“What other offer?” Lorelei’s heartbeat raced. “I thought you bought the bookstore already?”
“I bah humbugged myself!” Tyler jogged through the living room.
Before Lorelei could ask him what he meant, Tyler was out the front door, and his truck’s engine roared to life over the sound of the crackling fireplace.
Chapter 37
Tyler yanked open Once Upon a Book’s door hard enough that the bells threatened to fall from overhead where they rang.
“Sandy!” he shouted, his eyes scanning the store.
She stood at the counter, talking with a woman he’d not seen before.
“Tyler!” Sandy turned in Tyler’s direction.
“I tried to call you, but the line was busy.” He approached the women, breathing heavy. “Take my offer. I still want to buy the store.”
“Sorry, we haven’t met.” The lady wearing a cream tweed jacket and black gloves stuck out her hand.
Tyler halfheartedly shook it. “I’m Tyler. Nice to meet you.”
“Jeanette. I’m afraid I’ve already put an offer in on this wonderful bookstore. And far above asking price.”
Tyler’s shoulders tensed up, and he clenched his teeth together. Jeanette was no doubt the buyer whose agent sent over the offer that morning.
Sandy looked at Tyler, then back to Jeanette. “I have yet to sign any paperwork. Tyler is my real estate agent.”
“Yes, right.” Tyler’s pointer finger shot into the air. “If you’ll excuse us, Jeanette.” He took Sandy by the elbow. “I need to speak with my client.”
As Tyler directed Sandy toward the fiction section, he felt Jeanette’s eyes on him and swore he heard her fancy black high heeled boot tapping the floor in nervous anticipation.
Sandy spun around, facing Tyler, whose face scrunched up with worry. “You remember you’re my agent, right? I can’t accept an offer without your assistance. You would have to file it.”
He ran his hand through his hair. “I did seem to forget that part.” Tyler sighed a laugh. “Lorelei, she didn’t take the job in Booth. I completely overreacted.”
Sandy crossed her arms and pressed her lips together. “You don’t say.”
Tyler glanced over his shoulder at Jeanette, who remained precisely where they’d left her, with her impatient stance still intact. “As your agent, I advise you to take the higher offer, but as your friend—a long longtime friend—I advise you to take the offer from the person who knows this town and store.”
“You don’t say.” Sandy tilted her head at Tyler and then toward Jeanette, who gave a half-smile and waved.
Tyler huffed and closed his eyes for a second. As he popped an eye open, he asked, “Well?” He opened his other eye and saw the hint of a hidden smile forming on Sandy’s mouth.
“Of course Ted and I will take your offer. I’m glad you came to your senses. I can’t believe the buyer showed up in person.” She peeked around Tyler at Jeanette. “What do we do now?”
Tyler pivoted. “You tell her you won’t be accepting her offer.”
Together, they made their way over to Jeanette.
“I’m so sorry you drove out here, but I won’t be accepting your offer.” Sandy scurried behind the counter. She lifted her tea mug and took a long sip.
“What? I’m a little confused.” Jeanette held her hand out in a stopping motion. “You’re not accepting my offer? It’s over asking price.”
Sandy nodded. “I’m accepting another offer.”
“Why would you do that?” Jeanette glared at Tyler.
“Tyler is a longtime friend and resident of Oakvale. And my husband and I want to sell the business to someone we know.”
“Well, this is ridiculous,” Jeanette snapped and slid on her cat-eye sunglasses. “I hope you know you’ve made the wrong decision.” She stomped to the door just as a customer opened it.
Jeanette pushed her way past, and the moment her heel hit the snowy sidewalk, she wobbled. Tyler and Sandy hurried to the window as Jeanette plopped swiftly into a pile of freshly fallen snow.
“Should we help her up?” Sandy asked.
