as far as love was concerned, it didn’t mean other people wouldn’t fall in love. It was the season in which magical things could happen. Just not to her, it seemed.
The door opened and Eleanor strolled in, dressed in red from top to toe. Making a turn, she clapped her hands. “Oh, Lindsay and Lilly, you’ve outdone yourself this year with decorating your shop—it looks delightful. By far the best Christmas-feeling shop in town.”
Lindsay hugged her friend with a real smile. Nobody could stay sad or irritated when Eleanor was around. “I love a winter Christmas. You remember our mother was American and our family often visited Aunt Charlotte here, in Alisson, over Christmas. For us, the snow and the sleighs, the time spent with family, and all things Christmas were pure magic. Christmas in South Africa is so different. To begin with, in December, it’s summer in the southern hemisphere. We used to spend Christmas Day on the beach!”
Eleanor shuddered. “That just sounds so wrong. I, for one, am so glad you and your sister have moved here. I’m Christmas shopping today. Next week Brooke and I are going to Bozeman. She got tickets for us to go and seeThe Nutcracker. Both of us love ballet and it will be Connor’s first experience.”
“Oh, he’ll love it!” Lilly exclaimed. “But you’ll be back in time for the Snowflake Festival, won’t you?”
“Of course. We won’t miss that.” Eleanor turned back to Lindsay. “Why don’t you join us, Lindsay?”
“Thanks, but we’re so busy right now.” Lindsay smiled. She couldn’t conjure up any excitement for anything, and with the mood she was in, she would spoil the outing for everyone.
“Maybe next time, then?” Eleanor smiled. “Is your brother not supposed to be back in Alisson already?”
“Soon, we hope. He still can’t give us an exact date, though.” Lindsay nodded. “It’ll be so great to have him here and to know he doesn’t have to go back again.”
“I’m so happy for you. And especially for all the unmarried ladies in town.” Eleanor winked.
“I don’t know about that,” Lindsay replied. “He’s not very enamored by the ladies at the moment. Bad break-up.”
“Alisson has a way of changing people’s minds, you know,” Eleanor said. “Who knows? Maybe he’ll find the love of his life here.”
Smiling, Lindsay shook her head. “Forever the romantic. But unfortunately, ordinary life doesn’t always work that way.”
Eleanor touched her hand. “It can be if you’re brave enough,” she said softly before she motioned with her hands. “I’m looking for something for Brooke. The poor girl worked so hard to finish the paintings for her exhibition next year. She wants to spend time with Connor during the school holidays. So I want to get her something special for Christmas. I know she loves your creams.”
“Well, come on then, let me show you—I’ve made a new batch that smells divine.”
“And your lovely studio? Any news when they can start rebuilding it?” Eleanor asked as they walked past the door that used to lead to the studio.
“Everything is on track, but they won’t begin building before next year. But it’s okay. I’ve converted the one room at home into a temporary studio, so I’m able to mix my creams. What Gavin is going to say about all the smells, I can just imagine.”
“Brooke said you showed her the plans and it’ll be much bigger than before?”
“Yes, exactly what I’ve wanted. I’m really looking forward to having more space. Here we are.” She picked up a tester jar and opened it. “Try this cream. It leaves your skin glowing. Lovely smells of frankincense, myrrh, and geranium with a little helichrysum in rosehip oil.”
Eleanor smelled the cream and rubbed a little onto her hand. “Ooh, I love it. I think I also want one of those. I’m probably beyond redemption, but what the heck, it’s Christmas—miracles can happen.”
Lindsay smiled but her heart ached. That word again. Miracle. She’d been hoping for a miracle for the past three weeks. Ever since Blake had left, she’d been dreaming about him striding into her shop with his big, lopsided grin. She missed him more with every passing day. It had been three weeks since she’d seen him, made love to him, kissed him. Surely, by now she should be able to not think about him every single minute of every day?
“Have you heard anything from Blake?” Eleanor asked innocently.
Lindsay shook her head as she wrapped the creams for Eleanor. “No, I haven’t.”
Fortunately, at that moment another customer entered and Eleanor couldn’t ask any more questions. Since Blake had left, Eleanor, Brooke, and Charlie had been taking turns asking her whether she’d heard from him. She wished she had a different answer for them, but he was gone; she wasn’t going to hear from him ever again.
She hadn’t even told her own sister about the night she and Blake had spent together. Or what had happened between them just before he’d walked out of her life. It was still way too painful to talk about him.
She put her hand against her heart. Surely, at some point, the pain would be more bearable?
––––––––
Later that evening, Lindsay finally locked the door to her shop to join Charlie and Logan, who were waiting for her outside in the street. To everyone’s delight, it had been snowing all day.
The street was busy with people scuttling in and out of shops, children racing around or taking rides with the sled dogs or on wagons.
“Come on, Linds,” Charlie called out. “Let’s move, it’s cold! Once the lights have been turned on, Logan will treat us to a hot dinner.”
