Page 4 of A Taste of Christmas Magic

No one spoke. An image of Rustin—black hair tumbling over his brow, tatted forearms flexing as he carried the tub of dirty soup tureens—popped in her head, and she felt herself flush.

“I don’t think any of you are even dating.”

None of the Maye sisters spoke. They were a little pale, and their fingers fidgeted on the teacups, and no one looked at Grandma Millie. Chloe figured they were all thinking their love lives—or lack of them—were none of Grandma Millie’s business, but they were too polite to say so. Chloe knew Grandma Millie not only considered all of her family’s lives her business, but all the goings on in the town her business as well.

“Well?” Grandma Millie demanded. “Nothing? Do I have to do everything myself?”

“You want to find dates for us?” Chloe tried to cut some of the tension.

Jessica pressed her lips together to keep from laughing, but Sarah and Meghan looked a little scandalized.

Grandma Millie made a sound that on another woman would have been described as a snort.

“It’s tradition for Mayes to lead this town, and it’s time you all stepped into your roles.”

No one spoke, but the schooled expressions likely hid many thoughts.

It’s like we’re in a play, but we don’t know our lines.

Grandma Millie picked up her teacup and saucer again, a small smile ghosted as she clearly savored the drama.

“I am stepping down from my leadership in the Belmont Ladies’ League, and the four of you are taking my place.”

Sarah’s mouth opened but nothing came out. Jessica regarded Grandma Millie like a prospective client she wasn’t sure she wanted to take on. Meghan examined the linen napkin in her lap like she’d never seen it before.

“What exactly does that mean, Grandma Millie?” Chloe finally ventured.

Grandma Millie was incredibly busy chairing many committees in town and at church. A few months ago, she’d shuttered her diner,Millie’s, a town institution, for renovations, and she hadn’t allowed any of them to see the progress, even Chloe who’d practically grown up in the diner.

“I’m retiring,” she said succinctly. “Perhaps this calls for something more celebratory, girls. Sarah, champagne,” Grandma Millie instructed.

Sarah jumped up as if Grandma Millie had jerked a string.

“I’ll help, Sarah,” Jessica said and carefully put down her teacup, though it rattled in the saucer.

No one spoke until Sarah returned with a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket. Jessica carried a tray of champagne glasses.

“You planned this big announcement, Grandma Millie?” Jessica’s voice strained with shock.

“I always have champagne in the fridge. All hostesses do.”

Good to know.

Chloe had never hosted anything ever, though she’d been Grandma Millie’s minion—as had the Maye sisters for as long as any of them could walk and talk politely.

“Don’t tell me.” The tension in Meghan’s voice could cut glass. “The champagne was already chilling in the ice bucket and the glasses were trayed.” Meghan had always had the syrupy sarcasm down to abless your heartart form. Probably why she was an attorney and rarely fooled.

“Sarah, pop the cork,” Grandma Millie spoke into the tense silence. “And then we’ll toast your next challenge.” She smiled like a shark, and Chloe’s tummy flipped. Grandma Millie had always been kind and supportive, but she did not suffer anything less than your best.

Chloe felt her best fell short on too many occasions.

“Or two,” Grandma Millie added.

“What exactly do you mean, Grandma Millie?” Sarah asked, her voice perfectly modulated, but her body was tense as a violin string as she expertly popped the cork.

She poured and Jessica handed the flutes around, the first to Grandma Millie.

“A toast,” Grandma Millie said. “To the Maye family and their continued good health and prosperity as they steward Belmont into a new era and start their own families. Drink up.”

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