by Tonya Kappes
“Yes you will.” Hazel’s eye grew dark. “If you want to be a member of this family.”
“I never said I wanted to be a Greenlee, but Maggie definitely wants to be a Cohen, and I can see why.” He grabbed Maggie’s coat off the chair. “Come on.”
“No wonder she ran off to New York City.” He helped Maggie put her coat on. “We’re leaving.”
Maggie followed Grady out even though she was torn over what she should do.
This night had turned out to be one of the worse nights of her life. She wasn’t sure they could stay in Grandberry Falls another twenty-four hours, or if they would even be welcome.
Chapter Eleven
“Hey man. What are you doing out so late on Christmas Eve?” Tommy asked as Mitch came through the front door of The Thirsty Turtle.
Mitch shook the snow out of his hair and waited until Tommy had finished wiping down the bar in front of the only empty stool in the joint.
“Couldn’t sleep.” Mitch grabbed the only peanut left in the bowl before Tommy took it to refill. “I should’ve listened to the weather before I left.”
He’d been at Wendy’s house for their quiet night in, but his head wasn’t in it. He made up some excuse about needing to get to bed so he could be at his best for the Grandberry Falls’ annual Christmas hoedown. When, in reality, he couldn’t stop thinking about seeing Maggie there.
He still didn’t know if he believed Belle about Maggie being engaged. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time Belle had lied to him. She was always telling him things in order to make him feel better when it came to Maggie, but this would be her cruelest lie yet.
Mitch looked around the bar. Every table was filled and there was a line for the dartboards. Not a single pool table was open. He wondered if all these men were escaping from their families’ Christmas Eve festivities.
Had it always been this busy on Christmas Eve? Mitch checked his watch. It was ten till midnight. Ten minutes away from the annual Greenlee midnight apple ritual.
“Thanks.” He took the icy mug Tommy had set down in front of him and took a big swig.
He wanted to numb the pain in his heart. Not only had he lost Maggie forever, he’d lost the Greenlees and their traditions that he had been a part of for over twenty years.
He could picture them sitting in the family room next to the Christmas tree, each one of them wrapped up in one of Hazel’s quilts. And Maggie with the hot pink hat, scarf, and gloves Clarice had knit especially for her.
He didn’t like apples, but would’ve given anything to be biting into one at the Greenlee’s just then. He would never forget the time Hazel told his mom about how they eat an apple at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve for good luck. First of all, Hazel made sure always to buy the biggest apples she could find for the ritual. Then, it wasn’t just a matter of just eating the apples. All the doors in the house had to be wide open to let out any evil spirits.
It seemed silly as a boy, but as he got older, he just enjoyed any time he could spend with the Greenlees, even if it meant freezing indoors in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve.
“Well, I thought I talked you out of her this morning?” Tommy sat a drink in front of the guy next to Mitch.
“I’m good.” Mitch etched lines in the side of the frosty mug.
“Can I get you some peanuts?” Tommy asked a guy sitting next to Mitch.
The guy shook his head.
Mitch looked at him and immediately knew the guy wasn’t from around here. One, he’d never seen him, and two, no man in Grandberry Falls dressed in khakis, button-down shirt, and tie.
He must be lost, Mitch gave him the once over. It wouldn’t be the first time someone stumbled upon his town. Movie star Sam Reynolds drove into the sleepy town in the middle of the night and had never left, putting Grandberry Falls in the spotlight.
“You lost?” Mitch wanted to make sure the stranger felt welcome since he was the mayor.
Mitch stuck his hand out.
Poor guy, Mitch noticed the guy’s hair was hanging in his eyes, and his tie was all undone. Not to mention his wrinkled button-down was untucked.
The guy gave Mitch a nice firm handshake, making Mitch believe he was some sort of business man. Since being elected, Mitch has gone to many business meetings, and that was the first thing he noticed when shaking a business man’s hand, the firmness of the handshake.
“In more ways than one.” The guy picked up his mug and finished off what was left. He put his hand in the air and motioned toward Mitch. “I’ll have another round for me and my friend.”
