“We’re just selling our cupcakes,” said Mia.
“But why the crowds?” asked Sheila. “That’s never happened before. Not here.”
Diane shot an annoyed glance at Mia.
Sheila strolled toward the cupcake display case. “Are these the Christmas flavors advertised on that little piece of paper on the door? I almost missed it as I came inside.”
Diane flung her hands on her hips.
“Yes,” said Mia. “Would you like to try one?”
Sheila wrinkled her nose. “Thanks, but I’ll pass.” She made a face like they were poison.
Diane rolled her eyes and glanced at the teens. “So, girls, what kind of cupcakes would you like?”
“I want the hot chocolate kind,” said Kristi.
“Me too,” said Amy.
They pulled their matching coin purses out of their pockets.
The shop phone rang.
Mia answered while Diane gathered Kristi and Amy’s order.
“I’m sorry,” said Mia. “We don’t deliver.” She paused. “Wait. Where are you at?” She scrambled to grab a notepad and a pen from behind the counter. She scribbled the address. “What flavors would you like?” She jotted them on the paper. “Do you have cash?” She glanced up at the clock. “All right. I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.” She hung up the phone.
Sheila still lingered in the shop, inspecting everything. She turned. “You’re doing deliveries now?”
“I’m about to,” said Mia. She glanced at Diane. “A customer wants a dozen of the Christmas flavors, so I’m taking them to her. She and her family are staying at the Rocky Mountain Bed and Breakfast for a wedding.”
“Wow, okay.”
“And,” said Mia, “it’s close to the home of a friend. I want to stop by and ask if she can do that thing I need someone to do.”
Diane leaned her head back. “Aha.”
Sheila sauntered toward the teens. “So, Kristi, when is your uncle coming back to town?”
MIA’S CAR CAME TO A rolling stop in front of a craftsman style home. She gazed at a For Sale sign on the lawn. Her stomach dropped.
She pushed the car door open, stepped outside and walked across the driveway with the snow crunching beneath her feet. The yard was void of trash cans and any other hint that someone lived there.
She walked up the steps and glanced at the living room window. The curtains were gone. Approaching, she peered inside the home. The furniture was gone too. Mia’s hope sank.
She turned away and glanced up at the sky. “God,” she said, “I need a miracle. Kristi needs a home here in Snowflake. Please help us.” Her gaze searched the clouds. Would God answer her prayer?
MIA TRUDGED DOWN MAIN Street toward Cupcakes on Main. The hope that burned within her just days ago was fading like the sun in the autumn sky.
She pushed the shop door open and stepped inside the warm refuge. Her gaze fell upon Jesse who sat at a table.
He glanced up from his phone. His face brightened like a thousand suns.
“Jesse,” she said in almost a whisper.
He stood, and Mia flung her arms around him. “I’m so happy to see you.”
“I’m happy to see you too.”
Diane watched from behind the counter. “I thought you might enjoy the surprise.”
Mia stepped back and gazed at Jesse’s handsome features. “How long will you be here?”
“A few days,” he said.
Mia burst with joy. A few days wasn’t much, but she would relish them.
“I have a favor to ask,” he said. “I need help with finding a Christmas gift for Kristi. I want to celebrate early while she’s still here.”
“That’s a wonderful idea.”
“But I don’t know what to give her. My sister always helped me with birthdays and Christmases.” He raised his phone. “I’ve been searching for ideas online, but I still don’t have a clue.”
“I would love to help.”
Chapter 16
Sara Benson, one of Mia’s high school friends who received Charity’s letter, stood behind the register inside Gifts N’ More. A few customers waited in line at the small shop she owned on Main Street.
Mia waved hello and stopped to take in the wonderful fragrance of cinnamon and other Christmassy scents that filled the air. “I love coming in here,” she said to Jesse. “It always smells so good and they always have such interesting finds.”
“Kristi always begs me to bring her whenever we’re here.”
They turned on an aisle and approached the toys section.
Mia glanced at the items on the shelves. A warm, nostalgic smile brightened her face. “Look at that.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a toy oven. I had one like it when I was little.”
“You did?” Jesse leaned over and gazed at the picture on the box.
“Except mine was green,” she said. “And believe it or not, it really bakes things.”
He jerked his head back. “You’re kidding.”
“It heats up when you turn the knob. I made brownies in mine. It was the first thing I ever baked.”
Jesse chuckled. “I never knew that.”
“And then I graduated to baking things in our oven in the kitchen. The first thing I made was tres leches cupcakes.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Tre what?”
“Tres leches. The popular cake. You’ve never heard of it?”
“I don’t think so.”
“It has condensed milk, evaporated milk, and cream in the recipe. That’s why it’s called tres leches, which means three milks.”
“Ah,” he said.
“But the milk mixture goes over the cake, so it becomes like a pudding cake, and then you add whipped cream for the frosting.”
He clutched his stomach. “You’re making me hungry.”
“I’ll have to make some for you.”
“Please do. The sooner the better.”
Mia smiled.
A look of recognition washed over Jesse’s face. “Look at this.” He stepped toward a box on the shelf. “I had one of these when I was growing up.”
