Page 26 of Savoring Christmas (Sugarville Grove #8)

MIA

A t Tuesday night’s class, Logan’s station sat empty. She told herself she shouldn’t be surprised. She’d been the one to ask for space. But still, she hadn’t imagined he would miss the second to last class.

She’d almost texted him at least a dozen times in the last two days but somehow she couldn’t think of what to say.

Since the job offer, she’d thought of little else than the decision she faced.

On one hand, it seemed ludicrous to turn down such an incredible offer.

On the other, leaving Logan seemed unfathomable.

She was in an “unlock your own adventure” situation, with no idea which door to open.

She pasted on a smile as she turned to her students. “Are you all ready to tackle lasagna?”

“Should we wait for Logan?” Abby asked. “I can’t imagine what’s keeping him.”

“I have a feeling he’s not coming,” Mia said.

“Why not?” Reese asked. “Is he sick?”

Mia sighed, fighting tears. “We had a fight.”

“Dear me, about what?” Thelma asked.

“I’ve had a job offer. In New York. It’s my dream job.

” She told them about the concept and what they’d offered her.

“When I told Logan about it, he just … assumed I’d take it.

Things got complicated between us after that.

I asked him for some space to figure out what I really want, but I never expected him to disappear completely. ”

“I’m sure he’s scared to lose you,” Kris said. “The way you two look at each other tells me your feelings are not the stuff of flings. But men sometimes react aggressively when they feel out of control.”

“This job sounds pretty great,” Harold said. “Hard to pass up.”

“Do you want to go?” Reese asked.

“I don’t know,” Mia said. “This opportunity—it’s everything I thought I’d lost. But I’ve built a life here.

And the thought of leaving feels like a dark and empty hole.

It feels awful.” Her voice grew fainter.

“A year ago I would have accepted without hesitation. But these last few weeks have been wonderful. This class. Logan. His family welcoming me as if I belonged to them.” She glanced over at Abby who nodded sympathetically.

“This place no longer feels like a stop on my way to something better.”

Harold leaned his elbows on the counter.

“You can chase success your whole life and catch it too. But love? Real love doesn’t wait around while you figure out your priorities.

I’ve watched plenty of folks climb every ladder they could find, only to realize they left behind the one person who made the climb worth it.

“Yes, and isn’t finding true love the best dream of all?” Reese asked in a wistful tone.

“And there will be other opportunities that come your way,” Harold said. “Someone who’s lived as long as I have learns life has a lot of twists and turns you don’t see coming.”

“Amen to that,” Thelma said.

Abby nodded, leaning against the counter.

“Trust me, I get it. I was all set for my perfect job in the city when I got the call about my cousin.” She paused, her voice softening.

“I was so angry at first—angry at the timing, at having to give up everything I’d worked for.

But then I fell in love with the kids, and with Luke, and suddenly everything I thought I wanted seemed …

smaller somehow. Less important than what I’d found here.

” She looked directly at Mia. “I can’t tell you what’s right for you.

But I can tell you that some of the best things in life don’t come when you’re looking for them. ”

“If it were me, I’d choose love,” Reese said. “Having loved someone and lost them, the ache never truly goes away. I’d give anything to feel cherished by someone again.”

“But wouldn’t it be nice if she could have her dream job and Logan too?” Thelma asked. “In my day, we didn’t have the choices young women have now. I’d have loved to have a career. Not that I regret my marriage or my children, mind you.”

“I don’t suppose Logan would go with you?” Reese asked. “He’s a family law attorney. People get divorced in New York City too.”

No one said anything for a moment, until Kris said, “He came home to be with family. Seems to me he’d have a hard time leaving them again.”

“Again, why is it the woman who has to choose?” Thelma asked.

“I had no idea you were such a feminist,” Harold said, teasing.

Thelma gave him the side eye before fixing her gaze on Mia. “What’s your gut telling you, Mia?”

“I don’t know,” Her eyes sweeping her surroundings, she said, “This opportunity seems too good to pass up. On the other hand, I’m in love with Logan.”

The words hung in the air, and suddenly Mia felt the truth of them settle into her bones.

