“Sure, lead the way.”
Slowly they walked along Main Street, stopping as they went to admire the creative Christmas windows. Each store had decorated their windows and storefronts, some with twinkling lights, others with spray snow paint and other decorations. They stepped inside one of Gina’s favorite stores, Nantucket Threads, where Izzy the owner, who was about Gina’s age, was handing out samples of hot mulled cider, selling packets of the cider spice mix and all kinds of fun Christmas sweaters and ornaments.
“Cider?” Jared asked as he took one for himself and when she nodded, handed one to her. Gina took a sip and the hot, sweet beverage warmed her and tasted like the holidays. She smelled cinnamon and other spices. Gina noticed a few new sweaters—not Christmas ones, just pretty ones that she would have liked to get a closer look at, but didn’t want to bore Jared by sweater shopping for herself.
“It looks like you have some new stuff in. I’ll stop back in next week,” Gina said to Izzy as Jared stepped outside. She followed him and they continued on their way. Connie saw them as they drew close and waved. A good crowd had gathered around the carolers and they stayed and listened to several songs before moving on. They were about to step into another store when Jared tapped her arm. “Look, Santa’s coming.”
A firetruck with a waving Santa slowly came down Main Street, which was closed to all other traffic. A line of children ran behind the truck, their parents close behind.
“Where is it going?” Gina asked.
“The Jared Coffin House, I think. That’s where kids will line up to sit on Santa’s lap.” He glanced at the gift shop straight ahead. “It looks like this store is handing out cookies. Are you interested?”
Gina’s stomach rumbled in response and she laughed. “Yes, please.”
They looked around a bit in the store, gratefully accepted a bite-sized shortbread cookie, then moved on to the Sweet Inspirations chocolate shop, which was handing out samples of their famous chocolate-covered cranberries, which Gina loved. She bought a small bag of dark chocolate-covered ones and they snacked on those as they continued strolling around.
As they walked she felt the air shift and grow colder and a few minutes later, fluffy snowflakes started to fall. It was pretty to watch and definitely added to the festive feeling. For the first time in several years, Gina felt herself feeling a bit of the Christmas spirit.
“Do you like chestnuts?” Jared asked. “I might buy a bag if you’ll help me eat them.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever had them. I’ll try one.”
“I’ll be right back.” Jared bought a paper sack of chestnuts from a street vendor and brought them over to Gina. They sat on a wooden bench and pulled off their mittens and Jared showed her how to peel the hot chestnuts. They were roasted with an X scored into their bottoms which made it easy to pull off the outer shell. The nut inside was soft and starchy and unlike anything Gina had tried before. It was an unusual taste, but she liked it and reached for another. They polished off the rest of the bag and got up to keep exploring.
Ten minutes later, they turned a corner and Jared glanced her way.
“Any interest in cookie decorating?”
Gina looked toward the sign that Jared was looking at. Cookie decorating was about to start in a few minutes.
“Sure, let’s do it.”
Long tables were lined up along the sidewalk for the cookie decorating. Big Santa sugar cookies waited on paper plates and every few feet there were squeeze bottles of frosting and shakers of sugar glitter. They had a blast decorating their cookies and after Gina took a selfie of them holding up their creations, Jared immediately bit into his and she did the same. They continued nibbling as they walked along taking in all the sights.
A group of three women strolled past them, all wearing glossy mink coats. Two other ladies came toward them in very warm-looking brown beaver coats. The groups of women all waved to each other.
Gina laughed once the women were out of sight. “I’ve never seen so many fur coats in my life.”
“Well it is Nantucket. Can’t have Stroll without everyone showing off their fur coats,” he agreed. “I could actually go for a hot coffee. Want to stop into the Corner Table and warm up for a bit?”
“That sounds good.” The Corner Table cafe was right around the corner, on Federal Street and it was busy, but after they got their coffees, a table by the window opened up and Gina scooted over to get it while Jared followed with their coffees. They settled down and took off their coats.
Gina was curious to learn more about Jared. She knew he’d lived on the island longer than her.
“What drew you to Nantucket?” she asked.
“We used to have a summer place here when I was growing up. My parents divorced ten or so years ago and my mother decided to move here. I was working on the Cape, at a restaurant in Chatham and about five years ago I was just ready for a change. My mother said she loved being here year-round. I always loved it here, and missed seeing her.”
Gina nodded. “That’s one downside of living here, it’s not convenient to go off-island.”
“Right. It’s easier if you live here than to try and visit someone that lives here. My mother used to live in Duxbury and I could just zip up from the Cape to see her. I hardly ever go off-island now and I’m pretty happy here. It’s more laid back, yet there are still some really high-end restaurants.”
“You’re liking it so far at Mimi’s Place?”
“It’s great. I’m learning a lot from Paul. Eventually, I want to have my own restaurant, but I know I’m not ready yet. Maybe in a few more years.”
That intrigued her. Jared sounded passionate about what he did. She admired that. “What will your place be like? Have you thought about it?”
“All the time. I think it will be small, more of a bistro, with all fresh herbs. I have an herb garden and love using fresh herbs. The flavor is just so good. I see it as elegantly casual, so not stuffy but the kind of place you can relax and enjoy really good food.”
“That sounds great. Do you have any other family here, any brothers or sisters?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s just me.”
“And you live with your mom?”
“Sort of, but not really. There’s a guest house, a small cottage on the property and that’s where I’m staying. My mother wanted me to live in the main house with her, but this way we each have our own space, and I’m nearby in case she needs me.”
“That sounds perfect. I’m in a cottage like that too. It was a caretaker’s cottage on a big estate. It’s perfect for one person and the rent was relatively affordable, for Nantucket.”
“Are you dating anyone?” Jared asked casually as he reached for his coffee.
Gina hesitated then chose her words carefully. “I haven’t been recently. I have a first date next week though.”
He nodded. “That guy you were talking to at the bar the other night?”
“Yeah. He’s someone I knew in Boston. We worked together years ago, but we never dated before. He was with someone else then. What about you?”
“I’m not dating anyone. I was pretty serious with someone for several years, but we broke up a few months ago. She moved off-island, said she couldn’t see herself living here long-term.”