“A Christmas Spirit Wreath,” Emmie happily corrected him. She looked around his office. There wasn’t a Christmas decoration in sight. “And by the looks of it in here, you need all the Christmas spirit you can get.”
Grant gave her a look. “Emmie, this is where I work. I don’t need . . . decorations.”
Emmie’s eyes grew huge, and she looked at him like he’d just said he didn’t like puppies.
She put her hands on her hips. “Of course you do, or everyone’s going to think you’re a Scrooge. Plus, these are for charity. I bought a bunch of them, but this was the best one. It’s special, with the lights and the plaid bow.” Emmie fluffed up the bow again. “You like plaid. So it’s perfect, right?”
Grant quickly put the wreath down, propping it up against his desk, and then walked over and gave Emmie a quick kiss on the cheek. “What’s perfect is you,” Grant said.
Emmie pointed at the wreath. “And the Christmas Spirit Wreath.”
Grant laughed. “Okay, sure, and the wreath.”
Emmie’s smile lit up her face as she looked up at him. “I knew you’d love it. Wait until you see what I have planned for us, starting with—”
Grant’s phone rang, interrupting the moment.
He gave her an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Em. I have to get this. We’ll talk at dinner tonight, okay?” Grant was already answering his phone.
Emmie quickly squashed her feelings of disappointment. She knew she’d see him soon at the romantic dinner she’d planned, and she also had to get back to the community center. She gave the wreath one last cheerful look before leaving Grant’s office.
As she walked down the hall, the referee’s whistle sounded off on her phone. It was her On Track app again alerting her she needed to get going to her next appointment. She immediately picked up her pace.
THE SUN WAS just starting to set as Emmie entered the Alpine Community Center after a long day of running around, doing last-minute errands before her special Christmas-themed vacation with Grant. Every time Emmie entered the center she felt a rush of pride. It was set up inside an old brick warehouse building that her parents had saved from demolition and renovated. The first thing you saw when you walked in the front door was a fireplace, which gave the center an instant warm and friendly feeling. Over the years her parents had struggled to maintain the older building but always felt it was worth it because the building was a part of the history of the neighborhood and was someplace that people felt safe and comfortable coming to.
Emmie started putting up Christmas decorations at the center in October. She lived by her parents’ motto that it was never too early to decorate for the holidays when the decorations brought so much happiness and joy.
In keeping with her parents’ tradition, the outside of the center was decorated in white twinkling Christmas lights. In the windows were giant white snowflakes covered in silver glitter that had been made by the kids. On either side of the entryway, there were two Christmas trees decorated with lots of red and gold ornaments and trimmed with tinsel, and on the door there was a Christmas Spirit Wreath and a sign that said Christmas Dinner Volunteers Needed.
Emmie’s first stop when she got inside the center was to pick up a paper snowflake that had fallen from the window display and carefully tape it back up. Smiling, she then walked over to the fireplace, warming her hands in front of a roaring fire for a couple of seconds before adding two more logs to the flames. Her next stop was the giant ten-foot Douglas fir Christmas tree that was the holiday showpiece in the lobby. It almost had a vintage feel the way it was covered with adorable homemade decorations and lit up with red, green, and white lights.
When she noticed that one of the red and green paper link chains had fallen down, she quickly put it back up and adjusted a snowman ornament, made from cotton balls, that was also a little lopsided.
“That’s better,” she said, smiling at the snowman.
She took a few steps back and admired the tree for a few more seconds before she headed off down the hall. When she got to her office, she felt a rush of joy when she looked at the Christmas Spirit Wreath hanging on her door. It didn’t have the plaid bow or the lights, but its red velvet bow was beautiful. Emmie leaned toward the wreath, shut her eyes, and inhaled deeply the fresh evergreen scent. Her blissful moment was interrupted when Denise appeared.
Denise laughed. “Sniffing wreaths again? Do I need to be concerned?”
“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” Emmie said as she pulled Denise closer to the wreath.
