The Christmas Rental

by Hendricks, Savannah

  “That hurts a bit.”

  “I don’t think you twisted it because it moves fairly well, it'll be sore and bruise, but that’s about it. Can I help you up?”

  “Yes, please.” Sharon gave Lorelei her hand, and with some support, Lorelei lifted her to stand.

  “Keep off it as much as possible for a few days.” Lorelei assisted Sharon to her couch.

  “Thank you for coming all this way and for disturbing your daughter. I didn’t want to take any chances.”

  “You did the right thing. Never can be too safe when it comes to important things, especially ones you use every day, like ankles.” Lorelei sat near her sleeping baby. Glancing around, she added, “Beautiful home you have here.”

  “Thank you. I’ve been living here for over thirty-five years. I stay pretty busy with the café, but it was my lifelong dream to own it. I bought it when I was a teacher over at Oakvale Elementary. I was Tyler’s second-grade teacher.”

  Lorelei tilted her head and awed to herself. “How long did you teach?”

  “About ten years.” Sharon observed the tree. “Would you mind fixing the star?”

  Lorelei stood and stepped one step on the three-step ladder and adjusted the star. “And you gave it up to be a baker.”

  “Yes. I miss the kids, but I see them in my café. Of course, they are all adults now, and they bring their kids in. It was time for a change.” Sharon gazed at the tree and smiled. “Everyone needs a good change once in a while. Especially when it means chasing their dreams.”

  “I wish it were as easy as it sounds.” Lorelei perched on the edge of the couch, turned to her daughter, and watched her sleep.

  “Oh goodness, you’re correct, and it was far from easy when I left my teaching position. They found someone a school year later, and not one single person was honestly happy for me for some time.” Sharon glanced at the floor. “But it doesn’t mean that help was not there for the school. Other teachers pitched in, and they all made it work, so my dream could work too. I hosted field trip days where the kids would come in and help make something and learn about math and science once a week. Overall, I think the kids learned more from me leaving than staying.”

  “I want that type of life for Mary Ann—a community where I know as many residents as possible. I want to immerse myself in the town. Be a part of something we can give back to.”

  “Oakvale is great for raising a family and for finding love.” Sharon covered herself in a nearby cream knit throw.

  “Let’s not put the gravy before the potatoes.” Lorelei crossed her arms. She was starting to feel a setup coming on.

  “If you’d like me to watch Mary Ann while you and Tyler go out for a bite to eat, it’d be my pleasure.”

  “A date?”

  “Doesn’t have to be a date, could be supper. Make sure Steve doesn’t light a candle in the middle of the table and it’s supper. Light it and it’s a date.”

  Lorelei threw her hand up to her mouth to keep the laughter as quiet as possible. “In that case, I’ve been on a lot more dates than I ever thought.”

  Sharon chuckled slightly. “You like Tyler,” she stated, although it should have been a question.

  “He is . . . yes, I do like him. But I like everyone here. And I have a baby, and my life is not . . . I’m not . . .”

  “You’re not what?”

  Lorelei sighed as she observed Sharon’s living room. Framed photos hung on either side of the wall leading into the kitchen. A small television sat on the corner of a long bureau, which looked like something casing an old record player. Although the kitchen was dark, she could make out some of it and was able to tell it had not been updated for centuries. Being in Sharon’s home felt exactly like being in the café—cozy. “It’s important for Mary Ann to have stability. You know the whole spiel about dating and kids.”

  Sharon nodded her head gently.

  Lorelei ran her hand over her knees. “I want to at least know I’m going to stay in a town before I start putting my heart out there.”

  “You’re not staying?”

  Lorelei leaned back into the corner of the couch. “I want to, but as you know, it’s not as simple as it might seem. Jodi did offer up the great idea of being her roommate. Although, my parents play a big role. As an only child, my support system is limited, and their opinion matters. I’ve struggled with disappointing them. I guess it doesn’t matter how old you are, you always worry about what your parents think, and the desire to please them never goes away.”

