by Nancy Naigle
Allie,
Zoe was worried that Santa might not have a place to put your presents if you didn’t have a tree. We hope you get everything you want for Christmas. Even the pony. Thank you for everything.
Ryan and Zoe
Tears pooled, spilling to her cheeks as she looked at the tree and hugged the card to her chest.
She squinched her eyes together, and there wasn’t one single spot on that tree that wasn’t lit. Good job, Ryan and Zoe.
The only present she wanted was on its way to Florida.
She changed into her favorite pajamas, the ones with the black pants with little red Christmas bows on them and red long-sleeved top. Back in the living room and picked that card back up off the coffee table, and sat in the chair by the tree, pulling the blue-and-white blanket over her. She fell asleep by the glow of Christmas lights that night, clinging to the sweetest gift she’d ever received.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Allie woke up with the red envelope still in her hand. It was early, but she was anxious to do a couple of things this morning, even if it was Christmas Eve.
She walked down to her office and tugged the FOR SALE sign from the wall under her placard. That felt good. She tossed it into the nearby trashcan. She wouldn’t need that again.
Across the way, Mom and Dad were already busy in the diner. The smell of fresh sausage mingled in the air.
She walked up to the front door of the clinic, unlocked it, and went inside. There was nothing on her books. She’d referred all her customers to Dr. Meyers in Montpelier, but she wasn’t worried. Her patients would come back to her. She’d take the down time to reorganize things. Maybe catch up on some bookkeeping.
She sat in her desk chair and spun around. She was home. All that was missing right now was Frank.
She dialed the diner from her office line.
“Allie? Is everything okay? What are you doing at the clinic on Christmas Eve morning?”
“Nothing is wrong, Mom.” She took in a deep, steadying breath. Confident in her decision. “Mom, I’m not going anywhere. The doctor is in.”
“Oh, Allie? Are you sure? If this is a joke, it’s not funny.”
“Positive. Why don’t you bring Frank back home?”
“I’m on my way. Start the coffee,” Carol said.
In less than three minutes, Carol was standing at the reception desk with Frank’s goldfish bowl in her arms and tears of joy in her eyes.
“Home sweet home, Frank.” Carol put the fish bowl on the desk. “Honey, I’m so happy.” Her eyes sparkled, her lips quivering as she smiled.
“Hi, Mom.” She hugged her, and then bent down toward the fish. “Welcome back, Frank.”
“So? Have you talked to him?”
“Yes. He went back to DC.”
“Oh, honey, not Spencer.” Carol gave her that look. “Ryan.”
“Why would I talk to Ryan?”
“Allie, he bought you a tree!”
“Oh.” It wasn’t like it was a ring.
“He bought you two trees, if you count the one at Barbara’s.”
“Mom, it’s not like that.” Well, maybe it could’ve been. She’d wanted so much for them to stay. Certainly some of the joy of spending time with them had come from the good deed of helping them when they’d been stranded—at least, that was what she’d been telling herself all night.
“I know.” She stepped back. “I know.” She put her fingers to her lips and pretended to lock them.
Like that could stop her.
“And I’m not saying that what happened with Spencer had anything to do with Ryan. Those are two totally separate things. But Allie, they are both…things. And I just want to make sure you’re okay with how both of them ended.”
Allie considered that for a moment. She wasn’t okay with it at all. It was more than just temporary. He’d shown more than kindness in his acts, too.
She grabbed her mom’s arm and turned over her wrist to check the time on her watch.
“They might not have left yet,” Carol said, encouraging her.
Allie zipped around the desk, only stopping to say, “I love you.” Mom had noticed that something special between them, too. She kissed her mom on the cheek, then rushed out the door.
“Hurry,” Carol called out with a wave.
She ran out the door, not even bothering to close it, hopped down the stairs, and ran to her truck. She got behind the wheel and put her fingers on the key, only pausing long enough to say, “I know this is the right thing to do. Please start!”
The engine turned right over, and she let out a yip as she pulled away from the curb and headed straight over to Barbara’s Country Inn. Her heart raced. Oh gosh, she had no idea what she’d say, but she couldn’t wait to find out.
For a split second she worried Spencer might still be at the inn too, but there wasn’t much chance of that. He was predictable. He’d have left at the crack of dawn.
Please let that be true this morning. If there was a six o’clock morning flight to DC today, he’d have been on it.
She swung into the driveway and ran to the side kitchen door. With a quick knock, she opened the door. “Hello?”
Barbara was drying dishes when she came in. “Allie! What are you doing here?” She turned, still holding a dishtowel in her hand.
No one else was in the kitchen. “I was hoping to catch Ryan and Zoe before they left.”
“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie.” Barbara glanced at her watch. “The cab picked them up about an hour ago. They’re probably already at the airport by now.”
Her heart caught. She’d missed her chance. They were headed to Florida for the holiday.
Why hadn’t she said something when she had the chance? Why had she been too afraid to tell him what she was feeling? “That’s too bad. I’d really hoped I’d catch them.”
