Page 10 of Christmas On Anchor Island

The crooked smile on her future sister-in-law’s face struck fear in Mia’s heart. The last thing she wanted was to bring up Henri.

“That writer friend of Callie Edwards?” Grandma asked.

“She’s Callie’s cousin,” Mia corrected. “And yes. Henri is here for the holidays.”

Sliding to the edge of her seat, Nota pushed herself up with the help of her cane. “I hope I get to talk to her. I read one of those books you left lying around this summer. The one about the girl trying to build a hotel in downtown Nashville.”

Mia had wondered where that book went. “You read one of Henri’s books?”

“Don’t sound so surprised. I’ve enjoyed a romance or two in my day. The book was so good I felt as if I’d visited that city.” She slowly made her way to the tree and moved a felt candy cane up one branch. “She’s a wonderful writer.”

“Yes, she is,” Lauren agreed. “She’ll be there alone so Mia will have someone to talk to and not feel left out.”

“That will have to do, I guess.” Leaning heavily on the cane, she said, “I think I might lie down for a bit. Thank you for helping with the tree, Lauren. I’m sure Mia warned you how difficult I am, but don’t listen to a word she says. I’m particular, but that does not make me difficult.”

As Mia rolled her eyes, Lauren placed a kiss on Nota’s cheek. “Mia said no such thing.”

“I don’t believe you.”

Lauren held up two fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

Eyes narrowed, Grandma assessed her expression. “You were never a Girl Scout, were you?”

The sassy blond came clean immediately. “I was not.”

“That’s what I thought.” With a wave, she shuffled toward her bedroom. “Thank you both for your help and for your patience. Lauren, I’ll see you Saturday if not before.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Once Nota’s bedroom door clicked shut, Lauren said, “Thanks for saving me on that tree thing. I didn’t realize not having one would be an issue.”

“Nick hasn’t put up a tree since we moved here. He just tells her he has one to keep her happy.”

“That would have been handy to know before she asked,” she said with a laugh. “Sid is probably finished with my car by now. Are you still okay taking me back to Dempsey’s?”

“Of course.”

Mia let Nota know she was leaving, and moments later they were in the car, headed across the island.

“How serious is this thing between Nota and Olaf?” Lauren asked.

“They’re definitely a couple,” Mia said. “He’s very sweet to her, and I think she appreciates the attention.”

“Do you think they’ll take the next step?”

The question threw Mia off. “What next step?” She turned her left blinker on and rolled up to the stop sign.

“Marriage.”

“Marriage? Grandma and Olaf?” What a crazy idea. “There’s no way she’d get married again. She’s been single longer than I’ve been alive. Longer than Nick’s been alive, for that matter.”

“Then don’t you hope she will?” Lauren asked. “That’s a long time to be alone.”

The possibility had never crossed Mia’s mind. “She isn’t alone. Nick and I are here.”

Lauren tugged on her seat belt. “No offense, but that isn’t the same thing.”

“Are you forgetting that she’s in her eighties?”

“You’re never too old to fall in love. Don’t you want her to be happy?”

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