by Leah Atwood
“Some things are one-of-a-kind.” Michael looked up from his turkey wrap.
“When did they add that to the menu?” She took a long draw of the chocolate milkshake, and her shoulders danced in appreciation of the cold, thick treat.
“A couple of years ago. Luther’s son is working with him and convinced his dad to target the younger demographic.”
“That’s so wise.” She picked up the salt shaker in the middle of the table and salted the fresh-cut fries.
“It’s increased their business. It used to be the locals. You know, older folks who’d been eating there since Luther’s dad opened the place in the fifties. The occasional out-of-towners would drop in.” He took the plastic lid off his fruit bowl and grabbed a red grape. “Now it’s a place where the students from the college come to eat and study. He even put in Wi-Fi last year.”
“Wi-Fi?” Serena almost choked. “In downtown Oak Hollow? I can’t believe it.”
“Time didn't stand still when you left, Serena. We may be a small town compared to Atlanta, but we have lights and running water.”
She’d wounded him and hadn’t meant to. “I’m sorry, Michael. I didn’t mean to sound unkind. I’m just surprised that Luther, the man who had a pay phone on the back wall of his diner, would even consider Wi-Fi.”
“I know you left for more and better things, but we do okay here.” He shrugged. “And most of us have a good life.”
Her appetite disappeared. “Is that what you think?”
“It’s what you said on your way out of town. ‘I can’t stay here. Everything is frozen in time in this small town, and I won’t stay here and die with it. And nothing you, or anyone else, can say will change my mind.’”
Those were her exact words. How she must have wounded him. He hadn’t realized she was lashing out in pain. The pain of losing her dad. Dad was the only one she knew who could save All Things Christmas, and he’d died. Her mother had refused to change a single thing after that. She said it should all be as her father left it as a kind of memorial.
Serena had pleaded with her to understand that the business had been Dad’s way of providing for them. He would want it to stay healthy.
“He ran it like this, and we’ve always had all we ever needed. I won’t change it now. You’re too young to understand business, Serena. You just need to stay in school and let me handle the store.”
Her mother had been adamant, and nothing Serena had said could move her.
But Michael thought she’d left because she resented Oak Hollow.
“I was young, Michael. And grieving the loss of Dad.”
“All I wanted to do was help you through that.” He wasn’t eating now, either.
“I couldn’t bear the thought of the store my parents had opened closing. The idea of walking by this address and seeing prom dresses or antiques in the window was unimaginable. And nothing I said to Mom helped. We were fighting all the time. She told me to go finish school.” Serena tore at the corners of her napkin on the table. “I lost Dad. Mom was doing things that would cause the store to close. And you wanted me to wait. Don’t you see? I couldn’t bear another loss, another delay. I had to get my life moving forward to keep from finding myself stuck like Mom was.”
“But she didn’t lose the store. You were wrong.”
“That’s just it.” She gave a derisive snort. “I know I said I needed to talk to Mom first, but you will have to know. It’s best you know now. I haven’t had time to look at everything, but from what I’ve seen…”
The bells on the front door rang, and Michael was on his feet. “We’ll have to talk later. I have to work now.” He left her.
He was using the customer as a reason to avoid her. She felt it in her heart.
She watched through the glass as he talked to the customer who wanted stockings for her family. If Michael or the customer had looked up, they’d have seen her watching. But they wouldn’t know she was wondering how this store could look so good on the face of things and be days away from closing.
* * *
Michael closed the door and locked it at seven that night. He tallied the sales for the day and made up the deposit. Looking at the ticket, he knew the numbers were less than they had been the year before. Had Serena been right?
Was it time to share his ideas with her, or should he wait until Denise was able to return to the shop?
He’d make a decision when he stopped by to see Denise after taking the day’s receipts to the night depository at the bank.
Serena answered the door when he knocked. “Mom is in the living room. You go in. I’ve got to take supper out of the oven.”
Denise was propped in her chair with her leg on the ottoman.
“How’s the patient?” He dropped a kiss on her cheek and sat on the sofa.
“Tired of being patient.” Denise pursed her lips. “Dr. Akers said I still can’t put weight on this leg, but I’ll go crazy if I have to stay in this house another day.”
“It’s only been a week since your surgery. You need to do what the doctor says. You’ve got a lot of years ahead of you. Taking the time to recover will make those years better. You don’t want to aggravate the injuries.”
She coughed and grabbed her ribs. “I think sitting still all the time with nothing to occupy my mind is keeping me from healing.”
“You do?” He gave her his best are-you-sure look with one eye squinted.
“Yes, really. And I know just what I’m going to do about it.”
Serena came into the room. “Do about what?”
Denise sat back and squared her shoulders as best she could in the cushioned armchair that was her favorite. “I’m going back to work tomorrow.”
Serena laughed and sat in a chair opposite the sofa. “No, you’re not. The doctor said two more weeks in the wheelchair and off that foot, and then only partial weight.”
