The Holiday Swap

by Maggie Knox

  “Wow,” Sharon said.

  She paused dramatically and Cass wondered if she should leave.

  “Cass, I can’t believe you’re asking me. I’d love to! I can’t think of any better way to feel like I fit into this town again.” She paused again. “But . . . as a businesswoman, I have to have a condition, which is that you give public credit to Top Dog, and hopefully send some business my way.”

  Cass nodded. “Of course.”

  “And you start stocking Top Dog biscuits in a special, prominent display at Woodburn Breads.”

  “Of . . . course,” Cass said, with a touch of trepidation.

  Sharon smiled. “Okay. And one last thing, Cass. I’m going to take off my businesswoman hat for this one. You need to stop leading Brett on, now that you’re back in town. If you want to be with him, be with him. And if you don’t, make that clear.”

  In that moment, Cass knew Sharon’s deeper truth: she had feelings for Brett. Cass let that sink in, evaluating how it made her feel. What if Sharon and Brett started dating? How would it feel seeing the man she had been with for more than a decade with another woman?

  Thankfully, Cass didn’t feel anything except cautious optimism for both Brett and Sharon. She nodded and said, “Don’t worry. That’s already been taken care of. Brett and I have agreed to be friends, and that’s it.” There was no mistaking the delight in Sharon’s expression now. That confirmed it—Sharon did care for Brett.

  “You have a deal, then. I still need to feed my starter today—I’ve named her Dolly, by the way—and then I’ll bring a big container, as much as I can spare, over to the bakery in about an hour. Sound good?”

  “Sounds perfect. Thank you, Sharon. I’m really so grateful.”

  “You know what?” Sharon said. “Me, too.”

  When Cass stepped back outside, she texted Walter to let him know Sharon was going to be bringing by some starter. I still have to run a few errands, but I’ll be back as soon as I can, she wrote.

  With the next piece of the puzzle having fallen into place, Cass headed back toward the downtown area of Starlight Peak, the snow crunching underfoot and the chill sharp against her cheeks. It felt so good, she realized as she walked, to be home, breathing in the fresh mountain air rather than the Los Angeles smog. She had been dreading it but realized now it was exactly where she needed to be.

  She headed along Main again, stopping in a few shops for Christmas presents as she did. She had to get her shopping done now, because the next twenty-four hours were going to be dedicated to baking as many loaves of holiday sourdough as they possibly could. She found a cashmere wrap for her mom in her favorite color, a soft, buttery yellow, and a ceramic tagine for her dad, who had been getting into cooking Moroccan cuisine lately. But nothing caught her eye for Charlie. She knew she had to get her sister something—but what? They had never been at odds like this during the holidays before.

  The text message notification on her phone chimed, and she glanced down at it, expecting to see a note from Walter. But it was her parents. There’s a chance our flight might be delayed because of the blizzard. We’ll keep you posted—but don’t worry. We WILL be home for Christmas. We’re the Goodwins!

  Cass felt a twinge but chose to believe her parents’ reassuring words. As she walked out of the store, she could practically hear her mom’s voice in her head. On the rare occasion when the twins got into a fight, her mom would always tell them that while they looked the same on the outside, they were different on the inside. Your differences are your strengths. You fit together as a perfect whole. A few fat flakes of snow had started falling now. Cass ducked into a clothing and accessories shop, but the moment she looked around she wished she had thought to shop in L.A. because none of it was Charlie’s style. She picked up a woolen toque, then put it down.

  “That hat would look perfect on you, Cassie.”

  Cass turned, a grin on her face. “Faye,” she said, embracing the older woman, reveling for a moment in her familiar, powdery smell. Hugging Faye felt the same as hugging her own grandma, years before—and it was so very comforting. “It’s so good to see you.”

  Faye smiled back, her expression quizzical—but maybe also a bit knowing. “You’re acting like we didn’t just see each other the other day,” she said.

