by Nancy Naigle
It was Spencer. She took in a deep breath, then sent the call to voice mail. She couldn’t talk to him right now.
Chapter Fourteen
Allie pulled into her driveway. The outside of her house wasn’t decorated anywhere near as grandly as Barbara’s Country Inn this year, since she’d planned on being out of town, but she was glad she’d at least put up the garland and white lights.
Dragging her bags up the stairs, she let out a sigh as she dropped them right there in the entry hall. She wasn’t normally one to leave things lying around, but there was no sense unpacking since her flight would leave tomorrow. Hopefully.
Too tired to sleep, she started a pot of tea and then sat in her favorite chair, hugging the throw pillow against her chest. Even if the day hadn’t gone according to plan, it had been fun hanging out with Ryan and Zoe.
Her living room was decorated for the holidays. Not as much as she’d usually do, but she hadn’t been able to resist. It would’ve felt a little sad and lonely to come home tonight to a house full of boxes. At least the decorations made it feel lived in and cheerful.
A knock came from the door, and for a fleeting moment, she hoped it might be Ryan. She ran her fingers through her hair and jumped up, and then realized how crazy that was. Ryan didn’t even know where she lived. She slowed down and opened the door. “Mom?”
“Hey, darling.” Carol balanced a dinner plate in her hands.
“Come on in.” Allie stepped aside so she could enter. “You didn’t have to bring me food.” Although, on second glance, she was glad she had. It was all of her favorites. Sliced turkey, greens, and mashed potatoes and gravy. Dad made the best mashed potatoes and gravy in the world.
“I’m your mother. Of course I did.”
Allie put the plate on the counter, then turned and poured two mugs of tea. She handed one to her mom.
Mom walked into the dining room, then stopped. “And why did you put up all your Christmas decorations if you aren’t even going to be here?”
She held the warm mug close to her body. “I know it. I couldn’t help myself, but at least I didn’t put up a tree. I’m not completely Christmas crazy.”
“Just a little Christmas crazy.” Mom held her fingers up with about a half-inch space, then an inch.
“Exactly,” Allie said.
“Did you get Ryan and Zoe settled?”
“Yes. They’re at the inn.”
Carol took a sip of her tea. “He seems like a good guy.”
“He does. Yeah.” Allie toyed with the tea tag hanging over the edge of her mug. “He’s a doctor and a single dad. I don’t know how he does it.”
Carol’s brow arched. “So…have you talked to Spencer?”
“Everything’s fine.” She really didn’t want to discuss Spencer.
“Honey, as long as you feel like you are doing the best thing for you, then I’m on board.”
“I do.” Mom must have sensed Allie’s hesitation. It was a relief to hear her say that. “Thank you.”
“It’s just not going to be the same without you around here.” Carol fidgeted. “I think that’s partly why your dad and I are talking about retiring.”
“You are?” Allie’s heart sped up. That was the last thing she’d expected to hear come from her mother’s mouth. The Chris Kringle Kitchen was the heartbeat of Evergreen. She’d assumed it always would be. Plus, she couldn’t imagine Mom and Dad with nothing to do. They loved running the diner.
“Actually, your father is doing most of the talking, and I am listening politely.”
“You don’t want to do it?” Of course not. Evergreen is home.
“I can’t imagine leaving Evergreen. But if my brave daughter can start a new chapter in her life, then I guess her parents can, too.”
Wow. Not only retiring, but possibly moving? She couldn’t even picture it.
Mom lifted her mug, and Allie touched her own mug to it, hoping for the best.
“But don’t tell anyone,” Mom said. “Especially Ezra. I don’t think his heart could take it.”
“I don’t think so, either.” Allie shared the laugh with Mom. Ezra was taking his new role as Mayor of Evergreen very seriously, and any change as a personal attack. Too bad the man wasn’t as easygoing as his dad had been. Everyone loved the older Mayor Green.