“He didn’t say I had to stay in this house. As much as I love having you home, Serena, I’m ready to see the outside world again. You can go with me to work. There’s plenty of room in my office for you to do your work there.”
Michael asked, “What do you propose, Denise?
“I can sit in the craft room and make things.” She pointed at the wheelchair. “That thing has wheels because it’s designed to go somewhere. Just like me.” She lifted her shoulders and blew out a sharp breath as she lowered them again. “And tomorrow, we’re going to All Things Christmas. I haven’t missed a Christmas season there since Robert opened the place, and I won’t start now.”
Serena said, “Mom, tomorrow is the day before Thanksgiving. Why don’t you wait another week? You’ll be stronger. I bet your ribs won’t hurt near as much by then.”
“I want to go to work. A merry heart is like medicine. That’s what the Bible says. I need some cheering up. Going to work will do that.”
He agreed. “I think I can put the cash register on a lower table. You could roll your chair up behind it. I think you’ll be a big help on Friday.”
Denise gave him a huge smile and clapped her hands. “That’s perfect!”
Serena wasn’t easily convinced. “I don’t think so.”
Michael made a plea for Denise. “You’ll be there, Serena. You can help her just like you do here. Everything is on one floor. There are no steps. She’ll have her leg propped on the wheelchair, but it will be under the table so no one can bump it. She’ll be busy.” He smiled at Denise. “And you are the spirit of Christmas that makes the store successful.”
Denise blushed and swatted the air between them. “Well, aren’t you just the sweetest thing.”
He addressed Serena again. “You haven’t been to the store since Friday. The traffic has really picked up. I’ve been delivering trees and restocking shelves while the part-time help have been busy with customers.”
She wavered. He saw it when she glanced at her mother’s hopeful expression.
The kitchen timer sounded, and Serena stood. “Oh, okay.”
&nbs
p; Her mother rubbed her palms together. “Yes!”
Serena pointed at him. “But you have to stay for supper so we can work out the details tonight. I don’t want any surprises that would cause Mom to be overtired tomorrow.” She looked at Denise. “We come home at the first sign of fatigue or trouble.”
“There won’t be any. I just know it!” Denise winked at Michael when Serena left them to take the supper out of the oven. “I have a good feeling about this, Michael.”
He wished he did. Having Denise back in the shop would be great. Having Serena there all day, every day could be good or bad.
He would find out soon enough. He prayed he was up to the task. For Denise’s sake.
And Serena’s.
* * *
Michael pushed Denise’s chair through the front door of the store. She took a swift glance around and said, “It’s great to be home.”
He pushed her toward the back of the store. “It’s great to have you back. I’ve been a bit lonely with no one to boss me around.”
“I’m sure I can make up for lost time. Just roll me back to the cash register and let me see how things look from back there.”
Serena entered the shop carrying her computer bag, purse, and a tote he recognized as Denise’s. She headed straight for the office.
After Michael gave Denise the grand tour of the displays he’d updated in her absence, he left her in the craft room to gather supplies. He’d set up a table beside the cash register so she could work on small projects between customers.
He tapped on the door frame of the office. “All good in here?”
Serena had her laptop on one corner of her mother’s desk, and several file folders were stacked nearby. “Just about.”
“How are you managing your work and caring for your mom?” He dropped into a chair.
“I don’t have a choice. Because I own my own business now, I can work from anywhere. My clients and I communicate by email and over the phone unless they have a special on-site need. I do go into their businesses when I first acquire a client, but other than an occasional visit for P.R. purposes, I’m able to work from home. And Edna has been a huge blessing. She comes almost every day for a visit. It helps occupy Mom’s time.”
“You never finished telling me about the store the other day.”
“I haven’t finished talking with Mom about it. She refuses to listen to anything she doesn’t want to here.” That was just one thing the two ladies had in common. Serena was more like her father, but she did share some of her mother’s stubborn traits. He loved them both for it.
Loved them both.
He had suppressed his love for Serena. After she’d returned he’d let go of the pain it had caused him. He would always love her as a dear friend, but he wouldn’t risk his heart to her again. No. Serena Evers had taught him pain like no one else could. He wouldn’t go back to that school again.
He pushed up out of the chair. “I’m going to get your mother settled. Then I’ll be in and out making deliveries. Let me know if you need anything.”
She nodded and went back to her work. He turned back to her as he walked out of the office and caught her jerking her head down in an effort to keep him from knowing she’d been watching him.
Let her watch. All she’d see was him walking away.
Chapter Three
A crash outside the office snatched Serena’s attention out of the finances of All Things Christmas.
“Nothing’s broken.” Her mother called out in the empty store. Michael’s heavy steps could be heard coming from the stock room behind the office. A part-time girl from the high school rushed over from the snowman display, and Serena stood in the office doorway.
“Are you okay, Mom?”
“Yes. Just a bit clumsy.” She pulled the ribbon she held in one hand in an effort to retrieve the fallen spool.
“Wait. You’re unwinding it.” Serena bent and picked up the spool. “What made that noise? Not this.” She handed over the ribbon.
