Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes (21 page)

When they pass Cooper Hardware, the little tabletop Christmas tree in Derek’s apartment window is aglow with its white twinkly lights. And Vera’s heart is warmed by the sight.

It’s a little quieter when their horse trots around the town green, sleigh bells jingling softly. Golden lamplight fills the paned windows of colonial homes and farmhouses and shingled bungalows that surround it. Families are settled in for their holiday dinners now. Porch lights shine, illuminated deer stand in a front yard, and the town’s sparkling tall tree in the center of it all reaches majestically toward the midnight blue sky.

Derek clicks to Donder and flicks the reins. As the horse prances along, leading them through the night, Vera looks up at the snowflakes. They swirl and fall from the dark sky, soft and gentle and full of wonder. Her snow globe. She leans into Derek beside her then, hooking her arm through his and feeling him kiss the top of her head as she does so.

And quietly, so quietly, she thanks her winter stars.

Acknowledgments

Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes
has been a joy to write, a story that I hope offers all the peace and warmth of the season. And so I’d like to acknowledge those who have helped along the way, bringing their own unique guidance to my flurry of words.

 

Deepest thanks to my top-notch publishing team. I’m so glad to work with you and appreciate your talent and kindness. With each book, I’m constantly impressed by our creative collaboration.

 

A special snowflake of thanks is gently falling to my readers. Your support is warm and welcoming, like a candle aglow in a New England window.

 

Last, but certainly not least, love and coffee cheers to my family: my daughters Jena and Mary, and my husband Tony.

 

Thank you all for making this book’s journey merry and bright.

OTHER BOOKS BY JOANNE DEMAIO

Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans

Whole Latte Life

 

For a complete list of books by
New York Times
bestselling author Joanne DeMaio, visit her website at:

 

www.joannedemaio.com

 

About the Author

Joanne DeMaio is a
New York Times
and
USA Today
bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She enjoys writing about friendship, family, love and choices, while setting her stories in New England towns or by the sea. Her previous novels include the
New York Times
bestseller
Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans
and
Whole Latte Life
, which was named a Kirkus Reviews Critics’ Pick. In addition, her music essays have appeared in literary journals, celebrating her passion for song. Currently at work on her next novel, Joanne resides with her family in Connecticut.

 

For a complete list of books and for news on upcoming releases, please visit Joanne’s website. She also enjoys hearing from readers on Facebook.

 

Author Website:

www.joannedemaio.com

 

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/JoanneDeMaioAuthor

 

Table of Contents

ALSO BY JOANNE DEMAIO

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Acknowledgments

OTHER BOOKS BY JOANNE DEMAIO

About the Author

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