The Christmas Rental

by Hendricks, Savannah

  “This here is the first bedroom. It’s empty, as you can see.” Jodi turned the vintage brass-and-glass doorknob. “There are two empty rooms.”

  The room’s two windows were a nice large size, allowing for lots of natural light. One window overlooked the front yard and the other overlooked the side yard and Don’s Conveniences. Blue Victorian damask wallpaper lined the walls. As they moved out and down the hallway, Lorelei glanced through the thin banister rails to the first floor below. Jodi opened another bedroom door across from the first. There was one window with a view of the backyard. The Victorian damask wallpaper mirrored the other room, and she reached out to run her fingers over the textured embossing.

  “These are nice size rooms,” Lorelei commented.

  “Yep.” Jodi headed down the hall to an open door.

  The narrow bathroom had black and white hexagon floor tiles with white polished subway tile running halfway up the wall, meeting the small window. A claw-foot tub was nestled off to the left, and on the right, a toilet and pedestal sink were situated.

  “Wow, these pieces are gorgeous, not to mention in great condition.” Lorelei ran her hand along the edge of the tub.

  Jodi gazed around. “It’s a weird feeling to love a bathroom, I think.”

  They wandered down the hall to Jodi’s bedroom. The door was cracked open, and Jodi tapped it so it swung the rest of the way open. Light filtered in through the two windows. The backyard’s bare maple tree covered in snow seemed outlined, as though in a picture frame, by the window;s molding—lovely! The other window overlooked the side yard. Floral striped wallpaper lined the walls in neutral beige. A fireplace of white-and-gray streaked marble decorated the opposite wall. A queen-size bed faced the fireplace, and a mahogany dresser showcased framed photos.

  “I think I could’ve used this house for inspiration when I wrote my essay on interior design history.” Lorelei pivoted around in a circle, taking it all in as Mary Ann started to fuss.

  “I thought, maybe, if you don’t mind being roommates, you could move in here.” Jodi eyed Mary Ann on her hip, causing the baby to giggle.

  “You want us to live here?” Lorelei’s eyes widened. “But this is your home.”

  “Look, it’s no secret that Dr. North is far beyond retirement age. Plus, I’ve spoken with Tyler and know there is not a single place for rent or sale.”

  “I guess I never thought of this as an option. I pondered maybe asking my aunt and uncle if we could stay with them until something came available, but I don’t think I know them well enough to live with them. Heck, I’ll know more about you by the end of December than anyone else in town.”

  Jodi giggled. “That’s true. But you still need to break it to your folks first.” Jodi turned her focus to Lorelei and then pivoted in a circle one more time before heading back downstairs.

  “When I was thinking about it last night, I was reminded of my last attempt many years ago. I was ten years old when I presented my parents with: Why I Need a Dog.”

  She waved her free hand in the air as though pulling the memory from it. “I made a spreadsheet organizing the dog’s walking and feeding schedule. I also created a chore chart to earn money to cover the cost of dog food, toys, and medical checkups. But my ultimate win, or so I thought, was my slide show of shelter animals in need of homes. It was the only time I’ve ever seen my prim and proper mother shed a tear outside of my graduation.”

  “Wow.” Jodi reached for Mary Ann as she balance her mug, and held a squirming infant at the same time. “Sounds ambitious. How’d it turn out?”

  Lorelei unfolded the king-size blanket off the corner of Jodi’s desk and laid it out on the floor. “I adopted Jim. He was with me for about eight years. A fluffy white dog who weighed about twenty-five pounds. The veterinarian was never able to pinpoint what breed mix he was, other than the best dog ever.” She took Mary Ann from Jodi and set her down to roam free.

  “I bet he was the best.” Jodi crossed her arms and took a sip of coffee.

  “He was the best in every way. When my parents were out of earshot, I would call him Jimmy-Wimmy.” Lorelei smiled, her eye twinkling with a trace of a tear. “They hated me doing anything babyish. But when I called him Jimmy-Wimmy, his tail would swish so fast I thought he was going to cool off the entire room like a jumbo fan on high.”

  “She’s crawling!” Jodi cheered, pointing at Mary Ann, who was heading toward the edge of the blanket.