“I have to thank you for the customers, Allie. This has been a great test run for the inn, and I loved every single minute of it.”
“I’m so glad. It’s beautiful. You and this inn, you’re both a wonderful addition to Evergreen.” Barbara had been so kind to open her doors to strangers with so little notice. She truly did fit in here in Evergreen.
“Too bad you’re leaving. I think we’d have been great friends,” Barbara confided in her.
That touched Allie’s heart. “Oh, I’m not leaving after all. Evergreen is where I belong.”
“You’re kidding? That’s great.”
“Yes. Yes it is,” Allie said with a smile. “And I’m sure you’re right. We’ll be great friends, and thank you again for putting Ryan and Zoe up. I think you made their Christmas. Too bad they won’t be here for the festival.” At least she’d be able to send the pictures to Zoe as promised. She hoped their Christmas in Florida would be fun, too.
“Are you ready for the festival tonight?” Barbara asked.
“I am. I need to take all the cookies we baked last night over there though. Do you have anything I need to take over for you?”
Barbara crossed the room to the white breakfront. “I do.” She lifted three boxes and handed them to Allie. “Can you take these truffles I made?”
“Truffles?”
“A box of peanut butter truffles and two boxes of whipped chocolate. They are so easy to make.”
“You are definitely going to have to teach me.” It wouldn’t be the same as baking with Ryan and Zoe. Probably not as messy either though.
“Any time,” Barbara said. “Thanks for delivering them to the festival for me.”
“My pleasure. I’ll see you there tonight.”
Ryan and Zoe sat in the gate area at Burlington International Airport, waiting for their flight. The terminal was once again busy, and he was having a real déjà vu
moment. He had to admit, though, that he was disappointed that when he looked back behind them, Allie wasn’t there this time.
“I told you we were leaving too early, Dad.”
“Well, with all the cancelled flights and holiday travelers, better safe than sorry.”
“I guess.”
An announcement came over the intercom. “Ladies and gentlemen in the terminal for flight 993. We have been informed that there is a small mechanical issue on the plane and we will need to delay boarding. I apologize for the inconvenience.”
Ryan sighed. Flight 993. That was their flight. He glanced over at Zoe, then folded his arms across his chest and got comfortable. “Boy, that sounds familiar, huh?”
He’d expected disappointment, or maybe an eye roll, but instead she perked right up. “We should go back to Evergreen!”
“Zoe, the flight is delayed, it isn’t cancelled.”
“So if it gets cancelled, we can go back to Evergreen?” That kid would make a great lawyer. She could negotiate and reason anything. She was quick about it, too.
“No, honey.” Evergreen wasn’t an option anymore. As wonderful as it had been, now he almost wished they’d never stopped there.
“But don’t you miss it already?” Her longing tone was real. She wasn’t kidding around. “Don’t you miss Allie?”
More than you know. He sighed and wrapped his arm around her. “She isn’t mine to miss. Come here.” He pulled her close, laying his head against hers.
Zoe was all he needed.
But if that were so, would he be feeling this way right now? Empty, and hurt. Yes. He missed Allie.
Soon she would be starting her new life in Washington, D.C. with the high-powered helicopter-riding Spencer. It was hard for him to picture Allie with that guy. Even harder to picture her in a busy city the size of DC. That was selfishly biased, though, because he had no problem picturing her with him and Zoe anywhere…even DC. He’d love to take her to the Cherry Blossom Festival. And the beautiful covered bridges in Virginia near the scenic byway of Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was gorgeous there.
He had a feeling guys like Spencer didn’t do things like that, though.
Almost an hour passed, and Zoe was getting fidgety.
“It shouldn’t be much longer, honey.” Ryan was getting anxious himself. He could’ve driven himself and Zoe to Florida and gotten a tan by now if he’d just left when they’d gotten delayed the very first time the other day.
“It’s okay, Dad.”
“I’m going to go see what’s going on. I’ll be right back.” He got up and walked over to the counter, waiting to talk to someone who might be able to give him a more specific update.
The man in front of him turned to leave.
“Oh, hey. Spencer?”
“Hey. What are you doing here?”
“We’re still trying to get to Florida. You?”
“I’m still trying to get to DC. Seems like all the flights are booked though.”
Ryan scanned the gate area. “Is Allie here?”
Spencer deflated. “No. She’s…staying in Evergreen.” He swallowed. “Permanently.”
“Oh.” A pulse of joy coursed through Ryan, but he held himself in check. “I’m really sorry.”
“Thanks. I’m going to go check with the other airlines, see if I have better luck. Merry Christmas.” He reached for Ryan’s hand.
They shook hands. “You, too.”
Ryan let the whole situation sink in for a moment as Spencer walked away. He didn’t even bother to ask for an update at the counter; instead, he went back over and sat next to Zoe.
“What’s wrong, Dad?”
He was almost stunned. Allie staying in Evergreen was the last thing he’d expected Spencer to say. But Ryan was glad. Very much so, because he agreed that Allie belonged there. She was the heart of that town. “Nothing.” He couldn’t contain his smile. “This Christmas…”
“It’s been the best!”