Before Tyler could answer, Jodi was at Jeanette’s side, but the angry woman waved Jodi off as she attempted to stand. They watched as Jeanette ended up rolling over, going to her knees, and then standing. Jodi continued to reach her arms out in an offer to help stabilize the out-of-towner but was batted away. Finally, Jeanette was on her feet and staggered to her car, climbing inside.
Jodi entered the bookstore and removed her pink gloves. “Who was that?”
“A potential buyer for the bookstore.” Sandy returned to the counter and her hot tea.
“Oh?” Jodi's eyebrow arched.
“I’m buying the store, and she wasn’t pleased with the news.” Tyler watched as Jeanette peeled out of the parking spot.
Jodi squealed and hurried over, hugging Tyler.
“This is the best Christmas ever!” Jodi cheered. “And it’s all thanks to Boss Lady.”
“Come on, now,” Tyler complained, “I should get some of the credit.”
“I only give credit to those who don’t make fun of my car.” Jodi smirked.
“Alright then, it’s more important that I continue to be able to make fun of your car, so all the credit can officially go to Lorelei.” He nodded his head, and secretly, Tyler would have to agree. This Christmas would go down as the most miracle-filled one he’d ever experienced.
“What will happen to the real estate office and bowling alley?” Jodi asked. “Maybe the slip-and-slide lady would want to buy it?”
“I don’t think so.” Tyler laughed, and Sandy joined in.
“Then there is only one more thing on the list.” Sandy picked up her mug.
“There is?” Tyler questioned.
Sandy waved papers at him. “To sign and officially accept your offer.”
“Right!” Tyler’s mind was on Lorelei.
“Tell me what’s happening because I feel like I’m missing something.” Jodi leaned her elbow on the counter.
“I confronted my fear of being honest with my parents and told them I’ve decided to use the money I saved for traveling to buy the bookstore. And Lorelei’s uncle and aunt stopped by, and Dr. North will be retiring.”
“Boss Lady is for sure staying?” Jodi’s eyes widened with delight.
Tyler grinned. “She is indeed.”
Jodi hugged Tyler. “I’m so excited. How awesome.”
“’Tis the season for great news.” Tyler clicked his pen.
Chapter 38
After Tyler called and invited Lorelei to supper, she spent about fifteen minutes getting ready, her nerves dancing with excitement. Once at Oakvale Pizza Pie, she spent another forty-five minutes locating the photo of him from childhood on the wall. The last thing on the list. There were so many photos! Lorelei grinned, checked the time, and waved Uncle Steve over.
“Can we sit here?” she asked.
“Yes, please have a seat. Will Tyler be here shortly?” Steve slid a pen behind his right ear.
She spotted Tyler enter the restaurant and gave him a slight wave. “There he is right now.”
Steve pivoted toward the door. Snow fluttered around Tyler as he brushed it off the shoulders of his jacket. As he approached the table, his smile grew.
“Hi,” he said, his voice soft.
“Hi.”
He pulled out a chair for her and then sat across the table. Lorelei’s eyes traveled to the framed childhood photo on the wall behind him.
“I see you found my photo. The final thing off your list.” Tyler glanced back at it.
“Your dimple is more pronounced now.” Lorelei leaned forward.
“Ready to order?” Uncle Steve appeared and removed the pen from behind his ear.
“Sure, I’ll have my regular.” Tyler leaned on the table.
Lorelei looked over the menu. “I’ll try the fettuccine alla Bolognese.”
Steve scribbled on the pa
d with his pen. “Perfect, and to drink?”
“Sparkling cider,” they said in unison.
Steve beamed and headed to the kitchen.
Tyler took a breath. “You know, we needed each other as much as we needed a couple of Christmas miracles.”
Tilting her head, she found herself thinking back on her December adventure so far. “My uncle and aunt coming to town was the icing on the cake, at least for me.”
“I can’t imagine how very different my December—this town’s December—would've been without you and Mary Ann.” Tyler reached his hand out and took hold of hers. “For a long time, I wondered if I would ever meet someone as intelligent, kind, funny, and amazing as you are. I mean, this town is small, after all.”