  “I’d not thought of the extra rooms above the doc’s office.” Sharon readjusted the blanket. “I think we all worry about disappointing others, not only our parents. You should’ve seen this town throw a temperature when I announced my retirement from teaching. I was giving them a bakery, but still, they pouted. This town loves Tyler, and we see how he lights up when he is around you and Mary Ann.”

  “I do enjoy his company. And while I love this town, the reality is far from my dreams.” Lorelei had experienced hospitality wherever she went, a continued warm welcome. Her heart quickly wrapped itself up in Oakvale, and she knew Tyler was a big part of it. “I do hope a Christmas miracle happens, and someway, somehow, everything works out.”

  “I’m grateful we have this time together.” Sharon reached over the sleeping baby and took Lorelei’s hand. “When I’m at the café, it’s go-go-go. It was important for me to chat with you, even if it’s rather late at night.”

  “Important?”

  “Why, yes. We, the town, if we all pull together, I don’t see any other outcome but a happy one. And if all else fails, I—we!—can win your parents over with a sugar coma of sweets.”

  Lorelei quietly laughed.

  “Are you hungry, by chance?” Sharon tilted her head.

  “Is it wrong if I say a late-night snack sounds good?” Lorelei instantly welled with nostalgia. The moment was mirroring a memory she had with her aunt and uncle on their farm.

  “Never, I have leftovers from a hot dish I made yesterday.”

  “Give me directions, and I’ll get it heated up.” As she rose from the couch, Lorelei turned and glanced at Mary Ann, thinking, they’ll find a way to stay. It was as though her heart finally spoke louder than her mind.

  Chapter 23

  Tyler rarely went into work early, especially since most people didn’t bowl or look for houses at the crack of dawn. However, once in a while, he found himself arriving as the sun rose over the pines. He parked his truck and patted his leg for Cider to jump on out. As they strolled past the office, Cider paused.

  “Come on, girl, today we’re going for a long walk before work.”

  Cider caught up in a few steps, and they headed toward the town’s Christmas tree. Its lights were now on 24-7 until New Year’s Day. They walked past Oakvale Pizza Pie and then came upon the doctor’s office and Don’s Conveniences. He paused, wondering what his mornings might look like if Lorelei and Mary Ann moved there for good. Would they start dating?

  The sunrise shifted over the tops of the trees, and Cider’s breath cast tiny clouds in front of them with each pant. Glancing across the street, he saw Sharon’s car in the front parking spot. Her café didn’t open for another thirty minutes. She would be in the back, mixing batter and starting the coffee.

  Continuing down the street with Cider at his side, he turned left into a small park surrounding Oaky Pond. In another few weeks, the pond would most likely be frozen over and become a fun little outing for the resident kids with their ice skates. Snow covered the benches wrapping the path, but it was far too cold to sit down, anyway. Making his way around, Cider discovered a broken limb near a tree and picked it up in her mouth with a joyful romp.

  As a kid, he and his dad would come out here and play a quick hockey game before school started. If it was winter break, they would play a longer game until his dad had to open up the office for the day. He loved his childhood and hoped to provide the same type of service for new residents or teenager
s becoming adults. It drove him to want to run the family business, but soon he noticed it didn’t make him feel the way the bookstore did, and he didn’t even own it. Helping others find the perfect book gave him immediate, enduring satisfaction.

  From the corner of his eye, he noticed Sandy and Garrison entering the park.

  “Good morning,” he called.

  “Good morning, Tyler.” Sandy waved and let Garrison off his leash.

  Cider and Garrison dashed toward each other, the branch becoming a prize toy to be won.

  “I think Garrison is getting a bit of cabin fever lately and figured a nice walk would do him good.” Sandy wrapped his leash up around her gloved hand. “What brings you out here this early?”

  Tyler fidgeted with his jacket’s zipper. “Wanted to clear my head and see if any new ideas would come to me.” He glanced at his boots, and when he looked up, Sharon was crossing the street. “I’d like Lorelei and Mary Ann to stay in town for good, but I’m afraid her obstacles are too big.” He sighed. “I feel helpless.”

  Sharon waved as she approached, slowly limping. “Hi, everyone.”

  Sandy readjusted her scarf to cover more of her neck. “Good morning, Sharon.”

