Page 22 of Sweet Yuletide (Indigo Bay Christmas Romances #4)

Goodbye .

The word echoed through Michael as if someone had rung a giant gong. He grabbed his jacket, his car keys, and one of the ornaments they’d purchased at the fair. His feet carried him to the front door. As his hand touched the knob, he hesitated.

Emotions were high. He and Sheridan should talk because he had doubts about what would happen with her father—no one changed overnight. But she didn’t want to hear that. Besides, he wouldn’t forget what she’d said.

I need to do more than couch-surfing at friends’ houses and bumming around .

The words had punched his gut then and now, making him relive his family’s stupid intervention, their concerns over his job situation, and the many comments about Mikey never growing up.

In case anyone failed to notice, he was an adult who had his teeth cleaned every six months, paid his bills, and filed his taxes on time.

He opened the door, stepped out, and then slammed it shut, not caring that the wreath rattled as did the Christmas lights.

Everyone was wrong about him, including Sheridan.

For a second, he’d been tempted to tell her about winning the lottery, but he shouldn’t have to. No one needed to prove themselves to anyone else. Besides, winning had been nothing except him being lucky. It was what he had done since winning that showed he was mature and responsible.

Yes, knowing he would be in a completely different place in life in a couple of weeks would have changed her opinion about him. But he didn’t want to be with someone like that. Her father might need Sheridan, but Michael didn’t.

And if he kept telling himself that, he might come to believe it.

The wind blew. He reached up to adjust his cap and realized he wasn’t wearing it.

The beach house was behind him, but he kept moving forward.

When he reached Main Street, he slipped into the first souvenir shop he saw.

The stack of Santa hats caught his eye, but he grabbed a beanie instead.

Celebrating Christmas left a sour taste in his mouth, but he wanted to hang the ornament with the name of the animal rescue on it—free publicity for them.

He wandered along Main Street, unsure where he was going, but knowing he didn’t want to be at the beach house. He might spend tonight at his parents’ place, and then he could return to Indigo Bay after Sheridan left. That sounded like a plan.

People were getting in line, so he stood behind a couple.

“Come on, Lizzy.” The guy, who had a military haircut, put his arm around a pretty brunette. “Tell me what you’re wishing for?”

“You ask every year, and the answer is always the same.”

He kissed her. “You might change your mind.”

“And risk my wish not coming true.” She shook her head. “Give it up, Mitch, and go buy me a hot chocolate from Sweet Caroline’s.”

“Your wish is my command, but remember what Caroline told us about Christmas wishes being the most powerful wish of all.”

She turned slightly, patting her pregnant stomach. “This little guy is proof that’s true.”

“Don’t forget. I wished for him, too.” The man kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back. Text me if you need anything else.”

Michael turned away from the happy couple. Their sugary sweetness didn’t disgust him. No, a different emotion welled inside him—envy. He wanted someone to be at his side when he made a wish. He wanted…

No, not Sheridan.

Still, thinking about her made his heart ache.

He would get over it.

Get over her.

As the minutes passed, the temperature dropped. Darker clouds appeared overhead. People around him wondered aloud if it would rain.

Mitch returned with three hot chocolates. He held a cup up to Michael. “Want one?”

“Please.” Michael took it. “Thanks.”

“Merry Christmas.” The guy turned to his wife.

A woman wearing a Santa hat and a safety vest walked along the line. “We’ll be opening for wishes and ornament hanging in a few minutes. Groups will go up to the tree one at a time. The line will go faster if you know your wish.”

Michael didn’t need to make a wish. In a few short weeks, he would be able to buy whatever he wanted.

What about Sheridan?

The question was so clear, as if someone had spoken it. He glanced around, but no one was paying attention to him. He was also the only person who appeared to be alone.

But he didn’t need to wish for Sheridan. Sure, he would have enjoyed spending Christmas with her. They would’ve had fun, celebrating and experiencing their various family traditions. Someday, he would meet a woman like her—only someone who didn’t see him as a couch-surfing loser.

Okay, that was what he was right now.

He had a bed to sleep in thanks to his future brother-in-law. But this lifestyle was his choice. Not that Sheridan knew that.

Never mind .

He should wish for someone special in his life to spend Christmas with. Not this year—there was no time for that to happen—but next year. Then, he wouldn’t have to keep secrets from his family. Everyone would be together, too. If he had someone with him, he would no longer be the odd person out.

