An Heirloom Christmas

by Squires, Megan

  Chrissy smoothed the crumpled paper, skimming over the introductions that contained information she already knew about Nick. Things like his favorite foods, pregame rituals, and how old he was when he first laced up his skates. She skipped down to the last paragraph.

  Fiona: We’re all dying to know, Nick, is there a special someone in your life?

  Nick: Currently? No.

  Fiona: So that means there used to be? Can you tell us a little bit about her?

  Nick: I didn’t necessarily say there used to be someone, just that there isn’t anyone now. I’m here to focus on hockey and to give my all to the Northern Lights. I’ve been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play for the team I’ve loved since I was a little kid and I’m so thankful for that. I’m living my dream.

  Fiona: Seems like you’re good at skating around more than just the ice. So, no love interest?

  Nick: You’re really not going to let this go, are you?

  Fiona: Nope. You can block my attempts all you want, but it’s my goal to get this out of you.

  The news reporter was relentless. Chrissy could envision Nick squirming in his seat and hear his nervous laughter and she stifled a snicker at that visualization.

  Nick: Okay, so there was someone back at home but we’re no longer together.

  Fiona: Care to tell us about her? I’m sure there are a lot of single ladies who would love to know what your type is.

  Nick: I wouldn’t say I have a type because ultimately, we ended things. She was just what I needed in that time in my life but as we all know, things change.

  Fiona: Sounds like it was pretty serious?

  Nick: At the time I thought it was, but life has a way of creating opportunities and showing you the path you’re supposed to take. The one with her wasn’t where I was ultimately headed.

  Fiona: Do you regret anything when it comes to that relationship?

  Nick: I probably regret more than I should.

  Fiona: Well, I know I’ll regret it if I don’t ask you one last burning question: Where do you see yourself in ten years?

  Nick: Still on the ice, hopefully. Traveling. Making a name for myself in the hockey world and giving back to the sport that gave me everything.

  Fiona: Well, I think you’re well on your way, Nick. Thank you so much for taking the time to give us this interview. We wish you success in all of your endeavors and have a feeling we’ll be seeing the name Nick McHenry around for a long time to come.

  Nick: I hope you’re right. Thank you, Fiona.

  Crumpling the paper in her hand, Chrissy tossed it across the room, not feeling the slightest bit of guilt over damaging the old article. After all, Nick had used the newspaper as wrapping for his hockey trophies and other breakable items like salt shakers and measuring cups. It wasn’t under protective glass and framed like some of his other newspaper clippings.

  The only reason Chrissy even saw it was because Nick’s picture stared up at her when she opened the flaps on the cardboard box. At first she thought she’d stumbled upon a treasure, this decade-old news piece about an up-and-coming hockey great. But as the saying reminded her, it was only trash.

  Deep down she couldn’t stomach the thought that Nick regretted their relationship. The ring slipped onto her finger—even though temporary—had indicated otherwise.

  There were years and years of good times and only a few moments of bad. It was easy to bury the bad under the memories that would always make her smile. The night Nick told her he’d signed the contract with the Northern Lights started off as a celebration. This was his greatest dream finally becoming reality. It felt like the biggest win for them both.

  But when she stepped out onto that front porch, two glasses of lemonade in hand and a naïve hope in her heart, Chrissy sensed things were about to change. It was the only time she had ever seen Nick cry, and the tears flowed before his words did. It scared her, honestly.

  By the end of that night, he’d broken their engagement, along with Chrissy’s heart.

  * * *

  FROM THE OTHER room, Chrissy could hear the trill of an incoming text. She hoped it wasn’t Nick checking on her again. She wasn’t sure how much longer she’d be able to keep him away. At some point, he’d stop by unannounced. She was certain of it.

  Luckily, the text was from her sister.

  Everleigh: We’re about to sell out of your Christmas candle again. Everybody loves it! Only four left on the shelf.

  Chrissy: I’ll come by tonight and make some more. Thanks for letting me know.

