Christmas Sugar (Insta-Spark)

“No, she’s petite—like her mother.”

“A small, then.”

The words were out of my mouth before I even realized it. “I want a pair of boots for her son as well.”

“Do you know his size?”

“Ah . . . no. Seth’s seventeen, I think.”

She looked surprised. “Alex’s Seth? Alex is your friend? The boots are for him?”

“Yes.” I replied, feeling as though I needed to justify my actions. “He’s been a great help to me.”

“He needs a twelve, and if the slippers are for Noelle, a small is perfect for her.”

Remembering Mrs. C’s words when it came to her grandchildren, I nodded. “I can’t buy a gift for one without giving something to the other one.”

“Of course not. That’s very kind of you. They’ll love it. And Alex . . . ?” Her voice trailed off.

“Alex?” I prompted.

Her eyes were sad as she spoke. “She’s such a wonderful person and has given up so much for those kids. Everything she does is for them.” Her fingers ran over the fuzzy red of the slippers. “Luxuries like these are rare for them.”

I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat.

“Are there any, um, luxuries, Alex likes? Anything you could suggest?” I asked. “Something she would never treat herself to?”

She grinned as she handed me the boots I wanted to try on. “There’s a chocolate shop on the corner. The dark chocolate-covered caramels are decadent. All made by hand. Alex is crazy for them.”

“Thank you. I’ll pick some up for her to say thank you for her hospitality.”

She extended her hand. “I’m Jodi, by the way.”

I accepted her handshake. “Dylan. Nice to meet you.” I stood, testing the boots. “These fit well. I’ll wear them, if you don’t mind.”

“Of course.”

Twenty minutes later, I was on my way back to the inn. The passenger seat contained three parcels: a pair of winter boots Jodi assured me Seth would think were cool, a nonsensical pair of fuzzy red

slippers Noelle would wear with delight, and the biggest box of dark chocolate-covered caramels I could buy at the chocolate shop.

Three simple gifts. None of them costing a lot of money—at least not for me—and yet, somehow, I knew they were the most important items I’d bought in a long time.

Gifts I was anxious to be well received.

I left the minivan in the parking lot and headed toward the bluff. The skies were getting darker, the temperature dropping. I knew a storm was coming, and I wanted to see the view before it hit. I followed a narrow path twisting between the trees, going uphill. I paused at the edge of the trees, my breath catching at the spectacular vista in front of me. The edge of the land was large and flat, bordered entirely by pine trees and rocks, leading to the edge of the bluff. You could see for miles in any direction, the vast scope overwhelming. It was as if you were on the edge of the world, with nothing around you. I could see why it was Alex’s favorite spot.

I moved closer, mesmerized by the water, the blues and grays swirling, crashing against the icy rocks below. I could imagine how it looked in the summer, when the ocean was calm, the colors sparkling in the sun. Each season would bring its own beauty.

“Incredible, isn’t it?”

Startled, I looked down. Alex was sitting on one of the lower rocks, her knees pulled to her chest. Her dark gray coat blended so well with the wet rocks, I hadn’t even noticed her. Her hair was damp and plastered to her head, and I wondered how long she’d been sitting out in the frigid, wet air. Her voice sounded strange, and when I looked closer, I could see she’d been crying. My brow furrowed as I studied her—she looked so defeated.

I stepped forward, worried over two things: she’d been crying, and she was too damn close to the edge of the cliff. There was ice around, the frosty rocks glistening in the light. If she slipped, she could hurt herself or worse. I held out my hand. “Alex, come here.”

She frowned up at me. “Why?”

I indicated the ocean that crashed against the rocks with a loud fury. “You’re too close to the edge. It’s making me nervous.”