  “I saw you two and had to come over.” Sharon buttoned up her coat. “I had the pleasure of spending time with Lorelei over a late-night snack last night.”

  “Sharon, why are you limping?” Tyler asked.

  She batted her hand. “Don’t tell the doctor. I’m taking it as easy as I can, my tree wanted to tango with me last night, and it won.”

  “Taking it easy probably doesn’t involve you working, let alone walking over here.” Sandy rubbed her gloved hands over her arms.

  “Don’t cha know, my hindsight’s off?” Sharon bit her lip and cowered.

  “Sounds more like your sight was lost at sea.” He furrowed his brow in her direction.

  Sharon shook her head. “It’s not bad. I think I made the pain worse simply because I wanted to get some one-on-one time in with the doctor. Dr. North is great, but I already feel such a warm connection with Lorelei. And we all know the doc has been meaning to retire.”

  Sandy and Tyler glanced at each other and nodded in agreement.

  “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you or Lorelei. Maybe something the residents can all do together?” Sandy offered.

  “Should we hold a town hall meeting to devise solutions to solve all our problems?” Tyler joked as he watched Cider and Garrison attempt to play takeaway with the branch.

  “Not a bad idea.” Sandy winked.

  “You don’t happen to sell a how-to book on this issue?” Tyler tilted his head and raised his right eyebrow.

  “Sometimes, I wish there was a book for anything and everything in life. Or at least a pamphlet.” Sandy reached her hand out and patted Tyler on the arm.

  “Don’t we all,” Sharon mentioned. “Oh, did Lorelei tell you about Jodi’s idea?”

  Tyler shook his head.

  Sharon clasped her hands together as she smiled. “Lorelei could be Jodi’s roommate.”

  Tyler’s eyes lit up. “The two spare rooms! Brilliant. But she hasn’t talked to her parents yet.”

  Sandy and Sharon shook their heads in unison, and doubt spread over their lips.

  Tyler crossed his arms. “Why do you think Lorelei and I are filled with such self-doubt that we can’t speak our minds to our parents? We both want to, more than anything.”

  Sandy stared off at the pond. “I think we all struggle with self-doubt. I know I do. Take for example when I place my orders for books. I second-guess every single one as though I’m ordering my final supper. The bookstore thrives because I make the correct selections. Rarely, if ever, have I had to return unsold books to the publishers. And I’ve been running that place for so many years I’ve lost count, but long enough to know I shouldn’t doubt each order.”

  Surprise spread over Tyler’s face. “I had no idea. And sadly, it does make me feel better.”

  “I do the same at the café.” Sharon shrugged. “Make too many muffins or not enough cookies.”

  Sandy glanced over at the dogs. “I do like Lorelei, and I hope she and her daughter can stay. And since I’m not your mother but your friend, I feel I can suggest you and Lorelei would make a wonderful couple.”

  “Sandy.” Tyler’s eyes darted to her.

  “I second that,” Sharon added.

  “You know we’re right.” Sandy winked.

  “And bold enough to say so.” Sharon nodded.

  He folded his arms over each other and rocked on the heels of his boots. “You’re as bad as my parents.”

  “Tyler, need I remind you it’s Christmas time. Isn’t this the time for miracles?” Sharon asked.

  “I sure hope so.” Tyler sighed. “We have plenty of time at least to brainstorm before Lorelei’s parents get here. I’m sure between everyone, we can come up with some great ideas to showcase the town and our community. Show them Lorelei doesn’t need to be in a big city to be amazing.”

  “Oofta! My scones are in the oven!” Sharon yelped, limping off, waving her hand back toward them.

  “Bye,” Tyler called.

  “Don’t feel down about all this. There is still plenty of time left in December to get both of you on the right track. But I’m a teensy bit surprised you’re having a change of heart. I know how much traveling meant to you.”

  “It does, but it just might be worth throwing away one dream for another.” Tyler bunched up the neck of his coat.

  “I’m itching for retirement, and by golly, if I have to drag you by your ear to confront your parents and tell them what you want, I will.”

  “Thanks for reminding me about the perks of a small town.” Tyler chuckled.

