by Nancy Naigle
Ben felt the time slipping away. He wanted to know more about her. Hear her get excited about the mystery of things. “Do you want to know a secret?”
“Of course.”
“That day on the train when we met, I was coming back from a job interview. I had applied on a whim, and then…”
“How’d it go?”
“Awful,” he admitted. “All my bylines were too old. I don’t have recent publications.”
“So, are you going to try again?”
“I don’t know. I’m out of practice. It’s not easy going back.”
Hannah screamed “fire” as her marshmallow turned into an inferno. Elliott grabbed the stick, and they both blew on it. Unfortunately, the charred mess fell off and plopped right into the dirt, leaving the two of them gooey and laughing as they tried to rescue the mess before someone stepped into it.
The buttery, sugary, smoky aroma of the toasted marshmallows added to the enchantment of the evening.
Michelle hugged Thomas’s well-muscled arm. The two hadn’t been apart since they’d reunited at the rink the other night. “The other day I was walking by the library,” she said. “And the town tree was up, and it was snowing a little, and I’d just heard ‘Do You Hear What I Hear?’ Which, you know, is my favorite song. And I thought to myself…why am I so happy?” She looked into his eyes.
The smile on his face told its own story.
“And then I saw you in my mind. It hit me.” Michelle grasped Thomas’s hand, lacing her fingers through his. “I realize I’ve fallen completely head over heels in love with you. I think I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. I am so happy that I met you, and that you and David are in my life.”
Ben watched Thomas and Michelle nuzzle closer. He knew that feeling of wonderment over being so happy. The source of his happiness recently stood in front of him. Katie. The fire made her hair appear as shiny as spun gold. He was tempted to lean in closer and whisper into her ear, but he didn’t take the chance. “You could stay?” Ben wished she would. “I mean, like, a day. You know. Figure out what’s missing from your article. Or just have some fun?”
“Stay in Evergreen another day?” Katie glanced over at the other carolers, all of them so in love, even if they didn’t realize what she could so easily see already. The snow fell around her. The fire snapped and crackled. It all felt so perfect. “Yeah. I can do that.”
Ben smiled at her, and the snow fell heavier.
The others gathered their things and headed indoors.
Katie stood, and Ben faced her, taking both of her hands in his. “Thanks for coming tonight. For staying one more day.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Staying another day in Evergreen meant Katie could get one more visit in over at the Kringle Kitchen, which seemed to be the heartbeat of this town. When she walked inside, it was comforting to recognize others in the diner this morning, including Nick, who sat at his usual table over by the front counter. She waved and walked over to an empty table. Carol brought her a cup of coffee and then went to greet newcomers.
Every story Katie heard, every person she met, every special event ever planned in this town, seemed to somehow always lead back to this diner.
Even the time capsule had a connection to this place, and the magic snow globe and…
She laughed out loud. Truth was stranger than fiction. No one would ever believe all of this was true.
As she reached for her nearly empty cup of coffee again, Carol appeared at her side. “Warm-up?”
“Absolutely. Thank you.” She tapped her hand on her blue notebook, which remained closed on the table next to her as she daydreamed about all she’d learned and witnessed here in this town. Her phone rang. Mom again. It was the second time in an hour. She was most definitely checking up on that article.
Katie casually ignored the call and turned her attention back to her coffee. “That’s plenty,” she said. “Thanks.”
“No breakfast this morning? Or maybe a kringle or something sweet?”
“No, thank you. I ate at the inn.” She placed a hand over her tummy. “I’m almost afraid to step on the scale when I get back home. I’ve eaten more the last couple of weeks than I should have.”
Carol set the decanter on the table and took a seat across from her. “Did you get your article done?”
“Technically? Yes. I wrote what I thought would work, but I’m hoping for a few more fresh ideas today to help finish up.”
“If we can help, just let us know. It’d be our pleasure. Joe and I could talk about this place twenty-four seven.”
“It truly is your life’s work, isn’t it?”
Carol’s serene smile was answer enough. “Yeah. Yes, it is. It may seem like just a job, and not a fancy one at that, but we love being a part of these people’s lives. Sure, the food brings them back in, but the relationships we’ve built are special. I wish everyone had the chance to live the life I get to live. Who knew Dad’s recipes would still work like magic all these years later? It’s so simple when you break it down, but it all works together so perfectly. Just enough, in just the right time.”
“And now you have his recipe book, thanks to the time capsule. I had no idea that kringles were even a thing. I just thought it was a recipe named after this restaurant.”
She clutched her heart. “I still can’t believe I’ve got that recipe book. Kringles go way back. A Scandinavian pastry with all sorts of fillings. Dad didn’t invent them, but he sure did perfect them.”
Katie scribbled feverishly in her notebook. “What’s your favorite?”
“Hmm. Not fair. That’s like picking a favorite child. Probably the maple almond, because we use ingredients from the locals. There’s a new flavor in the recipe book we haven’t even tried yet.”
“One more reason for me to come back for a visit.”
