A Sweethaven Christmas

by Courtney Walsh

  Would she ever get used to the idea of being a mother?

  “I think it’s a great idea,” Charlotte said. “Thank you for being nice to me.”

  Lila smiled. “I always wanted a sister.”

  Lila hoisted her purse over her shoulder. “One more thing. I understand if you need to leave, but I wanted to invite you to spend Christmas here, in Sweethaven. We’re all going over to Adele’s, and her philosophy is, the more the merrier. I already asked if I could invite your family.”

  “My kids too?”

  “Of course. I’d love to meet them. Especially Maddie.” Lila watched as Charlotte dabbed at the corners of her eyes with a tissue.

  “I’ll talk to my husband.”

  “You won’t ever experience anything like Christmas in Sweethaven,” Lila said. “We’re going to go to the candlelight service at the Chapel on Christmas Eve and then straight over to Adele’s for a meal you’ll never forget.”

  Charlotte held the book to her chest and smiled. “You know, Lila, you’re not anything like I thought you’d be.”

  Lila studied her for a moment. “What do you mean?”

  She looked away. “I thought you’d be just like your mom, but you’re nothing like her.”

  A warm feeling washed over Lila. “Thanks for that.” Lila looked away. “I don’t think she means to come across the way she does.” She knew Mama was abrasive. Even her own friends back home tiptoed around her. One time Lila overheard two of them talking about Mama’s “holier than thou” attitude at a dinner party. When they realized Lila had heard everything, both of the women begged her not to say a word to her mother.

  How sad that without the intimidation factor, Mama wouldn’t have a single friend. She probably wouldn’t even have a husband.

  Lila met Charlotte’s eyes. “I feel sorry for her.”

  Charlotte sighed. “Me too, and I really didn’t want to. I wanted her to feel so guilty for what she’d done—for making me hunt down my own father in hopes of saving my daughter’s life. I think I kind of wanted them both to suffer for what they’ve done.”

  “I think it worked.”

  “But I was wrong. It didn’t make me feel better, and it hurt you in the process. Lila, if you can, try to forgive both of them.”

  There was that word again.

  Lila looked away. “Think about Christmas. We would love to have you. The Christmas Eve service is beautiful.” She handed Charlotte the church bulletin where she’d circled the information on when and where.

  “I’ll let you know.”

  “Thank you, Charlotte.” Lila pulled her sister into a hug.

  She took her time leaving, watching every step, eyes focused on her sensible shoes. As she walked out of the Whitmore, Lila said a silent prayer of thanks for Charlotte. While she might not have liked the idea at first, Lila had realized having a sister could turn out to be one of her greatest blessings.

  The door opened behind her and Lila turned and saw Charlotte, coatless, rushing out.

  “They’re going to come, Lila!” she called out the door. “We’ll be there for Christmas Eve.”

  “Wonderful!” Lila grinned, surprised how genuinely happy she felt.

  How was that for a Christmas miracle?

  Adele

  Adele looked over her checklist. Her guests would arrive in just a couple hours and she still had so much to do. She’d baked three different desserts and taken the Christmas cookies out of the freezer, creating a lovely dessert table in the dining room. Now, to move on to the savory side of the menu.

  The ham was in the oven, potatoes boiling and appetizers started. She could do this, even though she was starting to slow down. Having so many guests over had gotten more difficult as she’d gotten older.

  But she moved forward, fueled by sheer excitement.

  Outside, the day was gray and overcast, giving more sparkle to the white lights on Adele’s tree. The entryway shone with the swaths of greenery wrapped through the banister, and she lit candles to fill the little cottage with the scent of evergreen.

  Ready or not, Christmas had come.

  The back door opened and Luke poked his head in.

  “Are you here to pick through the food before dinner actually starts?” Adele stuck a fork in the potatoes. Still too firm to mash.

  Luke scoffed. “Would I ruin my appetite before your famous ham and potatoes?”