  “Right. Well—it’s Christmas. I’m really feeling the spirit.” She shrugged and put the hat she had been holding back on the rack. “Anyway, I’m not shopping for myself. I’m trying to find something for Charlie.”

  “You won’t find anything for her in here.”

  “You’re right.” Cass sighed. “Hey, do you have time to grab a coffee?” It was the memory of her grandmother that had given her the idea. She always used to ask her grandmother for help and advice, and in recent years Faye had become a trusted grandmotherly figure in Cass’s life. They walked out of the store together.

  “I always have time for you. But don’t you need to get back to the bakery? This is normally such a busy time of year for you,” Faye said. “Also, rumor has it something is wrong with the Woodburn starter. Are you sure you have time for a coffee?”

  “Walter has things under control, and Charlie’s back, actually, so I’m sure she’ll be in to help out soon if she isn’t already,” Cass replied, then she chuckled. “News really does travel fast around this town, doesn’t it? I’ve missed that. Er, I mean—that problem with the starter has been solved. Sharon Marston is donating some of her brand-new starter to the cause.”

  “Well, good for you, Cassie. Killing two birds with one stone there. Making Sharon feel a part of things, which is all she really wanted.”

  “I could really use a coffee and a few minutes to catch my breath,” Cass said, smiling at her friend. “Let’s go to Blanche’s café, okay?”

  It was in the opposite direction from the bakery, and once they were far enough away, Cass felt a bit of relief. They chose a corner table at the back, far away from the door, which released a puff of cold, snowy air into the little café every time it opened.

  “It’s going to be a doozy, this storm,” Faye said, taking off her mittens and rubbing her hands together. Her bright blue eyes, which belied her advanced age, were twinkling. “I just love a good storm, don’t you? As long as I’m safe inside.”

  “Me, too,” Cass said. “We haven’t had a good one in a while.”

  “Just as long as the power doesn’t go out. But, of course, my always-prepared grandson has already thought of that and bought a little generator for our basement.”

  “Right. Jake.”

  “Indeed. Jake. You’ve been seeing a lot of him lately.”

  “Have I? Right. Yes. I have.” They had their coffees now, and Cass wrapped her hands around the warm mug and watched the steam rise from the cup. She couldn’t do this—she could not lie to Faye. “I have to tell you something,” Cass began. To her surprise, Faye started to laugh.

  “Well, finally, one of you is going to come clean about this switcheroo you think you’ve been fooling everyone with.”

  Cass looked around, worried that someone could overhear—but the café was mostly empty, and the Christmas carols were turned up loud.

  “You mean . . . We haven’t been fooling everyone?”

  “Well, perhaps you’ve been fooling most people. But not me. I’ve been around far too long. And I’d like to think I know you too well at this point, Cassie. Know, for example, that you are great friends with my Jake—but there is nothing, absolutely nothing, romantic between you. Don’t think I haven’t wished for it, since Jake came back to town. I think you’re an absolutely wonderful girl and would make a perfect granddaughter-in-law. But alas, I always knew it was not to be, that Jake wasn’t your type and you weren’t his, that you were only ever destined to be friends.” Faye took a sip from her mug. “When that all changed—and it changed fast—and the sparks started to fly between you tw
o, I knew something was up.”

  “You’ve known this whole time? Have you . . . told anyone?”

  “Of course not. I’m not an old gossip. This is not my story to tell. And I certainly haven’t told Jake. These things need to run their course, don’t they?”

  Cass swallowed hard. “I’m afraid you’re more caught up on things than I am around here. I’ve been in L.A., living Charlie’s life.”

  Faye’s eyes twinkled even brighter. “And what was that like, Cassie? A lot different than here, I imagine. But you needed a change. You needed to get away from here for a bit. Did you gain some new perspective? Have any adventures?”