Carol took another sip of tea, then checked her watch. “Oh, I’d better get going. I’m going to be late.” She set her mug down.
“Where are you off to?”
“To spread a little Christmas cheer.” Carol pulled her hands to her hips. “You know, I think maybe we’ll stop by the inn for Zoe and Ryan.”
Allie perked up. She knew exactly how Mom was going to spread cheer tonight. It was an Evergreen tradition, and Allie wanted to join in the fun and surprise them, too. “Well, I want a little cheer. Can’t I tag along?” She pretended to pout.
“Yes, you can tag along,” Carol teased. “Go get your coat.” She blew her a kiss and headed outside to get the car started.
“Great.” Allie put on her coat and wrapped her scarf around her neck. She hurried out the front door and excitement pushed her into a run. She jumped in the SUV, and they headed off to pick up the others. She couldn’t wait to see Zoe and Ryan’s faces when they opened the door. She imagined the way his eyes would sparkle, crinkling just at the edges when he smiled like they had earlier today. A genuine smile. One that made her feel like smiling, too.
Ryan and Zoe put their things in the guest room, then went back downstairs to hang out in the living room in front of the fireplace. Barbara had served them a tray of those fresh cookies they’d smelled when they’d come in, along with ice-cold milk. “There are games over on the shelf.” They decided to play cards.
Sitting in the floor at the coffee table, Ryan eyed the cards in his hand. “Do you have any sevens?”
Zoe set down her glass of milk. “Go fish.”
“Ugh. Again?” He took a card from the stack, adding it to his ever-growing hand.
“I’m just that good,” Zoe said with a smug smile, then perked up as a sound came from the front yard.
Barbara walked into the living room. “What is that?” With a tilt of her head, she went to the front door. Ryan folded his cards and laid them down on the table, and then he and Zoe followed behind Barbara to investigate.
Barbara opened the door, and the sound grew into a harmonious round of “Deck the Halls.” “Oh! Look!”
Seven carolers held candles in front of them as they belted out the joyous song amid the freezing temperatures and snowflakes. Ryan stepped behind Zoe, placing his hands on her shoulders.
Right in the center of them, Allie stood, bundled in her red coat, singing, “Toll the ancient Yule-tide carol. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.”
“Merry Christmas,” the carolers exclaimed.
Barbara held her hand to her heart, and Zoe flashed him her thousand-watt smile.
His whole life, he’d never had someone Christmas carol his house. What a glorious feeling it inspired.
The group began to leave. Allie turned back around and waved to them.
His heart pounded.
She and her mom caught up with the others on the street. It looked like they were heading next door.
It was hard to take his eyes off Allie. He liked the way her smile lit up her whole face. He couldn’t even see her without smiling, too. She was contagious. In a really good way.
Barbara closed the door, and the three of them went back into the living room. “That was so special,” she said.
“It was.” He couldn’t believe how much joy that had brought him. “Come on, Zoe. Let me beat you at cards.”
“That’ll never happen,” she said, dropping down to the ground and playing the next hand.
Zoe couldn’
t quit talking about the carolers between rounds of Go Fish, at which she beat him again quite handily.
They turned in early, optimistic the flights would be back on schedule soon.
The next morning, the snow had finally stopped, and the sun was bright. Ryan checked his phone for an update on the airport. Luckily, the news was good.
He went downstairs, where Zoe was already working on a plate of bacon and eggs that Barbara had cooked to order for her. “Would you mind if Zoe stayed with you while I walk down to the diner?” Ryan asked.
“Of course,” Barbara said.
Zoe nodded. “I’ll be fine here.”
“Great. I’ll be back shortly.”
Barbara piped up. “To the right out of the front gate. Two blocks, and you’re there.”
“Thank you.” He got his coat and walked outside. The sun took the sharpness from the air, making it a pretty comfortable stroll down Main Street.
When he got to the Chris Kringle Kitchen, the Sorry, We’re Closed sign was still in the window, but the lights were on. He tapped on the glass of the window and walked inside. Allie was sitting at a table with her mom and another woman.
