Page 18 of Holiday Hitch

Zoey replied, “Well then I’ll let you know. But in the meantime, I need those heaters installed like… yesterday.”

Smiling, Robin recognized Zoey’s familiar persistence. It was enough to assure Robin that everything was alright.

“And I need an update from Daryl as soon as possible,” Zoey said, “And we need to figure out which room we’re going to make into…”

She trailed off from saying more, knowing it was far too early for anyone to know the news. New Winford was a small town and as soon one person overheard, it wouldn’t be long before it was front-page news.

It still felt surreal to remember they were about to be parents. But Zoey knew that everything would be all right, even if this wedding was driving her crazy.

Robin tried to hide the smile on her face and replied, “We definitely do.”

But before Robin could turn back to her work, she saw Zoey’s foot anxiously tapping against the forest floor. She placed her hands on Zoey’s arms and took a deep breath, hoping Zoey would follow suit.

Zoey forced a deep breath into her lungs and exhaled deeply. The cold air felt like taking a dive into a deep pool in the middle of August.

“I love you so much, but I need you to be more careful. You heard Dr. Morales; it’s really important that you relax,” Robin reminded her, staring into her eyes.

Zoey shook her head and argued, “Really the doctor said I shouldn’t beunusuallystressed out.” A cheeky grin covered her face. She hoped the semantics would distract Robin from the glaring problem that was her insistence on working constantly. Deep down, Zoey knew Robin was right, but she just wasn’t ready to admit that yet.

She wasn’t sure if she knew how to be less stressed. When she was building her career in the city, she had no choice but to take on as much work as she possibly could. Her work-life balance then was nonexistent, and for a long time, she preferred it that way. That work ethic was what enabled her to pursue her dream life back home.

But more than that, she feared what it would mean to let someone else take control for once. Sure, she had taken a few months off after quitting her job, but without fail, someone always needed Zoey Greenwood’s expertise in planning their events.

Plus, when she wasn’t planning events, she and Robin were flipping houses, a passion project they’d started up after finishing the renovations on Oak Lane.

It was work she really enjoyed, but it was work nonetheless.

“I know you’re so strong and tough and you can do it all. But maybe you shouldn’t have to,” Robin proposed. Before Zoey could reply, though, Robin was being summoned by a crew installing luxury portable bathrooms.

Alone, Zoey looked up to the bare, winter canopy. The trees swayed together in the cold breeze, their branches entangling. She needed more of this kind of calm in her life.

What would it feel like to really let Robin take control?She asked herself as she observed the venue.

9

Daryl

“Look who decided to show up,”Zoey joked as she pulled Daryl in for a hug between the bookcases in the local bookstore, Cleo’s Shelf. Cleo had done a great job hanging some classy lights around the place, providing a soft light to read by and a cheery holiday vibe.

Daryl laughed, “You’re one to talk. I feel like I haven’t seen you here in months. Been too busy zooming around town trying to run the place. Now that I think of it, I only see you when you’re demanding work from me in my shop.”

With a laugh, Zoey and Daryl wandered to the back of the store and took in the smell of the books.

“How goes the wedding planning?” Daryl asked, regretting it almost as soon as the words left her lips.

Taking in a deep breath, Zoey joked, “Well, this bitch of a gardener is taking too damn long on the floral arrangements.”

Shaking her head, Daryl kept moving through the stacks of books and gave Zoey a once over. “How did the appointment go the other day?” Daryl asked.

Even though she wasn’t ready to tell anyone just yet about the big news, the truth was evident on Zoey’s face, which immediately flushed pink.

Daryl knew better than to say anything. Instead she waited for Zoey to say, “We’re just going to have to wait and see.”

“Well, you know I’m excited to be an aunt,” Daryl said with a wink. The giddy smile playing at the corners or Zoey’s mouth wasn’t lost on Daryl as they made their way to the circle of chairs at the back of the shop.

Each woman took their respective spots in the book club circle, eager for the group to start.

Once everyone was seated, Lynn opened the discussion of their holiday pick, a romantic comedy set in a snow-locked town in the mountains. Daryl was glad to see Zoey at book club since it was one of the few times a month she saw Zoey sit still for more than five minutes.

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