Page 32 of A Christmas Spark
“This one seems a little young,” Vanessa said, setting it back down. “So, plenty of options for books here. What else is on her list? I know you mentioned the bike.”
Imogen sighed. “Really not all that much. Her list was surprisingly short this year.” She tugged on the end of her ponytail as she glanced over the shelf of books, before looking ruefully back at Vanessa. “I have a feeling it’s because she’s really pinned her hopes on that letter to Santa.”
Vanessa gave Imogen a sympathetic look. She felt badly for Imogen, who she knew tried her absolute best to be everything to Katie, both mother and father, and make sure that there were no holes in the little girl’s life. But it was natural for Katie to notice that there was something different about their little family, as happy as she might be.
And it was a lot to expect a seven-year-old to understand that finding a partner—let alone a husband—wasn’t as easy as just asking Santa to send one over for Christmas. Vanessa didn’tenvy the conversation that Imogen was going to eventually have to have with Katie, probably once the holiday season was over.
Vanessa hoped that Katie wouldn’t be too disappointed either, when no husband showed up under the tree for her mother on Christmas morning. She’d seen how Imogen’s face had fallen when she’d told Vanessa and Mabel about the letter, how worried and sad she’d been. She knew it was making Imogen struggle even more than usual with feelings of not being enough, and she’d seen the hint of longing in her friend’s eyes too. Imogen might not want to admit it, but Vanessa thought that Imogen wanted someone to share her life with. She was just wholly focused on Katie, and that was a good thing—except for when it made her ignore her own needs.
“I’m going to go browse for a minute,” Vanessa said, as Imogen lingered over the children’s books. “You’re right about this being a good gift option. Maybe I’ll find something for Mabel. And I could use something new to read, myself.”
Imogen waved her off, still glancing back and forth between the backs of the book about the pirate and the one about the fairy princess, and Vanessa drifted off toward the thriller aisle. She’d finished her last book, and she was dying to see if the author had written anything else. She’d stayed up far too late the night before finishing it.
Walking through the bookstore was so relaxing that she was in no rush to find what she was looking for either. She assumed at some point, she wouldn’t feel so startled by how nice it was to just take some time for herself, shopping idly and enjoying a slow morning, but for now it still felt like a treat—and a little bit of a guilty pleasure.
She sipped at her peppermint mocha, glancing over titles and pulling one out here and there to look at the back before she reached the author that she’d been looking for. There were garlands strung across the tops of the shelves, and she nudgedit aside a little as she reached for the book. Like every other business in Fir Tree Grove, Cheerful Chapters had gone above and beyond with the Christmas decorating. There was a huge tree in the window next to the front door, hung with book-themed ornaments and twinkling with lights, and a smaller tree at the edge of the little cafe, as well as a tiny countertop tree next to the registers. Lights hung in swags along the ceiling, and of course there were garlands wherever there was free space to wrap them.
It all felt festive and cozy and as wonderful as Vanessa had come to expect from Fir Tree Grove. She didn’t think she’d ever get tired of the holiday season and how much it brightened her spirits. She’d really acclimated to it all, she thought wryly, as she took her book and headed around the corner to check out the cookbooks for Mabel.
As she stepped around to the next aisle, she almost ran directly into a tall, lanky figure. “Oh!” she exclaimed, stepping back. “I’m sorry, I—oh, Lincoln. Hi!” She recognized the owner of the town ice rink immediately, and she gave a small wave, biting back a laugh at how flustered he looked. His hair was tousled, and he looked like he’d just come in from the cold outside. “Christmas shopping?”
“I am,” Lincoln confirmed. “Getting started, anyway. How about you?”
“I came by with Imogen. She’s shopping for some books for Katie for Christmas. I thought I’d pick up something for myself, and maybe find a present for Mabel.”
“I’m shopping for my mom.” Lincoln chuckled, holding up a historical romance with an old-fashioned clinch cover, his cheeks flushing a little. “Definitely for my mom. She loves these things. Says they make her think about a simpler time, although I’m not so sure the ladies in the corsets would agree with that.”