  “Did I ever.” Cass sipped her coffee and began to talk, keeping her voice low so no one would overhear. Faye turned up her hearing aid and leaned in. It felt so good to tell the truth—and it felt so good to talk about Miguel.

  “He sounds like a wonderful man,” Faye said. “My James was a medic in the war, back when we first met, and I think it was his capability, his concern for others, that made me fall for him.”

  Cass stared down into her almost empty coffee cup. “All Miguel ever does is worry about others,” she said. “He’s the kindest, most endearing man on the planet. And I— Well, it feels like I’m in love with him. But how can that be possible in a week, right? I just need to forget about him.”

  Faye chuckled. “Oh, honey. Anything is possible in a heartbeat, let alone a week. I fell for my James at first sight. Took one look at him and knew he was the one. I could practically see it all, right there in his eyes: the house, the kids, the fifty years of marriage.” Now her sparkling eyes lost a little of their light. “Of course, the heartache and him getting sick, that I couldn’t see. I could never have imagined losing him one day. Loss is the human condition, they say, and no amount of medicine can change that.” She released a sigh, but then she was back to herself again. “The thing is, those fifty years felt like they went by in the blink of an eye. Life is short, Cassie. Too short to be wasting time worrying about how long it takes to truly fall in love, or wallowing around in your hometown when the man you love is in Los Angeles, more than likely wallowing about you.”

  “I doubt it. I told him the truth, and he was speechless. He said he didn’t know what to say.”

  “And then what?”

  “And then I left. Came back here.”

  “Sometimes it takes people a minute to figure out what they need to say. That doesn’t mean it’s all over. If this Miguel is as caring and thoughtful as you say, then he’s the kind of man who needs a little while to process. It doesn’t mean it’s all over.”

  “But how do I fix it? I’m here, and he’s there, and there’s nothing I can do.”

  Faye was reaching for her purse. “No, I’ll get these,” Cass said, but Faye waved her away and put some bills on the table.

  “I can’t answer that one for you, my dear. It’s Christmas, though. Magic happens at Christmas. Maybe the truth is you can’t fix anything. You just have to”—she waved her hand in the air as if casting a magic spell, and Cass half expected to see a puff of glitter or sparks—“let things run their course.”

  Faye leaned in further. “With Charlie and Jake, too, alright? Just let them figure it out, don’t get involved. I won’t tell Jake what I know, and you don’t tell him, either. Stand aside and let true love win the day.” She cocked her head to the side. “I have a feeling this is all going to sort itself out.”

  Then she stood somewhat gingerly and kissed Cass on the top of her head. “Now, I still have Christmas shopping to do, and the coming blizzard is about to make that impossible. I’d suggest you get back to that bakery and talk to your sister. And then, maybe give your Miguel a call? Wish him an early Merry Christmas. See if he’s figured out what he wants to say yet.” She smiled one last time, and then, with a tinkling of bells at the top of the café door, she was gone, out into the snowy afternoon.

  Cass put on her coat and went back out onto the street, too. She turned toward the bakery, but her steps grew plodding. She had solved the issue with the starter, but she still had no idea what to say to Charlie, how to make things right again. Some of the things Charlie had said had really hurt her; she knew Charlie likely felt the same. She had spent the day saying the things that needed to be said—to Makewell’s, to Brett, to Faye. But she still couldn’t think of what to say to her sister.

  Cass needed more time to clear her head, and then she could deal with Charlie—and also do as Faye had said and give Miguel a call. That was going to take a huge amount of courage, and she didn’t feel she had it yet. And she knew just where to get it: the familiar trails that surrounded the town. It had been too long since she cleared her head with a good long hike. Cass stopped at her car to drop off the Christmas presents she had bought for her parents and headed off in the opposite direction, away from the town and toward the mountains she loved. She still had time before the storm started, and luckily she’d dressed for the weather.