“A telescope?”
“I loved astronomy. When I was a kid, I was already good at math, so I knew how to use all the sky charts. I could figure out the longitudes and latitudes and astronomical distances of the stars and planets and all the other astronomical objects.”
“Really?” said Mia. “So, what you’re saying is, you were a nerd.”
Jesse laughed.
“I’m just teasing,” she said. “You’re not a nerd. You’re a genius. It sounds like you were that way even as a kid.”
A sheepish grin formed on his lips.
“I wish I had known you back then,” she said.
“I wish I had known you too,” said Jesse. “Then maybe I would have had a date for the prom.”
Mia laughed.
“And cupcakes.”
Footsteps interrupted. Sara approached. “Hi, Mia,” she said. “Hi, Jesse.”
“Hey, Sarah,” said Mia.
Jesse greeted her too.
“Is there something I can help you find?”
“We’re Christmas shopping for Kristi,” said Mia. “Do you carry journals and picture frames?”
“We do,” said Sara. “They’re in the next aisle. I’ll show you where.” She turned and led them in that direction.
Mia watched her slender figure. How was her secret angel assignment going? Mia longed to ask her but Charity wanted it to be a secret. She would have to wait until another day to find out.
WRAPPING PAPER, SHOPPING bags, and Kristi’s gifts littered the floor around the Christmas tree inside Jesse’s cabin. You would think a tornado had twisted through it.
Jesse placed a pink storage caboodle on a sheet of wrapping paper on the floor. He glanced at the rounded edges and the handle, which created an uneven surface on top. “How am I supposed to wrap this?”
Mia glanced up fr
om the gift she wrapped. She brought her eyebrows together. “I don’t know. Maybe it would help if you measure the longitudes and latitudes and astronomical distances.”
Jesse laughed. “I don’t think even rocket science would help me figure this out.” He grabbed the scissors and cut through the paper then stopped to check his work. The edge was uneven. He leaned over and cut it to straighten it, but he cut too much. “Great,” he said. “Now it won’t cover the gift.” He sat back. “What did you say about me being a genius?”
Mia snickered.
“Maybe we should have bought gift bags instead,” he said.
“Are you kidding?” said Mia. “Tearing through paper is so much more fun than opening a bag. At least, when you’re Kristi’s age.”
“That’s true,” he said. He watched Mia cut through a different roll of wrapping paper. “Thanks for all of this. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Mia paused. The memory flashed through her mind of Don breaking up with her. His words about not loving her anymore echoed. The pain of not being wanted came rushing back. She glanced up at Jesse. “I’m glad I could help.”
“Kristi will love this,” he said.
“I hope so.” Mia smiled. The feeling of being needed made her heart soar. Her eyes misted, but she blinked to clear them. She didn’t want to miss a second of what was in front of her.
“CLOSE YOUR EYES,” SAID Jesse. “Are they closed?”
“Yes,” said Kristi.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. I can’t see anything.”
Mia pushed the front door of Jesse’s cabin open, and Jesse grabbed hold of Kristi’s shoulders. They both led her into the living room.
“When can I open them?” she asked.
“A few more seconds.” Jesse stopped in front of the Christmas tree. “Okay,” he said. “You can open them now.” He let go of her.
Kristi’s eyelids parted. Her eyes flew open. A gasp filled her throat at the sight of the gifts around the bottom of the twinkling tree.
“They’re for you,” said Jesse.
“All of them?”
“That’s right.”
She dropped to her knees and grabbed hold of a gift, but she held it as if it might break. She lifted the name tag and glanced at her name. Her stunned gaze traveled around the other gifts.
“What’s wrong?” asked Jesse.
“I can’t believe it,” she said.
“I wanted to celebrate Christmas while you’re here.”
Mia knelt beside her. “Open it,” she said. “Let’s see what Santa brought you.” She winked.
Kristi tore the gift wrap and revealed a kit to make a bracelet. She held up the package and admired the crystal beads. “I love this! It’s the one I saw at the craft store.”
“I remembered,” said Mia.
“Thank you!” Kristi gazed at it. She set it aside and tore through the rest of her gifts. She uncovered pajamas, mittens, a scarf, a sweater, more arts and crafts kits, a flowery journal—and the caboodle to store her things.
Jesse reached behind a toss pillow on the sofa. “There’s one more thing,” he said. He pulled out a wrapped rectangular item.
Kristi took it and tore the paper. She uncovered a picture frame with snowflakes around it. Behind the glass was a picture of herself with her mom standing beside their old Christmas tree.
“It was Mia’s idea,” he said.
Thick tears filled Kristi’s eyes. They spilled down her face.
Mia’s heart leaped. “Are you okay? I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Kristi shook her head. “I’m not upset. I’m happy.” She gazed at the picture and hugged the frame. “I love this.” She glanced around at the Christmas tree and gifts. “I love all of this. I never thought I would have a Christmas like this again. When my mom died, I thought it was over.” She glanced up at Jesse and Mia. “Thank you.” She set the frame aside, reached out and pulled them both in an embrace.