“You’re next,” the woman who’d made the announcement earlier said. “Make a wish and then hang your ornament.”

Michael tossed his empty cocoa cup in the garbage can and then stepped forward. The tree had to be at least forty feet tall. Most ornaments hung on the bottom where people could reach. He closed his eyes.

I wish I could spend Christmas with someone special. Not this year. But next year and every year after that .

He went to hang the ornament but froze before the ribbon touched the branch.

There was a more important wish he wanted to make.

Michael closed his eyes again.

I wish for Sheridan to get the Christmas of her dreams, one where she’s surrounded by the people who love her .

Satisfied, he hung the ornament. The bulb bounced slightly before settling. He stepped away.

Idiot .

He’d wasted a Christmas wish.

No biggie. The lottery money would make all his wishes come true. Even if he never met someone special, he would be fine.

Von believed the wishes made on this tree often came true, which was what drew the crowds to Indigo Bay. Maybe Michael would return next Christmas Eve and make a wish for himself. But the only place he wanted to be right now was anywhere but here.

He glanced at the line and saw Sheridan toward the back. She mustn’t have been able to get a flight out this afternoon.

Wonder what she will wish for .

None of his business.

While she waited to hang her ornament, he would return to the beach house and pack his things. He would spend a couple of days at his parents’ house and then go back to Indigo Bay on the twenty-sixth when he knew Sheridan would be gone.

The thought of being alone sucked, but this was for the best.

* * *

Sheridan stood in line with what appeared to be all of Indigo Bay to hang her ornament on the community Christmas tree.

She was near the end. It was her fault for taking too much time with the airline to reschedule her flight for tomorrow morning and then dawdling in the empty, silent beach house.

She’d also texted a link to her father where he could pay the change fee.

She rechecked her phone. No reply. He must be busy.

A breeze blew, sending a chill through her. She zipped her jacket all the way to her chin. Not that the cooler temperature appeared to bother anyone. Children giggled, some people sang Christmas carols, and a yellow lab barked.

She’d glimpsed Michael near the front of the line, but she never found him again.

A young woman wearing a Santa hat, an orange safety vest, and a smile moved alongside the line. “Things are moving quickly. You’ll go up to the tree with your party. The line will move faster if you know your wish ahead of time.”

What do I want to wish for ?

Her dad had called, when only yesterday, hearing from him had seemed like an impossible dream. Part of her wanted to wish for her and Michael to spend Christmas together.

As if on cue, Sheridan saw him. She didn’t recognize the beanie he wore, but it was him. “Michael.”

He stopped, but he didn’t glance her way.

Her heart sank, but she had to try again. “Please.”

He came toward her, but he said nothing.

“I don’t fly out until the morning. All I have to do is hang my ornament, and then we can spend Christmas Eve together.”

“No.”

The air rushed out of her lungs. “But we planned it all out.”

“That was before you decided to leave.”

“I’d be leaving on the thirty-first, anyway.”

He shrugged.

“I have to go. This is my work. My life. My family.”

“I hope it works out the way you want.” He shoved his fingertips into his pockets. “Merry Christmas.”

He walked away. Sheridan was tempted to call his name again, but they could talk at the beach house. She would apologize for what she had said about him, and everything would be okay.

A half hour later, she reached the front of the line.

Another woman in a Santa hat and safety vest motioned her forward. “It’s your turn.”

At the tree, Sheridan held out the ornament and closed her eyes.

I wish I could spend Christmas with Michael .

She hung her ornament on the tree and stepped away. The lighting was at five. They’d planned on watching together, but she wanted to see Michael now, so she headed to the cottage.

His SUV wasn’t parked in the driveway. Okay, no need to let the dread in her stomach grow. He might have gone to the market if he realized he’d forgotten something. Except, she’d told him they needed nothing.

With shaky fingers, she unlocked the door and opened it. “Michael.”

No answer. The house was as quiet as when she’d left.

The door to his room was open. His duffel bag was gone.

Gone .

The word reverberated through her.

She plopped onto the mattress.

A weight pressed on the center of her chest.

He hadn’t given her a chance to apologize or explain or make things better.

He’d left.

Her breath hitched. She struggled to fill her lungs with oxygen.

What was happening? Why did she miss him already?

