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"I can't imagine how hard it's been without Anne, the whole publishing world loved her," Claudia said kindly. "But I have to think about the company. I can tell your heart isn't in your work. You haven't bought any new books since the fall. If you don't bring something to an acquisition meeting by the end of the winter, I will have to answer to our CEO, who noticed you didn't have books to present at last season's sales conference."

Caroline tried to swallow. No matter how exhausted she felt, she couldn't imagine having any other job. But where would she find a book, when every manuscript she received left her feeling numb?

"I promise, I'll find one, I won't let you down," Caroline said. "I want to believe you," Claudia sighed. "I'll tell you what. If you prove yourself at the winter sales meeting, we can revisit this in your spring job review."

Caroline's breathing relaxed. She stood up. "I know the manuscript is out there, I just need a lucky break. Thank you for the cookie, I should go."

Caroline had gone home and canceled her trip to London. Claudia was giving her another chance and she couldn't spend the holidays browsing in Harrods' luxury Christmas ornament department or sitting in a pub drinking mulled wine when she needed to discover a new author. Brad was an editor too, he would understand. She texted him that she wasn't coming, and asked for a rain check for the following year. Then, this afternoon, she loaded her iPad and overnight bag into her car and headed for the cabin. At first, she felt excited about her decision. She and Daphne had barely seen each other since their mother died. They could ski at Mohonk in New Paltz. Stock up on eggnog and waffle mix at Cold Spring General Store. But the closer she got to the cabin, the more she doubted herself. Memories of Anne would be everywhere. At least in London with Brad, she could have distracted herself by listening to him talk about the British publishing industry with that sexy upper-crust accent.

As she pulled up, Daphne flung open the front door. Daphne's blond hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she wore jeans and a cable-knit sweater.

When they were growing up, no one thought they were related. Daphne looked exactly like Anne. They both had blue eyes and that all-American style that looked best in casual clothes. Caroline must have taken after her father. She was too tall, and her hair was wavy, even when she straightened it. Her best feature was her smile. Brad said it reminded him of Julia Roberts in Notting Hill.

"I'm so glad you came." Daphne hugged her. "I thought you'd be eating plum pudding and drinking Buck's fizzes at an estate in the English countryside."

Daphne worked at a public relations company in Boston. Unlike Caroline, she wasn't interested in a job in the literary world, and she loved to travel. The walls in her apartment were covered with posters of canals in Amsterdam, and churches in Prague.

Caroline told her about her meeting with Claudia.

"I wouldn't have been good company for Brad," Caroline sighed. "I'm going to spend the week glued to my iPad."

"You can spend the week any way you like." Daphne slipped her arm through Caroline's. "First, I have a big surprise."

A man stood near the fireplace in the living room. He had sandy-blond hair and wide shoulders. His eyes were a deep blue and there was a cleft in his chin.

"This is my boyfriend, Luke," Daphne said. "Luke, this is the sister I've been gushing about."

Daphne hadn't dated anyone seriously in over a year. And she never had little flings like Caroline. Daphne preferred spending her time visiting travel bookstores and cooking foreign dishes.

"Your boyfriend?" Caroline repeated.

"Not exactly." Daphne looked as fresh-faced and eager as she had as a little girl. She stuck out her left hand. "Luke isn't my boyfriend, he's my fiancé."

A round, clear diamond sat on a platinum band.

He held out his hand. "Luke Harper. I know this must come as a surprise, and I hate to intrude on your Christmas." He gave her a winning smile. "But Daphne said you'd be pleased."