She'd been dancing around it for weeks, calling it attraction, chemistry, a connection—anything but the word that terrified her most. But hearing herself say it out loud, she couldn't pretend anymore.

She was in love with him. Not just infatuated or caught up in the romance of small-town life.

Actually, truly, in love—with his quiet strength, the way he looked at her like she was something precious, how he made her feel safe enough to be completely herself.

The realization should have panicked her, but instead it felt like finally admitting something her heart had known all along.

“I think you know what you really want,” Harold said.

“Yes, I guess I do,” Mia said. “I want Logan.”

“What if the investors were willing to open the restaurant right here in Sugarville Grove?” Abby asked, eyes sparkling as the idea obviously took hold. “It would be perfect here. Everyone’s always complaining we don’t have enough options for date nights or special occasions.”

“Oh my gosh, I have an idea,” Reese said. “What if you turned the old dance hall into a restaurant? Same vision, only here? The dance hall’s available, isn’t it?”

“Sure is. We saved it from being torn down,” Harold said.

“Raised enough funds we could pay for the repairs. But it’s been sitting empty ever since.

The town’s historical society owns it now.

I’m on the committee. We’ve been hoping someone would come along with a vision that honors its roots.

Something meaningful for the community.”

Mia’s heart gave a lurch. “And no one’s done that yet?”

Harold shook his head. “Not really. A few inquiries, but no one serious. Most folks don’t want to take on something that big unless there’s real backing. But with an investor behind you? I think it’s the perfect choice.”

“You could turn it into the most beautiful restaurant in the state,” Reese added. “Live music. Candlelight. Sunday suppers and family-style dinners. But also a place for couples in love.”

Mia could already picture it. The glossy wood floors, the echo of laughter in the rafters, the smell of tomato and garlic filling the air. Her dream, right here. At home.

The word stopped her cold. Home. When had she started thinking of this place as home?

She'd spent years chasing the idea of home in other cities, other jobs, other versions of herself that never quite fit.

But sitting here now, surrounded by people who cared about her answer, who wanted her to stay not because they needed something from her but because they simply wanted her here—this was what home actually felt like.

Not a place she'd conquered or a position she'd earned, but somewhere she belonged.

Somewhere she was known and loved exactly as she was.

The revelation settled over her like a warm blanket, unexpected and perfect and absolutely right.

Before Mia could contemplate the idea further, Logan appeared. Her mouth went dry when she saw him standing in the doorway, eyes rimmed red like he hadn’t slept in days. He looked terrible. But he was here.

“Sorry I’m late,” Logan said. He gave no excuse—simply headed to his station as he shrugged out of his coat.

Cannoli, who had been dozing in her bed, let out an excited bark and bounded straight for Logan, tail wagging wildly.

A flicker of a smile broke across his face as he bent to scoop her up, holding her close for a tight hug.

The whole class watched in silence as he buried his face into the dog’s fur for a moment, as if gathering strength.

Mia fought to keep her voice steady as she turned to face the class.

“Tonight we face our biggest challenge yet,” Mia said, pushing through the painful thrum in her chest. “Lasagna takes a long to time to prepare, so we’ll work in teams of three tonight.

Each team will have one person on sauce, one on the béchamel, and one on noodles and cheese prep.

When everything’s ready, we’ll build our lasagnas and let them bake while I show you how to make a quick chopped salad. ”

She gestured to the cooking stations she'd arranged around the kitchen.

At the first station, heavy-bottomed pans waited beside neat rows of diced onions, garlic, and crushed tomatoes, wooden spoons resting against small bowls of fresh herbs.

The second station held whisks and measuring cups arranged around tall bottles of milk and cream, blocks of butter softening on small plates, and containers of flour precisely measured and ready.

The pasta station sprawled across the largest counter—boxes of lasagna sheets, wheels of Parmesan for grating, containers of ricotta, and mozzarella waiting to be sliced, everything organized like a well-planned assembly line.

Except for Logan, everyone nodded. Reese, now eager, after her original misgivings, rubbed her hands together. “Let’s do this.”

Logan didn’t look at Mia, but, when Kris passed him the cutting board and nodded in greeting, she saw Logan offer him a small, tight smile.

The fact that he could smile at Kris but couldn't even look at her felt like a knife between her ribs.