Sheridan headed to the living room. The Christmas tree reminded her of Michael so much, it might as well have been screaming his name. She adjusted an ornament.

Silence surrounded her, and she hated it.

You wanted to be alone for Christmas .

That was why she’d come to Indigo Bay.

Except that wasn’t what Sheridan wanted now. She wanted to spend Christmas Eve with Michael, doing all the things they’d planned. Only he no longer wanted that.

Because of her and what she’d said.

Do something .

She had to do something, but what?

Her mom might know. She hit her mom’s contact info. The phone rang. Once, twice…

“Hello, sweetheart.”

Her mom’s warm greeting was just what Sheridan needed. “I’ll be flying in tomorrow. I should be home for Christmas dinner.”

“Did something happen in Indigo Bay?”

Yes, but that wasn’t the reason she was returning early. “Dad called. He needs me at the gallery on the twenty-sixth. Remy didn’t work out.”

“What about your roommate?”

“He left.”

“Oh, I thought the two of you were getting closer.”

So did she. “We had fun together.”

“Do you need a ride from the airport?”

“No. Not on Christmas.” Sheridan wondered if her dad might want to pick her up. She would ask when he replied about paying the change fee. If not, she would take a shuttle or a bus. “Enjoy it with Max and his daughters. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

“I don’t mind.” Her mom didn’t hesitate to reply, which was typical for the woman who had made multitasking an art form.

It would be so easy to say yes, but her mother needed to see to the animals and cook dinner. She deserved a day off from the other things. “I do.”

“Okay.” The word came out slowly as if her mom wasn’t convinced.

Sheridan didn’t want her mom to second-guess. “It really is okay.”

“Are you sure you want to return to the gallery?”

Whoa . Sheridan hadn’t expected that question. The answer sat on the tip of her tongue. She imagined Michael, but that was over. “It’s all I want, Mom.”

“I doubt anything has changed since you left.”

Sheridan gripped the phone. “You mean Deena.”

“Yes.” Her mom sounded exasperated. “She’s as boastful and annoying as ever.”

“I asked Dad about her. He told me Deena’s finished interfering with the gallery.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” Sarcasm poured from each word. “If it’s true.”

Sheridan understood her mom’s reaction, but… “Dad wouldn’t have called me if he wasn’t serious about wanting me back.”

“You’re right.”

At least Sheridan wasn’t the only one who thought so. “I just wish Michael hadn’t left, so we could spend Christmas Eve together.”

A beat passed. “It sounds like he was more than a roommate.”

Sheridan weighed her words. “I liked him.”

“Past tense?”

She couldn’t tell whether her mom was curious or worried. “Yes.”

Silence filled the line.

“Well,” her mom said finally. “Your grandma claimed Yuletide magic made anything better.”

Sheridan almost smiled thinking about her grandmother talking about Yuletide and the importance of picking out the right yule log. Those magical tales had fueled childhood fantasies of stepping inside a painting or storybook.

She swallowed a sigh. “I hope so, because I already miss Michael.”

“You didn’t know him long, though.” Her mom tone was coming out. At least she wasn’t going all Mama Bear yet.

“No, I didn’t.” But that didn’t matter to Sheridan’s heart. At least it still beat. That had to count for something. “Maybe between Grandma’s Yuletide magic and the wish I made on the town’s Christmas tree, everything will turn out okay.”

“It will.” The words rushed out. “You want to know how I know this?”

“Yes, please.”

“Things were looking more dire than usual with the rescue. But then, we received an anonymous pledge for twenty-five thousand dollars.” The relief in her mom’s voice was palpable.

“That’s wonderful.”

“It’ll cover our overdue vet bills and let us start a medical fund for future needs.”

“I’m so happy for you. Guess someone needed an end-of-the-year tax deduction.”

“That’s just it. The money won’t arrive until mid-January. Not that I care when we get it. That much will make a difference anytime.” Her mom sighed. “I only wish we knew who the donor is, but some people don’t want the recognition, and I respect that.”

“It’s still a Christmas blessing.”

“Yes. And there is at least one waiting for you. So don’t stop hoping.”

Sheridan nearly laughed. Hope was all she had left. “Thanks.”

“I can’t wait to see you.”

“I’m looking forward to it, too.” Sheridan tried to sound cheerful, but she wasn’t sure she succeeded. “Merry Christmas, Mom.”