by Olivia Miles
Jenna pinched her lips. Like the rest of the town by this point, Maddie knew good and well that Mabel was his grandmother. “We thought we’d bake them for her since they were one of her favorite Christmas cookies.”
“We?” Maddie blinked, feigning innocence.
“Travis doesn’t know how to bake, and I had to make cookies anyway, and—” And she was making too many excuses for an innocent few hours. Or maybe not completely innocent, she thought, pulling up an image of that moment in the kitchen when she thought something might have happened between them. “We baked the cookies together if that answers your question.”
“Oh, but it’s just sparked many more!” Maddie grinned as she popped a peanut butter cookie into her mouth and chewed.
Amelia, always one to let people talk when they were good and ready, just set a hand on Jenna’s shoulder and walked over to tend to the fire.
“What are we talking about?” Gabby, still in her coat with the chill on its soft cashmere fabric, set some cut-out cookies on the table.
“Your sister’s new love life,” Maddie said casually.
“What’s this?” Gabby reached for a brownie, as Jenna knew she would, and took a large bite, chewing slowly while she waited for Jenna to speak.
“It’s nothing. I spent a little time with Travis Dunne and suddenly everyone’s planning my wedding.”
“What’s this about a wedding?” Brooke leaned over the table, clearly interested in more than the cookie selection.
Noticing this, Maddie shook her head, walked into the kitchen, and returned with another platter of them. “Good thing I made another batch. No matter how many new recipes I experiment with, everyone just wants these candy cane brownies!”
“You’ve started a new tradition,” Jenna said, happy for her, and hoping that the topic had safely been dropped.
“And maybe you are, too,” Maddie seemed to have an internal battle with herself before finally picking up a brownie for herself. “You’d think I’d be sick of these things, but I’m not.”
“So, you’ve been spending time with Travis. And here I thought you had just decided not to completely hate him.” Brooke looked at her suspiciously.
“Baking cookies is a rather festive thing to do,” Gabby said coyly. “I take it that he’s not a Scrooge after all?”
Jenna sighed, but she couldn’t completely hide her smile. She had enjoyed her time with Travis, baking, laughing, enjoying the ease of his company. Just like she’d enjoyed every other interaction she’d had with him these past couple of weeks, not that she’d been sharing details with this group.
Unfortunately for her, she didn’t have to.
“Oh, Travis was the one from the bookshop!” Bella grinned. “Very handsome.”
Jenna didn’t think that Maddie could physically lift her eyebrows higher if she tried. “So you went shopping together?”
“And out to dinner!” Candy cried out, giving Jenna a playful bump of her hip to scoot her away.
“Candy!” Amelia looked understandably stunned. This was a holiday tradition, typically reserved for ten cousins and some of their friends. Candy was technically of the next generation, even though her age was hazy and she refused to admit it to anyone.
“Oh, you don’t mind, do you, Amelia?” Candy bit down on a knuckle, clearly feeling no remorse in the least. She wasted no time in shedding her coat. “I’ve had this idea for a recipe for the café and I thought, wouldn’t the cookie swap be the perfect excuse to give it a whirl?”
Amelia glanced at Britt, who just hooded her eyes and took a deep sip of her wine. “Of course, Candy.” She smiled graciously. “What do you have for us tonight?”
“I’ll get to that in a moment. First, I want to hear all about Jenna’s new man!”
Jenna stifled an eye roll and picked up a plate. “If this is how the evening is going, then I’m going to need some sugar, first.”
“And a cocktail.” Gabby grinned and picked up a martini glass filled with something that smelled like eggnog but was clearly enhanced.
Soon, they were all gathered near the crackling fire, all sets of eyes in the room latched onto Jenna. And here she’d hoped the library would be the topic of discussion tonight.
“First impressions aren’t always what they seem,” Candy said wisely. “When I met Denny—” Here, Jenna’s cousins exchanged a glance, because to everyone else, he was just Dennis.
