Page 27 of This Christmas

Chapter Seven

The interview had gone better than Ally expected. She was even shown around the facility by Barbara, the woman who, if she was lucky, would become her boss. She’d been nervous, but the two of them had gotten along well.

When she got Barbara’s call the next morning, offering the job, she was thrilled. Thankfully, her start date wasn’t until after the holidays, which gave her plenty of time to come to terms with the fact that Charlotte would have to go into day care every day after school.

Then came the panic attack.

What was she going to wear?

She had a handful of clothes that might be acceptable for office work, but most were worn thin or outdated. The thought of walking in on the first day looking like she didn’t belong made her stomach twist.

So, after breakfast, she and Charlotte bundled up and headed through the cold into town.

Classy and Sassy Boutique sat right off Main Street. Its big front windows were glowing with holiday lights and cheerful garland. The place had plenty of beachy furniture and stylish clothing. The bell chimed as they stepped inside, and the scent of vanilla and new fabric hit her instantly.

“Ally!” Riley called from behind the counter. Her honey-blonde hair was twisted into a messy bun, and she had a tape measure looped around her neck. “I heard you were back in town. It’s about time you stopped in.”

Riley Miller was one of those women you couldn’t forget. She and her cousin Lilly owned the boutique and were married to twin brothers, Corey and Carter, who owned Baked, the pizza place down the street.

Lilly popped her head around a clothing rack, her dark blonde curls also tied up in a messy bun. She had a smudge of blue paint on her cheek and a paintbrush in her hand. “And you brought Charlotte! Oh my gosh, she’s gotten so big.”

Lilly was the one who refurbished all of the furniture that was for sale in the store. She wished that she had a place of her own to fill with several of the pieces she spotted.

Charlotte grinned shyly at the cousins as she clutched her mother’s hand until Lilly crouched down to offer her a candy cane from the counter jar.

An hour later, Ally’s anxiety about finding something to wear to work was gone. The cousins had her in a changing room surrounded by soft sweaters, blouses, and tailored pants that actually fit. Charlotte twirled in front of the mirror in a new purple coat, squealing at how “grown-up” she looked.

“These are perfect,” Ally said, running her fingers over the fabric of a light blue blouse that made her eyes look brighter. “You two really know what you’re doing.”

“It’s our job,” Riley joked with a grin. “And honey, you’re gonna knock ’em dead at your new job in that outfit.”

They left the store with two big bags full of clothes, one for her and one for Charlotte. Her heart was lighter even though her bank account was lower.

Charlotte tugged on her sleeve as they crossed the street. “Can we get pizza now? Pleeease?”

Ally laughed. “You’re going to turn into a slice of pizza one of these days.”

Still, she didn’t hesitate. After putting their purchased things in the car, they walked the short distance to Baked. The comforting smell of fresh dough and garlic hit them before they even stepped inside.

Corey waved them over the moment they entered. “Hey, stranger. Haven’t seen you in a while. Go on and grab any seat you want. I’ll get you both a root beer.”

“Thanks,” she said, settling into the corner booth that Charlotte always picked. Repetition felt nice, normal. She helped her daughter color on her kids’ menu while they waited for their pizza order. For a few precious minutes, it was just them.

Until the bell over the door jingled.

Ally didn’t notice him at first, not until she saw Charlotte’s eyes flick toward the entrance and felt her daughter tense. She glanced up as the man sat at the table directly across from them.

He didn’t order anything. Didn’t even pretend to look at a menu. Instead, he angled his phone slightly toward her.

The click of a camera shutter made her blood run cold.

“Mommy?” Charlotte whispered. “Why is that man taking pictures of us?”

Her voice trembled as her throat closed. Before she could find any words, Corey appeared, wiping his hands on a towel. “Sir, you can’t sit here without ordering.” He must have witnessed what was going on or seen the concern in her eyes. Either way, she was thankful he said something.

“I’ll have a Coke,” Peterson, said smoothly.

“There’s no filming inside here,” Corey said, motioning to the man’s phone, which was now recording them.