Carol seemed to drift off for a moment. “I’d looked and looked for Dad’s recipes over the years. All along, it was there waiting for me. For just the right time. You know, I always wanted to make our kringles taste just like his, but I could never quite get it right.” She turned her attention back as if for that second, she’d forgotten Katie was there. “You won’t believe what I was missing.”
“What was the missing ingredient?”
“Right there in his recipe, in all capital letters, it says to make simple syrup with melted snow instead of water.”
Katie tried to be polite about it, but really? “That can’t be real.”
“It must have been important to him to have included it in the recipe.” Carol smiled. “Okay, we were skeptical too, but we tried it anyway. And I have to say, by changing that one thing, it really did make a difference.”
Katie pushed her hair back over her shoulder. “I’m not sure you’d have come up with that on your own. Who would have ever guessed? I never thought I would learn so much about kringles, but I’m glad I did.”
“And we’re glad you showed up here. We’re all going to really miss you. I hate that you’re leaving already.” Carol’s words came over Katie as sincere. “I just know you and my Allie would have been fast friends.”
She was sad to be leaving already too. “I have a feeling I’ll be back. This place has a way of getting into your heart. And now that you’ve got me addicted to peppermint cocoa and kringles, I have to come back.” She closed her notebook. “You can’t just get those anywhere.”
“Well, good. Then I’ve done my job.” She placed a hand on Katie’s arm. “Don’t be a stranger.” She glanced down at her watch. “Oh, look at that. It’s almost time to open another calendar box. I’d better get Joe.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The sleigh bells on the door of the Kringle Kitchen jingled, and in walked Hannah with Elliott close at her heels. He carried the box, the one with the red and white poinsettias on it, that had held all those broken pieces of th
e magic snow globe not that long ago. That had been a heartbreaking day.
Hannah, all smiles, sang out a joyful imitation of a trumpet celebration and flung her arms out in a V. “Da, da-da, daaaaaaah.”
Elliott removed the top of the box, and Hannah carefully lifted the now-repaired snow globe into view.
“Oh my gosh. It’s perfect!” Carol ran toward the door. “How did you ever repair it? This can’t be the same snow globe.”
Joe and Katie joined them.
Hannah held it in her hands. “It’s the same one. It was all Elliott. He’s amazing. You can’t see a single crack unless you’re really, really looking for it, and I’m not going to tell you where to look.”
“You are quite the fix-it man,” Joe said as he looked over the piece. “It looks better than new.”
“I did my best.” He blushed.
“Thank you,” said Carol. “Look at that! Oh, it’s wonderful!”
Hannah’s smile was as wide as her sigh was long. “Whew. I can’t believe we were able to fix it. I couldn’t have done it without this guy.” Elliott’s smile was genuine, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off her. She was beginning to wonder if he was worried she might drop it again.
That made Hannah a little nervous. She put it back where it belonged in its place of honor on the stand, with the fake snow right there next to the cash register.
No sooner had she set it down than Elliott picked up the snow globe with an intent look on his face. He held it arm’s length away, then shook it in rapid succession, sending all that carefully placed glitter into the biggest snowstorm of all time. He squeezed his eyes tight and made a wish.
“Wow, that was determined,” Carol said, looking a little surprised.
Elliott raised a brow as he returned the snow globe back to the counter. “Can’t help knowing what it is I want, I guess.” A look of panic crossed his face, as if he hadn’t realized he’d just said that out loud. “Um, I’ll talk to you later.” He hurried out the door.
Hannah wondered why he made such a hasty exit. She turned back to the others, still riding high. “This has been a Christmas full of surprises.”
“Oh, I wish Allie was here,” Carol said. “She would have loved all of this. She called from Paris yesterday, and I told her all about the time capsule, but it’s just not the same as being here a part of all of it.”
“She’s having the time of her life,” Joe said, giving Carol a hug. “So is Zoe. She’s already speaking a few words of French.”
“That’s so exciting,” Hannah said.
Ben opened the door, coming to an abrupt stop behind the group of them huddled at the counter. “Hey!” When his gaze landed on Katie, he smiled even wider. “Everybody ready to open another calendar box?”
“Yes!”
“Good. Everyone get their coats. Let’s go.”
Katie, Joe and Carol grabbed their coats.
As Ben turned, he noticed the snow globe on the counter behind Hannah. “Oh wow. Good as new.”
“Yes. Thank goodness.” Hannah eyed the snow globe as everyone ran out to Kringle Alley for the daily calendar box opening.
Ben led Carol, Katie and Joe outside. Hannah hung back. Her fingers twitched as she went to grab the snow globe, but didn’t. Nick watched from a table nearby.
Guilt filled Hannah. Would she ever be able to pick it up without people being afraid she might drop it again? Surely that’s my imagination. Nick would never be like that.
She wanted to make another wish. She knew exactly what it would be. Stepping toward the door, she caught the look on Nick’s face.
He gave her a brief nod. Was he encouraging her to make a wish?
Why had she worked so hard to fix it if not for folks to still be able to make wishes? And she had one wish she needed to make.