  Mary Ann paused, stared at the floor, and then with a butt wiggle, continued. Jodi set her mug on the edge of her desk and followed behind Lorelei with her hands clasped together.

  “I can’t believe she’s crawling. It’s awesome to watch.” Jodi nearly bumped into Lorelei’s back, trying to catch a glimpse over her shoulder.

  “Not sure about the dirty floor, but I guess it’s good for her immune system.”

  “I can’t wait until we’re roommates.” Jodi reached out her hand and placed it on Lorelei’s arm.

  “I do hope Mary Ann and I can stay. Miracles happen this time of year. ’Tis the season, after all.” Lorelei half-smiled.

  If Oakvale had taught her anything, it was that it was a town of hope. And she knew without hope there would not be any miracles. When she thought back on everything leading up to yesterday, all she remembered were amazing little moments fitting together. She thought of Booth, but it wasn’t Oakvale. It didn’t have the residents of Oakvale. It didn’t have Tyler.

  “You and Tyler looked awful cozy together last night,” Jodi stated.

  “We did?” She placed her hand on her chest. Don’t blush! Don’t blush!

  “I caught him staring at you several times.” Jodi touched her earring. “A man who stares at a woman over eating delicious food definitely has feelings.”

  Lorelei touched Jodi’s shoulder. “He was?”

  “Seems to me like you have a few things pulling you stay.”

  Chapter 21

  Even after spending all day yesterday with Lorelei, Tyler wanted nothing more than to be with her right that very minute. Maybe he could invite her to lunch. She has to eat. He stared off at the empty bowling lanes. The office was vacant, except for Cider licking the last of the peanut butter from her dog toy in her bed. As Tyler swiveled his desk chair around, his eyes found three things: a small pile of travel brochures, his stack of to-be-read books, and out the window, Once Upon a Book.

  His mind was like a teeter-totter. Either way, he would upset someone. Be it his parents, Lorelei, or even Sandy, who so desperately wanted him to be the one to take over the bookstore. The one person who might understand best was away for the month. Dr. North had mentioned he didn’t want to leave the practice to just anyone, and he knew Sandy felt the same way. How had a woman and baby he’d only known a few days affected his heart this fast?

  “Let’s focus on something we can handle,” he told Cider. “What Christmas book will I read to the children for story time?”

  He always selected a new picture book each Christmas. Sure, he could read a classic such as The Night Before Christmas, but every child had heard that story a dozen or more times.

  Before he dove too deep into thought, his mind drifted back to Lorelei and Mary Ann. Her parents!

  “I need to think of what we can do to help convince them of her dream,” he told Cider, who moved on to playing with her stuffed lamb by chewing on its arm. “Oakvale can help by showcasing its spectacular-ness.”

  Cider glanced up as she continued to chew.

  “Their timing will be perfect, arriving the day of the reindeer decorating contest.” Tyler’s eyes widened.

  He’d forgotten about what his decorating theme would be this year with everything going on. “Dad’s making a Christmas-tree themed reindeer,” Tyler said, remembering what he’d spotted in the box the other day.

  As he stood, Tyler took in the bowling alley with its illuminated Christmas trees and lights strung up and down the ceiling. Rubbing his chin, he pondered what reindeer
theme he could do that had yet to be done in prior years.

  “I got it.” He pointed his finger in the air, went to the beverage bar and poured himself a cup of coffee, and returned to his desk.

  “Now, to think of how to help out Lorelei.” He sipped his coffee. “Cider, do you have any ideas?”

  Cider tilted her head up. The lamb’s arm looked more like a soggy fuzzy stick.

  Drumming his fingers on the desk, he glanced at the town outside his office windows. Twisting back and forth in the chair, he dove into childhood memories. In elementary school, he and his classmates would play hide-and-seek in town, spending an entire Saturday trying to find each other before quitting and grabbing lunch at Uncle Steve’s. Every kid held a tab at the Oakvale Pizza Pie so their parents could pay later. But he didn’t think Lorelei’s folks would be up for a game of hide-and-seek. Tyler chuckled out loud remembering the time it took Jodi over an hour to find him hiding upstairs at Kim and Diane’s. Or the time he and his best friend, Ian, hid in the park and ended up sitting on an anthill. They were easy to find once they started running around, smacking the ants off. He and Ian had been best friends throughout fifth and sixth grades, but his parents moved them to California, and the boys lost contact over the years. That was when Jodi and Tyler started to hang out more, and he was grateful for their long-standing friendship.

