Free A Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer Page B

wind blow away our troubles, then have clam chowder at Met on Main.”
    Nicole hesitated.
    “Oh, you’d rather stay home and sulk?” Jilly teased.
    “I’ll meet you at the Hub in ten minutes.”
    Putting on her snow boots immediately lifted Nicole’s mood. Brown suede with thick rubbery soles, they were lined with white fleece and had red and green tartan laces. She pulled on her puffy red down coat and a red wool hat adorned with a knit green holly leaf, complete with red berry, shouldered her purse, slid on her red mittens and hurried out into the invigorating air.
    Jilly was already at the Hub, festive in green wool coat and hand-knit creamy white cap and muffler. She greeted Nicole with a big hug and kiss. “Let’s walk down to Straight Wharf and then over to the town beach.”
    “Good idea.” Nicole glanced around. “People are out shopping.”
    “I’ve done all mine. I’ve got two duffel bags full of presents to take to Boston when we go for Christmas with the grandchildren.”
    “You leave tomorrow?” They passed Peach Tree’s. “Great sweater.”
    “I know. Don’t tempt me.” They walked on toward the water. “First thing.”
    “I’ll miss you,” Nicole said.
    “You’ll be fine. Christmas is in two days. They leave on the twenty-seventh. You can survive that long.”
    Buoyed by her friend’s companionship, Nicole thought just maybe she could. “Maddox is an adorable child, and James is nice. He tries hard to be pleasant to everyone. But I swear Kennedy is on some kind of campaign to make me lose my cool. She’s absolutely devious, Jilly.” As they ambled along through the falling snow, Nicole described the morning’s breakfast psychodrama with the bacon and eggs.
    “You’re attributing too much premeditation to her,” Jilly insisted. “Kennedy’s a nice enough girl, as I recall. She’s pregnant, remember? Pregnancy makes you irrational. Give her a break.”
    “You’re right,” Nicole conceded reluctantly. “I just wish Sebastian would stick up for me more. He always seems to think his daughter is flawless.”
    “Typical father,” Jilly said knowingly. “I can’t tell you the times Bob and I have argued over something Stacey’s done or wants to do. He always takes her side. I’m always the disciplinarian. But in a few days, Kennedy will go home and you’ll have Seb back for yourself.”
    Nicole’s sigh of satisfaction was cut short. Across the street and down a block, she saw Sebastian and Kennedy leaving the Jewel of the Isle. Sebastian had a small dark green bag in his hand. He linked his arm through his daughter’s and carefully escorted her around the corner onto Easy Street.
    “Look.” She nudged Jilly with her elbow. “Sebastian just bought Kennedy some jewelry.”
    Jilly spotted the retreating pair. “It’s Christmas, Nicole.”
    “Oh, I know! I hate the way I feel, like a sniveling jealous fairy-tale witch. Let’s change the subject. Tell me what you’re reading.”
    Both women were voracious readers. Books kept them talking for the rest of their walk and most of their lunch at Fog Island. When they parted to go their separate ways, Nicole was back in her usual optimistic, level-headed mindset.
     
    In the early afternoon, Maddox and Kennedy took naps while the others lounged in bed or the den, reading and watching television. Kennedy was still sleeping when Maddox woke, so Nicole, who was in the kitchen, gave him permission to go in the backyard and build a snowman.
    “I’m making pumpkin lasagna for tonight,” she told the boy. “Just as soon as I put it in the oven, I’ll come out and join you.”
    She helped him don his outdoor gear and watched as the child ran joyfully out into the snowy late afternoon. She sprinkled fresh Parmesan on the lasagna and slid it into the oven. As she rinsed and checked the fresh cranberries she would make for the duck sauce that evening, Sebastian came into the kitchen.
    “Something smells