“No, no!” Denise feigned being frightened. “I’m good.” Denise looked around Emmie’s office and shook her head in wonder. “This place is like a Christmas museum. I’ve never seen so many Christmas decorations all in one place.” She picked up the pink poinsettia Emmie had just bought from the flower shop. “I didn’t think you had any more room to add anything else.”
Emmie smiled. “There’s always room for more Christmas.”
Denise laughed. “So you keep saying. Wow. Every day I see something new in here.”
Emmie grinned back at her. “I know. Isn’t it great?”
Denise laughed. “You’re definitely living up to your Miss Christmas name.”
Emmie smiled back at her. “Thank you. You know, maybe I should start decorating in September . . .”
“Oh no,” Denise said in mock horror. “What have I done?”
Emmie laughed as she glanced around her office. It was filled with so many things she cherished and was a constant reminder of why she was doing what she was doing at the community center.
In the far corner, there was a beautifully decorated Douglas fir Christmas tree covered with so many white lights and ornaments you could barely see any of the tree branches. The colorful ornaments were all vintage, most from her mother’s family in Germany, with some dating as far back as the mid-1800s. There were hearts, stars, and angels, all in glass. Her mother had enough ornaments to fill five trees. Emmie saved some of her favorites for her Christmas trees at home, but she always brought some to the office, too, because this is where she spent so much of her time. The center really was her home away from home.
In another corner of her office she had several big boxes overflowing with ornaments she’d gotten on sale last year, the day after Christmas, her favorite day to shop for holiday bargains. Like her mom, she tried to add to her collection every year, and always found a way to use them or give them. Sometimes she’d just pin several strands of ribbon across the wall and hang the ornaments on the ribbon so the wall looked like a festive art installation.
She walked over to the tree and gently touched one of the vintage heart ornaments.
She turned back to Denise. “You need to come over and see what I’ve added to the apartment.”
Denise laughed again. “And of course you’ve also added new things there.”
“Of course,” Emmie said.
They both shared a smile.
Denise walked over to a second tree in Emmie’s office. This one was even bigger, and it was decorated with even more modern ornaments. Denise admired a crystal star. “Were those your mom’s too? They’re so pretty.”
Emmie nodded. “Most of them. There are a few I’ve picked up here and there and that people have given me, but the rest are all hers.” Emmie pointed to the star Denise was looking at. “Like that one. She loved her stars.” Emmie walked over to the tree where Denise was and moved some of the stars so they caught the light. “She would always tell me when I was putting the stars up on the tree to make sure and put them by the light so they would sparkle. She loved Christmas so much.”
“Like mother, like daughter,” Denise said.
Emmie smiled at Denise. “Well, that’s the nicest thing you could ever say. Thank you.” Emmie took an angel ornament off the tree and held it up to the light.
“My father gave this angel to her on their first Christmas together. It was one of her favorite ornaments, and now it’s one of mine.”
“Both of your parents would be so proud of you for continuing their work here at the center and working so hard to keep it open,” Denise said.
Emmie gave Denise a grateful look. “I hope so. I’m really trying to live up to their legacy of helping as many people as possible.”
“And you’re doing that every single day here at the center,” Denise said. “With all the families you help, especially at Christmas.”
Denise walked over to a big Christmas-tree-shaped chart on the wall. The tree was labeled Christmas Dinners Donated. So far the number on the tree was up to 658, with the goal number at the top where the star was—900 dinners. “Look how many meals we’ve already gotten donated.”
Emmie joined her at the chart. “And with Grant’s company donating a hundred more, that’s really going to help.”
“So how did it go with Grant?” Denise asked. “What did he think of the wreath?”
Emmie picked up a box of silver bell ornaments from her desk and started adding them to the tree with the more modern ornaments. “He was . . . surprised,” Emmie finally said.
“A good surprise or a bad surprise?” Denise asked.
