Page 34 of Once Upon a Winter
Cooper wanted to agree. “That makes sense, but… I hate to even tell you this because it sounds so unhinged.”
Maggie’s eyebrows went together. He had her complete attention.
“She thinks a few coincidences happened because the snow globe made them happen, including me. She is convinced that the snow globe brought us together, so what I feel isn’t really what I feel. The snow globe made me feel it.”
“Oh.” She wrinkled her face as she tried to reason that out.
Cooper looked at her knowingly. “See what I mean? Even if I could overlook it, which I’m not sure I can, she’ll never trust how I feel.”
Maggie’s eyes softened. “And how do you feel?”
Cooper shook his head and debated whether to say it out loud. “I know how I could feel if I let myself. I could… fall in love with her.”
“That’s the human heart for you. It’s got its own kind of magic, and it rules the way we live our lives.”
“I’d like to think I have a say in the matter.”
“We’d all like to think that.” Her eyes twinkled.
Cooper nodded, conceding the point. “But the heart is a miraculous organ that keeps us alive. It’s a real force. A snow globe isn’t. It can’t make me feel anything I don’t want to feel.”
“Oh, I know that well enough! God knows for all of your life, I’ve tried to make you do things you didn’t want to do without any success. So, if a little snow globe can do that, that’s some Christmas magic!” She had a good laugh then sighed. “Have faith. The only real Christmas magic I know comes from God. So stay in close touch with him, and it’ll all work out.”
Cooper exhaled and stood up to leave. She was right. He didn’t go to church very often, but he’d never stopped believing. Which might be why the snow globe business bothered him so much. He couldn’t have a relationship with someone who let that come between them.
As they walked to the door, Maggie said, “Give it time. If Laura’s the one for you, she’ll come around and realize that the true Christmas magic is love.”
Cooper gazed warmly at his mother, who’d always been there for him with her quiet wisdom. He gave her a hug. “Thanks, Mom.”
She smiled. “Anytime.”
The next morning,Laura stared at the snow globe, anxiety twisting her stomach into knots. She’d lost sleep over it, but she’d made a decision.
She picked up the phone and called Cooper. “Can you come over? We need to talk.”
“Sure.” His tone was gentle, which she hoped was a good sign.
Cooper arrived, looking apprehensive. Laura led him to the sofa, where they sat facing the snow globe. She got straight to it. “I don’t want our relationship to be based on a snow globe. Whether it’s magic or my imagination, it’s coming between us.” She couldn’t meet his eyes. “And I don’t know how you feel. I mean, I guess what I’m saying is that I’d like to find out what we could be to each other without the snow globe.”
He looked relieved, but that almost made it worse.
She continued, “Which is scary because if it is the snow globe, then I’ll lose you. Not that I have you. But… I’d like us to be something.” She winced, hoping she’d made some sense.
Cooper took her hand in his. “It’s okay. Whatever we are to each other, whatever we feel, is from us, not some Christmas decoration.”
“Do you really believe that?” She lifted her eyes to meet his.
Cooper nodded. “I really do.”
“Okay. Then I guess it’s time to take it back to the store.”
“Would you like me to go with you?”
Laura nodded. “I’ll go get the box it came in.”
Fourteen
Snow swirledaround Laura and Cooper as they hurried down the snow-dusted sidewalk, the Christmas lights overhead casting a warm glow on the quaint village shops. Laura clutched the snow globe box tightly in her gloved hands. The once-enchanting little globe now felt like an unwelcome burden.
