“Top off?” she asked, pouring without waiting for an answer.
“I won’t say no. There’s no jet lag, thank God.” They clinked glasses and immediately fell back into their old rapport. “So, how’s N&G?”
The events business Natalie ran with Ginny had celebrated its tenth anniversary earlier that year. At the beginning, Alice worked as their assistant, but very quickly everyone outgrew that arrangement. “Busy and fabulous,” Natalie replied, slurping from her glass. “Ginny and I hired another planner last month and an assistant, so that takes us to seven employees. Our territory covers all of Ohio and a few places in Indiana and Michigan.”
Alice spluttered with her wine. “Are you serious? Nat, that’s freaking amazing.” Reaching out, she took Natalie’s hand and squeezed. “You must be so relieved.”
Natalie nodded, her diamond earrings swaying with the movement. “Oh yeah. Once Anthony started campaigning, I knew I couldn’t do it all without more help. Ginny’s busy with the kids and Max, so it only made sense.” Placing her glass down, she flapped her hands and added, “Enough about me. I want to hear about everything. Toronto. Your new book contract, and whatever else you two lovebirds got into.”
Alice smiled, relishing the sensation of gabbing with one of her favorite people. “Well, I guess a lot has happened,” she started, knowing that was an understatement.
While she poured out all the updates to their lives, Alice missed the other people in her Buckeye Falls orbit. She had plans to see Mallory soon, least of all to see her friend’s new baby. It had been months since she laid eyes on little Maybelle. Unlike her previous visits back to Buckeye Falls, Alice thought she might have missed more than she bargained for.
CHAPTER 4
Deck the Halls
––––––––
“Are you sure we can’thelp with decorations?” James asked Max, who balanced precariously on a ladder in the diner’s dining room.
Alice piped up next to her husband. “I mean, it’s kind of our thing.” She smirked, referencing Buckeye Falls’ fall festival and how they met.
Max chuckled, reaching out to clip a length of garland over the counter. “These are great, seriously. Evan dropped off some decorations from Beckett’s farm, so we’re all set.” He added one more tack to the wall before coming off the ladder. “You guys hungry?”
Alice nodded, patting her stomach. “Yes. Is my favorite waitress working today?”
“Only until the end of the week. When this place closes for renovations, I’m retiring,” Helen said, emerging from the kitchen with a tray of drinks. She was clad in her uniform, smirk firmly in place. “Have a seat, kids. I’ll be right with you.”
“What?” Alice’s jaw dropped as James helped her to a booth. Max followed them with a pair of menus. “Helen can’t retire. She just can’t.”
James patted his wife’s hand as he slid into his side of the booth. “Alice, I’m pretty sure it’s a free country.”
Max tapped on the front of the menu where the daily special was written. “I’m not about to tell you how old she is, but let’s just say it’s time.” Turning to Alice, he asked, “Ginger ale?”
“Yes, please. Although I might need something stronger to get over the shock.”
