The Christmas Rental

by Hendricks, Savannah

  “Should we be moving away from the Christmas tree?” She switched Mary Ann back to her other hip as they made their way to Kim and Diane’s Thrifty Finds.

  Situated on the corner, the women’s thrift shop stood nestled to the right of Sharon’s Café. Kim and Diane’s Thrifty Finds was a two-story classic brick building with four concrete steps up to the main door. Garland and white lights wrapped the railings leading the way up on either side of the steps. Thankfully, the middle railing was left bare so people could use it when the steps were slippery from ice.

  “The sign says Closed.” Lorelei pointed.

  “It’s unlocked.” Tyler pushed down on the brass handle and stepped inside the dimly lit store.

  Cautiously, Lorelei made her way through the door. “Are you sure? I’d hate to upset someone during my first few hours of arriving in town.”

  Clear Christmas lights provided the only lighting as the main lights were shut off upon closing. The musty scent of past lives and wood hovered in the air as they stepped farther into the store.

  Tyler chuckled. “Yes, Kim and Diane know I always come up here for the tree lighting.”

  “No one else does, though?” Lorelei followed Tyler past the displays of dishes, picture frames, knickknacks, and records to the back of the store.

  “Folks enjoy being around others, chatting it up, but for me, this is the best view. I’ve been coming up here for more years than I can count.” And this was the only time Tyler had ever invited someone with him. The realization hit him as he started up the stairs, and he grabbed the handrail as the thought of it made him slightly dizzy with the anticipation of sharing something special. He’d never taken any girlfriends up here.

  When they reached the top of the steps, he pointed toward the window across the way. As they crossed the room, the wooden floor planks beneath his boots creaked and moaned from age. The view of the Christmas tree with all of the town’s residents huddled around it came into view.

  “Wow, you’re right. This is a much better perspective.” Lorelei moved Mary Ann to the front of her, resting the baby’s back on her chest.

  “I’m sorry.” Tyler leaned closer to the window and then turned back to her. “I should’ve asked if you wanted to go into a dark building with a stranger first. We can leave if you want.”

  Lorelei’s eyes remained on the view. “No, this is great. Plus, I’ve taken many self-defense classes.” She winked.

  Tyler rubbed his hand over his mouth, trying to cover up his smile. “Should be any minute now. These old windows are pretty thin, so we can hear the countdown.”

  And as if cued by Tyler, the crowd’s echo of “ten, nine, eight” filtered up to them.

  “Your first tree lighting, Mary Ann.” Lorelei lowered her head, matching her cheek up to her daughter’s. “Three, two, one.”

  The Christmas tree’s glowing lights filtered through the windows, and Tyler watched the reflection in the eyes of Lorelei and her daughter. The glow cast shadows off the walls and illuminated the space. Cheering and clapping from below followed.

  “It’s beautiful, like a painting from up here.” She continued to stare at the tree.

  Festive colored lights filled out the Christmas tree, and the bright-gold star atop projected beams of glittery radiance from its points. Tyler lost track of how long they stood there, staring at the view, until Mary Ann squealed and kicked her legs.

  “Thank you again. This was a wonderful vantage point.” Lorelei turned to Tyler.

  “You’re welcome. Are you ready for the best cider of your life?” He clapped his hands together and then rubbed them.

  “I’m ready for cider, but I will be the judge of if it’s the best. Speaking of Cider, where is your dog?”

  Tyler led the way to the stairs. “She’s hanging out with her best buddy, Garrison, over at the bookstore.”

  “A bookstore allows dogs? This town really is the best.”

  “Garrison is the bookstore’s mascot, so to speak.” Tyler held the store’s door open for a radiant Lorelei. As they headed back toward the Christmas tree, the smell of snow filled the air, crisp and delicate at the same time. The desire to place his arm around her shoulder came out of nowhere and caused his arm to twitch. Remember, she’s leaving at the end of the month.

  Chapter 6

  “You were right. This is the best apple cider I’ve ever tasted.” Lorelei held the steaming mug under her chin with one hand. Her phone rested upside down on the table as she perched on the edge of the chair.