  She breathed in deeply as she walked, heading farther into the trees, toward the trail she liked best. Immediately, she felt her heart rate begin to slow—and realized she had been running on nerves and adrenaline for days, something she wasn’t used to. She kept walking and felt the beginnings of a release. Faye was right: everything was going to be okay. Christmas, her favorite time of year, was magic. She had had mixed feelings about coming home—but a break from the pace of the city was doing her good already.

  She had counted on the fact that the storm would start slowly, as was so often the case in Starlight Peak, with a slow, steady buildup that eventually blanketed the town in white. But now she looked up at the snowflakes starting to swirl above her head. The downfall was thick and coming on fast.

  A few more minutes and her visibility was down to almost nothing.

  “Shoot,” Cass muttered, turning around. But already, it was impossible to see more than a few feet in front of her.

  She took a step forward, but there was a small pit in the path ahead she hadn’t been able to see in the snow. She stumbled and pitched forward. Before she could put out her hands to break her fall, she felt her head thunk against a tree stump hidden by the falling snow. She cried out as pain flooded through her and blurred her vision.

  No, Cass, you can’t. You have to get up. You have to get up now. But she couldn’t. It was too much. The white snow falling in thick sheets blurred before her eyes. But she forced herself to focus on reaching into her pocket for her cell phone. With rapidly freezing fingers she pulled her phone out of her pocket. She willed herself not to lose consciousness before she could speak—but knew in her heart that even if she didn’t manage to ask for help, Charlie would know. Charlie would come for her. She had to.

  22

  Charlie

  Thursday: 2 Days Until Christmas . . .

  Starlight Peak

  Charlie had awoken early in her old bedroom at her parents’ house. It was strange, being back in her childhood home and all alone at Christmastime. Normally the house would be full of Christmas cheer. But between her fight with Cass the night before and the uncertainty around her parents’ snowed-in flight delays, she was feeling lonelier than ever.

  The initial shock of knowing Austin had scooped the job out from under her had faded—though she still wasn’t sure how it had happened—but in its place was a sense of failure that Charlie was unaccustomed to, and she didn’t like it. It was the first time in years that she had no plan, no handle on her career trajectory, and it was alarming. Her sleep had been fitful, and she knew the only solution for now was a strong cup of coffee. Charlie scavenged around the kitchen until she found an old tin of grounds in the freezer—her parents were tea drinkers—and brewed a pot.

  Charlie was refilling her mug when her phone pinged. She glanced at the screen, and was so distracted she nearly overfilled her mug,

  Hey, can we talk?

>   Jake. Charlie’s stomach dropped, coffee bitter in her throat. Her fingers hovered as she tried to figure out what to say. She still didn’t know what Cass had said to Jake outside the bakery, but without question the interaction clearly had left Jake confused. Because Cass obviously had no clue what Charlie had been up to all week, or just how far things had gone with Jake.

  Charlie typed, erased, typed, erased, finally settling on:

  Hey. Can’t chat right now, but I promise I’ll explain soon.

  The coffee no longer appetizing—her stomach soured by the text exchange, and what had to come next—Charlie set her mug in the sink. Then she headed upstairs to get ready for what she hoped wouldn’t be the most disastrous day yet.

  * * *

  • • •

  When Charlie arrived at the bakery, having borrowed her parents’ car to get there as the Prius wasn’t great in heavy snow, she was surprised that Cass wasn’t around. She had hoped they could talk. She was still reeling from the night before, but if anyone had Charlie’s best interests in mind, it was her twin sister. Even though they lived hours apart, Cass was—had always been—Charlie’s “person.” She still had plenty of questions, and she had her own explaining to do, but the last thing she wanted was for all of this to drive a permanent wedge between them.

  “Is Cass upstairs?” It was weird to finally be able to be herself with Walter. She was so used to playing her sister that she had to remind herself that she could be Charlie now.

  Walter looked up. “Oh. Hi, Charlie. Cass told me you were coming in, but I wasn’t sure when. I’m glad to see you.”