by Nancy Naigle
“That’s not me,” Krissy said. “That’s real art.”
Matt said, “Maryanne Harmon made that for you.”
That didn’t even make sense. “How did she? Why?”
“To thank you for letting them stay.”
“How did she know? It’s perfect. That angel looks just like Gram’s favorite one from her collection. It couldn’t be more perfect.”
“You can tell her that.” Matt moved the truck into the driveway, and everyone who was helping tonight was there, joining hands. They began singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
The beautiful lights blurred into a rainbow through Liz’s tears. Gram, I wish you could see this.
“Are you okay?” Matt’s brows pulled together.
“Never better.” She chased the tears from beneath her eyes with her fingers. “So good.”
She saw Maryanne standing there, and opened the truck door to slide to the ground. “Maryanne? I can’t believe you painted that.”
Joe and Maryanne smiled at each other, and then Maryanne stepped over to Liz. “It was my pleasure. I’m so glad you like it. It’s the least we could do for all your kindness. You have no idea how much we appreciate everything.”
“The angel. She’s perfect. My grandmother used to have one that looked exactly like that. I mean really. Exactly like the one you painted.”
“I suspected that. Elvis brought me that angel. I couldn’t figure out where he’d gotten it until I caught him in the act. There’s a whole collection of angels in the cubby near the washroom. I guess Elvis was doing a little Christmas shopping of his own.”
“In the cabin?” Liz asked.
“Where the water heater was originally,” Matt filled in the blanks.
“Right! Elvis? You must’ve been the one leaving angels around since I’ve been here.” Liz had thought they were signs from Gram there for a while. Or messages from heaven. In a way they probably still were.
Elvis bounded to her side at the sound of his name, and barked.
“I used to paint signs and do lettering on trucks before I had Holly. My dad taught me when I was little. I used to ride with him on Saturdays,” Maryanne explained. “Lots of people prefer to buy the stickers these days. It’s a dying art.”
“You’re a real artist. The lettering is gorgeous. So fancy and elegant. It’s wonderful. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” She hugged Maryanne, and then Joe. “Thank you both so much.”
“No, Liz, thank you. You gave us more than a place to rest. You reminded us of the kindness in this world, and hope. You gave us hope again.”
Liz couldn’t even respond to that. She pulled in a stuttered breath.
Chapter Thirty-three
Liz stepped back and spoke loudly over the music. “Thank you, everyone, for all you’ve done. Don’t forget we’ll be having the thank-you party right here tomorrow afternoon. I hope I’ll see all of you here for that.”
Everyone clapped.
Matt carried the coolers of hot chocolate over to a stand painted in red and white candy-cane stripes at the far edge of the half-circle driveway that entered above the house and ended below the house.
“The plan is to have people drive up Doe Run Road, then pass the first driveway to enter at the top driveway. I’ve got a couple flags to get them started, then folks should just follow along. Then they’ll come right along the driveway through all of the lights, kind of idling through so you can serve them hot chocolate, then exit the driveway and head back down the hill,” Matt said.
“Yes. That’s exactly how we did it when I was a kid,” Liz said. It was hard to believe this was all really happening.
“Liz, I don’t think you’ve met George Goodwin’s son Jeffrey.” Matt grabbed a tall lanky dark-haired boy as he walked by. “Jeffrey, this is Liz.”
“Hi there. Thank you for helping.”
“It’s cool you’re going to reopen this place. My friends and I have had the best Christmas break helping out here during the day and hanging out at Mill Hill at night.” Jeffrey nodded toward his buddies. “We’re glad Dad called.”
Matt said, “You know Liz here broke my record on Mill Hill.”
“Snow bowling,” Jeffrey said with a laugh. “Oh, wow. That’s not how you broke your foot, is it?”
“No. That happened after I was victorious. On a serious note, thank you. I appreciate your help so much,” Liz said. “Y’all have been like a troop of angels showing up like you did. This is amazing.”
