Christmas Angels

by Nancy Naigle

  “I hope you’re okay with all of this. I know it was a gamble on my part … but I really thought it would make you happy.”

  “It does. So much so. ‘Happy’ doesn’t begin to describe how I feel. It’s so much bigger than that. Deeper. The nostalgia of these memories … now everyone can enjoy them.”

  “There’s one more thing,” he said. “I hope you like it.” He pulled the truck over to the left side of the house and turned on his high beams. “What do you think?”

  “A barn quilt? Oh gosh, it’s the pattern from my quilt.” She turned to him, her mouth half open. “How did you?” She looked back toward the house. “Is that a trumpeting angel in the middle?”

  “It is. Krissy painted it for you.”

  “When? That’s impossible,” Liz said. “She’s with me all the time.”

  “Not all the time.”

  “I can’t believe you did this for me. All of this.” She pulled in a breath. “Thank you, and Krissy. The barn quilt is wonderful.” Joy bubbled in her words, and shone in her eyes. “And all these people who’ve volunteered to help. This is mind-boggling.”

  “I wanted it to be more than just reviving a memory. The barn quilt makes this place yours. It’s you, Liz. Not just continuing what your grandparents had. It’s that and even more.”

  “How will I ever thank you?”

  “There is something you can do. The town canceled the Christmas-tree lighting this year. The lights were damaged in the flood this past summer. It’s a long story, but if we can finish this project and open it up for people to drive by like they used to when your grandparents were here, I think the town would love it.”

  “It could be the new Antler Creek tree-lighting tradition.” She loved the idea, and how could she let the people that had volunteered down? That didn’t seem right. Plus, it looked so pretty already. “How would we get the word out?”

  “Roger down at the Chronicle could run something in the paper. But seriously. This is a small town. If it’s one thing folks can do it’s get the word out.”

  “That would be amazing.” Her throat felt tight, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “It would be so wonderful. Something I’ve dreamed of.” She could picture the cars lined up the mountain road. So many memories were coming back to life.

  “Let’s do it, then. If after Christmas you still have your doubts about reopening the inn, then at least you’ve lived out the memory of this place. And the town will have enjoyed it again. Besides, if you decide to sell, then the big holiday hoopla should help with that too.”

  “True.” How could I ever sell this place? If the inn wasn’t viable, she could still work and live here, not that she needed a house this big by herself, but something would work out. Wouldn’t it?

  “So we can do it?”

  “Yes,” she said. “Yes, let’s do this.”

  Chapter Thirty

  The Antler Creek Chronicle headline read:

  LIGHTS AT THE LODGE AT LONG LAST

  The article went on to say that for two nights only, the old tradition of the Lights at the Lodge at Angel’s Rest was being revived. Beginning at six o’clock on Friday and Saturday night, neighbors and families were welcome to drive up Doe Run Road to enjoy the collaboration in celebration of Christmases past on the mountain.

  * * *

  THAT MORNING, LIZ and Krissy went to Spivey’s Market and loaded the car with hot chocolate and baking goods to make cookies for anyone who came to see the lights, just as her grandparents had done all those years ago.

  “We’ll have to make the hot chocolate at Matt’s house and take it over since there’s no water in the house yet. We need a couple of those big construction-size watercoolers for the hot chocolate,” Liz said. “Do you think we could stop by Goodwin’s Hardware and see if they have some?”

  “Sure thing.” Krissy pulled out of the market parking lot.

  When they got to Goodwin’s Hardware, they went inside and George greeted them with a Santa-like hello. “Hello-ho-ho.”

  “Hi, George. I need a couple of big five-gallon beverage coolers to put hot chocolate in. Do you have some in stock?”

  “All the way in the back of the store. There are a few different sizes. I’ve got one in the back room you can borrow too.”

  “That would be great. Thanks.” Liz pushed off on her scooter, rolling toward the back. Krissy was in a half jog trying to keep up with her. They grabbed all three of the watercoolers, then went to check out.

