Chapter 1
Mandy Lawson stared out the kitchen window while she waited for the water to heat for her tea. It was late, almost ten, and the normally gorgeous view of Nantucket Sound was shrouded in darkness. But, in the distance, she saw a pinprick of light. Probably a boat bobbing on the water, growing brighter as it drew closer to shore. She watched it for a moment, then turned to the cupboard, took out her favorite caramel-flavored herbal tea, popped it in a mug, and added the hot water.
The kids were finally in bed. They had stayed up later than usual, excited about the holidays and a party at school the next day. Mandy had made cupcakes earlier for Brooke to bring in. Normally, Mandy always looked forward to this time of year. The magic and wonder of Christmas through the eyes of her children never failed to lift her spirits. This year was a little different though. It felt off, a bit empty. Last year at this time, she was newly separated from her husband and it was all a blur. Now, she was officially divorced and in recent months had started dating someone. She enjoyed his company, but it wasn’t terribly serious yet and the holidays had a way of magnifying everything.
It also made her reflective and a bit sad, thinking back to happier days, with Cory and the kids. Cory had moved on. He wasn’t dating anyone seriously as far as she knew, but he was dating, a lot—which he’d apparently also been doing during the final years of their marriage. The kids seemed to be doing fine too. She had to give Cory credit. He was very good with them, and lived close enough that he took them regularly and they were able to fill in for each other as needed. Mandy just missed how things used to be. The big house often felt too big for the three of them without Cory there. But, it was the house the kids had grown up in and she didn’t want to uproot them. She knew stability was important.
She took her teabag out of the mug and tossed it in the trash, then headed to the family room to settle into her favorite armchair, put her feet up and read for a while before bed. She wasn’t sleepy yet. It had been a busy day at the restaurant. She co-owned Mimi’s Place with her sisters, Emma and Jill, and Paul, the chef. She smiled thinking of how clever their grandmother had been, leaving it to them in her will with the stipulation that they had to work together for a year before making any major decision to sell.
Jill was a silent partner, as she returned to Manhattan after the year was up to continue running the search firm she owned with her partner, Billy, who was now her husband. But it had been exactly what both Emma and Mandy needed. Emma’s marriage had imploded as well, but in a very different way, when her husband of many years left her for another man. Emma and Paul had been childhood sweethearts, and Mandy was glad that they had grown close again, once Emma was ready to let someone in.
For Mandy, Mimi’s Place had been a godsend. She’d been wanting to go back to work for years, but Cory had discouraged it. They hadn’t needed the money. He ran a successful hedge fund that generated millions in income each year and he liked being able to brag about his wife not needing to work. But, she had needed it. She needed to feel useful and challenged. And she found that with the restaurant.
Emma had some experience during college working as a waitress. And Jill had tended bar. Mandy had the least experience of the three as she’d never worked in a restaurant, but she had set up many local charity events. And that experience turned out to be invaluable as they expanded the business into doing more weddings and other functions.
She settled into her comfy baby blue chair that was covered in a soft plush velour. She glanced at her book, which was waiting for her on the side table, but she was feeling a little too tired to read and decided to see what was on the Hallmark Channel instead. The Christmas movies always put her in a good mood. She’d just picked up the remote and clicked on the TV when she heard a soft giggle, followed by a hiccup and then another giggle, slightly louder this time.
She smiled as she glanced at the huge, decorated Christmas tree that stood a few feet away from the big screen television. It was in the corner and the sounds of two giggling children came from behind it. They must have stealthily crept back downstairs while she was in the kitchen, and hid in their favorite spot. She stood up and could see two pairs of feet peeking out from where they were lying down with their heads close together, looking up at the tree.
Mandy knew it was special back there. She’d once shared with them that she and her sisters used to crawl behind their Christmas tree and stay there for hours, gazing at the twinkling lights, drinking in the Christmas spirit and dreaming about their futures. It was a magical feeling, and she was glad they were experiencing it. But it was still way past their bedtime.
“I can see and hear both of you. Come out now and get back to bed. It’s very late.”
There was a moment of silence and then shuffling as they wiggled their way out.
“Mom, it’s so cool back there. You have no idea!” Blake said excitedly.
“Actually, I do, honey. Go on up to bed. You’ll have plenty of time to hang out behind the tree over the next month.”
Mandy followed them upstairs and made sure they were both tucked securely in bed before heading back downstairs. She’d just settled back in her chair when her cellphone rang. It was her sister, Jill.
“Perfect timing. I just put the kids to bed.”
They chatted for a few minutes, catching up on things and then Jill was quiet for a moment. It was a bit unusual for Jill to call so late. They usually talked in the morning.
“Is everything okay?” Mandy asked.
“Yes! Everything is fine. Billy and I were just talking and—well, I remembered you said we were welcome to stay with you anytime and that you had plenty of room with Cory gone.”
“Yes, did you guys want to come for Nantucket Stroll?” They’d talked about it ages ago. The first weekend in December was the famous Nantucket Stroll, when all the stores were decorated for the holidays and restaurants reopened or stayed open until the weekend for a final hurrah before closing for the winter.
“Yes. We’d love to come over Thursday afternoon, if that works?”
“Of course. We could use your help at the restaurant too. It should be a busy weekend.”
“Good. It will be fun to get behind the bar again. Billy said he’s happy to help too.” Mandy thought about that for a moment. Billy Carmanetti was tall, dark-haired and very charming. The ladies would love him.
“Maybe we’ll have him help at the front desk, greeting people and making them feel welcome.”
Jill laughed. “That’s perfect. If it’s okay with you, we’d like to stay for a few weeks. Through New Year’s Eve, if that’s not too much. If it is, we can head to the White Elephant.”
Mandy suddenly felt her mood lift even more. “Jill, I would love that. It would be great to have you guys here all month. Truth be told, I could use the company. It’s been a little hard. This time of year.”
“I wondered if it might be. We will totally cheer you up. We’ll do all the things—baking, eating, Christmas shopping and just relaxing and enjoying some good wine. I can’t wait to catch up with you and Emma, and Paul too. It’s going to be a great Christmas.”
They talked for almost an hour, until they both started yawning. Mandy hung up and headed upstairs to go to bed, feeling relaxed and for the first time, looking forward to the weeks ahead.