A Stonecreek Christmas Reunion. Michelle Major

      Maggie rolled her eyes. “She gets busy around this time of year. I’m not going to force you, but keep it in mind, okay?”

      “Okay,” he agreed. “I’ve got one more string of lights to hang.” He held up a hand when she opened her mouth to comment. “Trust me on this. One more strand will be the perfect amount.”

      She nodded. “I’ll see you later tonight at the tree lighting.”

      “The whole town will be here to make you look good.” He rubbed a hand over his jaw once more. “I may even shave for the occasion.”

      She leaned in and bussed him on the cheek. “I’m lucky to have you.”

      Maggie watched for another minute as he climbed the ladder, feeling marginally better that she could accomplish her goal. There was no reason LiveSoft wouldn’t want to come to Stonecreek. Nestled in the heart of Central Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the town had great restaurants, outdoor activities, a fantastic school system and tight-knit community.

      Groaning softly, Maggie realized she was becoming a bit too obsessed with work when even her internal thoughts made her sound like a billboard for the town.

      She turned to head across the town square toward the bakery only to find Griffin Stone blocking her path.

      He looked as handsome as ever, the bright afternoon sunlight shining off his dark blond hair. He wore a flannel button-down, faded jeans and work boots. She couldn’t see his green eyes because of the sunglasses perched on his nose, but the set of his jaw and the way his broad shoulders remained rigid told her this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.

      Fine. Maggie wasn’t in the mood for easy when it came to Griffin. She’d had plenty of time to get over him. She was over him so she could certainly manage a few words without losing her mind.

      “I’m busy,” she said and started down the path that would take her out the west gate of the town square. Stonecreek Sweets was on the north end, but she told herself she needed the exercise walking around the block would give her. Just because she could handle talking to Griffin didn’t mean she wanted to handle it.

      “You can’t avoid me forever,” came his rough reply from behind her.

      “I can try,” she said over her shoulder and quickened her pace. It didn’t matter. Griffin caught up with her in a few long strides.

      “Maggie, stop.” He reached for her arm, but she yanked away.

      “Do. Not. Touch. Me.”

      He held up his hands, palms out. “Fine. Okay. Sorry.”

      Her eyes narrowed.

      “I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

      “It’s fine,” she lied.

      “I called you.” He ran a hand through his hair, looking past her. “Eventually.”

      She sniffed. “I blocked your number. Take a hint.”

      “This isn’t you,” he said, glancing back at her.

      “Oh, yes,” she shot back. “This is me. You know how I’m sure of that? Because I never left. I’ve been here the whole time. Some of us don’t have the luxury to take off when things get too real, Griffin.”

      “That’s not what happened. It’s complica—”

      “Don’t say complicated. That word is off-limits with us,” she told him. “Along with apologies. Remember?”

      “I remember everything.”

      Despite her resolve to hate this man, his words felt like a caress against her skin, a secret promise and one she knew he could fulfill with remarkable skill. All the more reason to hold tight to her willpower.

      “Go away,” she said, not bothering to try to hide the pain from her voice. Let him understand he hurt her. That was all on him.

      He sighed. “Give me a chance to explain.”

      “I don’t need an explanation. You ran off to your ex-girlfriend. Sends a pretty clear message, you know?”

      “I called,” he repeated.

      “Almost two weeks after you left.”

      “Things were crazy and I—”

      “You said you loved me,” she blurted, and it felt like sandpaper coated her throat. “Here’s some advice for next time. Don’t say ‘I love you’ if it doesn’t mean anything.” She took a step closer to him, ignoring the tears that sprang to her eyes. So much for being unaffected. Maybe what she needed to truly move on was to get this out of her system. “If you love someone, you tell them everything. Not weeks later or when it’s convenient. I don’t know what happened between you and Cassie, and I don’t care. Go to her again if that’s what she needs. We’re finished, Griffin.”

      “She died.”

      Maggie drew in a sharp breath and watched as Griffin pulled off his sunglasses and tucked them into his shirt pocket. His eyes were sad, almost hollow, and darn it all if she didn’t want to reach out to him, offer whatever comfort she could.

      But no. It was too late for that.

      “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I know you loved her.”

      “I cared about her,” he corrected. “I love you.”

      She shook her head. “Not in the way I needed you to.”

      There was the truth of it, and when he took a small step back like she’d hit him, she knew he felt the impact as much as she did.

      He lifted a hand and used his thumb to wipe a stray tear from her cheek.

      “Are you staying in Stonecreek?” she asked, because she had to know.

      “I’m not sure yet.” He cleared his throat. “There are extenuating circumstances.”

      She huffed out a humorless laugh. “I imagine one might even call them ‘complications.’”

      “One might,” he conceded with a nod.

      “Good luck with wherever life takes you.” It was difficult to get the words out, but she even managed a small half smile to go with them.

      “This can’t be the end.”

      “We were naive to think it ever would have worked out between us.”

      He shook his head. “You know that’s not true. Maggie, please.”

      “Please what, Griffin?” She threw up her hands. “What exactly do you want from me at this point?”

      “I want another chance.”

      “No.” She fisted her hands at her sides, her fingernails digging into the fleshy center of each palm until it hurt. Physical pain to mask another emotional hit. Of course, a part of her wanted to give in. It would be so easy. She could take one step forward and be in his arms again.

      Except he was still holding back. She didn’t know what it was or understand why, but she could almost see the barrier that surrounded him.

      “I’ve got to go,” she told him. “The tree lighting is tonight and it’s a big deal this year.”

      “I heard about LiveSoft. I’m sure you’ll put on quite a show for them.”

      “Yes, well...the show must go on and all of that. Goodbye, Griffin.”

      His jaw tightened. “I won’t say goodbye,” he whispered.

      “That doesn’t change me leaving,” she said and walked away without looking back.

      * * *

      Griffin returned to the vineyard, his mood as black as a starless sky at midnight. He wasn’t sure