  As they waited in line, Liz heard a young man talking to Cindy at the register.

  “We’re exhausted and we’re just trying to find someplace to rest. The hotels along the interstate have all been full. Do you know of anyone that might rent a room just for a night? My wife is sick, and the baby is fussy. I just need some sleep so I can get us the rest of the way to Florida tomorrow.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Cindy said. “I wish I knew of something, but we don’t have a hotel here in town. Let me call Pastor Mike to see if he can help you.”

  The man looked like he was out of options.

  Liz felt so bad for him. She got out of line and went over to him. “Hey, I couldn’t help but overhear.” She extended her hand. “I’m Liz Westmoreland.”

  “Hi. Joe Harmon.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’m new in town too. I’m staying with a friend since I broke my ankle. It’s not fancy, but I have a little cabin up on the mountain y’all are welcome to use tonight.”

  “Really?”

  She watched relief flood over the man.

  “I’d be so grateful,” he said. “It’s just me and my wife and little girl. I can pay you.”

  “The place is under construction. It’s just a one-bedroom cabin on the back of the property, but there’s water and electricity. You’ll be warm and you can rest.”

  “Anything, ma’am. We’re not picky. Thank you so much.”

  “Great. Let me get checked out here and you can follow us up. It’s not far.”

  “I don’t know how I can thank you enough. I’m going to go out and tell my wife. We’re in the white Honda Accord.”

  “We won’t be long.” Liz smiled, feeling good about helping them out. She pulled her phone from her purse and dialed Matt’s number. “Matt. Change of plans. I just told a family they could use the cabin tonight. Do you mind staying at your house with Krissy and me?”

  “You what? Well, I guess it doesn’t matter. Sure. Yeah.”

  “Great. I’ll explain later. We’ll see you shortly.”

  Krissy stepped up to the register. “That’s why I love you, Liz. You’re good to the core. Anyone else would worry that guy was up to no good.”

  It wasn’t good. It was the right thing to do. That man was clearly trying to do the right thing by his family. He looked exhausted. She was thankful to be in a position to give him a break.

  Liz and Krissy loaded the coolers into the car and waved the young family to follow them up the mountain.

  When they pulled in next to the house, Matt came out on the porch and met them in the driveway.

  The young couple got out of their car. The wife was pale. Joe whispered something to his wife and then raced to Liz’s side.

  “Ma’am,” Joe said, “I can’t afford something this fancy.”

  The thought almost made her laugh. A few weeks ago this was a gutted mess overgrown with years of weeds that had grown as big as trees. Matt had truly transformed things. She took a fresh look around. It did look good.

  “Don’t be silly. It won’t cost you a thing. There’s construction going on here at the house, but you’ll be comfortable back in the cabin. You can see it from here.” She pointed it out; with the gentle smoke pouring from the chimney, it looked even more inviting than the house.

  “My wife is sick, but I’m not. I can help. Please at least let me help.”

  Matt walked up at that moment. “Matt, this is Joe.” Liz offered the young man a smile. “He’d like to help out while his wife gets some rest
so they can continue their trip to Florida.”

  Joe shook Matt’s hand.

  “Nice to have you on board.”

  “This is my wife, Maryanne, and our daughter, Holly. We’re trying to make it down to Florida to my wife’s parents’ house. I promise we’ll be out of your hair tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you worry about that,” Liz said. “Get her well. There’s no hurry on our part. Take a couple days if you need.”

  “I’m a good worker,” Joe said. “Electrical, plumbing, carpentry. I can do repairs too.”

  “Sounds like you’re doing us a favor.” Matt slapped the guy on the shoulder. “I can definitely put you to work.”

  “I’m going to leave y’all to get settled in,” Liz said. “I need to get this foot up. It’s starting to hurt again.” She dug a piece of paper from her purse and wrote her phone number on it. “Call me if you need me.”

