Christmas in Evergreen

by Nancy Naigle

  “That was my grandpa. A real character,” she said, beaming.

  “You were close?”

  “So close. I miss him so much. He always had wise sayings for any situation. Oh, and he loved to draw. He did these beautiful, snowy scenes of people taking sleigh rides and sledding and getting their Christmas trees. It felt like home.”

  He understood. “It felt like Evergreen.”

  “Yeah. I guess that’s what I really want for Christmas. My grandpa used to do these great drawings on postcards. I always wondered why he didn’t do, like, a big picture or something, but anyway, he did these great drawings of the town. He’d done them ever since he was a kid. He told whole stories with just the pictures he’d drawn.”

  “That’s neat.”

  “Yeah. It is. I never got any of that talent. But when I’d look at those drawings, I would feel so connected to this place. I’d get this…this feeling of exuberance. That’s what I want. I want that feeling I got from my grandpa’s drawings.”

  “More than a pony?” he teased.

  Allie nodded. “More than a pony.” She seemed to be off in her thoughts somewhere. “So to answer your question about what I want.” She paused, and then took a leap of faith. “I think what I want. Is to feel… I want to always feel the way that I do here in Evergreen.” Her smile was bright.

  “The feeling of home.”

  “That’s it.” She took in a breath. “Yes. Exactly. So, how about you? What do you want?”

  He could get used to this. Allie sitting at his side. Talking on a cold night as they plan something fun together.

  Zoe’s laughter filled the air. They watched her skate, free as a bird, arms wide and enjoying the night with a huge grin on her face.

  “That.” Ryan glanced over at Zoe. “That’s all I need.” Love filled his heart. He was so blessed to have Zoe. When he turned back, Allie was looking at him with a kindness, a softness about her that overwhelmed him. He laughed nervously.

  Zoe skated by and yelled, “Come on, guys!”

  “I’m going to check to see if she has a battery pack or something.”

  They laughed, and then her phone rang.

  “I’ve got a phone call.” She took her phone out of her pocket. “Oh. It’s Hannah.” She answered the phone as Ryan bent over to tie his skate. “Hey. Whoa, what’s going on? Yeah, he’s right here.”

  Ryan sat up and leaned in closer, sensing something was wrong.

  “Okay. All right. We’ll be right there as soon as we can. Okay, bye.” She hung up the phone.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  “I’m so sorry to do this to you,” Allie said, “but we need a doctor.”

  Ryan called for Zoe. “Let’s go.”

  Zoe swished by and spun in front of Ryan. “I’m not ready to go. Can we just do two more laps?”

  “Sorry, kiddo. There’s an emergency. They need a doctor. We need to hurry.”

  “I’ll call my dad to pick us up and give us a ride, while you help Zoe. We need to get out to Henry’s barn.”

  They quickly shed their skates and changed back into their shoes.

  “He’s going to meet us on the corner,” she said. They picked up their skates and jogged to the corner. Joe pulled up just as they got there, and they piled inside his SUV. “Thanks, Dad.” Allie slammed the door shut. “Everyone inside and buckled up?”

  “Yep.”

  Joe took off. “What happened?”

  “I’m not sure,” Allie said. “Hannah was frantic. She said Michelle was lightheaded and disoriented.” They rode in silence. Finally, Joe took the turn down Henry’s lane and pulled up in front of the open door of the barn.

  Ryan jumped out of the car and ran inside. Hannah was standing next to Michelle. “What happened?”

  Hannah wore a pretty red sweater with snowflake trim and a very concerned look. She placed her hand on Michelle’s shoulder. “I don’t know. We were working on the festival and then she started to get all woozy and… Is she going to be okay?”

  “No, I’m not okay,” Michelle said, frantic, flailing a length of pine roping with poinsettias and pinecones wired to it around like a scepter.

  Zoe froze in her steps just behind her dad.

  “Honey,” he said to Zoe. “Give us a moment, okay?”

  “Okay.” She turned and walked over to where there was a box of ornaments sitting next to a tree and started to place them on the branches.

  Ryan turned his attention back to Michelle. Her hands shook, and beads of sweat were forming on her forehead.

  “We don’t have enough garland. The barn is…” She gulped air. “And outside… And in two days. There’s not enough time and there was supposed to be…”

  “Okay, Michelle.” Ryan stooped down in front of her to get her attention. “Michelle, I need you to breathe, okay?”

  She drew her hand to her heart, tears springing from her face as she shouted, “I don’t have time to breathe!”

  “Michelle,” he said calmly, “do you remember ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas?’”

  Allie glanced up to the ceiling, as though she thought he was crazy. Michelle narrowed her eyes.

  He began to sing. “On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…” He smiled gently. “What was it?”

  Michelle choked out the words. “Uh…drummers. Twelve drummers drumming? Right?”

  “Yes,” he cheered. “That’s right. What’s next?”

  “Pipers piping?” Her eyes darted around as if there’d be clues in the room. “Eleven?”

  “Right. Keep going.”

  “I don’t know ten,” she struggled. “I don’t know it.” She squeezed her eyes shut.