Vanessa laughed. “Probably not. But it sounds like a fun read all the same. I remember finding some of those books on my mom’s shelf growing up.” As she said it, she noticed that she didn’t feel the same pit in her stomach that she used to, when thinking about her late parents. Before moving back to Fir Tree Grove, she’d avoided thinking or talking about her parents whenever possible, drowning herself in work to avoid even the smallest hint of an emotion that she worried might make her break down completely. Maybe it was being back home with family, or maybe it was having a partner and friends now instead of being alone, or some combination of that—but she felt like she had a healthier grasp on her grief these days. She could make an offhand comment about her mother, think about her, without feeling like she was going to burst into tears.
“Well, sounds like the perfect gift for a mom, then,” Lincoln said with a chuckle. “Maybe I should grab two, just to make her Christmas extra special.”
“Oh, look who you found.” Imogen’s voice came from behind Vanessa, and Vanessa stepped to one side.
“Lincoln was just telling me about how he’s here shopping for a book for his mother.” Vanessa gestured to the romance in Lincoln’s hand. “Isn’t that thoughtful?” She couldn’t help the pointed way it came out. She felt sure that she’d seen a spark between Imogen and Lincoln that night at the ice rink, when they’d dropped off the hot cocoa order. And after all, the two of them had dated when they were younger. It didn’t surprise Vanessa that it hadn’t worked out then, she doubted relationships at that age ever really worked out. But they were both adults now, with their own businesses and responsibilities, all grown up. Their relationship had ended amicably, and Lincoln was sweet and sincere. She couldn’t help but notice that he was looking at Imogen the same way now that he had at the ice rink that night.
“Well, I didn’t think that was his personal reading choice,” Imogen said with a laugh as she took a closer look at the cover. “Could have been a gift for a girlfriend though.”
“I’m pretty sure Lincoln is very single.” Vanessa smirked, looking at Imogen, and Imogen shot her a pointed look that Vanessa was pretty sure translated toshut up.
“Guilty as charged,” Lincoln said with a chuckle. “The only woman in my life right now is my mom. Who, based on the reactions I’m getting, is going to be thrilled with her Christmas present.”
“Well, that is very thoughtful of you,” Imogen agreed, and Vanessa thought she saw a hint of a flush in her cheeks that wasn’t there before. “I’m sure she’ll feel lucky to have someone who thought about her for Christmas.”
“Everyone should have that,” Lincoln said, a quirk of a smile on the corner of his mouth as he looked at Imogen.
It took everything in Vanessa to keep from elbowing her friend.
“Vanessa said you were shopping for Katie. She’s lucky to have a mom who’s so focused on making sure she has a great Christmas,” Lincoln added. Vanessa was sure now that she could see Imogen’s blush deepening. “Have you figured out everything you’re going to get her?”
Imogen pressed her lips together briefly, and Vanessa knew she was thinking of the one impossible gift that Katie wanted. “Well,” Imogen said slowly, “she didn’t give me a very long list. But she definitely wants a bike, so I’m thinking of getting her that. She’s been dropping hints since the summer.”
“A bike?” Lincoln grinned. “That’s going to be an exciting present. I still remember my first bike as a kid. Bright red, and went way too fast. I skinned my knees so many times falling off that thing. Not that Katie’s going to hurt herself on it,” he addedquickly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Just make sure she wears a helmet.”
Imogen laughed. “Of course. I’d never let her get away without one. I saw a mint green one with a basket that I think she’d like. Of course it’s going to be in ahugebox when it gets here from the general store, so I’ll have to figure out getting that home.”
“Oh, that’s definitely going to be cumbersome,” Lincoln agreed. “I could help you get it home if you want, my truck bed has plenty of space. Just give me a call and I can pop over to the store. I’ll even help you assemble it if you need—if you were planning to put it under the tree ready to go.”
Vanessa instantly shot Imogen a pointed look, wishing for the first time in her life that she were telepathic.Imogen! This is your chance! He’s trying to spend time with you! The hints are right there!She stared at Imogen as meaningfully as she could, trying to silently beam the message to her best friend, but Imogen just nodded thoughtfully, completely oblivious to the fact that Lincoln seemed to be awkwardly flirting with her. Or, at the very least, offering delivery as a means of flirting.