  Matt added, “I’ll be around most of the time. I’ll give you my number too.” He turned to Liz. “Get on back to the house. I’ll help these folks get settled in.” He turned his back on the strangers and whispered, “This is a good thing you’re doing.”

  “It feels good.” She knew she wouldn’t be rescuing people in situations like this if she opened the inn, but she did know that this place had been a refuge for a lot of people. Bringing families together. Offering time to unplug and enjoy nature. Time to get priorities straight, and do what really mattered. Matt seeing that too made her happy.

  A Suburban pulled onto the property. Not just any Suburban. Dan’s.

  “Hmm. I wonder what he’s doing here.” Liz maneuvered her scooter in that direction.

  Dan got out. He looked out of place in his Dockers and button-down shirt and tie. “I heard you took a fall.”

  She was a long way from Charlotte. The only people she’d called were Missy and Peggy.

  “I had to drop off some paperwork to a client in your building and ran into Peggy,” he explained. “She assumed I knew.”

  Why does that bother me so much?

  “I told you this was no place for a woman to be alone.”

  “You never said that.” Why did he have to be such a jerk sometimes? “And that’s a chauvinistic remark even from you, Dan.”

  “You know what I mean.” He hitched his chin toward the path to the cabin. “Who were those people?”

  “Workers.” She glanced back. Matt was walking the Harmons to the cabin. “And that’s my contractor. He’s walking that couple to the cabin. I’m letting them stay in the cabin until his wife gets well.”

  “Renting it out already?”

  “No. Just letting them stay here. I ran into them at the hardware store. His wife is sick and they need some rest. All of the hotels for miles are booked.”

  “That’s not a good idea. You don’t even know them?”

  She didn’t appreciate his tone. “That’s none of your business. Why are you here?”

  “Thought I’d come and see if you were ready to come back to Charlotte, or at least see what all the fuss was about. Doesn’t look like a dream house to me.”

  “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “I’m ready to put this place on the market for you.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “I told you how risky this deal was. You said yourself there’s a ton to do. Even in this condition we can probably quadruple your investment. If anyone can sell this place it’s me.”

  She took in a deep breath, trying to not lose her cool. “Please stop. I’m not selling.”

  “You’re right. That’s my job.” He raised his hands in the air. “I’ll list it, and do all the work. I’ll have it sold in no time.”

  “Lower your voice. You are talking crazy. I am not selling. I owe this dream at least a shot.”

  “A shot? Maybe you should come back for the holidays and think this through. You need a little space between you and this crazy dream of yours.”

  “It is not crazy.”

  “Look, I’m saying this as your friend. You can come with me to Mom’s for Christmas dinner. I don’t guess we’ll be dancing in the New Year together this year with that bum foot, but I’ll get the best champagne to celebrate your return. I know your favorite kind.”

  That didn’t even sound appealing. “You probably should’ve called before you made the long drive up here.”

  “I did. You didn’t answer.” He was right. She’d been declining his calls for days.

  “I’m perfectly at home here. I’m not going anywhere.”

  “Well, good luck then,” he said.

  “Thank you. I hope you really mean that.”

  He let out a huff. “I do. I’m not happy about it, though. I miss you, but I know if you’re still this convinced you’re going to make this happen, then you will.” He walked over and gave her a hug. “How bad’s the leg?”

  “Just the ankle. I don’t even need surgery.”

  “Thank goodness.” Dan lowered his head. “I didn’t mean to rain on your parade. I wasn’t a very good friend.”

  “It’s fine. You’ve never been good at change.”

  “You’re right about that.” He helped her over to Krissy’s car. “Will you call and keep me posted?”

  “I will. Merry Christmas, Dan.”

  “Merry Christmas, Liz. And good luck.”

  “Thanks.”

  Krissy turned the key in the ignition and waited until Dan got back in his SUV. “That seemed strained.”

  “Yeah. It was,” Liz said. “But I set him straight. I was just remembering something Pop used to say. He’d always say that you couldn’t find a new path without getting a little lost. I always thought he was talking about hiking. You know, literally finding new paths through the woods. I think he was imparting wisdom that pertains to what I’m going through right now too.”

