by Nancy Naigle
The town had planted the Balsam Fir in front of the gazebo about ten years ago when a farmer up on the hill, in exchange for the privilege to sell his trees there, had donated it. It hadn’t been a huge tree then, but now it rose to the height of the gazebo. Before this, the town had cut and tractored a tree in each year for the holiday lighting.
Allie zipped past the post office, noticing how many people were lined up with packages to send. She was glad she didn’t have anything to mail out this week. She was carrying her gift to Spencer with her on the plane—that was, if she ever got out of Evergreen.
She glanced at her watch and almost ran into one of the giant red, blue, and gold ornaments that brightened the sidewalk in front of Home Bakery. The door chimed again and again, reminding her of a Christmas handbell concert, as customers came out with bags of freshly baked goods. Business was brisk for the middle of the afternoon.
The three-foot-tall, carved nutcrackers that used to guard Grandpa’s porch now stood sentry in front of Chris Kringle Kitchen—a nice addition in honor of him. All combined, it made for a cheerful sight. She never tired of Christmas in Evergreen.
She pulled the Chris Kringle Kitchen door open and stepped inside the warm diner.
“Joe! She’s here.” Mom rushed toward her, wearing a sweater set the color of a balsam fir, and Dad came through the green-and-white curtain that separated the kitchen from the dining area, catching up to her in long strides.
“Hi, honey.” Dad wore his signature red apron, and he must have been in the middle of cooking something, because he was still carrying a red and white checkered hand towel. This restaurant had been in Dad’s family for three generations, and he was the best cook she knew.
“Oh, Allie!” Carol stopped, tears spilling down her cheeks as she cocked her head as if it would be the last time they’d ever see each other. “My baby.” She lunged forward, pulling Allie in for a hug.
“Mom, this is not goodbye.” Allie gave her dad a pleading look as her mother clung to her neck. “I’m just dropping off Frank. Besides, you promised you wouldn’t cry.”
“I’m not!” Carol swept at her tears and then took the fish bowl from Allie. “I was just…chopping onions.”
Dad snickered.
“I’m going to be home right after Christmas.”
“Mm-hmm.” Carol clung to the goldfish bowl. “And then you’re leaving again right after that…for good. And all I’ll have to remember you by is a goldfish.”
“Maybe I should, uh…” Joe tossed the towel over his shoulder and took the goldfish bowl from Carol. “…take care of Frank, okay?”
Oh gosh, was he teary-eyed, too? Allie’s heart clenched.
“Thanks, honey,” Carol said to Joe.
He headed for the kitchen, and Allie placed her hands on her mother’s shoulders. “Mom, Washington D.C. has modern conveniences.” Allie rubbed her shoulders, encouraging her to relax.
“I know.” But Carol’s words were unconvincing.
“Phone.”
“I know,” Carol whispered.
“I hear they even have an airport now,” Allie teased.
Carol granted Allie a small smile, then took a breath. “Honey, I just want to make sure…that you’re sure. Because this is a big change, Allie.”
“I’m sure.” She held Mom’s gaze, hoping to calm her down. “It’s a great job. And besides, I’m ready for a change.”
Carol leveled a stare. The one Allie knew so well. “And I’m not just talking about the job.”
“No. Mom.” Allie raised a finger in the air, shaking her head. “No. We’ve been over this.” She took a step back, as if the space between them would erase the comment. She was tiring of this discussion. It had been Spencer who’d found her the amazing job opportunity in Washington, D.C., and yes, he wanted her closer to him, but applying for that position had been one hundred percent her choosing. If things worked out with Spencer, that was great, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. Sure, she was giving up her own vet practice here in Evergreen, but she was going to be doubling her salary in the city. There was so much opportunity in Washington, D.C. So much to see and do. It was a good change. The chance of a lifetime. “Spencer and I are just testing the waters.”
“Mm-hmm. And there was a reason you two broke up, honey.”
“Yeah, we couldn’t handle the long-distance thing. So, now we’re going to be in the same city, and…it’s not a big deal,” Allie said. We’ll figure it out.
“You’re going to be spending Christmas with him, Allie. That is a very big deal.”
The bells on the door jingled as more customers poured in behind them, and Allie hugged Mom again.
Sniffling back tears, Mom said, “You’re hugging me right now just to hush me up, aren’t you?” She giggled.
“No.” Her mother knew her so well. “I’m hugging you because I love you. The hushing is just a bonus.” When she stepped back, she was glad to see her mom was still laughing, too.
Mom ran her fingers through Allie’s hair. Her crooked smile and furrowed brow said things she didn’t need to vocalize.
“I gotta go,” Allie said. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
She kissed her mom on the cheek and headed for the door. She glanced back, watching her mom race-walk to the kitchen. She didn’t have to stick around and check to know that Mom would be crying in Dad’s arms in a matter of seconds. That tugged at her heart. She was tempted to run back and hug Mom one more time.
It was hard to leave, but she knew she was doing the right thing. She hoped everything would fall into place. She didn’t like seeing Mom sad—especially at the holidays.
