Page 10 of Sweet Yuletide (Indigo Bay Christmas Romances #4)

Ten minutes later, Sheridan stood in line with Michael at Sweet Caroline’s Café.

The scent of brewed coffee and fresh-out-of-the-oven baked goods filled the air.

Her nose enjoyed the tantalizing smells, but her stomach was impatient for a snack.

She glanced at the people behind her. “It’s more crowded today. ”

“It always is on the weekends, but the line is out the door during holidays and the summer.”

She moved forward two steps. “Hope never mentioned that.”

“This is her hometown. She’s used to the crowds, and she works from home, so it probably doesn’t bother her. Lines annoy Von, but he still loves the place, so he puts up with them. At least, according to Marley.”

One good thing about so many customers was the conversations nearly drowned out the holiday music playing. Sheridan hadn’t been able to ignore the decorations at the B she had no job or a place to call home. Yet…

“I’ve lived in Berry Lake my entire life except for the four years I was away at college.

” She pictured her mom. Some friends had never left.

Others had returned to town. “Almost everyone I know is there. I can’t imagine living anywhere else, but if I want to work in a gallery, I won’t have a choice. ”

“That’s a rough spot to be in.”

“I hate it.” Which was why a slice of pie sounded better with each passing second. “I don’t want to have to live with my mom and her new husband, so I need to decide what I should do while I’m here.”

“You just arrived. Don’t put pressure on yourself.”

Easier said than done . “I know, but a part of me—”

She pressed her lips together.

“What?” he asked.

Oh, boy . She hadn’t meant to say that. “Part of me hopes my father changes his mind, and things go back to the way they were.”

“Will he?”

“No.” That was the truth, especially with Remy living in the apartment and working full-time at the gallery. “It’s been three weeks. No rumors suggest things aren’t working out. So, if I listen to my gut, the answer is no.”

Michael’s expression softened. “Does your heart agree? That’s what my sisters would ask.”

A lump formed in her throat. She swallowed around it. “Honestly? I have no idea. I’d like to believe he would come to his senses. I mean, fathers are supposed to love their kids, right?”

Michael placed his hand on her shoulder. “They are.”

His touch comforted her. It was all she could do not to lean in to him. But she needed to handle this situation on her own. Her mom had Max now. They might be in their fifties, but they were also newlyweds. Sheridan didn’t want to be a burden. She straightened.

“I’ll figure it out.” She would keep telling herself that until she had. “So, are you going to travel now or later?”

“In the new year.” A wide grin spread, lighting up his face and taking her breath away. “With no job to tie me down, I have the freedom to do whatever I want.”

“You’re fortunate.” He must have received a generous severance package. Sal hadn’t paid her for the days she’d worked that last week, saying it was in lieu of a two-week notice.

People heading to the door walked by on their left. She moved out of their way.

A woman smiled at her. “Merry Christmas.”

Ugh . Sheridan forced the corners of her mouth upward. “Same to you.”

Okay, repeating the words wouldn’t kill her, but she wasn’t in the holiday mood.

The two men in front of them stepped up to the counter to order.

“Where would you go if you had the chance and money was no object?” Michael asked.

“Where wouldn’t I want to go?” Chills formed on Sheridan’s arms thinking about having the ability to travel with no concerns about affording it. “There are museums all over the world. I’d build an itinerary around all the art I’ve dreamed of seeing in person.”

“You love art.”

“It’s my passion.” And she’d better stop before she rambled again. “Where do you want to go?”

He rubbed his fingers over his beard. “I might let my taste buds decide.”

She wouldn’t have guessed that based on what he ate yesterday. “A foodie, huh?”

“Nah.” He winked. “I just like to eat.”

The men ahead of them stepped aside.

“Hello, welcome to Sweet Caroline’s Café.” A fifty-something woman greeted them with a smile. Her gaze zeroed in on Sheridan. “I’ve seen you in here before. You’re new in town or visiting?”

“Visiting. I’m from the Pacific Northwest.”

“Lovely part of the country. Very wet and green.” Caroline exuded small-town warmth. “What brings you to our little spot of heaven in South Carolina?”

“I’m house-sitting.”

“For?” Caroline asked, which brought a chuckle from Michael.

Sheridan guessed people enjoyed knowing everyone’s business as they did back home. “Hope Ryan.”

As Caroline’s forehead creased, she looked at Michael. “You’re Marley’s brother.”

It wasn’t a question. “Yes, ma’am.”

Caroline focused on Sheridan again. “Von told me Mikey was house-sitting for him.”

Michael’s posture went ramrod straight. The woman’s use of his nickname must have caused the reaction.

“He is, too,” Sheridan clarified. “There was a miscommunication with Hope.”

Caroline’s gaze bounced between her and him. “So, you both…”

“Are house-sitting together,” Michael said.

The woman clapped her hands. “Neither of you will be alone for the holidays. How wonderful!”

That was one way to look at it. Sheridan nodded.

Caroline’s fingers hovered over the cash register. “Before I tell you the must-dos in town, let me take your order.”

Michael motioned for Sheridan to go first.

She studied the menu. The cinnamon roll sounded delicious, but so did pie. “I’ll have a slice of peach pie and a coffee.”

“For here or to go?”

She looked at Michael. “Here?”

He nodded.

“What do you want, Mikey?” Caroline asked.

“We’re not together,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone.

His words stung more than Sheridan cared to admit. “Order what you want. I’ll pay since you drove me to the B and B.”

He hesitated. “Thanks. I’ll have a cinnamon roll and a coffee.”

Caroline passed the order to a young red-haired barista, took Sheridan’s twenty-dollar bill, and rang up the total.

“Now, the first thing you must do is buy an ornament for the community tree. On December twenty-fourth, people line up to make a wish on their ornament and hang it. Then, at five o’clock, our wonderful mayor will turn on the Christmas tree lights. ”

“Hope mentioned the ornaments.”