Page 50 of Unexpected Gifts

“Your mother’s offered to help me cook some meals for the week. She’s sent me with a list.” She pulled it out of her bag to show him.

“Great. Let me help.”

There were several other customers in the shop, but they seemed to be doing well enough on their own. Plus, Max’s employee, a pretty young woman, was at the register.

After a few minutes of Max taking her around and recommending local brands for her recipes, Abby decided the second-oldest Hayes brother had one of those personalities that made everything seem like a fun adventure. He was much more outgoing than Luke, but there were enough similarities between them that it was obvious they were brothers. Although Max’s exuberant energy and quick wit were a juxtaposition to Luke’s steady, calming presence, they shared a kindness and decency that they’d obviously learned from their parents.

He took her over to the produce section, where bins and baskets of corn, squash, lettuce, and various fruits were displayed. She was thrilled to see they had fresh produce, even this time of year. When she asked Max how this was possible, he explained that the greenhouse, located not far from the store, grew vegetables all year round.

“Do you grow all of this?” Abby asked, amazed.

“No, no. I’m more skilled at sourcing the best cheese and wine than growing fruit and vegetables. A local gardener rents the space from me and then sells me his goods, which I turn around and sell to my customers. Because we source almost all of our goods locally, we’re able to keep the costs low for our customers, which is important to me. I’m not only a business owner but a member of this community. I want people to feel they get a fair deal when they shop here. The previous owners gouged people, relying on tourists’ money. When I bought it, I wanted to turn it back into what it should be. A local business with local products. If I keep my prices competitive, they’ll keep coming here instead of going to one of the big grocery chains.”

“Well, you officially have my business. And since I will soon be working for Doc Ford, I can actually afford to feed Sophie and Jack.”

“Doc Ford’s a great man. You’ll be happy there, I think.”

After her basket was full, Max guided her over to the register. He introduced her to his comely helper, a redhead named Daphne Brooks.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Daphne said, smiling shyly and tucking a stray copper curl behind her ear.

“You too,” Abby said.

“Daphne’s just moved here too.” Max’s eyes sparkled. “She’s a city girl like you.”

“Where from?” Abby asked.

“Suburb of Atlanta,” Daphne said. “Born and raised.”

“What brought you here?” Abby asked, curious.

“I came here for a girls’ weekend and fell in love,” Daphne said with a quick glance at Max. “And decided I would stay forever.”

The way she said it made Abby wonder if she had fallen in love with Sugarville Grove or Max. Maybe both?

As far as Abby could tell, the relationship seemed to be purely professional. Max appeared oblivious to the way Daphne’s green eyes softened when they landed upon him.

Despite her protests, he insisted on giving her the friend and family discount. Finally, she had no choice but to accept his generosity. “Your family seems to be on a mission to help me,” Abby said. “I’m beyond thankful.”

“Ramona was our good friend and neighbor,” Max said simply. “She was a wonderful person, as you know.” Sadness crept into his voice. “It’s still hard to understand that she’s gone.”

“For me too.”

“You let me know if you need anything. I mean it.” Max smiled gently and reached into the pocket of his green apron, and pulled out an invitation. “This is an invite to my annual ugly sweater contest. I’d love you to come.” He handed her the invitation, printed on a thick green card.

She took a look, amused to see Max in a photograph, presumably from the year before, wearing a green furry sweater with plastic Christmas bulbs hanging from it. The date of the party was not for three weeks. With the way things were going of late, who knew what could happen in that amount of time.

“Ugly sweater contest? I don’t think I have one.” The idea of a party intimidated her. She hadn’t attended many parties in her adult life and was not accustomed to large crowds. School and work had been all-consuming, leaving little time for socializing. Since she’d come back to Sugarville Grove, she was starting to wonder what she’d been missing from her life. The Hayes family was fun. She was not fun.

The children needed her to be fun. She wanted desperately to give them fond memories from their childhood, despite losing their parents.

“You have to come,” Max said. “I hold it upstairs in my apartment. Food and wine. Christmas music. It’s always a blast. This will be my third one and I don’t like to brag, but the invites are as coveted as those to the Met Gala.”

She laughed. “Really? Well, in that case, I’ll be there.”

Max grinned. “I promise, you’ll love it.”

As relievedas Abby had been when Luke suggested friendship rather than romance, at least for the time being, the memory of their kiss lingered. He was never far from her thoughts as she and Grace had cooked together or when she’d folded several loads of laundry or cleaned the kitchen.

---