Allie reached the door, then turned and scanned the diner. So many wonderful years and memories had been made here. She’d miss this place. All the charming shelves Grandpa had built and painted white to give the diner a warm country feeling and to give Mom a spot to show off her teapot collections. The life-sized Santa sign just inside the door. The candy jar next to the register that was filled with something different every month—candy canes for December. And the snow globe.
The snow globe was a legend around here. Mom said she’d wished for a daughter on it one Christmas after she and Dad had been trying for years with no luck. Allie had been born the following September.
It wasn’t to be taken lightly. Only wishes your heart truly wanted even had a chance of being granted.
Mom was nowhere in sight.
Allie dashed over to the snow globe. She lifted the glass ball from its place of honor next to the cash register and held it in her hands reverently.
Following one deep breath, she turned it upside down and gave it a good shake, then flipped it back upright, sending the snow inside twisting and swirling like a blizzard around the exact replica of the Evergreen church.
She closed her eyes and silently made her wish.
As she opened her eyes, a calm washed over her, as if there was no doubt her wish would come true. She set the snow globe down and gave it a gentle pat on the top, then headed for the door before her parents came back and saw her.
In a hurry, she almost plowed right over a sixty-something man wearing a dark suit and jaunty red scarf.
“Whoa,” he said, coming to an abrupt halt.
“Oh, my gosh!” Allie exclaimed. “So sorry.” She patted his arm, then, taking in his appearance—the perfectly shaped, snow-white beard and laughing eyes—she realized he was the spitting image of Santa. Come to think of it, his Whoa! had sounded a lot like a ho-ho-ho that a certain red-suited Christmas guy was known for. Thank goodness he hadn’t fallen. That would have landed her on the naughty list for sure.
“In a hurry to get your Christmas plans started?” His blue eyes twinkled with every word, and his fluffy beard looked like the real deal.
She was tempted to reach out and touch it.
“Yes.” Allie couldn’t believe how much this man favored jolly old St. Nicholas. It had her stumbling for words. “Just about to head out of town.”
“Well…” A flash of concern crossed his face. “Be sure to check the weather before you go to the airport. Mother Nature can be unpredictable.” He leaned back and gave a hearty laugh and a wink, like it was some kind of inside joke.
How did he know where she was headed? Had she said that? It didn’t matter. The joke was on him. It was snowing, but that was just another wintry day in Evergreen. No problem. She couldn’t wait to set out on this journey. It was both exciting and scary to leave this place she’d called home her whole life.
The bells on the diner door jingle-jangled as the man went inside. Would he order cookies and milk? Maybe cocoa in this weather?
Allie smiled at the sweet man. Nice of him to offer his concern for her when she was the one who’d nearly knocked him over.
She walked to her truck, checking off her mental list of things to do before heading to the airport this afternoon. So far, everything was right on schedule.
Chapter Three
Allie pulled away from the curb with a heavy heart even though she was exhilarated about the journey ahead. She didn’t like that Mom was so worried, but she knew she just wanted things to work out for the best. Couldn’t fault her for that. Chopping onions? Who’d buy that old excuse?
Her house was walking distance from Main Street in good weather, but this time of year, it was better to drive and forego the risk of a broken ankle on the ice. Besides, she was on the countdown to get to the airport. She had no time to waste.
She drove around the block and pulled into the Premier Gasoline station. The owner ran out and filled up her tank. She was pretty sure she wouldn’t get service in DC like she did here at the Royal Oak Garage. Not only did they give her full service on the self-serve pump, but they’d also opened the garage on the weekends or after hours when the need had arisen. And with this truck, that happened more than she liked to admit. Sometimes she wondered if the guys booby-trapped the old truck so she’d have to come in for service. They loved Grandpa’s truck as much as she did.
Small-town living definitely had perks. What they lacked in volume and glitz, they made up for in fellowship and convenience. Those two businesses would probably miss her and the money they made working on her truck, too.
With her gas tank filled, she puttered around the block and headed home.
As she got within sight of her house, she thought about how it was large enough for a family of five, and she loved having that two-car garage. It made it so easy to keep all her sporting equipment, crafts, and stored holiday decorations nice and neat. She’d never realized until she’d gone hunting for a place to live in Washington, D.C. how lucky she was to have all this space. The whole apartment she’d be renting there would fit in the living room and kitchen of this house.
But how much room did a single gal really need anyway?
There was no way she could move everything she owned, so she’d planned to store some of her furniture and collections until she decided if she’d eventually buy a house there. Unfortunately, the cost of living and price of homes in DC wasn’t even in the same playing field as Evergreen. Until she was more familiar with which areas were most desirable, she’d just have to rent, because the things Spencer was showing her were way out of her comfort zone—budget-wise and style-wise. Besides, she’d have the chance to meet more people living in an apartment community, and that wasn’t a bad thing.
She knew every single person who lived on this street. For that matter, she knew most everyone in Evergreen. It would be fun to make new friends in a new town.
