Christmas Angels

by Nancy Naigle

  “You’re right, although Elvis could officiate if he did.” Liz laughed. “Gosh, Krissy, you’ve been so great. I mean, you came to spend time with Matt and instead you’re stuck taking care of me. And apparently giving a free therapy session.”

  “Liz, don’t flatter yourself. I love giving unsolicited advice, and trust me, this is not a bad way to spend winter break. I’m loving every second of it. Just text him back and tell him that you’ll go for a ride with him. It’ll be good for you to get out of the house. I know I’m his sister, so you think I’m biased, but he really is a good guy.”

  She lifted her phone and typed in, Sure. Count me in. Liz squeezed her eyes tight. “I can’t believe I just did that.”

  “Let’s get you dressed. Maybe some mascara?”

  “Fine.” It would feel good to primp a little. Liz rolled off the chair onto the scooter and zipped to the back of the house. Krissy showed up with her makeup bag and curling iron and went to work on her.

  By the time Matt’s diesel truck rolled up, Liz had decent hair and eyelashes. Krissy stepped back and looked at her. “You’re ready, my friend.”

  Liz looked in the mirror. “Wow. That is better.” She picked up on the handle of the scooter, turned it around, and headed back down the hallway.

  Matt was walking into the living room as she sped by.

  “Whoa!” He hopped out of her way. “Looks like you’re getting along a little better.”

  “I am.”

  “Good. Let’s go. Krissy, do you want to come?”

  “Nope. I’m reading a book, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.”

  “Great. I guess it’s just you and me, Liz.” He held the door as she maneuvered the scooter out to the deck.

  She started to try to sit on the top step to go down and he came racing to her side.

  “No need for that.” He swept her up in one motion and carried her to the truck.

  He set her down next to the door.

  With his help, she hopped up in the front seat. “Where are you taking me?”

  “You’ll see in a minute.”

  “I’m not in any shape to snow-bowl.” She was joking, but that had been an awesome night, and not only because she’d won.

  “I don’t know.” He leaned forward and patted his hand on her cast. “I think it might be the perfect time for a rematch.”

  “You better be kidding.” She swatted his arm. “That would not be fair.”

  “You’re right.” He rode out to the edge of town and then took a left on a dirt road off of Underpass Road. The dark road came to a stop in front of a pond. The moon shone bright, reflecting the silhouette of the trees on the water.

  “This is so pretty.” And peaceful. The water was so still.

  “I’ve always thought this was the prettiest spot in town. There used to be a house over there on the other side of the pond. It burned down. All that’s left of it is the old chimney.”

  “That’s too bad. Who owns it?”

  “I do.”

  She shifted in her seat. “You?”

  He nodded. “It belonged to my mom’s family, before she married my dad. They met and fell in love here.”

  “Right here in this spot?”

  He nodded.

  She let out a sigh. “That’s so romantic.”

  “Yeah. It is. They had a big love. You know, I never once knew them to have a fight or harsh word to say to one another. Not once, and trust me, Krissy and I pushed their buttons once in a while. Nothing could tear them apart.”

  Except death. She wasn’t that close with her parents. She ached for his loss. He still felt the void that losing them had left. She could see it in his face. “Why haven’t you done anything with it? You should do something special in their honor here.”

  “I have. I saved it.”

  She smiled. “You did.” She nodded, unsure of why he’d brought her here tonight, but happy he’d seen fit to share it with her. He made her feel special in a way she’d never experienced.

  “I’ve got a surprise for you.” His voice was soft, caressing her imagination.

  Her lips trembled as he leaned toward her, but then he reached into the backseat.

  She caught her breath and swallowed, embarrassed that she’d assumed he was going to kiss her. He tapped her on the head with a long narrow square box of something, then got out of the truck.

  She touched her head where he’d just bonked her. “What was that for?”

  He came around to the passenger side and pulled her door open, then grabbed her legs and swung her toward him.

  Before she really understood what was happening, he was wrapping her left leg from hip to toe in plastic wrap.

  “Are you crazy? What are you doing?”

  “My little angel, we are going to make snow angels here tonight.”

  “What?” Was he crazy? “Oh my gosh. You’ve thought of everything. I love it!”

  “You’re welcome.” With a zip, zip, zip he pulled the wrap around her leg again, then patted it so it stuck to itself. “I don’t think anything is getting in here.”

  She couldn’t stop giggling. It was the most innovative idea ever.

  “Mission Snow Angel has commenced.” He grabbed her and lifted her from the truck. “In five … four … three … two … one!” He laid her in the snow, and then plopped down next to her. “Let’s do this.”

  She began flapping her wings and he did the same.

  The tiniest snowflakes began to fall over them.

  Liz let out an audible sigh, blinking away the snowflakes from her eyelashes. “This is fabulous.”

  “I’m glad you like it.” He rolled over onto his side and propped his head on his hand. “I’m sorry you got hurt.”

  “Me too.”

  “It doesn’t change anything, you know.”

  She closed her eyes.

  “You’re going to be fine.” He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead, then stood and helped her stand, balancing on one foot like a flamingo. “Grab me around my neck.”