“Hi, Allie,” Ryan said.
“Ryan, hi.” She got up. Watching her walk toward him, he suddenly felt like a teenager. Nervous and awkward. “Where’s Zoe?”
“She’s back at the inn with Barbara. I heard the airport is open again, so I thought I’d come and see if we could hitch a ride back with you.”
“Of course,” Allie said.
“Great.”
“Oh, Ryan, I want you to meet my friend Michelle Lansing.”
Michelle waved from where she was sitting next to Carol helping her top off the salt and pepper shakers. “Hi.”
“Hi, Michelle.”
“And I think you’ve met my mom and dad.”
Joe stopped wiping down the glass bakery case. “Hi.”
“Nice to see you.” He gave Carol a wave. “Hi again.”
“This is Dr. Ryan Bellamy.”
A man who’d just come in the front door inserted himself into the conversation. “Doctor?” Ryan swung around toward the newcomer.
“And this is Mayor Ezra Green,” Allie said.
“You’re a doctor?” Ezra moved forward with his hand extended.
He shook his hand. “I am. Yes.”
Ezra didn’t let go, instead, placing his hand on top of theirs. “You know, our town doctor just retired and—”
“Leave him alone, Ezra.” Allie placed a protective hand on Ryan’s arm. Ryan laughed nervously.
“Right. Sorry.” He clapped his hands together. “Listen up, everybody. I have some bad news. They had to shut down the highway.”
“What? Why?” Allie looked to Ryan.
“The storm last night caused a rock slide.”
“I don’t believe this,” Allie said.
“Why is that a problem?” Ryan asked.
She hated to be the one to break the news to him. “There’s only one road in and out of town.”
“And now it’s blocked by a bunch of big rocks,” Ezra said.
How could this even be possible? “Well, when will it open?” he asked.
“Tomorrow, maybe…” Ezra didn’t look confident at all.
“Tomorrow?” Ryan repeated. “We’re going to miss our flight.”
“Yeah.” Allie chewed on her lip.
“Well, there must be some other way out of town.” Ryan grappled for ideas. “Snowmobiles? Snowplow? A helicopter?”
“Forget about getting out, what about people getting in?” Michelle threw her hands in the air. “Nobody will be able to come to the Christmas Festival.”
“This is terrible,” Joe agreed.
“Everyone in Evergreen can come,” Carol said.
“But I’ve got people coming from Montpelier, Burlington…” Michelle jumped to her feet. “Allie? What are we going to do?”
“All right. All right. Why don’t we meet at Henry’s barn this afternoon and start setting up for the festival? If the road gets cleared, then great. If it doesn’t, then this year, the festival will be just for Evergreen…and guests.” She gestured to Ryan with a sweet smile.
Michelle calmed down. “Okay. Well, I guess I feel better.”
“You know,” Ezra said. “I think this is another situation that could’ve been solved if we had an app.”
“Ezra, please!” Michelle stood, turned her back on him, and walked away.
“This is a good idea,” Ezra insisted as he tracked Michelle to the other side of the diner.
Ryan pulled his hands to his neck. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh.
Allie stepped closer to him. “Hey. I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t invited you here, you wouldn’t be stuck.”
His gut twisted. How could this be happening? But it wasn’t her fault. She was the best part of everything that had gone wrong. In an attempt to lighten his disappointment, he said, “You didn’t cause the rockslide.” Ryan tilted his head playfully. “Did you?”
“No, I didn’t,” Allie said thoughtfully. “My neighbor has my jackhammer.”
He sighed. “I just really wanted this Christmas to be better…”
“Well, y’all are stuck here another day,” she said. “Maybe I could help make Christmas a little better.” She held his gaze. “For Zoe.”
Were they still talking about Zoe?
“We do have plenty of snow.” she continued.
Where was she going with this?
“I have some ideas. Are you game?” she asked.
