Tears welled in her eyes.
“It’s an ornament to commemorate this year, like your aunt’s tradition.” Nate shuffled his feet. “I know you’re nervous about your debut living up to everyone’s expectations, but I don’t think you should worry. You have the biggest heart, and as long as you pour even an ounce of it into your book, I’m confident the story will be exactly what it needs to be.”
His sweet words of encouragement spoke to her lingering fears and doubts, echoing Frank’s advice. She’d come to Poppy Creek looking for isolation, but it was community—people to speak truth into her life—that she’d needed all along.
She thought of the manuscript sitting on her laptop back at the house. If only Nate knew how instrumental he’d been in helping her overcome her writer’s block. One day, when the story was ready, she’d tell him.
She lifted the ornament by its silky red ribbon, finally finding her voice. “Thank you, Nate. It’s the most beautiful ornament I’ve ever seen.” Peering closer, she admired the intricate details—the way he’d carved grooves for each of the pages and decorated the spine. “You have a real gift for this. You could sell these.”
“Funny you should say that.” He dug his fingers through his hair. “Luke offered me a job yesterday.”
The world shifted in and out of focus as Juliet tried to wrap her brain around the news. Nate might stay in Poppy Creek? What would that mean for their relationship? “Wow. That—that’s amazing. Did you accept his offer?” She tried to keep her tone steady.
“I told him I need to think about it. It’s tempting. Job-wise, it’s everything I could want. But there are downsides.”
“There are?” She forced herself to meet his gaze, holding her breath.
“There are a dozen reasons to stay in San Francisco. One in particular.” The meaning behind his words, and the depth of his gaze, made her stomach spin.
He would turn down the job to be with her? For a moment, she wanted to shout for joy. But her elation quickly gave way to uncertainty. How would she feel if he gave up a dream for her? “You should take it,” she blurted before her brain could catch up with her heart.
“What?”
“You should take the job,” she repeated, surprising herself.
“You really think so?” He frowned, looking almost as if she’d hurt his feelings.
She hastened to explain. “Obviously, I don’t love the idea of being apart. But Luke’s offer is an amazing opportunity. And it’s perfect for you.” She gathered a breath, fighting the selfish urge to change her mind. “I know the shelter is important toyou, but you can still find a way to help out. And as far as we’re concerned—” Was she really saying this? “We can make it work. San Francisco is only a few hours away.”
He titled his head, seriously contemplating her suggestion. “Are you sure?”
“Positive,” she lied, plastering on a smile.
“Okay,” he said slowly, “then I guess I’ll consider it.”
“Great.” Still smiling like a maniac, she turned her gaze toward the makeshift stage.Whatever you do, don’t cry. It will all work out just fine.
She barely heard a word of Cassie’s speech or noticed the way the illuminated tree transformed the town square into a kaleidoscope of colors, mirroring the idyllic scene she’d written earlier that evening.
Her mind reeled with worst-case scenarios.
She’d meant what she said about Nate pursuing his dream job.
But what if happily ever after existed only in romance novels and didn’t extend to real life?
CHAPTER 23
JULIET
Juliet dug her hands into the chilled cookie dough, still reeling from last night’s conversation with Nate. Would he really accept Luke’s job offer and stay in Poppy Creek? She’d tried to put the possibility out of her mind all morning to focus on editing her manuscript. She’d even brainstormed dozens of different backstories for Nick, but each time she tried to make changes to his character, the whole story felt off somehow.
Distracted and frustrated, she’d abandoned her laptop in favor of butter, eggs, and flour. She’d read somewhere that basic manual tasks could help reset the brain. Maybe baking sugar cookies would be the cure she needed?
With a satisfyingthwack, she slapped the rolling pin against the ball of dough, pressing with a little more force than necessary.Ah.The motion offered more stress relief than she’d expected. She continued to drag the rolling pin back and forth, letting her mind wander.
What if I wrote Nick as a Christmas tree farmer with debilitating pollen allergies? Or an artisan baker who suddenly develops a gluten intolerance? Or a dog groomer who can’t handle pet dander?
Juliet groaned at her feeble attempts to change Nick’s backstory and still maintain a compelling character. Besides,A Dog Groomer’s Christmas Promisedidn’t have quite the same ring to it.