  Allie chimed in. “Lords…”

  Michelle perked up. “Ten lords a leaping. Right! And then it was nine ladies dancing, uh…eight maids a milking…” Her words came slower.

  Ryan gave her a nod, encouraging her to continue.

  She took in a breath. “Swans, geese, five golden rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves…” She let out a sigh, then sang, “And a partridge in a pear tree.”

  Hannah and Allie laughed with relief.

  “Good,” he said. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better.” Michelle eyed him. “What did you do?”

  “You were having a panic attack. Counting is one of the things that can help alleviate it. I just thought we’d stick to a Christmas theme.” He stood up, relieved it wasn’t anything more serious.

  Allie’s reassured gaze caught his attention. “Are you okay, Michelle?”

  “I am. I just… I was really crazy to think I could do this as well as you have for so long,” Michelle said.

  “Oh, don’t say that.” Allie lifted her arms. “This is amazing.”

  Ryan stepped closer. “Let me tell you something…I have never seen a group of people more dedicated to anything in my life. The way you have pulled everyone together and turned this place into… I mean, come on, look at this.”

  They all took a moment to slow down and take in what had been accomplished.

  The barn had been transformed into something festive and fabulous. Every single beam was wrapped in fresh garland. Every piece hand-tied and lit. An impromptu stage for the choir and performances had been set up at the far end and somehow, Michelle had rigged up a plush red curtain as the backdrop, giving the place a warm, welcoming feel.

  The empty slate of Henry’s brand-new barn had been transformed into a magical place, ready for the townsfolk to gather and celebrate. No easy task.

  Ryan felt suddenly a part of something. Part of this great group of people in this special little town. “This is what Christmas is about.”

  “That�
�s true,” Allie said wistfully.

  “The festival is going to be great,” Ryan said, “and it’s all because of you, Michelle.”

  She lowered her head. “Thanks, Doc.” Hannah hugged her.

  The children’s choir started singing another traditional Christmas tune.

  Allie noticed Zoe right in the middle of the group. She grabbed Ryan’s arm and pointed her out to him. They watched for a moment, smiling and enjoying seeing Zoe so happy.

  Allie motioned toward the door. The tents and games were still being worked on outside when they came out of the barn.

  “That was impressive in there,” Allie said.

  “You birthed a cow,” he said. “I think that wins the battle of impressive things that happened in barns.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” He wanted to reach for her hand. Allie was incredible on all fronts. Ryan held her gaze for a moment and then glanced over his shoulder. “I should…”

  She nodded, and he turned to go back inside.

  Allie was about to stop him when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. She glanced back at him, and then answered the phone. “Hi, Spencer.”

  Ryan’s mood dipped. He turned and went back into the barn to check on Michelle. He had no right to feel what he was feeling right now anyway.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The next morning Spencer had meetings, so Allie went to the diner to get breakfast. The place was packed as usual. She scanned the room for a seat with someone she knew. Nick sat in what had become his regular table in the back. She spotted Zoe and Ryan at a middle table eating breakfast. Allie maneuvered through the tables to where they were seated. “Mind if I join you two for breakfast this morning?”

  “Sure,” Zoe said.

  “Thanks.” Allie grabbed a mug of coffee from the back counter and then came back and sat down at their table. She and Ryan sipped coffee while Zoe indulged on hot chocolate with marshmallows. She was pretty sure Mom had been behind prescribing hot chocolate for breakfast. It wasn’t even in the regular mug they used, but in one of the ones Mom loved so much: extra big, so there was lots of room for marshmallows on top.

  Ryan was quiet, leaving Allie missing the playfulness they’d been enjoying together.

  “Hello, you two.” Carol approached the table. “Homemade Christmas cookies.” She placed the plate of assorted cookies in the center of the table between them.

  “Thank you very much,” he said. “These look delicious.”

  Carol stepped behind Allie and hugged her. “Allie’s a very good baker too, by the way.”

  How embarrassing. Mom is making those cookies sound like a dowry. She couldn’t have been more obvious that she liked Ryan a lot. Not that Allie could blame her. He did make a pretty powerful first impression.

  “I know. We’ve been baking cookies for the festival.” He glanced across the table at Allie with a nod.

  Not only had they baked a ton of cookies, but it had been one of the best nights she’d had in a long time.

  “That’s right. You have. That must have been so much fun,” Carol said.

  Joe called out from behind the counter. “Hey everybody, Ezra just called.” He waved his phone in the air. “And great news.”

  Everyone in the diner gave him their full attention. You could’ve heard a fork fall.

  “The road will be cleared tonight,” Joe announced.

  The silence was replaced with cheering.

  Allie spotted Zoe over near the front counter by the register. She was staring into the snow globe, her brows knitted together. Then she shook her finger at it. “I thought we had a deal.”

  Nick walked over to her. “What’s wrong, Zoe?”

  She turned, slack-jawed as if she’d been caught. “I made a wish and I thought it was coming true, but now I’m not sure.” Her displeasure was clear.

  “Oh?” Nick’s own brow furrowed. “Well, was it something your heart truly wanted?”