How could anyone say no to that smile of hers? It was infectious. “I’m game.”
“Excellent.” She held up one finger then turned and ran over to her mom. “I’m going to help Ryan salvage the day for Zoe. I’ll see you all later.”
“Wait!” Dad dipped into the kitchen and then reappeared in a snap, carrying a white bakery box. “Here. Take these with you.”
She opened the box. “Christmas cookies. Thank you.”
“Can’t have a Christmas play day without cookies.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She walked over to Ryan. “Come on. We have to stop by my house on the way to the inn.”
Ryan waved goodbye and followed Allie out to the street. “You are one bundle of energy,” he said to her.
She balanced the box of cookies in the palm of one hand and carried it like a waitress tray, then held her arms out, letting the snowflakes land on her coat. “It’s Christmas. I love Christmas.”
“I see that.” Was she always this joyful? She made Christmas fun again, and that wasn’t something he’d expected to feel for a very long time.
“My house is at the end of this block. The blue one. I’ll race you.” She took off down the street, getting a head start.
“Hey, wait.” Ryan took off, catching up to her in just a couple long strides. He tagged her as he passed and turned up the driveway toward the pretty blue Cape Cod-style house. He leaned forward, huffing and puffing. “Okay, I might be a little out of shape.”
“You beat me!”
“Yes, I did.” He raised his hand for a high five.
She slapped his hand, her fingers brushing against his, sending an unexpected tingle up his arm. She walked up to the garage door and lifted it.
It had to be twenty degrees warmer in here just getting out of the wind. “What are we looking for?” He noticed right off how organized her garage was. Sports equipment in one area, tools in another. Storage boxes neatly stacked and labeled in perfect block letters. Not a doctor’s handwriting. He had typical doctor chicken scratch. Always had. Maybe doctors of veterinarian medicine didn’t fall into the pitiful handwriting category.
“Not looking for anything. I know exactly where it is.” She headed to the far right corner of the garage. On the third shelf sat a bright red box labeled Frosty.
“Frosty?” Ryan wasn’t quite sure what to expect from that. “What do you have in there? A melted snowman? We’re not resuscitating a snowman, are we?”
“Real funny, Doc.” She gave him a playful sideways glance.
“Good, because I’m pretty sure defibrillators and melted snow are not a good mix.”
“True,” Allie said. “But no.” She tapped the box. “I was going to show you what’s in this box, but now you’re going to have to wait and see.”
“Oh, I see how you are.” The lighthearted banter was unexpected, leaving him a little off balance but enjoying every moment of it.
She carried the big box against her stomach. She pulled the garage door back down, and they walked to the inn.
Zoe came running out as soon as they got to the sidewalk. “Hi, Allie. Dad! Is Allie driving us to the airport?”
“Not today,” he said.
“What?” Zoe looked confused. “Are we staying?”
“For at least another day,” Ryan said, and no sooner did he get the words out of his mouth than Zoe leaped into his arms. “Awesome!”
“Are you up for a fun day? Evergreen style?” Allie raised the box in the air.
“Yes!” Zoe jumped to the ground. “What are we going to do?”
Barbara peeked around the front door. “Everything okay out here?”
“Actually, I have a favor to ask.” Allie walked over to the porch. “Do you mind if we build you a snowman?”
“I’d love that,” Barbara said. “Absolutely! Oh, wait. Zoe, let me get you a hat. You’ll freeze out there with no hat on.” Barbara ran inside, then came back with a red toboggan and gloves for Zoe.
“Thank you, Barbara.”
Allie gave Zoe a hug around the shoulders. “Great. I’ve got all the stuff to make the best snowman ever…right here in this box.” She squatted down on the porch and took off the lid. One by one she began taking things out. “A top hat!” She popped it on her head and made a goofy face, then handed it to Zoe, who did the same thing. “And we’ve got a scarf, and matching gloves. Two sticks for arms. Coal buttons and a—”