  The bell on the door chimed, and Richard entered. “Hey, son. How’s your morning going?”

  “Morning, Dad. Another busy day.” He smirked.

  “Most people would love the opportunity to have days of leisure,” Richard said sharply. “How’s it going with Lorelei? Your mom said we could watch Mary Ann anytime. Of course, then she brings up how great it would be to have grandbabies to watch grow up and take over the family business.”

  Ignoring the same old conversation, Tyler asked, “What impressed you and Mom about Oakvale when we first moved here?”

  Richard poured coffee into his travel mug and leaned against the bar top. “Trying to help out Lorelei for when her parents arrive, I see.” He winked. “Well, your mom and I enjoyed talking to your teachers at any time. When you can track down a teacher in less than sixty seconds, it’s a nice bonus. I think you or other kids, in general, behaved better in class when their parents end up sitting at the table next to them or waiting in the checkout line at Don’s.”

  Tyler leaned over his mug. “Great point, Dad. As a parent, I mean, it’s great, but I would think the one-to-one conversations would be helpful whether my child was struggling in an area or excelling in an area.”

  Richard nodded his head and shoved his hand in his jean pocket. “Yes, it’s how we found out you were finishing the required reading before everyone else and needed a more challenging level of English.”

  “Ah, that explains why my homework became more complex.” Tyler rolled his eyes. “Anyway, that’s how Lorelei feels about wanting to have her own practice—to have a one-on-one, personal level of contact with each patient. Yet, her parents' focus is on the big picture career status.”

  Richard headed toward the closet and glanced up from the reindeer box. “Your Mom hasn’t snuck a peek, has she?”

  Tyler shook his head. His mother hadn’t, but he had. “Have you disregarded the fact that we don’t have any houses for sale?”

  “Sandy and Ted might very well rent out their house when the bookstore sells. Then Lorelei has a house to stay in until something else becomes available.”

  He rolled his eyes at his dad’s answer. “Where will the new owner of the bookstore live?”

  “Details, mere details.”

  Richard strolled up to Cider, giving her several pets as she continued to destroy the lamb’s arm. “It sounds to me like you like Lorelei.”

  Tyler’s mouth fell open. “Dad! No, we only just met. I mean, of course, I like her. But not like her like her, it’s too soon.” Tyler crossed his arms with a huff. Was it too soon? It was, wasn’t it?

  Richard stood, raised an eyebrow, and placed his hand on his son’s shoulder. “You know Santa might leave you coal in your stocking for lying.”

  “I’m not, a child, he would never do that.” Tyler frowned. “Sure, I like her, yes. She’s nice and beautiful, and Mary Ann is such a great baby. And of course I want a family and kids—I have to clean the lanes.” He eased up from the chair as though his thoughts pinned him down.

  Richard chuckled as he opened the door. “I need to run over to Sharon’s before all of her sugar cookies are gone.”

  Tyler waved goodbye without turning around. He worked on dusting the lanes, gutters, and caps. Then it hit him like a ton of coal, he’d proven not only a way for Lorelei to have a place to live but an added incentive to buy Once Upon a Book. Cider approached where the carpet transitioned to wood and flopped down with her lamb.

  “If I buy the bookstore, maybe Sandy and Ted will travel, and Lorelei can rent out their house.” Not only did his dream depend on his decision, but also Lorelei’s dream. “Of course, she still needs to confirm her uncle’s retirement plans.” He took a deep breath. “One thing at a time.” But everything was finding its way, like Santa on a snowy night.

  Chapter 22

  The sound of a phone ringing caused Lorelei’s right eye to pop open. She rolled over in bed and lifted her head, confused by the noise. The room remained pitch-black except for the soft glow of the backyard Christmas tree lights around the drawn curtains’ edges.

  Ring, ring, ring.