Mia’s eyes filled with tears. She squeezed them shut and drowned in the most wonderful group hug she had ever known.
Chapter 17
Mia carried a tray of cupcakes to the display case inside Cupcakes on Main. The chatter of voices from outside grabbed her attention. She glanced up and stopped.
A bigger crowd than yesterday gathered at the door.
“Why are so many people waiting outside?” she asked Diane who worked in the kitchen. “Did you place a new ad somewhere?”
“No.”
Mia watched a child shivering and fidgeting from the cold.
A gust of wind swept past the crowd and sent their hair flying and coats flapping.
“I think I’ll let them inside.” Mia set the tray on the counter, rushed to the door, and opened it. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” said a woman.
A crescendo of greetings filled the air.
“We’re not open yet, but you can wait in the shop. It’s warm in here.” Mia stepped back and pulled the door open all the way.
“Bless your heart,” said the woman.
Everyone piled inside the seating area.
The kids scampered to the cupcake display case.
“What brought you here so early?” asked Mia.
“I saw the article in the Denver Post,” said the woman. “I’m visiting family in Snowflake, so I rushed over here. I wanted to be here before you opened.”
“The Denver Post?” asked Diane from the kitchen entrance.
“The article in the Food section,” said the woman. “Didn’t you see it?”
Diane walked out and joined Mia. “When was it there? What did it say?”
A different customer answered. “It was published this morning. It’s about small shops on Main Streets throughout Colorado. It mentions your Flavors of Christmas cupcakes. I have to try the white chocolate candy cane.”
Mia and Diane traded surprised glances. They both pulled their phones out of their pockets and scrambled to find the article.
“Here it is.” Mia clicked on the link and scrolled through the list of different towns. She spotted Snowflake, Colorado. “Cupcakes on Main.”
Diane found it too. “Imagine that,” she said. “Who wrote this?”
Mia checked the author’s profile at the bottom of the page. “Lynn?” She lowered her phone. “I remember her. She stayed at the inn.”
“When?” asked Diane.
“On the weekend of the tree lighting. She said she came to the shop and bought our cupcakes, but she never said anything about the article. Now I understand why she asked me those questions.”
Voices resounded outside the window. More customers stopped at the door.
Mia and Diane glanced at them.
“I think we need to make more cupcakes,” said Diane.
They rushed to fill everyone’s orders, and as they did, more customers arrived.
Mia glanced out the window and spotted Sheila grasping her chin as she watched.
The shop phone rang. Diane answered. “Cupcakes on Main.” She paused and listened to the caller. “Hold on.” She covered the receiver with her hand. “Mayor Hardy’s office asked if we can deliver our Christmas cupcakes to their meeting.”
“Are they in a hurry? I can take them when it slows down here.”
“You go ahead,” said Diane. “I can handle things until you get back.” She jotted the order on the notepad and hung up.
Taye Thomas, one of Mia’s high school friends who received Charity’s letter, approached the counter. “Hi, Mia.”
“Taye,” said Mia, “How are you?”
“I’m good. Just busy, and from the looks of it, so are you.”
“I am,” said Mia.
The shop phone rang. Diane answered.
“And I think I’m about to get busier,” said Mia.
MIA DELIVERED AN ORDER of cupcakes to Mayor Hardy’s office and another order to Snowflake High School where she saw music teacher Nate, one of her high
school friends who received Charity’s letter.
She barged back inside Cupcakes on Main and stopped in the seating area. For the first time since the shop opened that morning, there weren’t any customers.
Diane moved out from around the counter looking frazzled. “We’re running out of cupcakes,” she said. “We have two left.”
Mia glanced at the display case. “That’s it?”
“The rest of them have sold.”
“Even the ones in the kitchen?”
Diane nodded. “All of them.”
Mia walked closer to the display case and gazed at the empty space. It took a few seconds for reality to sink in. Waves of disbelief spiraled through her. “Am I dreaming?”
“I wondered that too,” said Diane.
They both erupted in laughter.
Mia laid her hand over her chest. “The Denver Post? How did this happen?”
“I don’t know.” Diane exhaled. “It’s what we wanted, isn’t it? This was our dream when we opened the shop.”
Mia nodded.
“We could do this all the time,” said Diane. “We could sell special flavors for every holiday and the business would be successful.”
A woman stopped outside and pulled the door open.
“Are you here to buy our Christmas cupcakes?” asked Diane.
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry but we just ran out. We have a couple of other flavors.”
Disappointment crossed the woman’s face. “I wanted to try the Christmas flavors. Will you have more tomorrow? I’ll be in this area again in the morning.”
“Absolutely,” said Diane.
The woman smiled. “Great. I’ll come back then.” She left.
Diane plopped her weary body on a chair. “I’ve been on my feet since before dawn. I’m exhausted.” She glanced at Mia. “Is Jesse in town? Do you think we could hire him to help us make more cupcakes?”
“He’s in California,” said Mia.
“We can’t do this by ourselves. We need help. Maybe the temp agency can send someone to work the register. I should call them.” Diane pulled her phone out of her pocket.
Mia's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 1) Page 10