  Mary Ann sat in a wooden high chair while Lorelei handed Mary Ann the bottle. Her daughter took in the scene of residents milling about Sharon’s Café. The space felt like something out of a historical society museum. Tin squares lined the ceiling that was at least eighteen-feet high. There were only square tables with matching wooden chairs to accommodate customers, nary a booth insight.

  Each table showcased a Christmas-themed vinyl tablecloth with a slight bit of fabric backing on its reverse side. A mahogany chair rail ran the interior of the café, garland and lights resting on the thin lip. Classic ornaments decorated two six-foot-tall trees, one near the front door and the other at the cash register. Floor-to-ceiling wood-framed windows flanked the front door, showcasing the Christmassy town outside. The scent of sugar and warm butter filled the air.

  “This place is special, don’t cha think?” Tyler asked and then took a sip of his cider.

  Lorelei realized her mouth hung open in awe of the café, and she bit her lip to close it some. “There is a peaceful feeling here. It’s welcoming, as though I’ve come here every day of my life.”

  “Does Minneapolis have a café or restaurant that feels homey?”

  Lorelei noticed how Tyler leaned back in his chair, utterly relaxed while she continued to sit rigid on the edge of hers. She traced the outline of a snowman on the tablecloth. “Yes, it has many, but I never have the chance to spend time in any of them. Unless, of course, you want to count the hospital’s cafeteria as homey.” She glanced up at Tyler, his golden-brown eyes staring at her.

  “Are you looking for more than a vacation in Oakvale?” He sipped his cider but didn’t take his eyes off her.

  “My parents love me working as an ER doctor. They proudly paid for medical school specifically because I vowed to become a doctor at Minneapolis’s Metro Central Hospital. Don’t get me wrong, I love being a doctor. But since adopting Mary Ann, things have changed, goals have changed. For starters, childhood memories of visiting my aunt and uncle who lived in Wyoming on a farm started to pop into my thoughts more so than normal. One hundred acres of pure heaven. They had a rope swing, a pond, a barn, horses, a tractor—you name it. If it was something fun, they owned it. Every time I looked at Mary Ann, I realize I want that for her, all the time.”

  “So why Oakvale and not Wyoming for your December getaway?”

  “It’s closer, for starters. My parents wanted to spend time with Mary Ann on her first Christmas.”

  “For starters? What’s after starters?” Tyler leaned slightly forward.

  “I don’t want to be an ER doctor anymore. Maybe I never did. I’m not sure. My parents are waiting for me to move up the corporate ladder at the hospital. See, my dad retired from Minneapolis’s Metro Central Hospital about a year after I started my residency there. His goal was to be on the board of directors. Be the Dean of Medicine, but he wasn’t accepted.”

  “So now he wants to live his dream through you.” Tyler rubbed his thumb against the side of the mug.

  Lorelei nodded. “Yes, he wants me to be what he wasn’t able to be.” She drummed her fingers on her arm. “I have zero desire to be on the board of directors. And, my parents are not big on what they call the ‘tiny dreams of a small-town doctor.’ In fact, that’s putting it lightly. The notion of me vacationing here was enough to cause them concern, but leaving my position to be a small-town doctor and raising Mary Ann in a small town would be impossible for them to understand.” She shook her hea
d and gazed off.

  “But, Oakvale is amazing. It’s the best small-town life has to offer. And your aunt and uncle are here the rest of the year. Then again, I haven’t traveled much to know. Not outside of a great novel, that is. I have been saving up to travel to all my favorite places I’ve discovered in books.”

  “Literary works are amazing time-traveling assistants. Not to mention, it sounds like an astounding trip.” Lorelei thought of all the novels she’d read that transported her around the world. “What is your favorite book?”

  Tyler glanced at his cider as the steam rose from the green-and-red mug. “A Far Off Place by Laurens van der Post.”

  “So, one place on your travel list is the Kalahari Desert?”

  Tyler’s face radiated his smile. “Yes, I can’t wait to see the beauty of it all.”

  “They made a movie from it, right?” Lorelei ran her hand over Mary Ann’s hair. “I saw the movie, but I didn’t know it was a book first.”