Tommy nodded from the other end of the bar and filled up two new frosty mugs.
The guy put a twenty-dollar bill on the counter.
“Nah.” Mitch pushed it back toward him. “I’ve got a tab here. It’s on me. Besides, I’m the mayor so Tommy owes me a lot of favors.”
The guy sat back in his chair and folded his arms. He looked Mitch square in the face, his head nodded slowly up and down. “Mitch Dozier.”
“Yep. That’s me.” Mitch held his drink in the air. “How do you know my name?”
“I can’t live up to your name.” The guy replied sharply, and gulped down half the mug. “Hell, I can’t live up to you according to old Hazel Greenlee.”
Mitch didn’t like how the guy’s features had hardened. Tommy positioned himself behind the bar, giving Mitch a concerned look. There was something not right with the guy and Mitch was glad Tommy was there, just in case.
“I wouldn’t go around Grandberry Falls calling Hazel crazy.” Mitch’s tone was relatively civil in spite of his anger. “Hazel is the queen of Grandberry Falls, and if you are here because of the eminent domain case, I think you should leave town.”
“Eminent domain?” The guy laughed. “What eminent domain case?”
“Listen, buddy, I think I’ve served you one too many. I think you should be on your way.” Tommy swiped the mug out from his hands.
“Hey!” All six foot four inches of him stood up and towered over the bar. “The good mayor paid for that.”
Mitch gestured for Tommy to give back the beer.
“What business do you have with Hazel Greenlee?” Mitch looked the guy over again, this time with a more critical eye.
Hazel would never trust a guy like this nor would she want him hanging around Grandberry Falls.
“The almighty, fabulous Mitch Dozier.” The guy sat back down on the stool, there was anger and frustration in his eyes. “Where were you when Hazel wanted the candles from the barn? Where were you when they were exchanging those stupid ornaments?”
No way, Mitch squinted. He ran his hand down his face, and then pointed. “You’re Grady.”
“The one and only. And the only person in this godforsaken town that challenges Greenlee superstition.” Grady threw back his head and cackled.
Asshole.
Mitch could see why Hazel didn’t like him, what about Maggie? This guy was not her type.
“Maggie I love that girl. I knew I was going to marry her the first time I saw her.” Grady hung his head babbling like a fool. “It was cute her shoes and all, but . . .”
Grady took a long pull and finished off his beer.
There was no way Mitch was going to finish his beer with this guy. He was the reason Mitch was in such misery.
“You know, I’m not going to sit here and let you bash Hazel.” Mitch stood up and took a ten-dollar bill out of his pocket. He slapped it on the bar, and an acorn rolled out of the wadded up bill. “You can say all you want about Maggie, but I draw the line with Hazel. She’s a good woman.”
He picked the acorn up and stuck it back in his pocket.
“Wait.” Grady stuck his hand out. “What was that?”
“What was what?” Mitch didn’t like this guy. His stomach twisted at the thought that Maggie had spent the last few years with him.
“Was that an acorn?” Grady asked.
Mitch pulled the acorn back out of his pocket, and held it i
n the palm of his hand.
“Why do you have an acorn in your pocket?” Grady asked.
“Good luck. Why else?” Mitch knew if Grady didn’t accept Hazel’s superstitions, Grady certainly wasn’t going to accept his.
Grady’s laugh was deep and over the top.
“What is it with this town?” Grady shook his head. He stood up and took a gold money clip out of his pocket. “You don’t need to leave. I’m out of here.”
Mitch wasn’t about to argue. If Grady didn’t like Grandberry Falls and its superstitions, he should be the one to leave.
“Thank god he left before I had to throw him out.” Tommy threw Grady’s empty mug in the trash. “I don’t want any trace of him left around here. What the hell does Maggie see in that guy? And did you see all that money in his clip?”
Mitch had, but wasn’t going to say anything. Grady might have money, fancy clothes, and Maggie Greenlee, but Grady certainly wasn’t the type of person who should be with Maggie.
“I better get home.” Mitch pushed his stool away from the bar. He couldn’t take much more of this day. Going home to go to bed was the only way that he could make it end.