Emmie smiled as she put one of the ornaments on the tree. “A good surprise, of course. He tried to be all lawyer-like and say he couldn’t decorate his office, but . . .”
“But . . . ?” Denise asked. She looked skeptical.
“I told him that was crazy,” Emmie said. “It’s Christmas. Hello!”
Denise laughed. “Okay. So how did it go when you gave him his first scavenger hunt clue?”
“I haven’t given it to him yet,” Emmie said. “It’s right here.” Emmie leaned down and picked up a beautifully wrapped Christmas present from underneath the tree. It was a little box wrapped with red foil paper with glittering silver ribbon and a matching bow.
Emmie held it up to Denise. “The first clue is in here, and I’m giving it to him tonight at dinner. I’m going to tell him to open it tomorrow morning, and that’s when he’ll start following the clues that will bring him to Christmas Point, where I’ll be waiting. I am so excited! I feel like I’m the one doing the scavenger hunt.”
When Emmie’s referee whistle alert on her cell phone went off, Denise grimaced, but Emmie just laughed and held up her phone.
“I gotta go,” Emmie said.
Denise gave her a look. “That app is nuts.”
Emmie laughed. “It’s great. It really helps keep you organized.”
“No one needs to be that organized,” Denise joked.
“Well, Grant’s also using it now, and he loves it. It helps us sync up our schedules.”
Denise rolled her eyes. “How romantic.”
Emmie laughed. “You should try it.”
“If I try it, does that mean it will help me schedule finding a boyfriend?” Denise asked, looking like she was only half kidding.
Emmie laughed. “I’m not sure it works that way.”
“Then I’ll pass,” Denise said. “What time is your dinner with Grant?”
Emmie checked her phone. “Seven.”
“Then you better get going,” Denise said. “We don’t need that whistle going off again.”
Emmie grinned back at her. “See, it’s working on you already. You’re helping me stay on track!” She headed for the door. “You’re sure you have everything handled for while I’m gone? You’ll call if there are any problems?”
Denise gently guided Emmie out the door. “We’re all good here. Go. Have fun. You deserve this. You haven’t taken time off in months.”
Emmie’s referee whistle alert sounded off again. This time it was even louder.
“See!” Denise said, pointing at Emmie’s phone. “Listen to the app. You gotta go. Don’t want to be late.”
Emmie laughed. “Sure, now you like the app.”
Denise gave her a hug. “Seriously, have a great time with Grant. Take lots of pictures. I want to see Mr. Scrooge in full Christmas mode.”
“Ho! Ho! Ho!” Emmie said. “Very funny. Thank you for keeping an eye on things here. Wish me luck!”
“Good luck! Now go!”
“Going!” Emmie held up her phone as she left. “Call me if you need me.”
“I won’t,” Denise hollered back at her.
When Emmie’s referee whistle alert on her phone went off again, she gave Denise a final wave and ran off.
Chapter Five
Emmie got to the restaurant with five minutes to spare. The Sea Queen was one of Emmie’s holiday favorites because it was set in a charming historic Victorian home on Seattle’s Queen Anne Hill, and it was always beautifully decorated in a vintage theme for Christmas. There were lots of Christmas lights and Christmas trees and candlelight, creating a magical, romantic setting.
The restaurant had only fifteen tables, so Emmie had gotten her reservation several months ago, knowing how fast the restaurant booked up.
She’d even splurged and bought a new dress for this dinner, a festive red lace cocktail dress with a halter-top neckline. She’d had her eye on the dress for some time, but had been waiting for it to go on sale, as she never spent a lot on herself. Any spare money she had went right back to trying to keep the community center open. She’d felt a little guilty at first after finally breaking down and buying the new dress at full price when it hadn’t gone on sale. But then Denise had helped her rationalize that she needed something special to mark this milestone occasion. This dinner was the official start of the romantic Christmas getaway she’d planned, and she wanted it to be something they’d both always remember.