  “Yes, a children’s movie, sometime in the nineties. What about you? What’s your favorite book?”

  Oddly enough, no one had ever asked her such a question, but she instantly knew the answer. “I love so many books, but my favorite is Main Street by Sinclair Lewis. You probably haven’t ever heard of it.”

  “I have, but I’ve yet to read it. And I’ve probably read nearly every book published from the early years till now. However, a few have slipped through the cracks. Once Upon a Book is like my second home.”

  Lorelei watched Mary Ann suck from her bottle. “That’s what I want for Mary Ann. A place where she can be a kid and explore. A place where I have the time to get to know everyone in the community. My parents think she can’t have what they call proper experiences and education in a small town.”

  “It’s hard for me to understand their logic. Small towns provide a community. Not that a city environment can’t, but there is something to be said for knowing everyone and essentially having a huge support system. Everyone here is like family. A giant family without room to spare at the table, but we all gather around regardless.”

  Lorelei set her cider down and reached her hand out, placing it on Tyler’s hand. She didn’t know why she felt a sudden closeness to him, so she pulled it back and wrapped her fingers around her mug again. “Help me convince my parents of that.” She sighed and gazed out the café’s window at the town. “I guess it doesn’t matter; the rental and job are only for December. Plus, Mary Ann needs her grandparents as much as I need their approval.”

  “Wait, now.” Tyler shifted in his chair. “Your parents, where did they grow up?”

  “They both grew up in big cities. My father is from New York City, and my mom’s from Chicago.”

  Tyler chuckled and brought his hand to his mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to laugh.” He ran his hand through his hair as if to buy time. “Two big-city folks raised a girl who wants a small-town life.”

  “It’s funny, right?” Lorelei smirked and checked her phone. “Anyway, enough about my problems. Forget I mentioned anything. You have to tell me the story about the bowling alley slash real estate office.”

  Tyler nodded his head. “Indeed I do. But you might find it easier to relax if you ignore your phone.”

  She pressed her lips together. “Yeah, it’s hard. I’m so used to doing three things at once. It’s weird to relax.”

  “I think after a week here you’ll learn to relax. It will drape over you like a cozy sweater. But the bowling alley story would be best if I share it in the place of origin. We can enjoy the Christmas tree and head over there. I’d bet you came to this small town to explore every bit of it, even if it’s chilly out there.”

  Lorelei downed the last of her cider and set the mug with Santa’s face back on the table. “You’re right.” She stood, wrapped her scarf back up, dropped her phone into the baby bag, and unbuckled Mary Ann from the high chair.

  Tyler raised a hand in a wave to a woman with straight-as-paper hair wearing a bold green Christmas-themed sweater. “I’ll see you around, and thanks for the cider.”

  She approached the table. “Sorry, it’s been busy tonight. I’m Sharon, the owner.” After wiping her hand on the cherry-red half apron around her waist, she extended it.

  Lorelei shook Sharon’s warm, firm hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Lorelei, and this is my daughter, Mary Ann.”

  Sharon touched Lorelei’s back and then the baby’s. She smelled like nutmeg and cinnamon. “You and your daughter come back anytime you wish.”

  “Of course, I most certainly plan on it.” Lorelei beamed.

  Sharon gave a quick smile and then turned to welcome a couple coming through the door. The one thing Lorelei noticed since her arrival only a few hours ago was that everyone smiled. Everyone.

  As they made their way across the street and around the Christmas tree, Lorelei’s pace slowed to a mere shuffle. She couldn’t stop admiring the tree, all decorated and lit up. It represented Oakvale. Happy, inviting, full of friendship. Staring at the Christmas tree, Lorelei knew it might break her heart when she and Mary Ann headed back home.

  The snow continued to fall in light sheets as though kisses from the clouds. Some residents still milled around the tree, steam wafting from paper cups, conversations light in tone. The sidewalks held those moving about between pausing and chatting with one another.

  Tyler unlocked the door to the bowling alley, and Lorelei stepped inside with Mary Ann.

  “Want to play a few frames?” Tyler unbuttoned his jacket and removed his gloves, shoving them in the pockets.

