Page 3 of Magic in Mistletoe
“Morning,” grumbled Sadie, not bothering to look up from her determined march. She wrapped her arms tighter around herself, her heavy winter coat providing little comfort against the biting wind.
As she approached the town square, the murmur of voices and laughter reached her ears. A knot of townspeople had gathered outside the bakery, steam rising from their mugs of coffee as they chatted animatedly. Among them stood Eleanor Frost, her hawk-like eyes narrowing as soon as they landed on Sadie.
“Ah, there’s our dear Sadie Wexford,” Eleanor said, loud enough for Sadie to hear despite the din. “Still sulking about, I see.”
Sadie gritted her teeth. She could feel the stares of the townspeople on her back as she walked past them, their whispers hanging in the air like icicles.
“Can you believe it?” Eleanor continued, her voice dripping with disdain. “Her poor grandmother must be rolling in her grave, knowing that Sadie’s running that candy store into the ground.”
“Shame, really,” chimed in another woman, sipping from her steaming mug. “The Snowflake Sugar Shop used to be such a delight.”
“Indeed,” agreed Eleanor, casting one last disapproving glance at Sadie’s retreating form. “I simply don’t understand why she insists on clinging to that old place. She should sell it to someone who knows what they’re doing.”
Sadie’s blood boiled beneath her frosty exterior. She hated that Eleanor was right. She didn’t know what she was doing. But dammit, she would show them all—the candy store was all she had, and she’d be damned if she allowed anyone, especially Eleanor Frost, to take that away from her. “Let them talk,” Sadie muttered under her breath, a fierce determination burning in her chest. “I’ve survived worse.”
With her heart pounding and cheeks flushed from the biting cold, Sadie continued on her way, leaving Eleanor’s harsh words behind her. She made her way through the quaint town square, lined with charming wooden storefronts adorned with twinkling fairy lights. “Almost there,” she muttered to herself, focusing on the comforting sight of Caleb Winters’ general store up ahead.
As Sadie approached the store, the glow from the windows beckoned her inside, like a lighthouse guiding her to safe harbor. She let out a sigh of relief when she finally pushed open the door, stepping into the cozy embrace of the store’s interior.
“Morning, Sadie,” called out Caleb from behind the counter, his friendly grin lighting up the room. “Bit of a chilly one today, huh?”
“You could say that again,” Sadie replied, her scowl softening ever so slightly as she unzipped her parka. The warmth of the store was a welcome contrast to the frosty reception she’d received outside.
Caleb’s general store was a haven in the small town, filled with an assortment of goods that catered to every need. Shelves were stocked with everything from fresh produce and canned goods to handmade quilts and knitted mittens. The enticing aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with cinnamon and nutmeg created an atmosphere that felt almost magical.
“Let me guess,” said Caleb, leaning over the counter with a teasing glint in his eyes. “You’re here for my world-famous coffee?”
“Not exactly,” Sadie admitted. “But now that I’m here, I’m definitely going to have some.”
Caleb poured her a cup of coffee and placed it on the counter. “So, what brings you in today?”
“I need a small piece of plywood and some screws to cover a window I broke this morning. It’s only about this big.” She held up her hands. “I’m going to need some replacement glass too, but I’ll call in the measurements another time.”
“Say no more,” Caleb grinned. “I’ve got you covered.”
“Thanks, Caleb,” Sadie said, turning to survey the store as Caleb went in search of the plywood. The sight of happy customers chatting and laughing with one another filled her with a sense of hope that she seldom allowed herself to feel. If they could find joy in this tiny corner of the world, then perhaps she could, too.
“Sadie,” Caleb said, drawing her attention back to him. He leaned a piece of plywood against the counter. “Missy just told me about what Eleanor said to you outside. I hope you’re not listening to her. We all know how hard you’re working at the candy store.”
“Doesn’t stop people from talking,” Sadie replied, her scowl returning as she thought of Eleanor’s cutting words.
“Let them talk,” Caleb insisted, his voice firm but gentle. “You’ve got nothing to prove.”
Sadie turned her gaze back toward the window and the snowy streets beyond. “I feel like the entire town is watching my every move, waiting for me to fail.”
“Oh, Sadie, no,” Caleb said. “And even if people like to gossip, ultimately, the only person’s opinion that matters is your own.”
Sadie met his steady gaze, feeling a strange mixture of gratitude and frustration welling up inside her. She knew he was right, of course—but accepting that truth was easier said than done.
“Thanks, Caleb, and I hope the advice is free because I might need some more,” she joked.
“Anytime,” he replied, his eyes warm with understanding. “And advice to friends is always free.”
Friends. Huh. Sadie could certainly use one of those.
She paid Caleb and picked up her supplies. Turning to leave the store, she bumped into a young mother, cradling her baby in one arm and carrying a shopping basket with the other.
“Oh,” said the woman. “You’re Sadie Wexford, aren’t you?”