  She did, and he scooped her back into his arms and carried her back to the truck. He took his knife out of his pocket and cut the damp plastic wrap away, and tossed it into the backseat.

  He walked around to the driver’s side of the truck, and slapped the snow off his clothes before he got back in.

  “Matt, this was amazing.”

  “Maybe we can make it our tradition.” He sat there for a moment, then started the truck. “Maybe?”

  She batted her eyelashes, hoping the tingle that usually happened right before tears fell was a false alarm. She couldn’t imagine anything more magical. What she was feeling wasn’t just from a good time. Something more had happened here tonight. This would be a wonderful new tradition—sans the broken foot, of course. But all she said was, “Maybe.”

  He took her back to his house. Krissy had already gone to bed.

  Matt made cocoa and they sat in front of the fire without a word, just warming up and sipping the chocolaty goodness. She was sprawled out on the couch with her foot elevated on the arm.

  The next thing Liz knew she was waking up on the couch.

  She felt vastly better than she had since the fall. It took her a minute to put all the pieces together that she had fallen asleep while Matt was still here. Then she remembered making snow angels and lay there smiling.

  Krissy walked into the living room carrying two cups of coffee. “Hey, sleepyhead. Did you have fun last night?” She handed one to Liz.

  “Thanks. ‘Fun’ doesn’t even begin to describe last night.” Liz pushed herself up on the couch and took a big swallow.

  “Nice artwork, too.”

  “Art?”

  Krissy nodded toward the cast.

  “What?” Liz leaned forward, trying to see what it said. “I can’t see. Did you sign my cast?”

  “Wasn’t me. Looks like it was Matt.” Krissy took a picture of it and handed her phone to Liz.

  Matt had drawn the shape o
f a snow angel on her cast. Below the angel he’d written in perfect draftsman lettering,

  Spread your wings and see how far you fly.

  Angels will always spot your landing,

  Matt

  * * *

  “THAT’S SO SWEET.” Last night had been special. She hadn’t laughed that hard in a long time, but the gesture itself had meant even more. It was thoughtful, and personal. “Wow.”

  “Wow is right. I wish someone would do something that romantic for me,” said Krissy. “And you can’t complain about his beard anymore either.”

  “He’s really good looking, isn’t he?”

  “I told you,” Krissy said as if there were no doubt at all. “Very.”

  “I’m glad I met him again. I wish I’d remembered him from back when we were kids. I have so many great old memories from being up here with my grandparents, but I’m thankful to be making new ones too. Like you.”

  “I feel the same way. Antler Creek was such a great town to grow up in.” Krissy pulled her feet up underneath her. “Sometimes I can picture myself living here again, maybe running a specialty shop on Main Street in one of the new buildings with the apartments above. I think that would be fun.”

  “Really? Now that surprises me. I mean you saying you’re a beach girl and all that.”

  “Yeah, but I’d love to sell candles and high-end linens. Specialty gifts. And nowadays you can have an adorable little storefront, but sell online so your marketplace is bigger. Plus with Mom and Dad both gone, I hate Matt being here alone. I miss him way more than I love the beach.”

  “I always wished I had a big brother,” Liz shared.

  “So, you need to get Angel’s Rest open to help build my customer base. Then I can buy one of those cute little buildings on Main Street and be your neighbor.”

  “I’ll do my best.”

  “Or better yet, maybe we’ll be family. I’d be a pretty awesome sister-in-law.”

  Liz waved her hands. “Oh no, don’t go jumping the gun. I barely know your brother.”

  “Well, I happen to know he’s been crazy about you since before you knew he existed.”

  Liz didn’t know if Krissy was serious or not about moving back, but it sure painted a nice scene, and imagining Matt as part of the picture was very appealing.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  All day long Matt couldn’t shake the image of Liz asleep on his couch last night—her sweet face, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest as she dreamed. It hadn’t taken her long to fall asleep, either. He’d just taken their mugs into the kitchen and when he came back she was out.

  He wondered if she’d noticed the note he’d left for her yet.

  He just hadn’t been able to stop himself after spotting the permanent marker on the coffee table. He’d picked up the paper napkin to write on, and then the cast called his name. He gave angels the credit, but really he wanted to be the one to spot her every fall, every day, going forward. There wasn’t one doubt in his mind that she was the thing that had been missing in his heart all this time. Liz made him feel whole again, even completed his attachment to this town that she loved as much as he did.

  Who would’ve believed that a girl could wander into town from my past and change my whole future?

  * * *

  AT THE END of the day, Matt headed to his house to go over the project status with Liz. It sure was nice coming home to her in his kitchen sitting on a barstool looking like her old self.

  “You know that leg is still supposed to be propped up,” he said.

  “I know, but I thought it would be easier to go over the project stuff in here on the island.”

  “No, ma’am. You don’t want that foot to swell. Let’s get you back in the chair. I’ll print an extra copy and we can do it that way before that ankle starts throbbing again.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Fine.” She shimmied down from the stool onto the scooter and headed back into the den.