“It’s really cool,” Jeffrey said. “We’re helping tonight, but tomorrow night we talked my uncle into breaking out the John Deere and driving us up on his hay wagon so we can see it like everyone else.”
“I’ll have the hot chocolate ready,” Liz promised. It was different seeing the lights from the hay wagon than it was from a car. Something about the nip in the air and caroling all the way up the mountain that made the lights seem that much brighter.
This whole place seemed to be meant to be. That she’d stumbled upon that auction the night before it went on the block was amazing on its own, but other things too. These guys giving up their Christmas break to help string lights. Joe and Maryanne happening into Antler Creek just in time. And Matt. She was ahead of schedule and under budget. Unheard of on this kind of project. And if she had been looking for a sign, there wasn’t anything more plain than the sign Maryanne had painted with ANGEL’S REST right on it that this was the right path.
She and Krissy went over to the hot chocolate stand to welcome visitors. She hoped there’d be at least twenty or thirty. Everyone had put so much work into it. If no one came it would be such a shame.
Ginger drove up and her kids tumbled out of the car carrying boxes. “We brought cookies to give away,” her littlest yelled as they all came running toward Liz.
“That’s so fun,” Liz said. “Thank you.”
The little girl ran and jumped into Liz’s arms, hugging her.
“Showtime,” Matt hollered. The six o’clock train sounded as it rambled through town, just barely audible over the Christmas music, which was now being played loud enough to be heard down the street. And in three … two … one, all of the Christmas lights, the animated elves, and the train lit up and began moving. It was as if the whole place had just woken up.
Liz looked around in awe. Suddenly she realized there were snowflakes falling all around her. “It’s snowing.”
Krissy laughed. “Only over us. Look, it’s coming from right there.”
Sure enough, there was some kind of blower just behind a giant inflatable snowman wearing a blue scarf and waving. “He thought of everything.” Liz sat sideways on the bench Matt had set up for her so she could keep her foot propped up. “I’ll pour the hot chocolate, and you run them to the car,” she said to Krissy.
“If we waited for you to hop over they’d only get a half cup of cool chocolate,” Krissy teased as she walked around to the front side of the kiosk-style table. “I see headlights!” She bounced on her toes and clapped her hands.
Liz stretched to see, then balled her fists and punched them in the air with a squeal. “Awesome!”
She poured the first cups of hot chocolate. The beverage coolers were doing their job keeping it hot. Steam was still rising from the cups when she handed them to Krissy.
Krissy offered the hot chocolate, and Ginger and her kids raced to the car with their boxes of cookies, letting the driver pick out cookies for everyone.
Cars rolled by at a steady pace, and it was no time before Liz was opening another sleeve of cups. She wished she’d been counting cars.
“Thank you!” The carload of people waved and sang along with the music.
Everyone was having such a good time.
For two hours straight there wasn’t a single break in the traffic flow.
Matt came over to the hot chocolate stand. “How are you girls making out?”
“We’re almost out of hot chocolate.”
“It’s eight o’c
lock. They’ll be shutting the road down, so the last cars will be coming through shortly.” He held his hands up in the air. “What do you think?”
She high-fived him with both hands. He caught hers and pulled them in to his chest. “Did you really have any doubts?”
“Yes! I thought we might get like twenty or thirty cars. This? No, I never expected we’d get this kind of turnout.”
Sheriff Wilson rolled by, his grandmother riding shotgun. The last car in the parade of visitors. “You did good,” he said with a salute. “I’ve never seen the townsfolk look so happy. Then again I’ve only been here five years. This will be something to remember. I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Just like old times,” Beverly called from the passenger seat. “Beautiful.”
Krissy raced to the car window. “Have some hot chocolate. Thank you for everything.”
He gave Krissy a double take, then glanced over at Matt. “Thank you,” he said, taking the cup of hot chocolate. “I’m Grady Wilson.”
