Page 46 of Snowflakes Over Starr's Fall
She and Jack didn’tloveeach other yet. And at the start of a relationship, it was best foot forward, right? Time to show the other person how great you were?
“We’re just enjoying what we have for now,” she stated firmly. “And that’s enough.”
“Okay,” Laurie replied. “That works.” She grinned and reached over to squeeze Jenna’s hand. “I’m so happy for you! And… I’ve got news myself.” She bit her lip, her eyes still bright, before admitting, “I saw my mom yesterday.”
“What!” Jenna gaped at her. “Where? And how did it go?”
“We met in the city. I went for the day, and we had lunch like we were meant to before, but this time it was so much better. She explained some things… She married this guy, a real Wall Street type, you know?”
Jenna nodded, swallowing hard. She knew Wall Street types all too well. Ryan had been one, and so was Jack, although he’d changed, or at least was trying to… right?
“And she never told him about me,” Laurie continued. “He has a thing about keeping up appearances, and I guess she was afraid. And when I contacted her, she panicked.”
“And panicked again the second time she arranged to see you?” Jenna reminded her gently. She was doing her best to let go of her cynicism, but she didn’t want to see her friend hurt.
“Yes, and you know what? I get it.” Laurie lifted her chin in defiance. “It was hard, and she was trying, and she’s still trying. She’s going to tell him about me… I have two half-brothers, can you believe it? They’re just teenagers, but she wants me to meet them. Eventually.”
“I’m happy for you, Laurie,” Jenna said sincerely. Laurie didn’t need to hear any more of her cautious concerns. Just as she was enjoying this time with Jack, and seeing where it went, so Laurie could enjoy the same with her mother. You lost the pleasure of the moment by worrying about the possibilities of the future.
“All right, let’s talk about Christmas,” Laurie said as she pushed up from the counter. “Thursday and Friday night all the stores are open till nine, and the Christmas tree lighting is at six on the Friday. Mike is handing out presents to all kids under the age of twelve—Liz and Zoe have been wrapping them up all weekend. It’s a choice of a coloring book and box of crayons or a mini basketball hoop and ball. Lizzy got them in bulk and paid for them out of the Business Association’s budget.”
“Sounds great,” Jenna told her.
“Rhonda is doing free hot chocolates for the Christmas tree lighting,” Laurie continued, consulting her notes, “and she’s bulking out the food for the barn dance, although it’s advertised as potluck, right? Has she been in touch?”
“We’ve been texting, but I’ll check in with her after this. She says she’s got everything under control.”
“Lizzy’s providing bagels and coffee on Saturday morning. She’s setting up a stall on the green, and Bella and Ben are manning it so Lizzy and Michael can stay at the bakery. Maggie’s got a Christmas crossword to hand out, too… anyone who completes it gets entered in a draw for a free monthly membership to Your Turn Next. Hopefully Main Street will be hopping!”
“Hopefully,” Jenna agreed. “It’s sounding like it already is.”
Laurie put down her notes, her eyebrows raised. “And when is your grand opening?”
Nerves fluttered in Jenna’s middle at the thought. “Friday afternoon, right before the Christmas tree lighting. Mike is going to arrive as Santa, hand out some lollipops, and then go on a float to the tree. Everyone’s encouraged to walk behind, like a parade.” She hoped the half-mile wouldn’t feel too long.
“That’s so cool!” Laurie’s eyes sparkled. “I think it’s going to be a fantastic weekend. Zach’s been doing lots of advertising online… I really hope we get some interest from outside of Starr’s Fall.”
All those elusive tourists, Jenna thought wryly. “Me too,” she told Laurie. Starr’s Fall certainly needed it, and Miller’s Mercantile in particular. A lot was riding on this one weekend.
* * *
After seeing Laurie, Jenna continued on her rounds, making sure that every business owner in Starr’s Fall had something planned for the weekend. Midnight Fashion was offering 15 percent off all holiday wear; The Rolling Pin had created a special Christmas bagel, complete with red and green sprinkles, and the barber shop, run by the taciturn Ed Howes, who had never come to a Business Association meeting in his life, had agreed to give a 20 percent discount to anyone who got their hair cut there before Christmas.
As she walked back to her car, Jenna’s spirits lifted. Under a winter-blue sky, Starr’s Fall looked idyllic, the homes and stores that lined the street touched with golden sunshine, the windows rimmed with frost. The Business Association, with the aid of many able volunteers, had sprung for some sprucing—the planters that lined the street had miniature evergreen trees in them, and Christmas lights were twined through the bare branches of many of the trees. A brightly colored banner hung over the top of the town, by the green, advertising the Winter Wonderland Weekend. Lizzy had really upped the town’s game, Jenna thought in admiration. This felt like a proper, important event.
Her mood remained buoyant as she headed back home. Jack had invited her over for dinner that night, supposedly to discuss the last-minute details of the weekend, but also, Jenna hoped, to simply be together. They’d spent a lot of time together since that first kiss, and Jenna was savoring every moment… and trying to do that and only that, rather than worry.
As she pulled into the parking lot of the mercantile, her heart gave a little flip at the sight of Jack’s ridiculous Porsche Spyder. He was standing on the porch as she got out of her car, and for a second she feared he had some bad news. He looked so serious, his hands in the pockets of his parka, the wind ruffling his hair.
“You have a key, you know,” she reminded him lightly. She’d given him one when they’d first started working on the renovations.
“I know, but I just got here, and I saw your car, so I thought I’d wait.” His eyes crinkled at the corners as she climbed the porch steps and then he pulled her in for a quick but deliciously thorough kiss. His lips were cold, his hair ruffled, and Jenna’s heart fizzed with both joy and relief. It couldn’t be bad news if he was kissing her like that.
“I was just checking up on all the preparations for the weekend,” she told him as she unlocked the front door. “Everyone seems on board.”
“Great.” He followed her into the store, whistling under his breath as he looked around. “I haven’t been here in a week, and the place looks amazing. You’ve done such a good job, Jenna.”
“So have you,” she reminded him, but he shook his head.