She slowed to a stop, then put her arm on the back of the seat and looked over her shoulder to back into her driveway—a necessity, since Grandpa’s truck was so finicky. She never knew when she might need a jump-start. The darn thing was hit or miss, but she still loved that truck. It was her last connection to Grandpa, and they’d been so close. He was the whole reason she’d gone to North Carolina State to get her veterinarian degree. Following in his footsteps was all she’d ever wanted to do. He’d been a large animal vet, and she’d gone on calls with him from the time she was in first grade. She hoped one day she’d have someone want to walk in her shoes…or muck boots, as the case might be. Chuckling at that thought, she knew that wouldn’t be the case in DC. She’d probably be wearing snappy clogs or something.
She stepped out of the truck and slammed the door behind her.
The bitter wind took her breath away. Nonetheless, she shoved her hands deep in her pockets, taking a good, long look at her home.
She’d miss this place. It had taken three rounds of painting the exterior of the Cape Cod to finally get the right shade of blue last year, and now she was leaving it behind. She’d kept the holiday decorating to a minimum since she’d be gone for the week of Christmas, but she was glad she’d taken the time to swag the pine around the porch and railings. The decorations were cheerful. She wouldn’t even have a porch to decorate in her new apartment.
Oh well, less stuff to put away in January. With all Spencer seems to be planning, I’ll need the extra time.
She walked carefully up the snowy sidewalk, then took the steps to the porch and unlocked the front door. Inside, stacks of labeled boxes filled part of the dining room. She’d finish packing when she got back from DC.
She set her phone and purse down, then got her suitcase and tote bag from her bedroom and wheeled them into the dining room. She did a quick dash through the house, unplugging things and checking for forgotten items.
Her cell phone rang. She ran to grab it from where she’d set it down on the old sideboard she’d refinished. The Christmas cards she’d received reflected back from the beveled 1900’s mirror. She recognized the number on the caller ID immediately.
“Spencer,” she said. “Hey, I was just heading out the door.”
“Happy ‘moving to DC day’!”
“Hey, it’s not ‘moving to DC day’,” Allie reminded him. “It’s ‘coming to DC to sign the lease on my apartment day’.”
“I’m sorry, do they make a card for that?” Spencer teased.
“They make a card for everything.” She grabbed her new rolling suitcase, slid her carryon bag over the handle, and headed for the door as they talked.
“I can’t believe we’re going to be living in the same city together. Five blocks apart.”
“Well, the commute will definitely be a lot easier.” Allie lifted her suitcase and went down the front steps, then rolled it to the truck.
“So, I’ve got some incredible stuff lined up for us. Dinners, parties, oh, and on Christmas Day, you and I will be going to my boss’s swanky estate in the Hamptons,” Spencer said. “One of the partners even said that we can use his helicopter to get there!”
“A helicopter?” She swung her carry-on into the back of the truck. Who flies around in a helicopter? And was she seriously traveling all the way from Vermont to DC only to end up halfway back home in The Hamptons? “Really…” She pushed the handle down on the suitcase, then heaved it over the wooden rails into the truck bed, too.
“Better get used to it, okay? This is going to be a brand-new start for us, Allie.”
And a huge change for me. I don’t mind a little slow, quiet time for reflection now and then. “Right. And I’m excited about that.” Her mom’s concerns echoed in her mind. “I just want to make sure that we’re not getting ahead of ourselves.”
“Allie. I get it. I totally get it, okay? I just want to put the last couple of months behind us. I mean, this is Christmas. The time for new beginnings.”
“Absolutely. And you know, also… I love swanky parties.” She hoped he bought that. She’d never even been
to one. She climbed into the driver’s seat of her significantly less-than-swanky ’56 Ford pickup truck and slammed the door. She’d been to Spencer’s office before. Now that was swanky. She pictured him sitting at his desk the day she’d met him there for lunch. The lunch he’d ended up not being able to go to. Instead, he’d ordered fancy French food for them to enjoy while he’d talked on a conference call. She’d have rather gotten a hot dog from the cart downstairs, but he’d been pretty pleased with himself for coming up with that contingency plan when the unscheduled meeting had popped up on his calendar.
He worked out of a corner office with heavy, dark wooden furniture and plush leather couches, nicer than a lot of people would have in their house. The view was amazing: the whole skyline of D.C., with the Washington Monument towering right in the center of it all. Spencer’s crocodile leather chair was probably what she remembered most. She’d never seen anything like it, and who knew crocodile leather could be so soft? He’d let her sit in it, and it had been so cushy she hadn’t wanted to get back up. She’d wished for crocodile boots ever since.
That visit should have given her a hint at the highfalutin future they’d have together, but now, with her moving there, things were beginning to get real.
“Beautiful,” Spencer said. “I should get back to work, though. I can’t wait to see you tonight.”
“All right. I’ll talk to you soon. Bye.” She disconnected the call. Her truck was decorated in garland with wreaths on the grill and tailgate. It had been the first truck Grandpa had ever bought for himself. He’d had many others over the years but had never let this one go. It had been so special to him, and because of that, it was extra special to her. Special. Not swanky. It would be out of place on the busy streets of Washington, D.C. But that could be a good thing. Not too many people had a truck like this. It would be a conversation starter.