Deck the Halls - Sample

Chapter Three

Amy stepped inside The Purple Pig Café and was immediately assaulted by the scent of cinnamon and fresh bread. The place was delightfully funky, with its purple logo displayed on the counter and then accents of purple, pink, and turquoise brightening the cream walls. Christmas decorations in the same colors—no red and green to be seen—added a festive cheer to the storefront. There was a line to the counter, but she didn't mind. It gave her time to browse the menu and the specials on the chalk board. She adjusted her purse strap and set her lips. George wasn't going to get rid of her that easily.

Since last night, she'd realized that ambushing him might not have been the best strategy. Today she was determined to try again. An hour ago she'd stepped outside, prepared to shovel the drive, and had found it mysteriously done. It seemed like a good omen for the day, so she'd packed up her positive attitude and headed into town to extend an olive branch by taking him lunch. Surely the man got a lunch break.

When it was her turn, a perky young woman with her hair in a messy topknot smiled and asked, "What can I get for you today?"

Amy bit down on her lip, still torn. "How about one of those turkey, cranberry, and provolone paninis, and . . . well, what's the manliest sandwich you have?"

The girl laughed, and Amy immediately felt at ease.

"I can do a roast beef and cheddar with grainy mustard on harvest bread," she suggested. "Pickle on the side. Maybe a brownie or oatmeal cookie to go with it?"

"That sounds perfect." Amy paid and then looked around as another staff member built the sandwiches. It was a neat place, she realized. It emphasized farm-to-table philosophies and organic ingredients. Those came at a significant price, but if the food was as good as it smelled, it would be worth it.

"This is to go?" the woman asked, and Amy nodded.

"Yes, please." She looked at the woman's purple name tag on her apron. "Thanks, Emily."

With the paper bag tucked in her tote, she left the café and made her way down the street to where she was parked. Next to the café was a yoga studio, and then a real estate office. There were all sorts of trendy businesses lining the main street, but no sign of any major retail or fast-food chain. Interesting. She supposed one wouldn't have to drive far to hit a department store or big box grocer—Burlington and Montpelier were less than an hour in either direction. Still, it made Darling feel a little bit personal and special.

Once she started toward the garden center, however, nerves bubbled up in her belly again. George had been very clear yesterday. And sure, she was going to try to butter him up with lunch, but she didn't expect him to just throw up his hands and tell her everything.

In fact, maybe taking a softer approach would work better. Ease into it a bit more. They'd never had trouble talking years ago.

Indeed not. The last time she'd seen him, he'd kissed her until her knees had turned to jelly and her heart had clubbed at her ribs so hard she was certain he could feel it. But that wasn't why she was here. There was enough water to fill an ocean under that bridge. She wanted to know what happened to her only sibling. Her twin. She wanted to be able to tell her mom something good so she'd stop having nightmares about horrific scenarios. She knew very well that the imagination could come up with things that were far worse than the truth.

Amy swallowed against the lump that formed in her throat at the thought. She hadn't known about Liam's affair, either. Hadn't understood why for months and months she hadn't been able to get pregnant. All she'd known was that her marriage was breaking down and that she'd kept hoping finally having a baby would save it.

She'd been wrong on both counts, and once she'd figured it out, she'd been able to let go.

Mostly. If someone pried into the cause of her failed marriage, she expected she'd react much in the same way George had yesterday. A gentler touch was the order of the day.