  “I should hope not.”

  “Came to find out more about this Henry guy. Meghan said he asked you to marry him.” Luke sat down at the kitchen table and waited for her to respond. Why was it so hard to talk to him about Henry?

  Because she still felt like she was stepping out on his father.

  “I read that scrapbook you’ve got from when you were a kid.”

  Adele stared at him. “When did you do that?”

  “It’s been on the shelf for years. Finally opened it one day and started reading. Sounds like you had it bad for that guy.”

  “That was a long time ago.”

  Luke shrugged. “Seems like a nice guy to me.”

  She held his gaze for a few long seconds.

  “I’ve gotta go pick up Campbell. We’ll be back early in case you need help.”

  Adele’s thoughts wandered back to that moment at Meghan’s when Nick pulled out that beautiful ring for his wife. She could see disappointment on Campbell’s face, though Luke had obviously been expecting the surprise. Was Campbell hoping for her own ring this Christmas?

  “Luke, how are you and Campbell?”

  Luke frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “Is it serious?”

  He laughed. “You’re not going to start analyzing my love life now, are you?”

  Adele studied his eyes and made the rash decision to shut her mouth for once. She didn’t need to stick her nose in their business, even though she feared he might lose Campbell if he wasn’t careful. “I’ll see you in a little while.”

  He watched her for a minute, as surprised as she was that she’d chosen not to dole out romantic advice, and then headed out the door.

  For the rest of the morning and early afternoon, Adele worked at a frantic pace to get everything done. By now, she should have had entertaining down to a science—but she still wanted everything to be perfect.

  Especially on the day Henry would meet the rest of her family.

  Adele could hardly concentrate for the nerves that threatened to take over.

  She’d already burned a pan of brownies and left the pot of potatoes on the stove so long they turned to inedible mush. What next? Setting fire to the kitchen?

  They all began to trickle in, most bringing food to share. Lila arrived with Tom and later welcomed her new sister and her sister’s family. Adele smiled to see Lila finally becoming the person she always knew she was meant to be. Cilla Adler had certainly done her best to turn her daughter into a snobby socialite, but from the looks of things, Lila had realized that didn’t suit her anymore.

  Jane, visibly slimmer, hurried in with her family and instantly starting helping in the kitchen.

  “I need something to keep me busy so I don’t drown myself in Texas sheet cake.”

  Adele opened the door to the refrigerator. “I made you a few special goodies—sugar-free and low in calories. I didn’t want you to miss out.”

  “You did that for me?”

  “Honey, you’re an inspiration. I might have to start an exercise program of my own.”

  “Really?”

  “Sure.” Adele closed the fridge. “After Christmas.”

  Jane laughed and left the kitchen with a cheese tray.

  Adele’s nerves kicked up and she willed herself to calm down. She had people to take care of, people who were relying on her for a magical Christmas experience.

  She kept one eye on dinner and another on the front porch. When Henry finally arrived, her heart jumped. She must’ve looked nervous because Meghan met her in the entryway and put an arm around her.

&
nbsp; “We’re all going to love him, Mama.”

  Adele drew in a deep breath. “I hope so, darlin’.”

  Henry walked up the stairs and met her eyes through the window. He smiled as Adele opened the door and welcomed him with a hug. She stepped back and motioned toward Meghan. “Henry, this is my daughter Meghan.”

  Henry extended a hand toward Meghan. “I’m a huge fan.”

  Meghan laughed. “You like country music?”

  “I like all music. Your voice reminds me of your mom’s when she was young.”

  Meghan tossed Adele a look. “Is that right? You’ll have to fill me in on what my mother was like when she was a teenager.” She led Henry into the dining room and introduced him to her family. Moments later, Adele heard Meghan laugh, and her heart stopped fluttering. Why had she been so worried? Of course Henry would fit right it.

  That’s what he did.