  After throwing back the covers, she stumbled from the bed, shoved her feet halfway into her slippers, and threaded her charcoal knit sweater over her pajamas. Once in the hall, she picked up the landline on the thin console table.

  “Hello?” She rubbed her eyes and leaned forward into the phone.

  “Dr. Lorelei, it’s Sharon. I’m at home, not the café. It’s at 471 East Pine Lane,” she said.

  “Hi, Sharon.” Lorelei rewrapped herself in her sweater. “I’m sorry. Why are you calling me?” She didn’t know what time it was, but far from sunrise for sure.

  “Doctor, you’re on call. Same as Dr. North,” Sharon replied.

  “On-call.” She scratched her head. “Right, yes, of course.” Being only half-awake affected her memory of the contract. “What seems to be the problem?”

  “I had a slight mishap with my Christmas decorations. Maybe it’s best if you come over and check me out.”

  “Of course, how do I get to your place?” Lorelei found a piece of paper and a pen in the tiny drawer of the table. Excitement grew inside of her, her first ever on-call assignment, face-to-face in a patient’s home.

  “Take a right on Maple, then left on Birch, then another left onto East Pine Lane, I’m the house on the end, 471,” Sharon stated.

  All tree names. Let’s hope I’m writing this down correctly, she thought. “Oh, my daughter. I’m afraid I don’t have anyone to watch her,” Lorelei hesitated.

  “Bring her along.”

  “See you soon, Sharon.” Lorelei set the receiver back on the cradle and pressed her lips together before they burst into a smile. A medical bag, she needed a medical bag. If her uncle worked on-call, he should have a bag around the house.

  Lorelei returned to her room, opened the closet doors, and started to search for something that might be a bag. The type she’d only seen in movies, old movies. She spotted something black and picked it up. The bottom was worn, it had short handles with a golden clasp. She lifted it off the shelf and opened it up. Inside was everything she might need, or so she hoped.

  Dressed and bundled up, she carried a barely awake Mary Ann to the car and loaded up herself and the medial bag. The clock on the dash came to life and read 11:15 p.m. She blinked and squinted her eyes. “I thought it was much later.”

  As she drove the five minutes to Sharon’s house, she made a wrong turn on Oak, which was not a part of the directions at all. Thankfully, the streets were clear of snow, and the full moon made for extra light to read the street sign
s once she got on the correct tree’s road.

  With Mary Ann and the medical bag in hand, she marched through the snow-covered path to the front door and knocked.

  “Come in!” Sharon’s voice yelled from behind the door.

  Lorelei shoved the slightly sticky door open and entered. To her right, was the kitchen, on the left was the living room.

  “Oh, goodness,” Lorelei gasped.

  On the living room floor laid Sharon, and on top of her, a Christmas tree. But Lorelei didn't think it could've done any damage at all by falling on Sharon. Possibly an ornament breaking might have done more harm, so better to be safe than sorry. Lorelei laid Mary Ann on the nearby couch, placing pillows on the edge to keep her from rolling off, and went to Sharon.

  “Why didn’t you say your Christmas tree was on top of you?” Lorelei pushed the tree up and off Sharon.

  “Because I didn’t need you driving all speedy to come over. I might have twisted my ankle, and I didn’t want to take any chances. I’m sorry to have bothered you so late.” Sharon pushed herself up to sitting. “I might have overreacted, too.”

  “No worries, it seems I went to bed earlier than normal tonight.” Lorelei knelt and checked Sharon’s ankles. “It felt like two when I got your call. Why are you decorating your tree so late at night?”

  “I had yet to decorate it, and it looked so sad sitting bare. I put a Christmas movie on and decorated it but was drawn to the movie and sat down for a bit. The next thing I know, I wake up and gather myself for bed when I notice I never put the star on top. And a tree is not complete without its final touch. I guess I was more asleep than I thought and lost my balance on the stepladder. Thankfully, I had my cell phone in my pocket.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Lorelei took hold of Sharon’s left ankle. “Is it this one?”

  “Yes.”

  Lorelei didn’t notice any swelling or anything at all. She gently moved it a little to the left and then the right, causing Sharon to wince.