  “Yes! All of me wanted it. Even my toes!” She stuck out her boot and gave her foot a wiggle to prove it.

  Allie almost spit coffee through her nose. That little girl was absolutely adorable.

  Nick let out a hearty laugh. “In that case, I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

  “Are you sure?” Her face was etched with worry. A single wrinkle formed across her forehead just like the one Allie had seen on Ryan when he’d been worried at the airport.

  Allie had a feeling she knew what Zoe’s wish was. Like her, she loved Christmas in Evergreen. They were two peas in a pod. Allie hoped Zoe’s wish came true.

  “I’m sure,” Nick said. “You just have to be patient. Wishes are like Christmas cookies…it sometimes takes awhile for them to be fully baked.”

  Ryan noticed Allie watching Zoe. “I’d better get her. We’re going to need help eating all of these cookies.”

  “For sure.” Allie picked up a cookie and dunked it into her coffee.

  “Zoe?” Ryan stepped behind her and squeezed her shoulders gently.

  “Hi,” Nick said.

  “Hi,” Ryan said politely. “Kiddo, your hot cocoa is getting cold.” He turned her shoulders toward their table. She took off toward Allie with a smile, and he began to follow.

  Nick stopped him. “What about you, Ryan? Have you changed your mind about making a Christmas wish?”

  He shook his head. “No. I don’t really believe in that sort of thing.”

  “You know, people get busy…and they forget about the magic of the holidays,” Nick said gently. “But all they have to do is stop for a moment and open their eyes. Because that magic…it’s all around us.” Nick patted Ryan on the shoulder as he passed by on his way out of the diner.

  Had he believed in the magic of the holidays before his wife passed away? That had to have been such an awful thing to go through.

  Ryan stood there for a moment, thoughtful. Nick had a point. It was like those times in church when the sermon seemed like it had been written just for him.

  Allie handed Zoe a gingerbread cookie. “For you. Everything okay? You were in deep thought over there.”

  “Yep. Everything’s okay. I’m just going to be patient.” Zoe bit the head right off of the gingerbread man.

  That poor gingerbread was taking a beating over that wish. Allie glanced back over toward Ryan. He was holding the snow globe. Maybe Nick’s comment had resonated with him too.

  Her heart swirled. Had he made a wish? She looked over at Zoe, who was dancing her headless gingerbread man across the table in a chorus of “Jingle Bell Rock.”

  When Ryan came back, he wore a broad smile.

  Allie was dying to ask him about his wish but didn’t want to let on that she’d been watching him, or that she’d overheard the conversation with Nick.

  Zoe sipped her cocoa.

  “When you finish your cookie, are you ready to go back to the inn?” he asked Zoe.

  “Sure.”

  A heavy, dark ache settled in Allie’s chest. She was going to miss them. They got up and headed for the door. Ryan stopped and pulled out his wallet.

  Carol wagged a finger at them from the register. “No, sir. You will not pay today. That was my treat.” She gave him a wink.

  “Thank you. Everything was delicious.”

  “Thank you!” Carol zipped around the counter. “You forgot your cookies. I’ll box them up. Zoe, come with me.”

  Allie and Ryan stepped outside to the sidewalk. Without even the plan to do so, they both stopped and took in how pretty the shops looked today.

  In that moment, she felt such a connection. A sense of place. An alliance to this town. To Ryan. To that sweet little girl, Zoe.

  She pulled her keys from her pocket.
“You can just take the truck and leave the keys at Barbara’s. I’ll get them later.”

  “Thanks.” He shoved his hands in his pockets, never taking his eyes off her. “This really is a special place.”

  “Yes. It is.” Allie didn’t want this to end. This…whatever it was…was good. She braved a smile, but her insides were anything but cheerful. The fake smile hung like a pit in her stomach. “So, you’re all set?”

  “We are.” He nodded slowly. “Off to Florida.”

  “That’s what you wanted, right?”

  “Yea.” His expression seemed sad.

  She wished they’d stay.

  “And you. You’re off to DC.”

  That seemed like a million years ago. “Yeah. That’s the plan.” There was no reason to tell him otherwise. He was just passing through. The stuff with Spencer was hers to work through.

  “Looks like we both got what we wanted.”

  She wanted to say no. That this wasn’t what she wanted. To urge them to stay. She wanted to say it so badly. Instead, what came out of her mouth was, “Looks like it.”

  But looks could be deceiving. Their eyes held, until he dropped his gaze to his shoes.

  “Ryan…”

  He turned to her, and hope filled Allie’s heart…but then she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t put her feelings into words. She hesitated so long that she finally just said, “Merry Christmas.”

  She wished instead that they were laughing about what they were going to do next instead of saying goodbye. Christmas cruise cows, snow gorillas, selfies with Frosty, flour messes while baking cookies, anything!

  “Merry Christmas.” His voice was gentle.

  Allie smiled through her disappointment. So that was all it was meant to be.

  “Allie?”

  She sucked in a breath, hoping he’d say what she was thinking.

  “I. I wanted to— Um.” Ryan stammered.