‘Why wouldn’t I?’ Maureen seemed truly perplexed by this and Hazel wrapped an arm around her and gave her a squeeze.
‘I don’t know, Mom. Never mind.’
‘So you’re the new Christmas-tree farm owner?’ Maureen’s conversation partner chimed in, leaning forward. ‘So nice to finally meet you! I’m Isabel. Jeanie, did you invite her to join the book club yet?’
‘Of course I did,’ Jeanie said with a laugh, finally sliding into a seat. Kira took the one next to her, in between Jeanie and Hazel.
‘Oh, good! You have to join! Oh, and my kids had a blast at the tree farm last weekend. You’re doing a great job up there.’
Kira’s face heated with pride. People thought she was doing a good job. And it wasn’t because of who her father was. Or her family’s money or connections. It was because of what she’d done.
‘Thank you.’
The bell over the door tinkled as the newest arrivals entered.
‘George! Andy! Come in,’ Iris greeted them, and Kira gave a little wave to George, who’d dropped off a delivery of cookies at farm.
‘Hey, Kira,’ he said, unwrapping his scarf. ‘Wasn’t expecting to see you here.’
She shrugged. ‘I’m trying a new thing where I leave my house and actually do things and see people.’
He grinned. ‘That sounds good.’
‘It’s working out so far.’ And it was. She was feeling better already.
‘Okay, everyone, let’s get started.’
Kira picked up the pine bough in front of her and followed along to Iris’s instructions. Wine bottles were opened and ribbons were passed around and by the end of the evening Kira found herself laughing and chatting and promising to come to book club and for the first time since she moved to Dream Harbor she actually felt like she belonged here.
Maybe she hadn’t screwed everything up by moving here.
Maybe one of her reckless decisions had worked out just right.
Chapter Twenty-Four
A small woman with gray hair opened the door at Logan’s house. She had on the ugliest Christmas sweater Kira had ever seen, and that was saying a lot after she’d seen the sweater with Maureen’s dogs on it.
‘You must be Bennett!’ she cooed, scooping Bennett into a tight hug before pulling back to study him. ‘You are the spitting image of your sister.’
Bennett shifted next to her. ‘We get that a lot,’ he said, running a hand through his hair. Kira stood awkwardly beside him, ready to have this day over with. She’d stayed home with the dogs and bad movies yesterday on Christmas Eve, while Bennett visited his aunt Dot, but she’d already told Jeanie she would come to Christmas Day, so she was here even though she felt like she was intruding on Bennett’s family Christmas. But the thought of being alone on Christmas Day was too sad, even for her. She’d never liked Christmas, but she’d also never had to suffer through it alone. Chloe had always been there.
So now here she was, her fake smile plastered on her face and the pie she’d picked up at the bakery in her arms, wishing she was drunk in front of her own fireplace instead.
‘And here’s Kira.’ The woman, Logan’s grandmother, obviously, turned her attention to Kira. ‘Jeanie mentioned you two had been shacking up together.’
Heat flooded to Kira’s cheeks. Could anyone do anything in this town without everyone knowing about it?
‘We … uh…’
Logan’s grandma patted her arm. ‘Good for you, sweetie.’ She winked, and Kira didn’t know if she wanted to laugh or disappear.
‘Nana, stop making them uncomfortable.’ Logan appeared by his grandmother’s side, looking every bit the big, grumpy lumberjack. He’d looked the same picking out a Christmas tree, plowing her driveway, and discussing agricultural engineers with her, so she supposed it was fitting that he looked like that on Christmas Day as well.
‘I think it’s nice! Two consenting adults finding pleasure with each other, it’s lovely. Don’t be such a prude, dear.’ She looked up at her grandson with a beatific smile and Kira watched as Logan’s cheeks blushed red above his beard. His nana chuckled. ‘Come in, come in!’ She took the pie from Kira’s arms and hustled into the house.
Logan sighed. ‘Merry Christmas. I’ll take your coats.’
‘Thanks.’ They handed Logan their outerwear as Jeanie came over to greet them.
‘Merry Christmas!’ She wrapped Kira in her arms. ‘I’m so glad you came!’
‘Of course,’ Kira answered from inside Jeanie’s embrace. The woman was a good hugger. She had to give her that. ‘Thanks for inviting me.’
‘Hey, we crafted together. We’re officially friends. Besides, I’m sure Ben wanted to spend Christmas with you,’ she said, pulling away and turning her attention to her brother. ‘Right, Ben?’
His perfect mouth was tipped down in a frown and Kira wondered if he regretted bringing her. He’d been quiet all morning. Maybe she should have stayed home, stayed out of this part of his life. It was one thing to make friends with his sister on her own time, but a sex-only Christmas fling certainly didn’t involve an extended family get-together.
But again, she’d only been thinking of herself, of her own loneliness and now she’d put Ben in an awkward position.
Damn it, why hadn’t she considered this before they left?
‘Right. Of course.’ He gave his sister a hug. ‘Merry Christmas.’
‘Okay, well come in. Nana Estelle’s put out plenty of snacks, and Hazel, Noah, and Annie are already here.’ Jeanie took Kira by the hand and dragged her further into the house, leaving her no graceful exit strategy. Maybe she could feign a headache after a little while?
‘Hey, everyone, Kira and Bennett are here.’
Kira and Bennett, like they were a couple.