  “My pleasure.” Sandy grinned. “Now, come join me for a hot-from-the-oven scone.”

  Chapter 24

  Instead of walking over to the bowling alley and seeing if Tyler wanted to get lunch, Lorelei carried Mary Ann across the street to Kim and Diane’s Thrifty Finds. She wanted nothing more than to spend time with Tyler but felt she was bugging him. With all the help he’d provided over the last few days, he probably enjoyed the time alone.

  Thinking of Jodi’s words from a few days back, she took a step and then another. She focused on walking slow, sauntering toward her destination with ease. The muscles in her neck relaxed, and her grip around Mary Ann loosened enough to lessen the strain on her shoulders.

  Once she made it to the front of the store, she found herself glancing back at the bowling alley. The snow stopped last night, but the clouds remained, casting a dark atmosphere around her.

  Back in the city, it would look different. She would head out of her condo and see people hustling to the upscale coffee shops or into buildings with soaring shadows. Lorelei would say hello to passersby, but they didn’t know her, and she didn’t know them. With everyone heading to and from work, there wasn’t much time for small talk anyway. And forget about meeting up for lunch. Her work schedule made it impossible, and if she didn’t have work, she was too tired to go out. Lorelei breathed in the crisp air and attempted to exhale her self-doubt.

  Pulling open the door with her free hand, she wiped her boots on Kim and Diane’s entry rug. Elvis’s voice singing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” filtered through the store. The scent of cinnamon and frosted pine mingled with the smell of dusty wood.

  “Hi, welcome,” Kim said, coming toward the front of the store. She wore a thick plum sweater, and her wavy dark-chocolate hair barely stayed tucked behind her ears. “Lorelei! You brought your daughter. May I?” Kim held her hands out toward Mary Ann.

  “Yes, please. Carrying her any distance now is becoming a chore. She’s growing so quickly.” Lorelei handed her bundled-up daughter over.

  Shaking her arms out, she glanced around. So far, she’d only been able to use the stroller once here. At least in the city they cleared the sidewalks so she could push the stroller a
nd not have to carry her so much.

  “Are you looking for something in particular?” Kim held Mary Ann on her hip as the infant grabbed hold of a chunky sweater button.

  “I’m hoping to get some inspiration for the reindeer contest decorating thing Tyler mentioned.” She loved everything about antique stores in Minneapolis, but with her schedule, she hadn’t gone inside one in at least six months.

  “Inspire away. I’ll entertain Mary Ann. I must say, the Christmas feast was amazing. Thank you for hosting.” Kim made an icky face at Mary Ann, and she belly laughed in return.

  “Thank you. I loved having everyone over.” Lorelei’s cheeks warmed with a smile. “Do you know where my aunt and uncle go every December? It seems like an odd time to travel.”

  “Yeah, I know it does, but all everyone ever hears is that they head north. The Norths go north.” Kim sighed a laugh. “They’ve never told you?”

  “No, I guess I’ve never prodded enough to get an answer. Come to think of it, I’ve never seen pictures of their travels, either.” Lorelei picked up a beaded blue glass bowl.

  “Now that you mention it, they never talk about it.” Kim’s Minnesotan accent was much stronger than those in the city, and Lorelei took notice of the way she drew out her o’s and a’s.

  “I’d love to chat with my uncle about his retirement goals.” Lorelei browsed around the store, checking out the knickknacks. “But without a phone number to contact them at, not much I can do at this point.”

  “If it helps you worry a bit less, the whole town is surprised he hasn’t retired by now.” Kim followed behind.

  Lorelei glanced over her shoulder. “Really?”

  “It’s as though he reached a certain age and stopped aging.” Kim switched Mary Ann to her other hip. Kim peeked around the store as though looking for someone. “You didn’t hear this from me, but the Norths look the same as they did when I was a teenager. Plus, I think Dr. North worries about leaving the practice to a stranger. Not to mention, Jodi’s been with him for years, and he wouldn’t want to be the cause of her losing her job. However, I doubt he would shut it down. It would leave the town stranded for healthcare. Some people can’t drive to Booth.”