“When I first met Denny, I had to be so strict with that man! Why, he had just broken his limbs, was supposed to be in bed, and he kept trying to chase me around that kitchen!”
Another glance from the cousins. Jenna hid her smile by taking another sip of wine.
“I had to wave that wooden spoon at him and tell him that if he didn’t follow Nurse Candy’s orders, there would be no special surprises. And I’m so good at surprises.” She giggled.
“I didn’t realize you were a nurse, Candy,” Heidi said, frowning in confusion.
Britt slid her eyes to the youngest of the Clarks. “Caregiver.”
“Anyway,” Candy continued. “I’m sure that man thought I was no fun at all. And we all know how much fun I am.”
The girls all murmured their agreement. Candy was many things, and fun was definitely one of them.
“Sometimes first impressions are wrong,” Heidi pointed out, and in this case, Jenna suspected that she was referring to her colorful work history that sometimes made for awkward interview questions. “And it isn’t his fault that the school’s struggling to fund the music program.”
Natalie gave a little smile. “He’s pretty handsome. If you aren’t interested…”
Jenna’s pulse flicked with something strangely close to jealousy, and before she had time to think of a casual comment, Britt cut in: “Natalie! He’s your daughter’s school principal. Don’t you think that would be a conflict of interest?”
“Love is complicated.” Natalie shrugged. “Besides, he’s only the temporary principal.”
Jenna stayed quiet as she sipped her drink. Natalie was right, he was only holding the position temporarily, but she was also right about something else.
Love—if that’s what she was starting to feel for him—was indeed complicated.
Chapter Twelve
By Friday, the fact that it was the last choir rehearsal before the Winter Carnival wasn’t lost on Jenna, and she decided to prioritize the children over the adults, who were much more capable of practicing on their own and who had nearly perfected every song in last night’s rehearsal, making tonight’s run smooth and easy.
This didn’t stop Candy from tapping Jenna on the shoulder and asking if they could have one more run-through of “Deck the Halls.”
“I didn’t hit that final note just right,” Candy explained.
Jenna refrained from pointing out that Candy hadn’t exactly hit any of the notes just right, but instead she glanced at the clock and gave a nod. “We’ll take it from the second verse.”
She lifted her hands and, waiting until Candy had scooted back into position, started to play. Of course, the choir would be singing a capella when they went door to door, but while they were practicing, she preferred to lead them through each song. She also preferred to play than to sing, but she joined in anyway, even though her voice, like so many others in the group, was drowned out by Candy’s never-shy vocals.
Jenna glanced up as they hit the last few bars, Candy’s passion swayed her far to the left side, then, on the next note, far to the right. More than one of the other members inched out of her way, and Jenna had to stop singing for a moment in case she burst out laughing instead.
“Better?” Candy asked once Jenna pushed back from her piano stool.
“Much.” Really, it hadn’t been any different than the first time, with possibly the exception of Candy’s enthusiasm. Jenna liked to believe that there was some level of musical talent in everyone, just waiting to be discovered. Candy, however, was testing that theory.
Still, ev
eryone deserved to enjoy music, and Jenna had made that just as much a part of her teachings as she had technique. Mr. Pritchard had instilled that in her.
She wondered idly if she’d see Mr. Pritchard at the bonfire event tonight. Considering that Travis was going, she couldn’t see him leaving his grandmother behind.
With a flutter in her chest, Jenna arranged her music sheets. The children had all arrived by now, and she was eager to run through this weekend’s event with props, even if meant that she would have to stay a little later than she’d planned.
As they shuffled into their assigned places, some already forgetting where they should go, Jenna longed for the camaraderie she had shared over the years with Mr. Pritchard, who was always at her side, helping the children along, calling out the next song, or, on the night of the big event, stage whispering from behind the curtain.
Her heart was just turning heavy when Candy came speed-walking toward her. There was nothing Candy did halfheartedly.
