“Sounds good.”
She hurried off toward Mrs. Mable’s booth, while Brianna backed away with a sly grin on her face. “You two have fun. I’ll catch you later.”
Colin and I glanced at each other. “She’s not very subtle, is she?”
Shaking my head, I focused on the stage, knowing my cheeks were burning. A group of what appeared to be a middle school band congregated around the stage. “Not at all.”
The mayor walked up onstage and welcomed everyone. He led the crowd in song, and I watched as the people sang a Christmas carol. After that, the band played “Silent Night,” and then the crowd counted down until the mayor flipped the switch that lit the tree. Suddenly, the park sparkled. Lights twinkled all around the tree, making the multicolored ornaments glitter in the night.
“It’s so beautiful,” I whispered. Something fell on my cheek, and I looked up at the sky to see giant snowflakes cascading down. The crowd cheered in delight, and I smiled. It was a perfect night, and I knew exactly what I was going to do the second I got back to Colin’s cottage.
Chapter Six
Colin
I’d installed the new heater at Layla’s house, and it worked like a champ. When I got back to the inn, I found her in the gazebo, completely transfixed by her sketchpad and bundled in my grandmother’s quilt. Her hands moved delicately over the pages, but I couldn’t see what she drew.
As I approached, she could hear my steps on the wood, and she looked up. As much as I wanted to deny it, she’d grown on me. “Hey,” she called out.
Joining her in the gazebo, I smiled and glanced down at her sketchpad. “Hey yourself. Looks like you’ve been working hard.”
Her eyes brightened. “Have I ever. Take a look.” She moved closer, and I could smell her raspberry-scented perfume as she flipped through the pages.
Women’s fashion didn’t interest me whatsoever, but to see her excitement and to actually feel it made me think otherwise. She handed me her drawings, and I slowly skimmed through them. It had to have taken her hours.
“What do you think?” she asked, sounding nervous.
Closing the sketchpad, I set it down between us. “I think they’re amazing. How long have you been out here?”
She yawned and leaned back against the bench. “All night. After you dropped me off, I came out here and couldn’t stop.” Her tired smile spread wider as she looked around the pond. “I don’t know what came over me. It was like everything came to me after the tree lighting ceremony. Being out here just inspired me even more.”
“Just know, you’re more than welcome to come here anytime you want.” I held up her house keys. “But your new heater has been installed. You can go home.”
Her eyes widened, and then a hint of disappointment flashed in them briefly. She reached for her keys, and our fingers touched. “Thank you. I know you’re probably ready for me to be out of your house.”
I shook my head. “I kind of like you being around. Makes things more interesting here.”
Grabbing her sketchpad, she clutched it to her chest. “I like being here too,” she replied. “And you promise I can come here anytime I want?”
“Anytime.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “So what do you say I show you around town this afternoon?”
Her cheeks reddened just a tiny bit. Hopefully, it was a good sign. “I think that sounds awesome,” she said, yawning again, “but I should probably get home and get a couple hours of sleep first. I didn’t realize how tired I was.”
She stood and swayed on her feet, but I caught her. “Whoa. I think you’re right. Do you want me to drive you home?”
Her eyes grew heavier by the second, and she yawned again. “Actually, that might not be a bad idea. Do you mind?”
I put my arm around her, steadying her. “Not at all. Let’s get your things, and I’ll take you.”
O
nce her belongings were packed up in her bag, I loaded up the truck and helped her in. Leaning her head against the window, she fell asleep the second we left Snowflake Lane.
Chapter Seven
Layla
The last thing I remembered was packing up my stuff and getting into Colin’s truck. After that, it was all a blur. I woke up in my bed, wrapped in Colin’s quilt and feeling toasty warm, with a note on my bedside table.