“Krissy Hardy. I’m Matt’s baby sister.”
“Hope we’ll be seeing you often around here.”
“Thank you.” Krissy turned around, her eyes wide as she looked to Liz, and the sheriff cruised down the mountain.
“He’s cute,” Liz said.
“Very. I’m tempted to speed down Main Street on my way back out of town tomorrow,” she said.
“You’re leaving tomorrow?” Matt asked.
“I am. I need to get home. I promised some friends I’d be back to see their little ones open gifts.” She playfully shoved him. “If you’d hurry up and have some kids I wouldn’t have to spend time with other people’s.”
He shrugged. “It’s been nice having you around.”
“Don’t get mushy on me. I’ll be back next week to spend New Year’s with you.”
Liz hadn’t even considered that it might be awkward staying at Matt’s without Krissy. “You don’t mind me staying at your place without Krissy until the Harmons move on, do you?”
“I don’t mind if you stay there for no reason at all.”
“Thank you.”
Joe Don walked from the top of the driveway carrying a big box.
“What’s that,” Liz asked.
“Ask the boss man,” he said.
“Another one of your surprises, I suspect.”
“You’ll get used to them,” Matt said.
“I hope not,” Liz said. “I kind of like them.”
“Let’s go inside.” Matt led the way to the house. Everyone filed in, and Joe Don set the box down on the floor in the living room. “Thanks, Joe Don.”
“No problem. I’ll see you tomorrow night,” he said. “We’re going to hit the road.”
“Thanks for everything.”
Joe Don let out a loud whistle. “Anyone riding with me over to Mill Hill, load up!”
The room pretty much cleared out.
Liz made her way to the hearth and sat down. “So what’s with this box?”
“It’s a comment box. I thought it would be a nice way for you to get feedback on everything. Maybe even convince you once and for all that you are the perfect fit for this town, and Angel’s Rest has a place in these people’s heart.”
The box was painted white with a two-inch slot in the top. Simple holly leaves had been painted in each of the corners. She lifted the top. The box was full of letters and note cards. “There are so many,” she said. “How did people even know to do it?”
“I might have started the rumor down at the Creekside Café, and our friend the sheriff passed out note cards to folks as they headed up to see the lights.”
She took a card from the top.
Thank you for bringing Christmas back to Antler Creek.
It feels like the old days when Lights at the Lodge shone
bright here every year. Please renew this tradition, and
keep it alive forever.
The next one was in crayon.
This is the first time I saw Christmas lights.
I love them. They make me happy.
The train is my favorite. You are nice. I’m eight.
Liz blinked, and sniffed back a tear.
Your grandparents would be so proud of you.
Everyone in this town is too. Thank you for coming home.
Krissy fanned her face. “Okay, I think we’d better read these when we get back to Matt’s. It’s cold, and I need tissues for this.”
“I know. Me too,” Liz said. “My tears are freezing on my face.”
Matt bent over and picked up the box. “Let’s go.”
He helped Liz to her feet, and when they got outside, someone else had already shut down the lights and even put the hot chocolate coolers in the back of Matt’s truck.
“We’ve got an amazing team helping us,” she said. “Thank you, Matt.”
“It’s not me. You bring out the best in folks.”
Chapter Thirty-four
Saturday morning, Matt made a big breakfast to send Krissy off.
“I’ll never find a man that meets the bar you set,” Krissy said as she took another bite of grits and gravy. She cut her eyes at Liz, and Matt pretended not to notice, but was happy to see her still trying to help him out with Liz.
Liz put a present on the table. It was wrapped in sea-foam blue, with a spiky silver bow that looked kind of like a sea urchin on the top. “Krissy, this is for you. I don’t know what I’d have done without you through all of this. Thank you so much for your help and your friendship. I sure hope this is not going to be goodbye.”
“You shouldn’t have,” Krissy said. “Matt, didn’t you tell her we never do gifts?”