“You might’ve had to go to Booth to find one.” Lorelei bit the side of her lip to keep her laughter from seeping out.
Tyler chuckled with a nod. “Honestly, I don’t think I’d have my dream without you, and now you’re a part of my life, and Mary Ann, too. I mean, we each leapt, but—”
“But we couldn’t have done it without the hope and drive we provided for each other. We were each other’s harness in the jump.”
“You’re exactly right.” Tyler gave a squeeze to Lorelei’s hand. “If I’d fallen, at least I’d have had a good doctor to patch me up.”
“I think we’re like a snow globe . . . how we worked together, how we needed each other.” Lorelei pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “A scene in a snow globe is calm and pretty, but when someone comes along and shakes it up, they make it beautiful because they’ve revealed the dormant sparkle.”
Steve came out with napkin-wrapped utensils, set them on the table, and then lit the candle in the middle of the table.
Lorelei and Tyler shyly glanced at each other.
“Sharon insisted,” Steve declared. “Oh, your drinks!”
Lorelei giggled. A feeling of comfort floated over her like a single snowflake breaking free from a cloud.
“I hope my parents grow to love visiting Mary Ann and me here.” Lorelei draped the napkin over her lap.
“Give them time.” The dimples in Tyler’s cheeks showed as he rubbed his thumb over her thumb before leaning back in his chair.
“What do you think will happen with the bowling alley?” She glanced over his shoulder and out the window.
“I hope someone will have a passion for keeping it the same but find a way to make it their own, too.”
“True.” As her lips rose into a smile, the restaurant door opened, and in walked her dad and mom, carrying Mary Ann. “My parents are here.”
Tyler pivoted in his chair toward the entrance.
John approached their table. “We’re not here to interrupt your date, but your mom and I were hungry.”
“We’ll have Steve seat us over in the corner, as not to disturb you.” Joanne beamed. “Tootles.”
Lorelei shook her head in amazement. Her parents appeared happy. Taking in the restaurant around her, she closed her eyes for a second and smiled. Everything this month had come together like a true Christmas miracle. And the opportunity to take over permanently for her Uncle Chris was like a Christmas star lighting the way. She was so grateful for so many things: the fact that Tyler had still been running the real estate business long enough to be her contact person; the fact that her parents were watching Mary Ann while she was about to enjoy some of the finest food she’d ever experienced; and the fact that she sat across from a man she couldn’t wait to spend more time with and learn more about.
“We’ve earned our dreams,” Tyler said and stood up.
He took her hand and pulled her to stand next to him. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” drifted through the speakers as Tyler placed an arm around her waist. Okay, so they were going to dance in the middle of the restaurant. No prob. She swayed along to the melody with him until the song ended, and their eyes met. He leaned in for the kiss she’d been waiting for, and it was every bit as magical as the Christmas season.
Epilogue
“When’s the couple arriving to sign the rental contract and pick up the keys to the Norths’ house?” Lorelei walked up to the counter at Once Upon a Book, and Mary Ann walked next to her. While Tyler had sold the real estate agency and bowling alley to Jodi’s boyfriend, who’d since relocated to Oakvale from Booth, he still helped out every once in a while.
Once Upon a Book looked stunning as ever with this year’s Christmas décor while an instrumental version of “Jingle Bells” played over the store’s speakers. The Oakvale Christmas Tree Lighting would happen any minute, and Lorelei didn’t want to miss it, especially now that Mary Ann was older. Hopefully, it’d be even more special on her second go-round.
As if summoned, the bookstore door flew open, and in dashed a couple in their late forties, grinning and holding hands.
“Hi, welcome to Once Upon a Book,” Tyler announced.
“Hi, we’re the Janeys, here to rent the house. I’m Mike.” The man reached out to shake Tyler’s then Lorelei’s hand.