  He followed behind her, watching as she settled into the chair. “It’s great to see you feeling better, though.” Their eyes held, and for a moment he forgot what it was he was about to do. “Oh, give me a second and I’ll print off the plan.” His boots struck a steady rhythm against the reclaimed barn-wood floors.

  Sorting pages as he walked into the room, he handed one set to her. “Here you go.”

  For an hour they went over each line item and updated progress where they could. Matt had also gotten a few more estimates, and they were able to fill in more of the dependent tasks and update the running totals. “I think we should be able to get everything done by the end of March with no problem at this pace.”

  She looked pleased. “That’s really fast. I know it’s a lot to do.”

  “These guys want to work. They’re dependable too.”

  “If we could be done before summer, we’d start reservations already in the black.”

  “Folks are highly motivated to make this happen, Liz. It’s likely to be a boost for every business in town.”

  “I hope so.”

  “You have to believe.” Matt sat there quietly for a long moment. “I want to show you something. Will you come to Angel’s Rest with me tonight?”

  “Sure. I’d honestly agree to go just about anywhere to get out of this house right now. I’m going stir-crazy.”

  “I totally understand.” He loaded her into his truck, and they drove over to her house without another word. Quiet with her wasn’t awkward. It was nice. “I want to show you what else has been happening.”

  “What else? What do you mean?”

  After he pulled in to the driveway he parked and turned to her. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.” He pulled the keys from the ignition and ran up to the house, disappearing inside.

  * * *

  SHE WAS SITTING there waiting when all of a sudden colored lights shone through the front window.

  “A Christmas tree?” Why would he have done that?

  He came jogging back out to the truck.

  “You got me a tree?”

  “Well, not exactly.” Matt climbed back into the truck. “It’s the ladder. With lights on it.”

  “Awww. That’s so sweet. It’s awesome.”

  “I do what I can,” he said. “There’s more. I need you to close your eyes and keep them closed, okay?”

  “I’m not sure I like this.” She gave him a warning stare, but closed her eyes, then opened one.

  “Come on. Humor me.”

  She placed both hands over her eyes. “Hurry. You’re making me nervous.”

  He moved the truck, but not too far, and then stopped.

  “Keep your eyes closed.”

  She heard the door open and close. Tempted to peek, she held her hands firmly over her eyes, trying to be patient.

  He opened the passenger door. “You can open your eyes now.”

  She did and she couldn’t believe what she saw.

  Lights hung from nearly every single tree. Little lights. Big lights. Twinkle lights and colored ones too. Giant plywood deer, like the ones Pop used to make, frolicked under a spotlight next to a soaring forty-foot cedar full of what looked like a hundred thousand lights and great big ornaments that appeared to have been fashioned out of tinfoil pie pans.

  Glancing from one side to the other, she couldn’t take it all in.

  Right in front of the truck, she spotted the elves. “Those are Pop’s elves!” They worked in a Santa’s workshop, painted in vivid reds, greens, and blues, and the elves were moving—hammering and turning their heads. “Matt? How did you…?”

  “It’s been a town effort. Everyone has pitched in.”

  “Where did you find the elves? Oh gosh, is that the train too?” A loud deep steam trumpet tooted as it chugged by.

  “Yes. The train. The elves. Lots of these lights were all in the boxes in storage in the other cabin. I was going to tell you, but then with the fall, and you were upset, and then I wanted to surprise you. The elves needed work, but Barne
y was able to get them going again. Those elves were always my favorite.”

  She glanced around in disbelief. It was like a dream, and suddenly she was fourteen again. She could almost hear Gram calling for her to come help, and Pop the way he laughed when he operated that train. She’d never realized it before, but Pop was like a kid himself when it came to Christmas and playing outside. “Why would you do all of this for me, Matt? You’ve had to be working day and night.”

  “Because I want to make you happy. I like seeing you smile, and you were meant to be a part of this town, Liz. Everyone thinks so. You’ve brought the Christmas spirit back to Antler Creek.”

  “I don’t know what to say.” She swept her arms out. “If my parents saw this all lit up like this, they’d change their opinions. This is already every bit as wonderful as it used to be. It can be done again.”

  His enthusiastic smile fell. “I take it they didn’t think this was a good idea.”

  “No. They said it just sounded like a lot of work, and a waste of a good career.” She turned and stared at the lights. “Oh, Matt, if they could see this now, they’d see what I see in Angel’s Rest.” But then she dropped her chin. “Who am I fooling. Then I fell, and I know what my parents would say. They’d say it was a sign for me to give up this notion, but they just don’t understand how much of me is in this place.”

  “Liz, if your parents saw the sparkle in your eyes when you talk about this place, they couldn’t deny it.” Matt closed the passenger door and ran back around to the driver’s side.

  When he got in the truck he turned to her. “Look, I’ve kept all of our contracted work on schedule. I promise to continue to do so. None of this work has touched your budget. This project is personal. From me. To you. All of the cleanup and Christmas decorating has been the work of volunteers. Kids on Christmas break from college, neighbors, and friends.”

  “Christmas angels,” she said with a smile. “I can’t believe the way everyone has come together.”