New Year’s Eve arrived quietly, wrapped in silver light and the soft hush of snow finally surrendering to slush. The cabin felt different that evening, charged, anticipatory, as though even the walls knew something was about to shift.
Michelle realized it the moment Jeremiah handed her the small, folded card after lunch.
“For tonight,” he said simply.
She raised a brow, curiosity sparking. Inside, written in his careful, slightly slanted handwriting, was an invitation that made her chest tighten.
New Year’s Eve Dinner.
Dress nice.
Be ready by seven.
There was no signature. He didn’t need one.
Daisy squealed when she saw hers, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Daddy’s being fancy!” she declared. “That means candles!”
“It also means behaving,” Jeremiah said dryly, though his eyes