  “I don’t have any place to set Mary Ann down.”

  “We have a high chair somewhere in the closet. I’ll grab it.” Tyler made his way from the desk to the side of the office area.

  “This town is dog and kid-friendly for sure.”

  “Little tykes have used it, but I assure you it’s clean.”

  She could quickly grow used to Tyler and his helpfulness. Not that she needed it, she loved being a single parent; however, long workdays proved to be more of a challenge than she’d imagined. There were times when she could use the extra support, and Lorelei couldn’t ignore the fact that she wanted someone to share in Mary Ann’s first moments. After long days at work or stressful situations, it would be nice to unwind with someone. She found herself as drawn to Tyler as she was to Oakvale.

  He lifted a dated wooden high chair from the closet and made his way over to the lanes on the right of the office area. Tyler flipped some switches on the wall next to a beverage bar setup. Before her, four lanes lit up like an airport runway, and the low ceiling shined bold fluorescent lighting down upon them.

  “We can have full lights or”—Tyler flipped a few switches—“a Christmas spectacular!”

  The fluorescent lights faded, and in their place, multicolored Christmas lights and projected snowflakes spilled over the lanes. Lorelei didn’t realize it, but she gasped at the display in front of her. A black light illuminated from the rear of the lanes, sending tiny white snowflakes cascading down each lane’s length. Green Christmas trees waltzed over the shiny lane floors, and carols drifted from the speakers.

  “This is the most beautiful office slash bowling alley I’ve ever seen.” Lorelei glanced at Mary Ann, hoping she noticed all that was before her. “Look, baby girl.”

  Mary Ann’s eyes widen at the glow, waving her arms and squealing with joy. Lorelei walked to where Tyler had set the highchair and placed her daughter in it, buckling her up. Lorelei removed her scarf and jacket, placing them on a nearby chair.

  “It’s been a long time since I last bowled,” Lorelei announced, pushing up her long sleeves.

  “No worries, I won’t laugh at you, promise.” Tyler grinned. “I can put up the bumpers for you.”

  Lorelei waved her hands like she was waving down a taxi. “No, no, no. I’m not that bad.” She bumped her shoulder into Tyler’s. “I don’t think.”

  Tyler went to the shoe rack and picked
out a pair in his size, then handed another pair to Lorelei.

  “How do you know my size?” she asked, taking them.

  “My first job.” Tyler kicked off his boots and laced up the bowling shoes.

  Lorelei sat on an orange plastic swivel chair that was bolted to the floor behind the scoring console and removed her boots, replacing them with the bowling shoes. “Looks like you still got it.” She glanced up and winked at Tyler.

  Stop it! She should not be acting like they were friends; they’d just met. So she couldn’t understand why she felt so close to him so quickly. You are not staying but a few weeks. Don’t get attached. Lorelei couldn’t stop thinking about how much she enjoyed being with Tyler under the glow of the bowling alley’s Christmas spectacular.

  Trying to ignore everything her heart was beating for, she searched for a bowling ball that fit her best. “So, are you going to tell me the story behind this place?”

  Tyler snatched a bowling ball from the rack and headed to the second lane before pausing. “Ladies first.” He motioned with his left hand.

  Chapter 7

  Lorelei curtsied and lined up with the lane. She’s cute. Looking at her caused Tyler to smile. She wiggled her shoulders and then wiggled the rest of the way down to her feet. Lifting the ball up to shoulder height, she lowered it down and back in a swing, then released it down the lane. The ball slammed into four pins, knocking them down, leaving the rest to gloat.

  “Not bad, it’s been years upon years. I think I had braces last time I bowled.” Lorelei stepped back toward the ball return and yawned. “So, story?”

  Tyler stood, cradling his bowling ball with a slight smile. “When my parents moved here, I was about five. They’d heard about this building up for sale. The prior owners had moved on. My parents’ background was . . . is in real estate, they knew nothing about running a bowling alley.”

  Lorelei’s ball slid up through the mechanism, and she readied herself for the remaining pins. She frowned when only one pin tipped over and took a seat at the little desk with the scoring console.