  She watched the text bubble on the screen, knowing her sister was composing her reply. Within seconds, her phone pinged again.

  Everleigh: Why don’t you come down this afternoon instead? We can go for a walk and get some fresh air. Nita can manage the shop on her own for a bit. Maybe we can even grab a coffee at Jitters?

  Chrissy: Still not feeling well. Should stay home and get some rest. Thanks, though.

  Everleigh: You’re a terrible liar. I know you’re not sick.

  Chrissy: Sure I am. Cough, cough. Sneeze, sneeze.

  Everleigh: What on earth did you find in those boxes that’s got you so messed up, sis?

  Chrissy blinked back the tears that collected as she typed the words that trembled out from her fingertips: The truth.

  Nick

  HE HADN’T TIED a necktie in years. Nick’s hands struggled to recall the muscle memory. It took three fumbling attempts, but soon he had a knot tucked just under his crisp, white collar.

  Not too shabby, Nick thought as he appraised himself in the mirror. Thankfully, his tailored black suit still fit, despite his recent absence at the gym. He’d borrowed a festive green and white plaid tie from his dad, along with a crimson pocket square that he tucked neatly into place. Shaking out his arms, he breathed deep.

  He hadn’t seen Chrissy all week. She’d been ill and was thoughtful in her avoidance, but Nick didn’t worry about catching anything. All he wanted was to care for her. Multiple times he’d offered to bring over a meal or run by the pharmacy to pick up a prescription, but Chrissy shooed off his efforts. He even threw out the idea that they could skip the dance altogether and stay in. They could watch a marathon of holiday movies; there were hundreds to choose from. Bake gingerbread cookies. Attempt to redecorate Chrissy’s tree.

  She didn’t bite at any of the suggestions. Nick began to worry she would cancel on the dance completely, so when Chrissy texted that morning, asking if they could meet at the community center rather than her house, he didn’t even feel the disappointment he had every right to. Of course he would have preferred to pick her up at her place; it would make it feel like the date he hoped it was intended to be. But everything about their recent interactions hinted at a cancelation, so the fact that they were still on for the ball was music to Nick’s ears.

  He’d been humming Christmas carols all morning, laughing to himself at the new meaning many took on. Nick would never be able to sing The Twelve Days of Christmas without a bird-clad Doris coming to mind. He loved that he had only been home a short while, but the memory-making was well underway.

  At a quarter to six, he headed across town to the dance. Just weeks before, the community center boasted hundreds of auction wreaths hung on the walls for display. Tonight the space was once again transformed. A half-dozen, ornately-dressed Christmas trees stood tall throughout the room, each a different holiday theme. There was a candy cane tree, all red and white, sparkling splendor. Another was a woodland winter theme with birds and nests, antlers and decorative feathers. Nick thought he even saw a few repurposed items from the LOL’s sled tucked in. There was a tree that he knew his father surely had a hand in. Measuring tape wound around the girth of it as garland, various tools and metal gadgets clung to the branches, and he recognized the twinkling lights as the same they’d used the day before as a scarf for their newly constructed Slushy.

  The best parts of Heirloom Point were on display and it was a beautiful sight.


  Nick couldn’t help but appreciate the dedicated citizens who made the holidays the most wonderful time of the year. From Everleigh and her leadership at the sledding race, to the notably hard-working Winter Ball committee, to the Tuckers with their tree farm and Miss Sandy with the auction. Even Chrissy had her candles dotting the center of each round table placed throughout the hall. There was an opportunity for everyone when it came to hometown tradition and Nick couldn’t wait to find his rightful spot.

  “Moose!” Nick felt a heavy palm come down on his shoulder. “You sure clean up well, buddy.” Tucker handed his friend a cup of punch and grinned. “Almost didn’t recognize you.”

  “The same could be said for you,” Nick retorted. Tucker looked great in his umber wool vest and matching bowtie.

  “Every now and then I pull out my dancing shoes and polish myself up. Especially if there’s a chance that I’ll get to dance with a beautiful girl.”

