Mistletoe on Main Street (series t/k)

Author:Olivia Miles
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fiction / Holidays, Fiction / Contemporary Women, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Romance / Erotica
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Published: 2014-09-30T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

17

Grace flicked on the windshield wipers and squinted into the distance as the morning’s snowfall grew heavier. The tires crunched on the snow as she drove down the road, past the quaint homes decorated with red and green wreaths and garlands, some with silly-looking snowmen in the front yard.

Jane’s garage door was closed, and a swell of disappointment took hold that she might not be home. Grace realized that she should have called first, but her excitement had gotten the better of her. She had the day all planned. She would talk to Jane, then Anna, and then she would go over to Main Street Books.

The door opened on the third tap, and Grace’s expectant smile faded when she saw the flat, dead look in Jane’s eyes. Her sister’s naturally rosy complexion was peaked, and dark circles had formed under her eyes. Her hair was limp, and she was still in her bathrobe.

“Are you sick?”

Jane pulled the belt of her purple robe tighter and glanced behind her like a furtive cat. “No,” she blurted. Hesitating, she motioned into the hall with her head. “Come on in.”

Grace’s heart sunk; she couldn’t help it. She’d come here full of good spirits, and now she was feeling that heavy weight in her chest again. The whole point of coming back to Briar Creek for Christmas was to try to help her family, to be there for them and support them—God knows they needed it. And here she was, finally feeling useful, finally able to think of a way to bring a little hope back into their lives, and she couldn’t even share it with any of them.

“Sophie is coloring in the family room,” Jane said quietly. “I’d rather not disturb her. She’s usually not quiet for long, and I—I needed a few moments of peace. For myself.” She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, causing Grace to frown.

Okay, now something was definitely wrong. Grace stood in the entranceway, her feet planted on the rug, which was doing a good job of soaking up the snow from her boots. “I can leave if you want,” she hedged, uncertain if she should even remove her coat.

“No. No, stay. Adam had to go into the office, and I could use the company, honestly.” Jane held out her arms. “Hand me your coat.”

Grace hesitated, regretting her decision to show up unannounced. “Really, I can come back later.”

“No, no, it’s okay,” Jane said, but her smile was forced, her eyes still flat.

Frowning, Grace followed Jane into the kitchen, pausing as Jane leaned her head in to check on Sophie, pressed a finger to her lips, and flashed a look of warning to Grace. Grace slid across the floorboards on socked feet, happy to see that in this newer-construction house, nothing creaked like it did back at home.

They sat down at the kitchen table. Jane didn’t offer coffee and Grace didn’t ask for any. She’d had enough at the diner.

“So you’re not sick,” Grace established.

Jane looked momentarily confused. “What? No, I’m tired, that’s all.

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