The Daze Before Christmas by Laurie Germaine

Author:Laurie Germaine [Laurie Germaine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Scattered Whimsy
Published: 2024-10-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

GWYNN PUNTED little clods of snow with each step she took toward Plane & Knotty Carpentry. Her heart bobbed in her chest, buoyed by the Davisons’ earlier words of support and encouragement when she’d asked for their forgiveness.

Would Cash be as quick to forgive her today? He’d offered her forgiveness yesterday in the truck, but by the time he’d left her on the Davisons’ walkway, he’d again become angry and hurt.

Gwynn passed Bentley Park, where preparations had begun in the open field for tomorrow’s Christmas Jam. She tightened the scarf covering her nose and mouth, lowered the brim of her newsboy cap, and peeked askance at the activities.

Dozens of people shoveled snow, assembled kiosks and tents, arranged food trucks, and set up the live band platform beside the gazebo. Along with the familiar sights came an array of childhood memories, as if yesterday’s admission of her identity had opened the door to an overstuffed closet and everything tumbled out.

There were those rare afternoons playing on the jungle gym or joining a game of Capture the Flag to avoid the stress at home. Stolen moments admiring the craft booths at the farmer’s market. Finding an Easter egg hidden in an evergreen tree. Conquering the midnight Halloween corn maze. Delighting in a million twinkling lights at the Christmas Jamboree that turned the park into a winter wonderland. Relishing a heady kiss and whispering impractical promises as a teenager in love.

A small smile lifted her lips. Each memory involved Cash Cooper and his family to some degree. His parents had anchored her growing up, guiding and encouraging her when her own parents couldn’t—or wouldn’t. Over the years, Cash had taken on the role of encourager and champion. By the time he became a senior in high school and she a sophomore, he’d begun talking about getting married after graduation, to protect and provide for her.

She’d hungered for it like her artistic side hungered for extravagant paints, yet doubts badgered her. What if Cash came to regret his vow to love, honor, and cherish her, like her own father had come to regret his wife and kids? What if she ended up disappointing Cash, as she’d disappointed Alex?

“You’re a worthless piece of trash that will amount to nothin’.”

Her shoulders hunched against her father’s harsh words. She hadn’t wanted to risk bringing Cash to that end—a man disgruntled by the path he walked, by choosing a wife incapable of helping him see his dreams to fruition. Better to leave Cash despising her from a shallow hurt early on, she had reasoned, than from a deeper wound years into a relationship.

An icy breeze whipped through her jeans, and Gwynn stuffed her hands into her coat pockets. “It was messed up. I was messed up. I don’t deserve his forgiveness, then or now.”

Yet she still wanted it.

When she entered the Plane & Knotty barn a few minutes later, Cash appeared from the back room, tugging on his jacket. Tessa stood near the entrance, the grin on her lips turning cautious when she saw Gwynn.

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