“That.” Her mom pointed to a pair of scissors that were lodged halfway under the cabinet where the cash register usually stood. “And that.” She pointed to her hot glue gun in the corner by Michael’s feet.
He picked it up and laughed. “Looks like you’re going to need a bigger work space.”
Serena shook her head. “No. I think you need to go back home.”
Her mom put the ribbon on the table with a force that surprised Serena and Michael. “I will not go home. This is my store, and I won’t sit in this chair at home and wonder if it’s going to survive the season.”
Michael motioned for the teenager to take her break and came to kneel in front of her mother.
“Denise, you don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want.” He looked over his shoulder and up at Serena. His eyes begged her to be patient.
“I have to see this through. People expect me to be here. It’s not All Things Christmas without an Evers in the store.” She patted his cheek. “Or you. Where would I be without you, dear Michael?” A tear ran down her face.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I don’t mean to come across as unkind or inconsiderate. I’m just trying to protect you.” Serena squeezed her mom’s shoulder. “I worry about you.”
“I don’t need you to worry about me.” She spread out her hands to the empty store. “I need you to help me.”
Serena couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Really? You mean it?”
Her mom nodded. “I may be getting old, but I’m not an old fool. I can see the people outside that window walking by with their headphones on, heading into the stores that have all the latest gadgets. And Christmas doesn’t mean what it used to. People have gotten so busy they don’t remember Jesus. How can they enjoy His birthday if they don’t know Who He is? I don’t know how to keep up anymore.”
“You are not a fool, Mom.” Serena leaned over and hugged her in the wheelchair.
“And you’re not old, either.” Michael stood up. “I’ve seen how hard you work. Old is a matter of the mind. You have a lot of life left in you, Denise Evers. Let’s see if we can find a solution to the woes of All Things Christmas. That Christmas spirit of yours is sure to be the main ingredient.” He put the scissors on the table and straightened the things she’d dropped.
Serena picked up the wreath ornament she was making and turned it over in her hand. She thought for a minute. “Mom, have you looked around on the internet at what other Christmas stores are offering?”
“No, honey. I’ve been in this business for almost twenty years. The internet could probably learn a thing or two from me, but I know about Christmas.”
The front door opened and their helper returned. Serena said, “Caitlin, we need you to man the front of the store by yourself while we have a meeting in the office. Can you do that?”
The teenager looked to Michael for direction.
Michael tried to stop the smile that threatened when the girl thought he had the authority to override Serena in her family store. He nodded without saying a word.
“Yes, ma’am. I can handle it. Michael sometimes leaves me on my own for an afternoon. As long as we don’t get too busy, I’ll be fine.”
Serena realized there wasn’t much of a risk at them being overrun by customers this afternoon. Most of the people in town had already headed home to cook their Thanksgiving dinner for the next day.
She hoped a serious talk with her mother and Michael would show them how dire the situation was. Her mother’s stubborn refusal to consider internet research about Christmas was just another reason the store was in danger of closing.
It was also why she’d left her Christmas spirit behind when she moved to Atlanta. Her mother had come every year to spend Christmas Day with her. But her apartment had no decorations, and there were no parties. Just the simple exchange of gifts and a service at church. That was the limit of her celebrations.
She’d studied the financial records of the store carefully over the weekend. If the last two Chri
stmases were an indicator, it was only a matter of time before the store would close. It would crush her mother, but facts had to be faced. Even hard ones. Like red ink.
Ten minutes later, the calm that Michael had restored to her mother was gone.
“I will not close this store, Serena. You may as well go to the house and pack your bags. Atlanta is the best place for you if you only came here to shut me down.”
“I came here because you were hurt, Mom.” She looked at Michael.
He sat beside her mother and shook his head. “Are you saying that nothing we do will correct the situation? There’s no way to save the store?”
“I don’t see a way. With Mom’s insistence on not changing and the economy still struggling to rebound, small businesses have been taking a beating. Believe me, I know. I have a list of clients that have gone out of business.” She turned to her mom. “I’m sorry to say, it’s often because they were unwilling to change before it was too late.”
“Your father weathered all the economic challenges before he died. Things are better now than they were then.”
“To an extent, things have improved.” She leaned forward in the chair and interlaced her fingers on the desk. “Mom, I’m afraid it’s too late. The changes you’d have to make at this point would be tough. I don’t think you’d ever agree.”
“So you do think there are things we can do?” Michael grabbed onto words she hadn’t meant to say.
“I don’t want you to have false hope.”
Her mother joined Michael’s hope. “You tell us. I’ll do anything to save the store.” She leaned forward with her elbows on the arms of her wheelchair. She seemed so far away with her leg propped up on the frame that extended from the front of the chair.
Michael sat straighter in the chair he’d pulled back so he’d be beside her mother and not in front of her.
Serena took a deep breath. “There are no guarantees.”
Her mother said, “Don’t make me wait. You of all people, the most impatient member of the Evers family.”