  Nick followed Tucker’s directing gaze across the room and when it landed on Everleigh, he almost did a double-take. Like her sister, she had always been pretty, but tonight she could be the belle of the ball. Her blonde hair was swept into an elegant updo, her bright eyes dusted with iridescent glitter, and the pale blue, empire dress she wore twirled out from her slim waistline like cascade of icicles. She was stunning.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so beautiful in my entire life,” Tucker muttered, unreservedly awestruck.

  Nick was almost about to agree when Everleigh stepped aside.

  “Wow,” Tucker gaped. “I might have to take that back.”

  Just beyond her sister, arrayed in a rich, emerald green strapless gown, stood Chrissy, sipping from a flute of sparkling cider. Her auburn hair hung loose at her shoulders in tumbling curls and the rouge of her cheeks and deep, rose-colored stain of her lips made her look like Christmas come to life.

  Nick lost his breath.

  “You’ll have to pick that jaw up off the floor.” Tucker chuckled, noticing the captivated look of his friend. “Someone’s going to trip.”

  Nick clamped his eyes shut and tossed his head back and forth, attempting to shake the trance. He didn’t want to be caught gawking, but he’d never seen Chrissy look so striking. They’d attended prom together in high school, but they no longer looked like those love struck kids. They were all grown up in appearance and age, and Chrissy was hands-down the most beautiful woman Nick had ever laid eyes upon.

  “She looks like she’s feeling much better, doesn’t she?” Tucker asked, but Nick had stopped listening. He’d already begun making his way across the crowded room.

  “Okay, then,” Tucker said, but his words were swallowed by the holiday music that circled around them. “Guess I’ll catch up with you later.”

  Nick wasn’t sure how he would greet her, if the words would lodge dryly in his throat or if they’d spill out in a blubbering, indistinguishable jumble. He had every instinct to just take her hand and sweep her onto the dance floor to spend the evening wrapped up in each other’s arms and in conversation.

  “Dance with me.” Nick was abruptly cut off in thought and motion. Doris Beasley grabbed his elbow, determined and insistent as she hauled him to the center of the massive room. “All Earl’s interested in is the shrimp cocktail and that cheese platter. But I’m itching to cut a rug. Care to be my partner?” She swung her arms out to the side and tapped her toes along to the jazzy Christmas melody.

  “Not sure I can keep up, but I’ll try.”

  “Don’t worry. I’ll lead.”

  “I didn’t doubt that for a second.”

  Doris took one hand firmly into her grip and reached up to place her other on Nick’s shoulder. “I might have to stand on your feet, Nick. You’ve gotten so tall. Then again, I might be shrinking.”

  Nick looked down at Doris. She was dolled up in a fluffy white stole with a red jumpsuit underneath and sequin-studded ballet flats on her tiny, elfin feet. “Maybe it’s a little of both,” he said with a wry grin.

  “Probably,” she agreed. “I’m a little surprised you’re not dancing with Chrissy already.”

  “It’s definitely on my agenda.”

  “Well, that’s good to hear. She looks beautiful tonight, doesn’t she?” Doris swiveled and peered around Nick’s shoulder. “Like a Christmas princess.”

  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more radiant in my life.” Nick tried not to gape. “Hard to believe she was sick all week.”

  He felt Doris’s weight shift in his arms. “Don’t think she’s been sick, Nick. She came into Jitters just a couple days ago after she made another batch of her Christmas candles. Can you believe she’s sold out twice already? Not that I ever doubted it. She’s so good at what she does; there’s really something special about this year’s fragrance. An Heirloom Christmas is what she’s calling it,” Doris rattled on as they rocked back and forth to the up-tempo beat. “Anyway, she was the picture of health last I saw her.”

  “I was under the impression she was in bed all week with a head cold. That’s what she told me, at least.”

  “Not sure why she’d tell you that.”