Jenna opened her mouth to explain she needed to focus on the children now, but Candy just picked up a box of the battery-operated candles and said, “I’m happy to help the kids with these if you want.”
“You don’t need to get to the bonfire?”
Candy had only talked about it in between every song, how “Denny” would be waiting for her.
“It won’t kill him to sit in the cold for a few extra minutes,” Candy said lightly. She gave a coy grin. “Besides, he knows I’ll be warming him up the moment I arrive, and I don’t mean with a blanket.”
Oh, brother. Still, Jenna couldn’t deny the thought of sitting close to Travis was at the forefront of her mind.
Candy sashayed over to the children and began handing out the candles, instructing a few of the younger ones on how to turn it on and off, and reminding all of them to be quiet until Jenna was seated at her piano and ready to give them the signal. The signal they’d all come to learn was extended eye contact followed by a single nod.
Jenna smiled her gratitude and moved back to the piano, but Candy was quick on her heels.
“Will I be seeing you at the bonfire tonight?” Candy batted her lashes as she leaned onto the piano ledge.
Knowing that Candy wasn’t going to back down without an answer, and knowing that within the next hour, Candy would have her answer, Jenna sighed and said, “I plan to stop by.”
“And will anyone else we know be there?” Candy wanted to know.
Jenna straightened her music sheets, arranging them in order of the three songs, even though she had every note memorized by now. “Oh, of course. All the girls will be there,” she said, referring to the Conways and Clarks.
Candy nodded. “I was wondering if any guys will be there. Single ones. Maybe a certain one that is related to our dear Mabel Gibney?”
“Most of Blue Harbor will be there,” Jenna said with a smile. “I’m sure we’re bound to run into Travis.”
“I hope so,” Candy said with a little smile.
Jenna positioned her hands over the keys and took a deep breath before glancing at the clock once more.
She certainly hoped so too.
Travis hadn’t been surprised that his grandmother asked to go to the bonfire, and he was happy that it saved him from having to admit to her that he was already planning to go—that would only lead to a full inquisition. She hadn’t been shy in saying that she hoped he would like it enough here to stay. And he hadn’t been shy in telling her that wasn’t even necessarily an option. There was a board meeting next Monday where he’d find out more about the school’s plans, something that he hadn’t paid much credence to, until recently.
He pulled in a breath as he parked the car and killed the engine. Staying in one place for too long usually meant disappointment, and getting close only led to heartache. But he’d meant what he’d said about there being something special about this town…and the people in it.
Travis pushed his door open against the arctic wind and hurried around the car to help his grandmother from the passenger side. He’d only started to unload the wheelchair from the trunk when she gave him one of her sharp looks.
“I don’t see how you’re going to get that thing over the lawn,” she huffed.
“I was able to get it through the town square for the tree lighting festival,” he pointed out. “I also seem to recall you balking at me when I worried the very same.”
She gave him a rueful look and raised her chin. “All the same, I think I’ll walk tonight.”
Travis stared at her and then dropped his gaze to her feet, where sure enough, she’d worn snow boots rather than her usual loafers. Perhaps it had been in the plan all along. The question was why, and why now? The most she ever walked around the house was to stand up to lift the kettle from the stove for tea, and she’d long ago stopped using the upstairs bedrooms, turning the den into her personal space instead.
“I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” he said tensely, looking at the salted pavement and then on to the paper lantern-lined path that had been cut away in the snow.
“The cold air gives me energy,” she said, motioning for him to hand her the cane that he had assumed would be left in the car.
Against his better judgment, Travis folded up the wheelchair, set it back in the trunk, and took his grandmother’s elbow. “We’ll go slowly,” he said.
His grandmother wasn’t paying him any attention by now. Her eyes were darting, and he had to admit, she moved at a brisker pace than he expected, as if she were eager to get to her destination.
