The Heart of Christmas. Brenda Novak

      “Honey, we’re so sorry we missed your birthday. I can’t believe we had engine trouble!” Eve’s mother looked genuinely distraught as she pulled Eve in for a hug. “We got back as soon as we could.”

      “You shouldn’t have gone to the extra expense of having that engine part flown in,” Eve said. “I can’t believe you did. I assumed we’d just celebrate whenever you could get back.”

      Her father embraced her as soon as her mother let go. “Your birthday’s in December, so that means it can get swallowed up by the holidays. We try not to let that happen. You’re too important to us.”

      She cringed as she thought of Noelle and the pleasure she was likely taking in ruining Eve’s reputation. “Thanks, Dad.”

      He shoved his hands in his pockets and jingled his change. “The B and B looks great, by the way. You’ve done an outstanding job, created the very picture of a Victorian Christmas.”

      They’d been in Texas for three weeks, having Thanksgiving with her brothers, who now owned a bar together in Austin. “Better than usual?”

      “I’d say so,” he replied.

      “It’s the new icicle lights,” she told him. “They’re pretty hanging from such a steeply pitched roof.” She’d hired a company to hang those lights, and all the others on the exterior. But she and Cheyenne had done everything else. The tree alone had taken one full day—the Sunday after Thanksgiving, when they traditionally made the switch from harvest decor to evergreen and holly. The day after that, she’d added wreaths with red ribbon at every window, garland above each door, on every mantel and around every banister and mistletoe hanging over the tables in the dining room. This was usually Eve’s favorite time of year. The entire town waited to see what she’d do with the inn, and she took great pride in making it stand out like a beacon of hope for the weary traveler—or even just the weary of heart.

      “It’s everything,” he said. “We drove past A Room with A View. It can’t even compare.”

      Because the owners didn’t understand how the beauty she created encouraged the whole town to stop and reflect. Her competitor gave the season a passing nod by putting up a bunch of plastic Santas and reindeer and hanging giant ornaments from the tree in the front yard, all of which looked tacky rather than elegant. But as Eve followed her father’s eye to the candles she’d placed so they could be seen from the street, she didn’t feel the wonder and magic she used to feel. She was afraid she might be going through the exact same motions for the rest of her life—only without Cheyenne, because she knew that Cheyenne wouldn’t work at the inn forever.

      “You told us you’re planning to go to San Francisco with your friends tonight,” her mother said, “so I was hoping we could have you over for dinner tomorrow after you get off work. I’ll make your favorite cake, the carrot one, and get some ice cream.”

      “Of course,” Eve said. “Thank you. That sounds delicious.”

      “And...” Her mother rummaged in her huge purse and finally pulled out a small, wrapped gift. “I’d like you to open your present right now, since you couldn’t do it yesterday.”

      Guilt for behaving in a manner that would reflect poorly on her parents once again swept over Eve. What had she been thinking last night? She’d acted no better than Noelle....

      “Go ahead,” her father urged as her mother handed her a small box.

      Eve hoped it wasn’t expensive. Her parents often tried to do too much. But as soon as she tore off the wrapping and opened the gift, she could see that it was pricy. A gold watch, with diamonds around the face. “Wow,” she breathed.

      “Do you like it?” The twinkle in her mother’s eye showed how excited she was to give her daughter such a wonderful gift.

      “I love it,” Eve said, “but...it’s too generous. You guys have to be careful now that you’re retired, especially with what we’ve been through trying to save the inn. You don’t have the savings you used to—”

      “Don’t worry about that,” her father interrupted. “You deserve whatever we can give you. You’ve worked so hard, been the perfect daughter.”

      Perfect. That word pricked her conscience, and she went over and closed the door. “I really love the watch. It’s beautiful.”

      Her mother and father exchanged a look. “But...”

      They’d heard the resignation in her tone.

      “I’m definitely not perfect. As a matter of fact, I’ve done something I need to tell you about before you hear it from someone else.”

      She felt bad about the fear that entered their faces, and the way they sank slowly onto the sofa. “Good. I was going to suggest you sit down.”

      “Is it that bad?” her mother asked.

      “It’s nothing to be proud of.”

      Her father seemed baffled. “What could it be? We know you. We know who you are.”

      “You don’t know this. I went out last night...by myself and...and got a little drunk.”

      They sat blinking at her, saying nothing. No doubt they could tell there was more coming.

      “And I met someone,” she continued. “A...a stranger. He was handsome and charming and he’d also had too much to drink.”

      “You’ve met someone?” her mother echoed.

      The hope in that question didn’t make this any easier. Her parents wanted her to marry and start a family almost as much as she wanted the same thing. Grandchildren had been mentioned on a number of occasions. Since her brothers were fifty and fifty-two, one an avowed bachelor and the other divorced without children, her parents probably wouldn’t have any grandkids unless they came from her—although they viewed Cheyenne as a daughter and were excited to welcome her first child into the world.

      “No. Not really,” Eve said. “It’s not what you might think.”

      “Then what is it?” her father asked.

      Throwing back her shoulders, she blurted out the truth. “I took him home with me.”

      There was a moment of awkward silence. Then her father cleared his throat. “Eve, we’ve never gotten involved in your personal life. I mean, in that part of your personal life. This isn’t something you have to report to us, especially at thirty-five. In fact, I’d prefer not to know, and I think I can speak for your mother on that, as well.”

      Eve couldn’t help smiling at his response. “I wouldn’t have said anything except...I’m afraid you’ll hear it around town in the next few days, and I didn’t want you to be blindsided. Or disappointed,” she added, “but there’s no way to avoid that now.”

      “I see,” he said. “And why would someone tell us? Why is it any of their business?”

      “It’s not. But Noelle Arnold works at Sexy Sadie’s and—”

      “Ah, I see,” her mother piped up. “Olivia’s sister is spreading the news.”

      “Yes.”

      Her mother frowned. “I’ve never thought very highly of her.”

      That was a scathing rebuke, coming from her sweet mother. “You’re in good company,” Eve responded.

      “So...that’s it?” her father asked. “That’s what has you so upset?” He studied her carefully. “It doesn’t get any worse, does it?”

      “Isn’t that enough?” she said, surprised that they weren’t more upset themselves.

      “Honey, everybody makes a mistake now and then,” he said. “It’s not up to us to judge you or to...to tell you how to run your life. We had our chance to guide you when