  As they made another rotation around the dance floor, Nick caught Chrissy’s gaze, holding onto it until Doris had them spinning back toward the long spread of food where her husband stood, a full plate of appetizers in hand. Earl tipped his chin toward the duo and then placed his hors d’oeuvres onto the banquet table before he advanced their way.

  As the song faded into the next, Nick stepped out of Doris’s embrace, offering a half-bow. “Thank you for the dance, Doris, but I think someone would like to cut in.”

  “Looks like seeing his ol’ girl in the arms of another man was all the motivation he needed to put down the cheese. Thanks for the dance, Nick. I might steal another one from you before the evening is over.”

  “I’ll be saving one just for you, Doris.”

  The hall was more crowded now and Nick had trouble seeking out Chrissy. There were couples parading around the room, arms linked as they admired the decorations or made pleasant small talk with neighbors and friends. Chrissy had been swept up in the melee and it wasn’t until Nick did a full revolution around the community center that he spotted her in the middle of the dance floor, already swaying side to side with someone else.

  “In fairness, I think she was hoping you would ask her first.” Everleigh sauntered up behind Nick. She pulled a cherry from her drink and popped it into her mouth. “Looks like Kevin beat you to it.”

  “Really? I figured she was just being polite and didn’t want to get me sick,” Nick remarked, but he didn’t like the bitterness woven in to his words. “I’m sorry. That was rude.”

  “Not any ruder than making up a fake illness to avoid a confrontation.”

  “What confrontation?” Nick shook his head. “That’s what I don’t get. Why would Chrissy need to avoid me? Did I do something wrong?”

  Sympathy crossed Everleigh’s gaze, tightening her brow briefly. She set her drink down and popped open her clamshell purse. Pulling out a faded piece of newspaper, she passed it to Nick. “This might re-jog your memory.”

  “What is this?”

  “An article. Chrissy found it when we helped unpack your things earlier in the week.”

  “And she kept it?” Nick turned the page over in his hands. “I don’t even remember giving this interview.”

  “Then you probably won’t remember saying you regretted your relationship with her, either.”

  Nick’s eyes flashed. “I’ve never said that.”

  “Skim down to the end.” With a pointed finger, Everleigh tapped near the paragraph in question.

  Wildly, Nick’s eyes raced across the paper. Bits and pieces came back to mind. It had been one of his very first interviews after he was drafted and the reporter was a particularly aggressive one. She seemed much more interested in his availability than his talent, which, as an athlete still trying to prove himself on the rink, was a little i
nsulting. In the end, Nick felt like he had held his own and he’d been happy with the final news piece, even if it was admittedly fluffy. Is wasn’t something he would ever put on display, like the articles that boasted championship wins and titles, but it wasn’t something he was totally ashamed of, either.

  “I still don’t see where it says I regretted our relationship.”

  Everleigh snatched the paper back. “Question: Do you regret anything when it comes to that relationship? Answer: I probably regret more than I should.”

  Nick yanked the article out of her hands. “Yes, like not making her my wife by walking her down the aisle! That’s the regret I’m talking about here, Everleigh. Not that I regretted the relationship. I regretted ending it!”

  Everleigh’s mouth rounded into an Oh shape. “Well, that changes things a bit. But can’t you see how she might have interpreted it differently? You said life showed you the path you were supposed to take and Chrissy wasn’t on it.”

  “Right. I know I said that, because it was what we both agreed on at the time. My path was hockey. Chrissy’s was here in Heirloom Point. If we married, she’d be forced to follow me around while I chased my dreams rather than follow her own. That’s not something I could ever ask her to do, to sacrifice her future for mine.”

  “I’m not sure that was articulated very well in the article.”

  “I guess I’ve learned to articulate my feelings a little better over the years.”

  Suddenly, Everleigh grabbed Nick by the shoulders and swiveled him in an about-face. “You might want to articulate those feelings to Chrissy soon rather than later, because it looks like she’s dancing her way to the mistletoe and I think Kevin may have plans to articulate something of his own.”