* * *
After Ginger’s fitting, she and Jonny went off to finalize wedding plans. Madeline did her best to act normal, despite the voice screaming in her head. In love with Jonny Blaze? What had she been thinking? Only there hadn’t been thinking. There’d been her heart, falling for a man she could never have. Not only was he totally famous and rich and who knew what else while she was the definition of ordinary, there was his whole fear of commitment. He couldn’t even tell his sister he loved her. How on earth would he ever allow himself to care about anyone else? Madeline knew she was completely doomed. It was not a happy revelation only a few days before Christmas.
She walked through town on her way to lunch with her friends. The store windows were glowing with lights and holiday decorations. All around tourists shopped for last-minute gifts. People called out greetings to each other. Madeline did her best to smile and wave, all the while telling herself she was going to have to get it together before she got to Jo’s. Otherwise, everyone would guess something was wrong.
When she reached the restaurant, she paused to draw in a few deep breaths. She could do this, she told herself. Act normal. She opened the door and walked in.
She was the last one to arrive. She saw that Shelby had saved her a seat. Bailey was there, along with Taryn and Felicia. Isabel had gone away with Ford for a few days before family festivities. Dellina saw her and grinned, then motioned her over.
“How’s it going?” Dellina asked as she approached the table. “Have you found a new career as a wedding planner or are you ready to pull your hair out?”
Before Madeline could answer, Dellina turned back to the table. “You all know that Madeline is planning Jonny Blaze’s sister’s wedding, right? I’ve been hearing from my vendors that you’re doing a fantastic job, by the way. Everyone is loving the choices you’ve made.” She paused. “Oh, God. I’m talking too much, aren’t I? I had four lattes this morning. It’s the caffeine. I’ll be quiet now.”
Everyone laughed. Madeline hugged her friend on the way to her seat. “I don’t want your job,” she said. “But planning one small wedding has been fun.”
Patience, the owner of Brew-haha and apparently Dellina’s enabler, nodded. “I’m sure it’s been a good distraction, what with your family not coming for the holidays.” She held up her hand. “You’re a grown-up, you’re fine and I know you had fifteen invitations for Christmas, but it’s not the same.”
Her words were kindly spoken and meant, Madeline thought. After all, she and Patience had known each other all their lives. Patience was a couple of years older, so they hadn’t been in the same grade, but they’d grown up in this family-centric town and knew how that left a mark.
“It’s nice to be busy,” Madeline admitted.
“And hanging out with Jonny Blaze,” Bailey added. “Do you have a crush on him? Isn’t it fun? I had such a crush on Kenny.”
“We knew,” Taryn told her. “We all knew and were charmed by it. Now you’re together and blissfully in love. Which is nice, but the crush was more interesting.” She looked at Madeline and raised her eyebrows. “How’s your celebrity crush going?”
“I’m over it,” Madeline said, knowing it was the truth. “He’s a regular guy now.”
“Is that good or bad?” Shelby asked.
“Mostly good. It’s nice to be able to talk to him without being starstruck. My sentences have gotten longer.”
Everyone laughed. Madeline felt herself relax. No one knew that anything was different. As long as she thought about her friends and the holidays, anything but Jonny, she would be fine.
“The toys were a huge hit,” Taryn said. “They were special and so well made. I hope he does more for next year. I plan to talk to him about that.”
“He’s a nice addition to the town,” Bailey added. “He’s friendly and participates. I was wondering if he would just keep to himself, but he doesn’t. He gets involved. That’s nice.” She turned to Madeline. “How’s his hand? I heard what happened and I know Eddie and Gladys feel awful.”
“It’s nearly healed.”
“He adopted that dog,” Larissa said. “You’ve gotta love a man who adopts a dog.”
Conversation shifted to other people who had adopted pets and from there transitioned to who was doing what for the holidays. Madeline talked about the addition of the fainting goat and potbellied pig to the Live Nativity, and how special arrangements were being made in case the goat really was too scared to endure the event.