She picked up the snow globe, holding it tight between her two cupped hands. She stared into the glass globe at the tiny church that looked just like the one here in town. “Okay, you,” Hannah whispered. “I’ve made a few wishes in the past, and they’ve all come sort-of true. And then they kept not working out. So, this year, just…surprise me.” Hannah shook the snow globe. Excitement rushed through her. When she opened her eyes and looked up, Nick was staring right at her, smiling. She set down the snow globe and raced outside to catch up to the others. Please let the magic still be there. Let the surprise be a good one.
Michelle had just pulled the name out of the top hat as Hannah got there. She crossed her fingers, hoping her name would be the one called to open today’s calendar box.
“Katie!” Michelle called out, scanning the group of locals in front of her.
Ben nudged Katie, not looking surprised at all.
“What?” Katie’s hands flew to her face. “I didn’t even put my name in!”
“Someone did,” Michelle said. “That’s the name that came out.”
“Go get ’em,” Ben said.
“Okay!” Katie still clung to her notebook when she stepped next to Michelle in front of the giant advent calendar. “Lucky fifteen.” She turned and slipped her hand into the arch at the top of the box, slowly sliding it forward while trying to sneak a peek. Everyone clapped as she presented the red envelope from the box. Sliding her finger beneath the flap, she slid the sheet of paper out and read from the letter.
“Dear Evergreenians.” Katie spoke loud enough for everyone to hear. “One of the best gifts of building this calendar was how nice it was to spend time together. And so, today’s gift is a little bit different.” She straightened, seeming intrigued to find out what was special today. Her face twisted a bit as she scanned ahead silently. She smiled and read on. “Whoever opens today’s box should name the Christmas activity they love the most but do the least. It’s our humble request that the entire town spend a few hours together doing that activity.”
Everyone seemed excited by that announcement.
Katie shook her head. ”Okay, that’s a lot of pressure.” She looked to Ben, and then Michelle.
“I don’t know. That red-letter envelope does feel legally binding,” Ben said with a tone of authority. “I think you have to do it.”
Katie turned and faced everyone. “Okay, well, there is one thing I really love doing, and definitely not often enough…”
“What is it?” Hannah screamed from the back as she worked her way to the front to lead the carols to follow.
“Snowmen. I love building a snowman.”
Michelle raised her hands in the air. “Okay. You heard the lady. We’ll all, as a town, be building snowmen together for a few hours. Let’s gather supplies and meet back in the clearing next to the gazebo in an hour. There’ll be plenty of room for a whole snow family, cousins and all.”
Everyone clapped, then disbursed to get ready to satisfy the Day 15 challenge.
Hannah made a quick change to the scheduled song. “Under the circumstances, I believe a little ‘Frosty the Snowman’ is in order.” And so the choir started, but the whole town joined in singing about that happy, jolly soul who came to life one day.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Katie twirled in the deep snow to clear a nice circular outline for them to build a snowman. Since fresh snow had fallen just last night, there was plenty of the white stuff piled up in the park. Some drifts rose a few feet against buildings and fence lines. It couldn’t be a more perfect day to bring everyone together for her favorite Christmas activity.
Groups of people had staked out their little piece of the park and had started building snowmen, while others cheered them on as they frolicked in the snow. One family built a giant target, and they were already throwing pitches at it, trying for a bullseye.
Across the way next to the gas station, two men worked on a truck with a snow blade on the front. They’d probably be using that a lot this winter.
Katie teamed up with Ben,
Nan and Michelle to build their snowman together. They worked great together. With barely a word, they had the base in place. Ben and David quickly rolled a hefty midsection and lifted it onto the base. Katie steadied it, and let Michelle check for position, until she finally gave them a thumbs up.
Thank goodness it’s easier to level a snowman middle than a banner across Main Street.
“Katie, I have to hand it to you, building snowmen as a whole town is a great way to spend a morning,” Michelle said. “We might have to make this an annual part of our celebration schedule.”
“Fine by me. Can you name it after me? How about Katie’s Snowman Day? Or better yet, we could make it non-gender specific and call it Snowbody’s Perfect Day.”
“We might have to vote on that,” Michelle teased.
“I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve built a snowman. I used to love rushing out to Prospect Park to make a snowman during the first snowfall,” Katie said. “It’s been years since I’ve done it, though.”
David stuck a long branch into the body of the snowman to make an arm. “It’s fun.”
“Hey, David, want to help me roll the head?” Katie waved him over.
“Definitely.” He ran to catch up to her near a big drift of snow piled by the trees.
Nearby Hannah, Ezra and Thomas scooched a whopper of a snowball into place for a sturdy foundation, followed by a nice, round belly.
“Look at that.” Ezra, bundled up in a black ski jacket and heavy knitted scarf, lifted his cheeks to the sky, letting the sunshine wash over him. “Whew. Despite the chill, it has turned into a beautiful day, huh?”
“Ezra, I’ve never seen you like this.” Hannah patted the snowman’s midsection. “It’s like you’re floating.”
“I am actually very happy! One day Lisa introduces me to someone, and wham, I’m moving to Boston. You just never know where you’ll find the right person who will change your life. Now, when I move up there, my romance will be two blocks away, and only because I took a little risk.”