Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses(45)

Max dropped his basket and followed her to a long, narrow water table that snaked through the museum. It had little waterfalls, canals for the boats, and different levers and hinges to change direction.

One of the attendants bent down next to Max. “I’m Carrie,” she said with a warm smile. She grabbed an apron from a peg on the wall nearby and put it on Max, tying it in the back. He already had his hands in the water, grabbing different boats and moving them along their paths. Abbey smiled at the woman’s easy way with children as she helped each one up to the water table.

“This really is an amazing place,” Abbey said to the woman.

“I agree,” Carrie said. “I transferred here last year from Wilmington. I love Richmond. It’s a good place to raise kids. My husband, Adam, and I are expecting our first! Well, I have two stepchildren—twins. They’re very excited.”

“Congratulations,” Abbey said.

“Thank you! We’re all planned and ready!”

“Look, Nick!” Max said, pushing his boat under a waterfall that made it spin and go in a different direction. Nick smiled and leaned over his shoulder to see.

Abbey watched Carrie walk away, hoping she knew how lucky she was to be having children at a time when she felt completely ready. How much easier it would’ve been for Abbey if she’d been able to plan and prepare. She’d had to build her confidence as a mother, but now, looking at her son, she wondered if things really did happen for a reason. They were just fine now.

“I love boats,” Max said, making a motor noise and pulling a handle to change the path.

“Have you ever been on a boat before?” Nick asked.

“No. Have you ever been on a boat, Nick?” he asked.

“I have.” Nick smiled down at Max, and Abbey could see a gleam in Nick’s eyes. He was enjoying himself.

Max played for ages. When he had finally told Abbey that he was getting hungry, she asked if Nick would take them home. Nick politely drove them through the city headed to her apartment, but something in her clicked. Maybe it was the spruce wreaths on all the buildings, the Christmas trees on every street corner, or the white wicker animals the city put out every year that peppered the lawns of the high-rises, every inch of them covered in white lights. Abbey felt, suddenly, that she wanted to do something for Nick. Why did he have to show her a good time? She had an idea.

“May I take you somewhere?” she asked.

He turned and looked at her as he pulled up to a stoplight.

“Max,” she said, twisting to see him in the backseat. “Want to take Nick to La Esquina Loca?”

“Yes!” Max said as he wriggled in his booster seat with excitement. “May I get the tortilla chips?”

“Absolutely.” Abbey laughed quietly. She’d never told him that the tortilla chips were complimentary. She turned to Nick. “Feel like a little Mexican food tonight? It’s delicious.”

“What’s it called again?” he asked, putting on his blinker and making a turn.

“La Esquina Loca, The Crazy Corner. Ever been there?” It was famous for its one-dollar-taco night and strong margaritas, and it belonged to her friend, Alma. It was time she showed Nick Sinclair how she had fun.

“I haven’t been there,” he said.

“Wanna go?”

“Of course I want to go. I have to see what The Crazy Corner is all about.”

“Well then,” she said with a big smile. “Turn right at the next light.”

Abbey gave directions until they pulled up at a small, freestanding building that used to be an old mechanic’s garage. It had been completely transformed, but the original garage doors remained and their masses of square windows were full of twinkle lights and light-up strings of red peppers. Nick reached around Abbey to open the restaurant door, jingling the bells that were tied to it.

“Abbey!” said a young woman with olive skin and jet-black hair, her gold hoop earrings giving her the air of a movie star. She gave Abbey a hug with one arm, the other filled with menus. Afterward, she tousled Max’s hair. “Have you been taking care of your mamá?” she asked.

“Yes,” he giggled.

Abbey turned to Nick. “This is Alma. She’s my good friend and part owner here.”

Nick held out his hand in greeting and Alma shook it as Abbey finished the introductions. “Alma, this is Nick.”

“Nice to meet you,” she said with a smile that could light up a room. “Come with me. I have a table ready right now. The mariachi band will be starting soon.”

“Awesome,” Abbey said with a devious smile.

As Nick led Max to their table, Alma caught Abbey’s eye and offered a loaded wink in her direction. “Cute,” she mouthed in encouragement.