“I didn’t have anything to do with this,” he said. “Must have been those boxes in the mail she was getting. She’s a resourceful one.”
“I wish I could be as resourceful as you.” Krissy slipped a finger under the edge of the paper and opened the gift. Inside the square box was a Sand Dollar Cove candle and a pendant just like the white-gold sand dollar Liz wore around her neck. “You shouldn’t have.” Krissy pulled her hands to her mouth. “It’s just like yours.”
“It is. I hope you like it.”
“I love it.”
“And someone told me you can wear it backwards so the poinsettia shows this time of year just to switch things up.” She looked over at Matt with unquestionable love in her gaze.
“Thank you, Liz. You’ve been such a wonderful part of this visit.” She hugged her. “You really are already like family. You’re so wonderful.”
“What about me,” Matt said, feigning disappointment.
“You’re always wonderful.” Krissy turned her back to Matt and mouthed to Liz, He’s awesome. Don’t let him get away.
Liz blushed.
Matt looked suspicious of what Krissy had said. “Let’s get you out of here before you stir up trouble.”
“Me? Trouble?” Krissy rolled her eyes.
“Yes, you,” he said.
“Well, before this troublemaker leaves, I have a little surprise for both of you.”
Matt looked at Liz, who didn’t seem to know what was going on either.
Krissy pulled a colorful flyer from her tote bag. “This is just the proof, but it does show that you’re official.”
“Officially what?” Matt asked.
Krissy handed the pamphlet to him. “Look. Then show her.”
“You did it?” Matt’s face lit up. “Liz, this is all for you, girl.”
“What is it?”
“Krissy pulled some strings and called in a few favors. Angel’s Rest is officially on the barn quilt tour.”
“What?” Liz snatched the paper from his hands. The glossy paper showed a starred route with prominent barn quilts located throughout the state. There in Antler Creek was a tiny replica of the barn quilt on the side of her house, marking the spot for Angel’s Rest.
“How did you?” Liz shook her head. “Thank you. Thank you both.”
&nb
sp; “This was all Krissy’s doing.”
“I couldn’t have done it if you hadn’t already put the barn quilt up.”
“But I don’t know when Angel’s Rest will open,” Liz said.
“No choice but to make it happen now. It’s in writing,” Krissy teased. “Plus, you’ve got us helping you. You can’t go wrong.”
“A team effort,” Liz said, then wrapped her arms around Matt. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Krissy put on her coat. “I believe my work here is done.” With a flip of her scarf she let Matt help her with her suitcase to her car.
He hated for her to leave. She owned the adjoining lot. He hoped one day he’d talk her into moving back too.
Liz waved from the door, and he watched his sister head off, then went back inside.
“She’s great. I love your sister.”
“She thinks the world of you too.” If Liz only knew how much Krissy was pushing him to move faster with Liz, she’d probably run and hide. “By the way, there’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
“What’s that? You sound serious.”
“It’s none of my business, but I thought you’d want to know,” said Matt, “but I was talking to Joe the other day and their trip to Florida isn’t because that’s where they want to live. It’s their only option.”
“I know they’re in financial trouble,” Liz said. “I feel so bad for them. They are such a nice couple.”
“He’s a hard worker too. Good at what he does. I don’t know if you’ve given it any thought, but when you’re ready to reopen the lodge you’ll probably need someone to take care of the grounds and do odd jobs, especially the first year.”
“True. There’ll be a lot to set up and ongoing work.”
“Well, it’s just a suggestion, but they might be a good option for you. You could offer them room and board in one of the cabins, and pay a small stipend. It could work out for everyone.”
She’d never considered having someone stay on the property. It would certainly take a lot off of her plate, and until the inn was making money, bartering for room and board would help her financially too. Pop had done well bartering for what he needed in this town. If it was good enough for him, it was good enough for her. “Do you think he might really consider it? I couldn’t pay much in the beginning.”