“Really? You think so?”
“It felt like Christmas again. Like before Mom…”
Her statement shocked Ryan, but she was right. This Christmas had been easy, and fun, and memorable. He put his arm around her. “It did.”
She let her hands drop to her lap. “I just don’t understand why the snow globe didn’t work.”
“What did you wish for?”
“That we could have Christmas in Evergreen.”
Ryan’s expression fell. How had he not picked up on it?
“But Florida will be great, too,” she quickly added. “Did you make a wish?”
“I did,” Ryan said. “I wished for a merry Christmas.”
“And did it come true?”
“Zoe, as long as I’m with you, it’s going to be a very merry Christmas.”
“So your wish came true.” She looked away. “I wonder why mine didn’t?”
She was wistful, and that made him sad.
The gate attendant came over the PA again. “Attention in the gate area, all passengers for flight 993 to Orlando. I’m sorry to tell you that we are having some mechanical difficulties with the airplane and at this point it looks like we’re going to have to cancel the flight.”
Everyone groaned, except for Ryan and Zoe, who both sat there smiling.
“Maybe your snow globe wish is going to come true,” he said.
“Dad? Really?” She bounced up. “Can we go back to Evergreen?”
“I think we should.”
Zoe threw her arms in the air and leaped. “Let’s go!” She grabbed her bag, and then clasped his hand.
They made haste out of the airport. Ryan steered them through the crowds of travelers into the taxi area. It only took a few minutes to finally get to the front of the line.
“Where to?” The taxi driver lifted the trunk and tossed their bags into the back.
“To Evergreen.”
“Little town up route 7?”
“That’s the one.”
“I’ve heard of that place. Never been there though.”
“It’s the best Christmas town ever,” Zoe said. “With the best Christmas Festival too.” She slapped her hands on her legs. “Dad! I can’t believe we get to go to the festival.”
“Merry Christmas.” The taxi driver reset the meter and pulled away from the curb.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“We’re Going to Have a Happy Christmas” blasted through the temporary speakers of Henry Holloway’s barn, and the 48th Annual Evergreen Christmas Festival was in full swing. Allie felt at home among the people of Evergreen, and lots of folks had traveled from as far as Montpelier and Burlington to join in the Christmas Eve celebration.
Before stepping into the barn, Allie had taken a quick detour to the barn to check on Snowflake. The barn had been quiet except for the soft neighing of the horses and an occasional moo. When she’d gotten to Buttercup’s stall, she’d been standing vigil over her sleeping calf. Snowflake had been snuggled in what was left of the hay bed Zoe had made for her. Allie had stepped into the stall and checked Buttercup’s udder. It had been soft and full. A good sign. She hadn’t disturbed Snowflake since she was sleeping. Buttercup had leaned her head down toward the baby and made soft maternal sounds. She was a good mother.
Allie walked back outside for some air. She noticed that sometime during the day they’d found a way to get the banner moved from Town Hall over the entrance of this barn. Michelle had said that the Evergreen Electrical Coop guys were supposed to be coming out with a couple of boom trucks to help. They must have come through.
She gave the giant Frosty a high-five as she walked back inside the barn to find Mom and Michelle. She spotted Michelle right off. She was offering cookies from a shiny silver
platter to folks over near the gingerbread houses.
Folks cheered while playing carnival style games like the Snowball Bash, where players tried to hit milk bottles off bales of hay with foam snowballs. Pin the Red Nose on the Reindeer and a special ring toss over glittery miniature Christmas trees had the kids lined up ten deep for their chance to win a stuffed animal. The sputtering click clacking of the Candy Cane Spinny Wheel added a steady metronome to it all.
Adults and children alike shared in the joyous occasion, marveling at the huge Christmas tree, looking at the crafts tables of wreaths and stockings, and embracing the spirit of the holidays with hot chocolate and sugary treats.
Allie walked over to check out the gingerbread displays, one of her favorite parts. The huge gingerbread houses served as decoration in the booth where trays of home baked cookies were being passed around to everyone in attendance. Later, one of those gingerbread houses would receive the blue ribbon rosette and the honor of being the 48th Annual Evergreen Christmas Festival Gingerbread House. The winner’s picture would be framed and hung next to the other forty-seven winners in Town Hall.
“They look delicious!” Michelle said as she took another tray to pass out. She turned to passersby to offer them a treat. “Take any one you want.”
Hannah waved from near the spinning wheel. Allie waved back then caught Michelle by the elbow. “Congratulations, Michelle.”
Her smile was ear to ear. “Thanks! I think we actually pulled it off…with a little help from a snow globe, of course.” She set down the tray of cookies.
“Of course.” Allie was so glad to see Michelle back to her old self.
“What about you, Hannah?” Michelle asked. “Any developments on the wish you made?”
Hannah blushed. “Shhh, no! Mine was just a silly wish anyway.”
“Oh?” Allie nudged her, wanting to hear more.