“Alright, man. I’ll catch you in the morning.” Tommy gave a slight wave “Be careful driving home. It’s still coming down out there.”
The streets were completely covered and the carriage lights were barely visible through the falling snowflakes falling in the town square. Grandberry Falls was beautiful when covered in fresh snow. And the waterfall. . .
Mitch had to pass by the waterfall to get in his truck. So he couldn’t help noticing Grady, who stood in front of the falls. Grady raised his arm and with a quick flick, a coin bounced off the rocks and down into the small puddle of water that was frozen at the bottom.
Mitch glared. “I thought you didn’t believe in all that superstition stuff.”
Snake speaks with a forked tongue, he remembered Hazel saying. And it definitely applied to Grady.
“I’d do anything right now to make Maggie happy.” Grady took another coin and tossed it in. Then another.
“I’m not sure what you did to Maggie, but have you tried apologizing.” Mitch said.
He didn’t know why he was trying to help Grady. He should just let him fail. He should let Maggie realize Grady wasn’t the guy she thought he was. But he couldn’t stand the thought of Maggie being upset. After all, he would do anything for Maggie. He always had, so why change now?
“It’s not really Maggie, it’s her grandmother. She has it out for me.” Grady shuffled his penny loafers in the snow, creating a bare spot.
“I can tell you one thing, you aren’t going to win Hazel over by being an asshole.” Mitch wasn’t going to beat around the bush. He could tell Grady was regretting how his trip to Grandberry Falls had turned out.
“Listen, not everyone can be the good little mayor.” There was a sarcastic tone in Grady’s voice. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. All mothers and grandmothers love me.”
“Have you ever met someone like Hazel?” Mitch looked over at Grady. Grady shook his head. “She’s not like most grandmothers. Her and Maggie have a special bond. And if you’re not willing to accept that bond, Hazel is never going to let you in.”
For a minute Mitch wanted to walk away. Grady definitely wasn’t Maggie’s type and he knew it. But Maggie had brought him to Grandberry Falls, so she must have seen something in him. All he’d ever wanted was for Maggie to be happy. And if helping Grady this one time would give Maggie some happiness, well, he was willing to put his personal feelings aside.
“Thanks, man.” Grady took the keys out of his pocket. “I think I know what I need to do.”
“Be careful on those back roads.” He warned, but he wasn’t sure if Grady heard him.
Grady didn’t turn around. He ran to his fancy car, jumped in, and took off in the direction of the Greenlees.
Chapter Twelve
“I’m telling you, if he isn’t back here by midnight, we are eating our apples without him.” Hazel pulled her blanket tighter around her neck.
Maggie knew Hazel wasn’t going to budge. No one has ever challenged Hazel and won. Grady certainly wasn’t going to be the first and she didn’t want him to be the first. She wanted him to accept her family, superstitions and all.
“Mitch would’ve been here ten minutes ago.” Belle said through chattering teeth.
Maggie shot her a look.
“Just sayin’.” Belle shrugged and snuggled closer to Hazel “Do you really want to stay up longer than we have to?”
Belle was right. Maggie was mentally exhausted.
“Where is he anyways?” Belle wrapped her quilt around her and peered down the gravel driveway.
Maggie had no clue where Grady had gone. After they left The Fatted Pig they had ridden in silence the entire way back to Hazel’s house. She went to the bedroom to lie down to get rid of her headache while Grady watched TV on the couch.
She must’ve fallen asleep because the next thing she remembered was Hazel waking her up to partake in the annual midnight apple eating ritual.
“He’ll be back soon.” Maggie crossed her fingers under her quilt. She sure hoped she was right.
“Hmm. . .are you sure?” Belle handed Maggie a scrap piece of paper that was lying on the counter. There was a note scribbled on it.
Maggie grabbed it, and flicked on the lights.
“Turn those off.” Hazel insisted.
“No, Granny.” Maggie’s eyes began to fill with tears. “I can’t read it in the candle light.”