After Emmie sat down at the table she’d reserved by the fireplace, she ordered a glass of red wine and put Grant’s present on the table in front of where he’d be sitting. She moved it around several times so the red foil wrapping paper and silver bow glittered in the candlelight.
As she looked around the restaurant, she noticed it was mostly couples holding hands, laughing, looking like they were in love. She wondered if that’s what people saw when they looked at her and Grant. Lately they’d hardly had any time to sync up their apps and get together. She tried to remember the last meal they’d shared and frowned when she realized it was several weeks ago, and even then it had just been a quick lunch around the corner from Grant’s office.
But thankfully, she knew that was all about to change. She couldn’t wait to finally spend more time with Grant and start creating their own Christmas traditions together. When she’d asked him if he had anything special on his list that he wanted to do for their Christmas vacation, he’d just told her to plan whatever she wanted to do and he’d be happy with that. As soon as Grant got to Christmas Point, she was going to sync up their apps with all the wonderful things she’d set up for them to do. She was checking her app when a waiter came up.
He smiled at her. “May I get you anything else while you wait?”
When Emmie looked down at her phone to check the time, she saw a text message from Grant pop up. It said: Running late. Be there in 15.
She gave the waiter an apologetic look. “My boyfriend just texted to say he’s running a little late. He’s probably stuck in traffic. I think I’m fine with the wine, but thank you.”
The waiter smiled back at her. “Very well. Please let me know if there’s anything I can get you while you wait.”
Emmie smiled back at him. “Thank you. I will.”
After the waiter walked away, Emmie quickly texted Grant back: I’m at the table. See you soon.
While she waited for Grant, she figured this was the perfect time to get some pictures of the restaurant’s decorations. She was planning to put together a photo album for Grant of their first Christmas together.
When she got to the entryway, where the main tree was on display, she had to wait for a cute couple in their early twenties to take a selfie first. She smiled at how happy they looked together. When they were done, the guy saw her waiting and walked over to her.
“Would you like me to take a picture o
f you by the tree?” he asked.
Emmie laughed, a little embarrassed. “Oh no, I’m good. My boyfriend’s coming. I’ll wait for him. I just wanted to get a picture of the tree, but thank you for asking. Do you want me to take another one of you two from farther back, so you can get more of the tree in?”
The girl smiled back at her. “That’s okay. We like our selfies. It’s kind of our thing. Our tradition. But thank you.”
“I get it,” Emmie said. She smiled, thinking about how this was also going to be her new tradition with Grant.
“Merry Christmas,” the couple said as they headed back to their table.
“Merry Christmas,” Emmie answered back.
Once the couple was gone, she started taking pictures of the Christmas tree. She got some really cool shots from a low angle and another creative shot through the glass on the front door. She even took a quick video of the tree, starting at the top and panning all the way down to the bottom.
When the front door opened, Emmie felt a rush of relief. But her hopes were quickly dashed when she saw it wasn’t Grant but another couple entering the restaurant.
When she got back to her table, she texted Grant the Christmas tree video she had just taken and said: Can’t wait for you to see this!
Seconds later, she was excited to get a text back from Grant—at least until she read it. It said: Work emergency. Sorry. I won’t be able to make it. Call you later.
Emmie felt all her excitement evaporate as a crush of disappointment washed over her.
While she knew it wasn’t Grant’s fault, it still stung. She understood how busy he was at work. He was so close to making partner, and this latest case would most likely decide his fate. They understood each other’s crazy work schedules. That was one of the reasons they made such a great couple, but it still stung.
She had been so looking forward to this dinner and spending time with him in this enchanting restaurant. This was supposed to be the start of their Christmas vacation. She envied the cute couple she had seen taking selfies by the Christmas tree. She wanted to be doing that with Grant. When she saw the waiter coming toward her, she didn’t know what to do. She hated eating alone, but she also hated the idea of giving up the table that had been so hard to get. She knew she had to decide fast.
Finding Christmas Page 4