  As Adele put the finishing touches on dinner, Henry sat in the next room telling stories about Sweethaven when they were growing up. As he talked, Adele’s mind wandered back, remembering how different things were back then. She wouldn’t say simpler, because Henry had to go fight in a war, but the climate was different. And as he spoke, Adele imagined him here, in her home—not just as a visitor but as a permanent resident.

  Something about it fit.

  As she finished loading all the food onto the table, Meghan walked into the kitchen. “I like him,” she whispered.

  Adele smiled. “You do, huh? Does that mean I have your blessing to run off with him?”

  Meghan popped an olive into her mouth. “I don’t want you leaving Sweethaven or anything, but I think I’d feel better knowing Henry was around to keep you company.”

  Adele handed her the relish tray. “Do something useful, would you? We have guests to feed.”

  Meghan grinned. “Mama, it’s good to see you happy again.”

  Adele looked away. All those years she’d accepted she’d be alone—and now, Henry. She hadn’t gotten used to it yet.

  “I mean it. You deserve it.”

  “Don’t go gettin’ all sappy on me, Meg.”

  Meghan turned and walked out. Adele glanced into the living room where Luke and Henry sat at the little card table against the wall, each with his own fan of playing cards splayed out in front of him.

  Seeing the two of them like that reminded Adele of all the years Luke hadn’t had with his own father, and while she knew Henry wasn’t a replacement for Teddy, he could be a nice addition—to all their lives.

  Luke laughed at something Henry said, and Adele admired his easygoing way. He glanced at Adele and winked. One by one, he’d win them all over.

  Adele called them all to the dining room, where they admired the spread she’d put together.

  “Now, these are all dishes that will be in my cookbook, so I want to know if anything doesn’t taste good.” Henry stood at her side, a full foot taller than her, and she glanced around the circle—friends who were more like family, and family who’d become good friends.

  “I just want to take a minute to thank you all for being here today. It’s been a long time since I’ve had everyone I love together under the same roof, and I can’t think of anyone I’d rather share it with.”

  “She’s gonna cry,” Luke said.

  A laugh rushed out just as a tear trickled down Adele’s cheek. She swiped it away and scanned the circle again. “I’m thankful this year to have new friends with us”—she glanced across the room at Charlotte—“but also for the return of old friends as well.”

  Henry slid his hand in hers.

  Adele glanced at him, then cleared her throat. “And I’m happy to announce that Henry and I are gettin’ married.”

  Contagious gasps moved through the room like dominoes, but the shocked expressions quickly turned to smiles and congratulations.

  She turned to Henry, whose shock hadn’t quite worn off.

  “I assume the offer is still good?”

  Henry laughed. “Always.” He pulled her into a tight hug. “That’s the best Christmas present I’ve ever gotten.”

  Campbell

  Campbell sat at the dining room table, her plate empty in front of her, while Luke chatted with Nick about the logistics of a new job he’d just started. Her mind wandered back to the joy she’d seen on Adele’s face when she announced her engagement to Henry, and again, humiliation wormed its way in.

  She wished she’d never told Jane she thought Meghan’s ring was for her.

  A glance across the table at Meghan’s bejeweled left hand sliced through her, cutting her embarrassment in tiny little pieces that seemed to fill her up from the inside.

  At midnight, they’d all head over to the Sweethaven Chapel for the candlelight Christmas Eve service, but in that moment, the only thing Campbell wanted was solitude. After dinner had been cleaned up, the dishes put away, Campbell waited at Luke’s side for his conversation to lull. He finished his sentence and wrapped his arm around her waist.

  “You okay?”

  She nodded. “I think I’m going to head home for a bit before the service tonight.”

  He stood.

  “No, you don’t have to drive me. I’m fine walking. It’s just a few blocks.”

  “Cam, it’s freezing outside. I’m not letting you walk.” He turned to Nick. “Thanks for the help, bro.”

  Nick nodded and took a bite of pie. “Anytime.”

