Pretenders Like Us by Mary Campisi

Author:Mary Campisi [Campisi, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781942158899
Publisher: Mary Campisi Books, LLC

15

Vanessa hadn’t been interested in Christmas in years, but this year was different. The shops along the main street were decorated with twinkle lights in the windows and wreaths on the doors. Wooden candy canes hung from the streetlamps, secured by red bows. The gigantic Christmas tree in the center of town had been trimmed with twinkle lights, garlands, and hundreds of what looked like handmade ornaments: balls, stars, stockings, trees, angels, reindeer, and so much more. And on top of the tree rested a brilliant star!

Enchanting. Magnificent. Inspiring.

Was this year different because she could appreciate the simple beauty of the season without being smothered with blaring horns, exhaust fumes, and too many people? She could draw in full, clean breaths, witness snow-covered pine trees that were not part of a display window or department store setup. Maybe it was the spirit of the small town and its people: welcoming, friendly, eager to pull her in to the festivities of Reunion Gap that made her anxious for the holiday.

Or was it because of the baby? Many women vowed that pregnancy accounted for a shift in their mood, a sense of wonder and excitement, and a true gratitude for the gift of life. Vanessa understood this sentiment though six months ago she would have insisted such a feeling did not exist.

But it did.

And perhaps somewhere jumbled in the middle of it all were her feelings for Ethan Nance. Hopeful? Uncertain? Curious? She had no idea and yet after her conversation with Meredith yesterday, she realized it was time to stop avoiding the man and pay him a visit. What could be the downside of a visit? Vanessa clutched the container of triple-dark-chocolate cookies she’d bought from the bakery, the ones Meredith insisted anyone with a chocolate tooth like Ethan would devour. How had she missed the fact that he loved chocolate?

What else had she missed?

She cleared her throat, made her way up the walk toward the white Cape Cod with red shutters. Someone had shoveled the driveway this morning. Or had it been plowed? Vanessa couldn’t tell the difference but then she bet neither could Ethan. The outside reminded her of a house one might see on a Christmas card with pine trees and snow covering the bushes; quaint and cozy. Those words did not describe Ethan Nance. He was a penthouse-custom-designer sort of guy: upscale, classic, very chic.

But this house? All it needed was a string of lights decorating the windows and a wreath with a red bow on the front door. She almost wished she’d asked Tate Alexander if he had any other rentals, but it wouldn’t have been practical and she’d have missed out on time with Jennifer Merrick. Plus, the meals were a nice bonus since the woman cooked whatever whim struck Vanessa; mushroom barley soup, grilled chicken with roasted peppers, veggie burgers. And the desserts? She’d limited those to every other day, but on the “yes” days? Banana bread, sugar cookies, blueberry muffins. Oh, such sweetness.

Vanessa

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