Page 27 of Christmas in Quincy (The Edens 0.50)
“Anywhere you want to go?” I asked, looking up and down the sidewalk.
“California.”
“No one’s stopping you,” I singsonged with a saccharine smil
e. Before we’d ventured out of the room, I’d spent a solid twenty minutes attempting to convince him to go home without me. The stubborn ass had refused.
Austin gave me a look that said he wasn’t having that debate again.
“Fine,” I muttered. “If you’re going to stay here with me, is there anything you’d like to see?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
Austin stared at me, his mouth clamped shut. He did this a lot. I’d repeat a question, double-checking because double-checking was polite, thank you very much. But he’d just stand there, silently reminding me that he’d already given his answer and it wasn’t going to change.
I threw my hands in the air and spun around. “Then I’ll decide.”
Austin fell in step beside me, still quiet. He stayed on his side of the sidewalk, far enough away that there was no risk of touching but close enough he could shove me out of the way if I was in danger.
The stubble on his jaw caught the morning sunlight. The air was dry and cold, giving his cheeks a pink flush. It was a bright and cheerful day, despite the freezing temperature. Fresh snow glittered under the cloudless blue sky, turning Quincy into a winter wonderland.
I took in a long breath, blowing it out in a white stream of frozen air. A bell dinged as a woman stepped out of a shop ahead. I slowed and looked inside the front window decked out in Christmas bows and greenery. The scent of apples wafted from the door, mixing with the fresh mountain air.
I veered to the door, knowing Austin would follow. It was a kitchen shop, its back wall lined with a row of glass containers filled with flavored oils and vinegars.
“Good morning,” the clerk greeted, removing a pair of spectacles perched on her nose. “Happy Holidays.”
“Happy Holidays.” I smiled, my eyes wide as I took it all in. This was certainly not the kind of store I’d expected to see in such a small town. Hand-carved cutting boards made an artful spread on a round table in the center of the small space. Along one wall, an array of hooks held different utensils and kitchen embellishments.
I walked to a cutting board, my fingers running across the smooth wood grain. “This is beautiful.”
“Thank you.” The woman came around the cashier’s counter. “Would you like some apple cider?”
“Please.” I nodded, taking the cup from her when she brought it over. Austin—typical—shook his head and declined. I sipped the hot drink, the flavor bursting on my tongue. “This is delicious.”
“My own recipe.” She smiled, tucking a lock of gray hair behind her ear. “Shopping for anything in particular today?”
“Just browsing. We’re from out of town and exploring today.”
“There are quite a few of us open,” she said. “Mostly for the, er, gentlemen around town doing some last-minute gift buying.”
As if she’d conjured one from thin air, the bell on the door dinged and a man came inside with a wave. “Morning, Sandy. I’m in a bit of a rush. I, uh—”
“Haven’t bought anything for your wife yet,” she finished. “Or your mother.”
The man shrugged with a sheepish grin and Sandy went about pulling items from tables, getting his okay with each before ringing him up and fancying up two different gift bags.
I lingered, sipping my cider and choosing three spatulas and one board to take home.
Austin was standing stoically beside the door, his shoulders pinned, when his phone rang. He dug it from his pocket and looked at the screen, his frame relaxing at whatever he saw. I expected him to go outside, but he just put the phone to his ear. “Hi, Mom.”
I tried not to eavesdrop on his quiet conversation as I perused, but it was hard not to catch his every word in a store this size.
“Merry Christmas Eve,” he said. “I know. I’m sorry I’ll miss it too.”
He was missing Christmas with his family because of me. My heart sank. Damn it. I’d been so worried about myself, I hadn’t thought of what this would do to him. Maybe I was as selfish as he’d proclaimed.