Hazel didn’t try to stop her. Belle and Hazel sat still while Maggie read the note out loud.
“Maggie, I think it’s best you spend the rest of Christmas with your family. There is a one way plane ticket waiting for you at the airport. Darling, I love you and can’t wait to spend Christmas in Grandberry Falls as husband and wife.” Maggie sat the note down on the table, slowly got up and walked down the hall.
“Aren’t you going to eat your apple?” Hazel called after her.
She couldn’t respond. She was afraid of what she’d say, and once her angry words were out there, there could be no taking them back.
She shut the door behind her. Ritual or not, her holiday couldn’t get any worse than it already had.
Maggie made sure she set her phone alarm so she’d be up before everyone on Christmas morning. She needed to get out of the house and spending time with her parents was exactly what she needed.
Quietly, she put on her snow suit and boots before heading out to the barn. Hazel kept the old 1951 Ford truck under a tarp. Hazel drove it a handful of times every month just to let the gas run through it and to make sure nothing would go wrong. Sometimes she let the farm hands run some errands in it just to keep it running.
There must’ve been another three inches of snow on the ground and Maggie wondered if the airport would even be open today. Even though her ticket was for tomorrow, the thought crossed her mind that she ought to leave today. Grady was Grady and he hadn’t compromised, but his note did show he was willing to give Grandberry Falls another try next year. Right now, that was all she could ask for.
Maggie opened the barn doors. In between two beams hung a big steel key ring with only one key.
The door squeaked as she opened it and the seat springs gave her a couple extra bounces when she hopped in. The old Ford started right up and she was free.
The cemetery was already buzzing with loved ones putting Christmas flowers on graves. She returned a few nods from some familiar faces and eased the truck to a stop in front of her parents’ stone.
She cleaned off the top of the stone with her gloved hands and talked to them as though they were sitting right there with her, enjoying a cup of coffee like they always did on Christmas morning. Hazel would come over and watch her and Belle open their gifts. Life was so much simpler then.
“Merry Christmas.” The voice startled Maggie.
“Merry Christma
s.” She said to Celia Briggs.
Celia was carrying a small Christmas tree that was decorated all over with mistletoe. Maggie knew exactly who that was from.
Hazel.
Hazel loved mistletoe and every Christmas morning Hazel would make Maggie’s parents kiss under the kissing ball that was made with mistletoe.
“You’re out bright and early. I was hoping to get this here before you came to visit this morning.” Celia placed it next to the grave and fluffed out all of the tiny limbs. Then she pulled a couple of small items out of her pocket. “Hazel had some strange requests this year, but you know Hazel.” Celia laughed. “I never question Hazel.”
Maggie smiled and watched Celia place a small bell and a candy cane with a bell dangling from it on the tree.
She shook her head. Hazel was driving the point home that Maggie was lost. But what was she lost from?
Chapter Thirteen
The coffee steamed inside the old Chevy, making the windows fog up. Mitch took an old rag from underneath the truck seat and wiped the window. True to form, Maggie was there.
He was driving in town when he realized it was time for Maggie to make her annual Christmas morning stop at her parents. He wondered if he should stop, but he didn’t. He kept his distance. He wanted so badly to tell her that he had met Grady and he wasn’t the right man for her. In the end, he knew Maggie was a grown woman and her decisions were her decisions. After all she did bring Grady home to Grandberry Falls. So, engaged or not, this was a serious relationship.
Maggie bringing Grady home to meet Hazel was serious. Hell, he was afraid to tell Hazel he was dating Wendy.
It was time to let Maggie go, and that would be her Christmas gift from him. Maggie deserved to be happy, and if Grady made her happy, then so be it.
He watched her talking to Celia for a little while, then slowly drove the Chevy out of site before she saw him. He needed to get to town in case anyone needed him for the hoedown.
He might not have had any blood relatives in Grandberry Falls, but he had plenty of people he could call family. Grandberry Falls, some say, is exactly like Whoville from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas on Christmas day. The community would all come together late in the afternoon to celebrate as one big family. The hoedown was alive with music, food, and just a plain good old time.