Page 1 of Holiday Reunion

ONE

Hollyberry Harbor was a place where people escaped the monotony and stress of the real world. Sarah Winters had only left her hometown once in her life for a senior orchestra trip and what she’d witnessed outside of her quaint small town was nothing short of terrifying.

What her orchestra teacher had been thinking when he’d booked them for a trip to New York was beyond her comprehension. If New York was what the real world had to offer, she wanted none of it. She’d take the two-lane roads, the small country stores, and the town where everyone knew her name over all of that.

She shoved her gloved hands into her coat pockets and grinned at the passersby as she headed down Lake Harbor Avenue toward her bakery. The sun hadn’t quite come up and those she passed were either heading home from a night shift or off to work just like she was.

Everyone in this town was friendly, well-mannered, and cared about their community. She couldn’t think of a more perfect place to raise a family—if she’d ever managed to find love.

Right now, that wasn’t something she needed to find. There were bigger issues at play. Her father now lived with her, his life savings depleted. The nest egg Sarah had been working to build was also down to zero. Her current financial situation left much to be desired, but she persevered. She would make it out of this tight spot just like she had before.

Sarah pulled out her keys and shoved them into the shop door, then pulled it open and stepped inside. The bakery still smelled like flour, sugar, vanilla, and sourdough starter. It was the smell her dreams were made of.

She breathed in deeply and exhaled, letting the peace and quiet envelope her. This was her home, and no one was going to take it from her. Not even the bank. She just had to make a little more money by the end of December. Mr. Goldberg had promised her that much. She might be behind in her payments now, but she had faith that in the next forty-five days, she’d be all caught up.

Pulling her apron from the hook just inside the kitchen, she glanced around the shiny stainless steel countertops and appliances with pride. She put the apron over her head and got to work, mixing the dough for the breads, cookies, and other goodies she planned on selling today.

For the next hour, she worked at a steady pace. The front door knocked the bell that hung above it, announcing the arrival of her only employee and subsequently, her best friend.

Brie was petite, with a blonde pixie cut. Her bright blue eyes shined like they were the source of magic itself. She’d only lived in Hollyberry Harbor for a few years, but already they’d become close friends.

Her friend materialized in the doorway with a look of exasperation. “You said you were opening at six. It’s five-forty-five and by the looks of it, I bet you’ve been here for at least twohours.” She worked at tying the strings at her back. “I told you, if you’re going to come in early, tell me so I can meet you here.”

Sarah laughed. “I haven’t been her for two hours. Only one.”

Brie rolled her eyes.

“And I wasn’t going to come in until six, but I couldn’t sleep.”

Her friend moved immediately to the dough rising in the warmers and was nearly ready to be put in the oven. “You could have still texted me. I would’ve met you here.”

“Next time,” Sarah smiled, placing a tray of cookies on a rack to go into the oven.

Brie spun around, her eyes wide. “I almost forgot. Did you hear about what’s happening on Lake Harbor Avenue?”

“Well, right now at the Cocoa Cottage, we’re fixing to bake a days’ worth of sweets to sell.”

“I’m not joking. About sixty percent of the shops on this street were bought out. The other forty decided to partner with the company who did.”

“Well, I didn’t. So it’s not the full forty percent.” Sarah gave her friend a knowing look. “I’d rather die than give this place up to anyone who wants to change it. I really hope whoever it was who bought those buildings is planning on keeping the charm.”

Brie grimaced. “That’s not what I heard.”

Despite being in the middle of frosting a cookie, Sarah froze. “What did you hear?”

Her friend pressed her lips together and glanced away as if she expected someone to overhear what she was going to say. “Do you remember James?”

“James? You mean, James Stetson?”

She nodded.

“The James Stetson who took off right after high school to move to the city and didn’t look back? That James Stetson?”

“The very same.”

“Brie,” Emily laughed nervously. “Clearly I know who you’re talking about. Just tell me what’s going on.”

“He’s back.”