Christmas In The Cove. Carol Ross

then. Something had changed when her marriage began to fall apart. Stress, the neurologist hypothesized. Aubrey believed it; she couldn’t imagine anything more stressful than the breakup of her sister’s marriage to the lying, abusive Doug Halloren.

      There was really no way to know for sure, but Nina had been through hell. Whatever the trigger, the result had been an increase in the frequency and intensity of her seizures. Changes in medication, dosages and counseling to manage her stress level had ensued in an effort to get her stable. To Aubrey’s way of thinking, that stability had yet to be achieved and her city-girl sister moving even farther out into the country was not going to help matters.

      “Six months and three days is ages?”

      Brows scooted up onto the flawless alabaster skin of her sister’s forehead. “You keep track?”

      “Of course I keep track. You’re my sister. I love you.” And she did. Bottom line, the thought of her living so far out by herself scared her to death. “You know what? Forget about civilization. You’re closer to me living here and that’s what I want. Let’s make this about me.”

      “That is so sweet. I don’t know what I’d do without you—what I would have done without you all these months.” Nina reached over and squeezed her hand. “But it’s too late. I signed the papers this morning. I’m moving in this Thursday.”

      “Thursday! Without even talking to me about this first?”

      She dipped her chin and looked up at Aubrey through her lashes. “I know you, too, Aubrey. Just as well as you know me. I knew you would try and talk me out of it.”

      No point in trying to deny that.

      Nina gave her a beseeching smile. “Please try to understand, okay? I need something. I need... I don’t know what I need, but this feels right somehow. Mom and Dad will be home for Christmas soon. I’m excited to show them how much better I am. Dad is so...judge-y. Especially when it comes to me. I want them to see that I can take care of myself again. I know they’ve had their doubts. And I can understand that. But I’m better now—you know that. I could really use your support here.”

      “Of course you can take care of yourself. No one doubts that. And Dad is not judge-y. He only wants you to be happy. But...a farm? How are you even going to...?”

      A Santa-hat-wearing waitress stopped by to take their orders. Aubrey complimented her festive attire and requested another minute.

      Nina reached down to the seat beside her and heaved a large three-ring binder onto the table between them. Giving it a firm pat with the palm of her hand, she added, “Don’t worry, I have months to read up on how to be a farmer.”

      She had no idea what to even say to that. Did her sister seriously believe a notebook was going to teach her how to be a commercial berry farmer?

      “Plus, I ordered three pairs of overalls from Amazon and the barn came with a pitchfork.”

      Aubrey snuffled out a surprised laugh.

      “According to the Quinleys, buying in the winter is the way to go. Gives me plenty of time to get up to speed.”

      “Gives them plenty of time to get that humongous RV to Sedona in time to spend the holidays with their new grandbaby you mean?”

      Nina let out a chuckle. “There is that.” Something caught her attention in the direction of the door. “There’s Alex! And, wait, is that...?”

      Aubrey turned to look.

      “Oh, my... Is that Eli? He looks...different. Wow. Even better.”

      Aubrey’s pulse took off at a crazy flutter as the men strolled toward their table.

      “Hey, ladies,” Alex said, stopping in front of them. He removed a baseball cap to reveal his thick, brown thatch of unruly hair. It was the one thing about him that hadn’t changed over the years. Unlike his once-stocky frame of muscle, which was rapidly softening toward plump. Of course, that was no surprise what with the atrocious eating habits Aubrey was constantly harping on him about.

      He gestured happily at Eli. “Look who I ran into? Didn’t think you’d mind if I asked him to join us.”

      Nina was already on her feet, moving toward him for a hug. “Of course we don’t mind. Eli, hi! Alex told me you were back. It’s been ages.”

      Nina was right; the years had been ridiculously kind to him. She’d always thought his sculpted and flawless features were unfairly beautiful. A thin white scar was now etched below his bottom lip and his olive-toned skin was a bit weathered from so much time outdoors. Soft lines were making a home around his eyes. The combination made him look less...perfect. And even more appealing, if that were possible.

      Alex slid across the booth from her while Nina and Eli chatted. Her sisters had always adored Eli. Three years older than Aubrey, Nina had been away at college by the time Aubrey and Eli’s romance began. Aubrey had never told her about it. Camile, being four years younger than Aubrey, had also been clueless. But then again, no one had noticed.

      They’d always been friends so it wasn’t unusual for the two of them to spend time together. They’d been very aware that if her parents, especially her father, knew their friendship had blossomed into more, restrictions would be placed on their time together. They had planned to reveal the status of their relationship at the end of summer, when it was time for Eli to leave for the Coast Guard Academy.

      But they didn’t make it that long. Aubrey had never shared her heartbreak with anyone, not even her sisters. She’d suffered silently and persevered, focusing on swimming, school and her own career goals. The distance between them had been the perfect cover for their waning friendship.

      Nina resumed her spot next to Alex. Eli slid in beside her. Why hadn’t she thought to scoot over first? Because now his muscled thigh was pressing against hers and burning her skin. She felt a flush creeping up her neck and hoped no one would notice.

      After another few moments of small talk, Nina flashed her a grin. “Let’s ask Alex his opinion.”

      She shot her sister a wry look. They both knew very well he would support whatever Nina decided to do. He held himself partially responsible for Nina’s disastrous marriage. He’d been the one to introduce her to Doug.

      “Alex, you like pie, right?”

      His eyes widened in surprise, as if she’d asked him if he liked to breathe. “Do I like pie? Remember how I used to have birthday pie instead of cake at my parties when I was a kid?”

      “That’s right!” Nina exclaimed. “I do remember that. Geez, your birthday parties were fun. I still remember that magician—the one who made your dad’s plate disappear?”

      He belted out a laugh. “I remember that. My mom was worried the guy was going to steal the china. My parties were epic.”

      Aubrey had to agree. Alex’s parties had been legendary. The St. Johns would go all-out. Every year there’d been something new to look forward to—pony rides on the beach, a bouncy house or a magician. And Mrs. St. John would put together party bags so every kid would have a gift to take home. She and Eli used to discuss how the gift was always something more expensive than either of them could expect to receive for their own birthdays. One year they’d all gotten hand-held video-game systems.

      Alex’s dad, Carlisle, was a gazillionaire who’d only joined the Coast Guard because that’s what the men in his family did—they gave back by serving their country. He’d been unusual in that he’d chosen to remain in the service beyond the requisite years before he’d retired to run his family’s empire. Alex liked to joke that his dad’s extra years entitled him to skip military service altogether. He made up for it by doing volunteer work and serving on the town council, which he loved. Aubrey believed he had political aspirations beyond the local level, although he had yet to confess as much.

      “Remember your parents’ Christmas Eve parties?” Nina asked. “Those were like...fairy-tale stuff.