“I’m Donna,” his wife said, though her scarf nearly hid her entire face.
“Perfect timing, welcome to Oakvale.” Lorelei thrust her hand out. “I’m the town doctor, Lorelei.” She scooped up her daughter after a firm shake of Donna’s hand.
“Wow, see honey, I told you this town would be the perfect vacation spot.” Donna beamed.
“I have the rental contract right here.” Tyler handed them the document. “Do you suppose you might want to host the Second Annual Christmas Feast?”
“Oh, that sounds wonderful.” Mike took a pen from the counter and started to flip through the pages. “What do you think, honey?”
“Yes, we’d be delighted.” Donna wrapped an arm around her husband.
“Perfect, we can go over the details once you’re settled in.” Lorelei eyed Tyler.
“Last year’s was a real big hit, and this town loves nothing more than its holiday traditions,” Tyler added.
“Sounds great.” Mike scribbled his signature on the page and laid the pen down. “What about something to do tonight for fun?”
Tyler handed over the keys. “The tree lighting is about to happen if you have the time. It’s not to be missed.”
“Now, that we must see. The pictures online look like magic happens here.” Donna wrapped both her hands around Mike’s.
Tyler took Mary Ann from Lorelei, set the toddler on his forearm, and followed the renters toward the front door with his hand on Lorelei’s back. Cider jumped up from her bed and joined them.
“We’ll be seeing a lot of each other this month.” Tyler locked the bookstore door as they all stood outside. “Go ahead, gather around.” He pointed toward the town’s Christmas tree.
“Thanks,” the Janeys said in unison and dashed off like two schoolchildren headed for the playground at recess.
“Are you ready?” Tyler asked, sticking out his hand for Lorelei.
She nodded, and together, they made their way over to Kim and Diane’s store, up the stairs to the second floor, and across the space to the window. From above, they saw the residents gathering around the unlit tree.
Tyler let go of Lorelei’s hand and, as she stood gazing out the window, he reached into his jacket pocket. With Mary Ann resting her head on his shoulder, he turned to Lorelei and got down on his knee. Cider continued to peek at the town from the window’s ledge.
“Lorelei, it’s been an amazing year of adventures and watching Mary Ann grow, but I can’t do it from afar anymore. Flipping his hand palm up, he opened his fingers to reveal a diamond ring. The din of the town below counting down from ten sounded outside the window. “Lorelei, will you marry me?”
She gasped and covered her mouth. “Yes! Oh goodness, yes, I’ll marry you.” Bending down, she kissed his lips.
As he held Mary Ann in one arm, her head lolling sleepily on his shoulder, he slid the ring onto his fiancée’s finger just as the Christmas tree below lit up Oakval
e’s idyllic main drag. And now, finally, the last of Tyler’s dreams were as perfect as the shining star upon the tree.
THE END
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Acknowledgments
A big long-distance hug and thank you to my Happy PAWS Readers ~ Sam Alvarez, Caroline at Page-Turners, Carol Harris, JoDena Pysher, and Carrie Thompson.
A big SHOUT OUT to Linda Martin, April Greer, Bambi Rathman, Joyce Stewart, Durene Adams, Starla DeKruyf, Tina Meyers, Rachael Bloome (and Mariposa Coffee), Dyana Hulgan, Annette G. Anders, Jamie Rutland Gillespie, Denise Birt, and Betty Taylor for your continued support for my books.
Thank you to my editor Krista Dapkey, your suggestions and editing really helped the book shine. I’m delighted to be working with you!
And all my love to Ransom and D.S. (who didn’t get stuck reading this manuscript five times).
About the Author
Savannah Hendricks is an award-winning author born in California, raised in Washington, and resides in Arizona. She is a social worker during the week and a devoted weekend writer. Savannah loves all things dog-related and has a passion for red wine. If it’s raining, you’ll find her outside enjoying every second of it. She loves to garden, cook, and bake desserts.
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