It wasn’t until she broke out into a smile that Travis looked up and realized the real reason behind her sudden declaration and good mood. Mr. Pritchard was pushing himself up from a bench, standing to greet her, his eyes so trained on his date for this evening that he didn’t even seem to notice Travis until they were standing shoulder to shoulder.
“You look lovely,” he said, taking her hand. He motioned to the bench that was positioned in front of a fire. “I thought this would be easier for us than those Adirondack chairs the youngsters sit in.”
“I think if I were to sit in one of those, I’d never get up again!”
Travis startled at his grandmother’s laughter, which seemed to float over the quiet snow, fading into the crackling and popping of the logs.
“I see I was just the chauffeur tonight,” he teased her.
She settled herself onto the bench and covered her legs with the wool blanket Mr. Pritchard passed to her, before sliding beside her.
“It did you good to come here tonight,” she said, that old spark back in her eye. “But yes, I’m afraid you’ll have to find someone else to share it with. Someone special for a special night.”
Travis knew he should correct her then and there, tell her that he had already found someone special, that it hadn’t worked out, and that he was fine on his own. But he’d be lying, and he never misled his grandmother, and not just because she’d see right through it. She was the kindest woman he knew and seeing her like this, downright girlish and happy, he took it as his cue to back away.
“I’m meeting Jenna Conway if you must know,” he said, sensing no surprise in her reaction. “But then, you might have guessed that.”
“You two have been spending a lot of time together,” Gran said.
“It’s been nice to find a friend in Blue Harbor,” Travis admitted.
“You won’t find a better girl than our Jenna,” Mr. Pritchard said. “She’s a true talent, that one. Haven’t met a pupil or parent who doesn’t adore the work she does with the kids. Truth be told, I plan to nominate her for my position upon my retirement this spring. I couldn’t think of a better candidate for the job. But, well.”
Gran was shaking her head. “Such a shame to think that the board would even consider doing away with the music program.”
“It is,” Travis agreed.
“And is there really nothing that you can do?” She’d pressed him on this nearly as much as Jenna, especially
now that she had a vested interest thanks to the man sitting beside her.
“My position is temporary,” Travis replied. “And now I’ll leave you two to enjoy the evening.” He slipped away before any more could be said on the tense topic that somehow he and Jenna had managed to shelve, but probably not forget if he was being honest with himself.
He spotted her coming up the lit pathway, wearing a heavy down parka and earmuffs. Her long dark hair hung in waves at her shoulders, and for a moment, it was as if none of that conversation had just happened, as if none of those problems existed, and maybe, no one else existed.
Jenna joined Travis at the top of the path, noticing his grandmother watching with a strained neck in the near distance.
“Looks like Mr. Pritchard isn’t having such a lonely Christmas after all,” she said, pleased.
“That makes two of us.” Travis slid her a grin and Jenna glanced away, her heart beating quickly.
“It’s a nice clear night for this,” Jenna said, suddenly feeling shy. She shivered as she lowered herself onto the Adirondack chair. “I’m daring to think we may just be able to save the library in the end.”
“Really?” He looked surprised but pleased as he sat beside her, close enough that his arm brushed hers. “My grandmother used to take me to that library when I was little. Maybe that’s why I developed such a fondness for books and eventually academia.”
Jenna grinned at him, wanting to learn more about that boy who had visited, and how it had shaped him. “It’s important for children to have an outlet.”
He nodded. “Consistency. Not that I have any now. But books, music, it’s something you can take with you anywhere. It’s a way to escape, sure, but it’s also a way to find your place.”
She held his gaze, knowing that they were touching upon a sensitive topic, and one that she wasn’t so sure she wanted to get into just now, not when it was such a lovely cold night and the fire was so warm.
A gust of wind blew in off the lake and she shivered again. For a moment, she wondered if Travis might put his arm around her, but instead, he jumped to his feet. “There are some blankets near the bar stand. Why don’t I grab one for you?”