  “Wise man.”

  “He was a good man.” Memories of her grandfather warmed her heart. “I can’t believe Matt has done all of this for me. Maybe not even for me, but for the place and what Angel’s Rest used to mean to this town.”

  “You are paying him.”

  “I know, but the lights. The hospitality. That’s all well above and beyond.”

  “True.”

  Liz wanted to do something nice for him. “I think we should put a Christmas tree up in his house for him.”

  “That’s a great idea.”

  “Do you think we can do it by ourselves?”

  “It’ll be tricky with you in a cast, but probably. I can do the tall parts.”

  “I bet Ginger would help us. I’ll call her and see if she’ll meet us down at the tree lot.”

  * * *

  LIZ PICKED OUT the perfect tree. Tall and not too fat. The guys at the lot must have felt sorry for her with the cast, because they insisted on delivering it and setting it up for them.

  “Doesn’t hurt to have three women shopping together on a tree lot,” Krissy said to the others as the guys loaded up the tree and followed them to the house.

  “Especially when you buy all your decorations from them too,” Liz added. “They made a good sale on us.”

  It didn’t take long for the guys to get the tree in the house and set in the stand for them. Liz tipped them, and then they got busy wrapping twinkle lights around the tree. Liz supervised, trying to make sure there were no dark spots by doing that squinty thing.

  “It’s perfect,” Liz exclaimed. “Now time to decorate.” She took the plastic lid off of the giant drum of ornaments they’d purchased.

  All three of them went to work putting the red, gold, and green balls on the tree. It was the simplest tree Liz had ever decorated, but it looked beautiful.

  In the living room, Matt had a big vase full of pheasant feathers. She raided them and tucked them into the tree in random spots, manning it up a bit. On the bookshelf he had four small sets of antlers. She hated to mess up his decor, but she took the antlers and tucked them into the leaner spots in the tree, instantly givi
ng it a full and rustic look.

  “This is gorgeous,” Ginger said. “I feel like I need to go home and redecorate my tree now.”

  “You do not. I love your tree. Your little ones did a great job.”

  Ginger laughed. “It took everything I had not to move that big glob of ornaments they hung at the bottom. But they were so proud.”

  “It’s sweet. I personally loved it.” Someday she’d be happy to have a chaotic tree of handmade ornaments, none hung over three feet high. It would be just fine by her. “I have an idea. Ginger, can you go outside and see if you can gather about ten pinecones about the same size? I think I can make a tree topper out of them.”

  “Sure.” The redhead ran outside and came back with her toboggan full of pinecones. “I brought ten big ones and ten medium ones. I wasn’t sure which would work best.”

  “I wish I had a glue gun,” Liz said, “but I think I can make it work with fishing line.”

  “Ah. Not necessary,” Ginger said. “A crafter never leaves home without a few supplies in the trunk of her car.” She ran from the house and came in with a pink plastic toolbox. “Ta-da.”

  “You’re the best,” Liz said.

  “I’m just a neighbor being neighborly. You’d do the same for me.”

  “Count on it.” Liz hoped she always would. The truth was she didn’t even know her neighbors in Charlotte. In fact, she’d probably met more people in Antler Creek in the past two weeks than she had in her neighborhood in four years.

  Liz plugged in the glue gun and went to work on the pinecones. She was able to fashion a star out of the medium pinecones. She tucked a couple of feathers into the star, then handed it to Krissy. “Do you think you can get it to stay on top of the tree?”

  Krissy pulled a stool from the kitchen into the den and climbed up on it, then slipped the handmade star between the top branches.

  “That looks so pretty,” Ginger said.

  Liz attached a hook to each of the big pinecones and handed them to the girls to spread out across the tree to tie it all together.

  “He’s going to be shocked,” Krissy said. “He’ll never believe we got this done so quickly.”