Page 74 of One Foggy Christmas
Nash came to Tate’s funeral.
It couldn’t have been more than a month and a half into my internship, but there he was, six hundred miles away from Chicago, supporting a woman he barely knew.
Something about that kind of loyalty touches my soul.
And for the first time since I woke up from my coma, I understand, at least a little bit, why I fell in love with Nash.
NASH
“You just twistthe ropes together until you get your desired thickness.” Lynette stands over my shoulder, teaching me how to make homemade candy canes.
Since Sadie’s been hiding in her room all week, Lynette and I have been spending a lot of time together. She’s different than I imagined, different from the picture Sadie painted of her mom. Lynette is warm and service-oriented. Motherhood is the center of her life, and I like seeing her in her element. She’s a mother figure I never had.
“Twist them like this?”
“Yep, you’re a natural.” She smiles down at me, patting my shoulder. “And then when you’re out of rope, you form it into a cane shape to harden.”
“Hey, look at me.” My head kicks back, examining my work. “I’m a candy-cane-making pro my first time.” I hold my gloved hands up, waving them back and forth. “I might just keep theseheat-resistant gloves. You never know when they’ll come in handy.”
“Nash Carter, you’ll have to get your own gloves. Those are mine.” Lynette returns to her spot at the counter, pulling out another red and white piece from the warm oven.
“How did you learn to do all of this?”
“I just taught myself. Jay worked long hours when he first started his business. So, I lined up my three little kids and started baking. Anything to keep them busy, especially during the holidays.”
My eyes cast over my mother-in-law, noticing the similarities between her and Sadie. “Your children are really lucky to have you as their mom.”
She pauses her work, glancing up at me with glossed-over eyes. “I don’t think any of them would say that.”
“A few bumpy years doesn’t take away all the good things you’ve taught them or the love you’ve shown. They’re lucky to have you, even if they don’t always admit it. And someday, if Sadie and I are blessed with children, the things you taught her will be passed down to my family. I’m thankful to you for that.”
She wipes a tear with her wrist, keeping her cooking hands free from contamination. “I don’t mean to get emotional.” She laughs nervously. “It’s just…” Her head shakes as she forces a smile. “I really appreciate you saying that.”
“What do you appreciate?”
For the first time all week, Sadie is dressed and out of bed.
“Hi!” I stand, moving to kiss her on the cheek but realize too late that a kiss isn’t appropriate.
“Uh…” She pulls back, dodging my advances, and now I feel like an idiot.
“Sorry for that.” I cringe. “Habit.”
“No, I’m sorry for pulling away. I wasn’t expecting to…” Her words drift to an awkward silence.
A nervous laugh falls over my lips. “Should we just start over?”
“That would be great.”
I pull out a stool for her. “Your mom and I are just bonding over homemade candy canes.”
My eyes flick to Lynette, who pretends not to have witnessed my clumsy interaction with her daughter. Each day is a new level of humiliating circumstances.
“Bonding, huh?” Sadie’s brows rise.
“We’re hosting the neighbor bash this Sunday, so I just thought I’d get a start on making some of the candy for that.”
“I can help too,” she offers.
