Page 65 of Christmas Charms
That’s right, Maya’s here in Owl Lake.
After Aidan and I shared the news of our engagement with our family and friends at The Owl’s Nest on Christmas Eve, the scene at the bistro turned into a full-on holiday engagement party. Dad stood up to say some very kind words about Aidan and me, then bought a round of cinnamon hot toddies for everyone who was there—with the exception of Sophie and Olivia, obviously, who sipped peppermint white chocolate cocoa topped with whipped cream and sprinkles while their tiaras wobbled on top of their heads.
The only thing that could have made the night better was if Maya had been there, so I decided to video call her from the party and give her the big news. When I told her Aidan and I were getting married, she let out a such a loud squeal that I thought my phone case might crack. Thanks to modern technology, she got to “meet” Aidan and Fruitcake and join in on the celebration.
But being someplace digitally isn’t quite the same as actually being there, is it? So after spending Christmas morning with her mom and brother in the city, Maya took the train to Owl Lake and showed up on the doorstep of my parents’ house just as we were about to start playing a board game with Aidan, Susan, Josh and the girls.
Aidan found it especially funny that Maya brought a pint of gingerbread ice cream with her in her purse. It was more like gingerbread soup by the time she got to Owl Lake, but that didn’t bother Sophie and Olivia. They shared a bowl at the table while we all played a rousing game of Candy Land. Fruitcake made himself comfy at our feet while he chomped on a giant soup bone—a gift from Aidan. It was the best Christmas Day I’ve ever had.
But after Aidan and his family went home and Maya got settled in the guest room, I went to have a heart-to-heart with my mom and dad in the kitchen. I told them I wanted to buy Enchanted Jewels, and that I’d already completed an online loan application at the credit union that services the OLFD. I still had one last Christmas wish I wanted to make come true before the clock struck midnight.
Before Betty gave me her charm bracelet, she told me I needed to dream bigger, and I’m taking her at her word. My mom and dad generously offered to co-sign my loan, so I was approved first thing this morning. And now here I am with my closest friend from the city, handing over a check for the modest purchase amount to my soon-to-be sister-in-law.
“She’sdefinitelysure,” Maya says, waving a hand around the charming shop. Most of the cases are only half-full since today was supposed to be closing day, and I can’t wait to fill them up with my own repurposed designs. “Ashley is going to start her own jewelry empire. It’s going to be the shining star of Main Street.”
Susan and I exchange an amused glance.
“I’m not sure I’d call it an empire,” I say with a laugh. “It’s going to be nothing at all like Windsor.”
“No, but it will beyours.” Susan grins. “My boss is thrilled. She emailed the purchase contract over this morning, because the roads are getting bad again and she’s not sure if she’ll make it back to Owl Lake today. She and her husband do a lot of traveling during the holidays.”
“That’s too bad. I was looking forward to meeting her,” I say.
“Maybe if she gets stuck in snowbank somewhere, Aidan can go rescue her in his shiny red fire truck.” Maya waggles her eyebrows and the three of us collapse into giggles.
But our laughter is quickly interrupted by a bright, cheery voice. “A rescue won’t be necessary, dears.”
Susan, Maya and I nearly jump out of our skins.How odd, I think. I could have sworn we were the only three people in the shop.
“Sorry, ma’am. You startled us,” Maya says.
“She does that a lot,” Susan says. “I swear, Mrs. C, sometimes it’s like you appear out of thin air.”
I press my hand to my chest. My heart is beating is a mile a minute, and when I look up, it nearly stops altogether. “Betty?”
She smiles and her eyes go all crinkly behind her red glasses with the holly leaves and berries in the corner of the frames. “Why, hello there, dear. Ashley, was it?”
“Wait.” Susan glances back and forth between us. “You two know each other?”
I blink, not entirely sure how to answer the question. “Um…”
Susan and Maya are wide-eyed as they wait for me to elaborate, but then Betty subtly presses a finger to her lips while they’re busy looking at me.Shhh.
Seriously? I can’t tell my two best friends that Susan’s boss, the woman who owns Enchanted Jewels, is my stranger from the train? She’s the source of the charm bracelet that tinkles on my wrist every time I move, and I’m supposed to keep it a secret?
“We, um, met once on the train,” I say, waving a dismissive hand.
Right. No big deal, but I think the woman who owns this place might be married to Santa.
“Yes, and what a journey it turned out to be,” Betty says.
Understatement of the century.
“Indeed.” I laugh, because I just can’t help it.
Maya’s brow furrows. She knows me well enough to recognize when I’m being evasive.
If Susan suspects anything, she hides it well. She offers her boss a gentle smile and flips through the simple purchase agreement until landing on the signature page. “It’s great that you’re here. You two can sign the paperwork together.”