  Luke turned to Campbell and smiled. He had no idea how humiliated she felt—or even why she felt humiliated. It wasn’t fair to punish him for something he had no way of knowing.

  And wasn’t she the one who’d balked at the idea of marriage only a few short weeks ago when she found the ring in the first place?

  In his truck, Campbell struggled to get warm. Luke reached behind the seat and pulled out a blanket and handed it to her. “I keep it with me in case of emergencies.”

  “We’re only going to be in the truck for a couple minutes.” She laughed.

  “Yeah, but why should you be freezing during those two minutes?”

  She spread the blanket over her lap.

  “Better?”

  Campbell nodded and they pulled away. When they reached the gallery, she turned to him. “Thanks for the ride. And for including me in your family’s Christmas. It meant a lot to me.”

  “Can I come up?”

  Her heart jumped. She risked saying something stupid if he didn’t leave right that second. But she nodded and before she knew it, they were walking into her apartment.

  “Do you want something to drink?”

  Luke shook his head. “No, I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

  She looked away. “I’m fine.”

  “I know you miss your mom—especially this time of year.”

  Campbell scolded herself. She hadn’t even been thinking about her mom. She’d been thinking about how stupid she felt for allowing herself to believe Luke wanted to marry her. She’d been wallowing. Not grieving.

  After a long pause, she sat down on the couch. “I do miss her.”

  “I thought so.”

  “But that’s not why I’ve been so distant.”

  He sat down beside her. “Is something else bothering you?”

  She cleared her throat. “I found that ring in your apartment. Weeks ago.”

  Luke’s eyes widened.

  “I thought . . .” The words got stuck in her throat. She stared at her hands, clasped together in her lap.

  “You thought what?”

  “I thought you bought it. For me.” She stared out the window, aware of his eyes on her. “The truth is, Luke, I do love you.”

  As the words hung between them, Campbell’s eyes found his.

  “I love you and it scares me how much. I fall asleep thinking about you. When I wake up, I stare across the street hoping to catch a glimpse of you. I told myself I’d never let myself get this attached to another person ever again, but I can’t think of a single thing in my
life I want to do without you.”

  His eyes left hers and found her lips. He reached behind her head and pulled her to him and kissed her, a kiss that told her he felt exactly the same way.

  “I’m sorry I was snooping around your apartment,” she said, abandoning his lips.

  “I don’t mind. I think it’s kind of cute.”

  “This isn’t cute at all. Nothing about this is cute. I feel so embarrassed.” She glanced up and found him watching her, a semi-amused look on his face.

  “I’m never going to live this down, am I?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe not.”

  “You think this is funny.”

  He laughed. “No, I promise I don’t, it’s just . . . didn’t you think that ring was kind of gaudy?”

  Campbell laughed. “I would never say that about Meghan’s ring.”

  “But you did, didn’t you?”

  “She can pull it off being a famous singer and all.” Campbell sighed, mind floating back to the moment she found that ring in Luke’s apartment. She had been surprised by how big it was. It didn’t seem like his style. Or hers.

  Now, it made sense.

  Luke leaned closer to her. “Yeah, when I think of you I think of something more like this.”

  She glanced down at his hand, now resting on her knees and holding a small black ring box, not unlike the one that held Meghan’s oversize diamond.

  “What’s this?”

  “Open it.”

  She stared at him, the same hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. He held up the box and she took it, her heart racing. As she pulled open the box, a small gasp escaped.

  A laugh lodged itself in Campbell’s throat, where it was met by an inexplicable sob, which she quickly stifled in an effort to regain composure. She stared at the antique-style ring, an oval diamond surrounded by a halo of much smaller diamonds and set in a white gold band. Nothing flashy or over-the-top.

  It was perfect.

  “How long have you had this?”

  “A few weeks. Since before Thanksgiving.”

  “I can’t believe you were keeping this from me,” she said, glancing at the ring.