One Bright Christmas

by Katherine Spencer

  She sighed, then stepped over and closed the office door. Joe watched her. “Or something like that,” he added. “And I’m not going to like the reason any better.”

  She sat down in the chair across from him again. “I’m sorry, Joe. The thing is, I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to keep dating. I don’t want to lead you on and give you false hopes.”

  He ducked his head. “I see. I was wondering about that.”

  “You were?” She hadn’t seen much evidence of it. “Wondering since when?”

  “Since that day you dropped me like a hot potato to take care of a pig. I mean, turn the sound off, Lauren, and look at the picture. It sends a message.”

  Lauren frowned. Poor Joe. She had sent him a message that day, loud and clear, without really meaning to.

  “So, are you seeing him now? Cole McGuire, I mean. You once described him as the most difficult, contrary being on the planet. I guess you forgot that part?”

  She had said that about him. Couldn’t deny it. “We are sort of seeing each other. It’s early days. Very early,” she emphasized. “The thing is, it did make me think. If I could even accept a date with someone else, am I really the right person for you? I mean, you deserve someone who’s over the moon about you. Who wouldn’t give another guy a second glance. I’m honored that you even think of me in a serious way. Any woman in her right mind would scoop you up in a heartbeat.”

  “Any woman but you.” His words sounded harsh, but his expression was still warm and even understanding.

  “I’m sorry, Joe. I really am. I wouldn’t hurt you for the world.” And my life would be so easy if I could have fallen for you and made a place for myself in this firm. And made a home with you in this village.

  “But it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing?” he finished for her. “At least you’ve been honest. As always.”

  “I owed you that.”

  “I had to try. You were the one that got away. Now I won’t have to wonder anymore what might have been between us. That’s something.”

  “You’ll find someone, Joe. Someone who’s perfect for you. And she’ll be a very lucky woman. And I’ll always be your friend.”

  “I’ll be yours, too. After I get over being kicked to the curb,” he joked in a halfhearted way.

  It seemed he had no hard feelings. He was really being great about this, and Lauren felt so relieved that she’d cleared the air. But where did that leave their business relationship? Would he ask her to give up the work she’d been doing here? That would hurt. She really wanted to pursue the Belkin case and had already put a lot into it.

  “Will you keep your hand in here?” he asked.

  “Sure. I was hoping that would be okay with you. I don’t want to leave the Belkin case when things are just falling into place.”

  “That’s some cold comfort.” He paused. “Guess you still have your mind set on New York?”

  “I do.” Lauren nodded as if there was no question, though she hadn’t done much about applying for a new job yet.

  “Well, even if you can’t see a future for you and me, maybe your mind will change about joining the firm. You would be a real asset to this team.”

  She thought that was very big of him, all things considered. “Thank you, Joe. If my mind changes, you’ll be the first to know.” She felt the familiar impulse to hug him, to show she still cared. But he remained behind his desk, and it seemed best that way. She rose and left the room, feeling shaky. She had not planned to have that talk with him today, though she knew it had to happen sooner or later.

  Even if things had not taken a positive turn with Cole, Joe was not the one for her. She didn’t have to think about it. She just knew.

  Her mother was right again.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The diner was amazingly quiet for a Saturday morning. Quiet and snug, Lucy thought, gazing at the fresh layer of snow outside, barely disturbed yet by footprints or shovels. Her Scandinavian grandmother called it “hygge”—a general feeling of warmth and coziness. That’s what she felt here today.

  A wave of flurries that had begun on Friday afternoon and continued through the night had covered the village with a sugary white blanket a few inches deep. Enough to slow people down as they dug out, cleaned off their cars, and recalculated their day, but Lucy didn’t think it would stop most from Christmas shopping and taking care of other holiday errands. It was the last weekend left. Christmas was this coming Friday.

  Whenever there was snow, even a small amount, Charlie ran up to his office at the village hall to supervise the response and cleanup, making sure the snowplows were out clearing streets and no one was stranded without power or heat.

  He’d left the house before dawn, and his absence made the diner quieter, too. If she had to be there at all, the situation was ideal.

  She was surprised to see Dr. Elliot enter. He and Lillian never came to eat there together, though he sometimes did on his own. He stomped bits of snow off his boots at the door, then looked around for a table. She almost didn’t recognize him, bundled in a big green parka, muffler, and a plaid hat with ear flaps, so that only his wire-rimmed glasses showed.

  She had seen the impressive outfit earlier in the week, when he’d stopped to leave flyers. LOST DOG—REWARD! the notice read in bold red letters. Medium size. White. Mixed-breed terrier. Answers to Teddy. Friendly to all. All info welcome.

  A big color photo of the dog was placed in the center. The dog looked very cute and bright. Ezra’s phone number was below, along with the word REWARD again.

  She had felt so bad for him, she’d taken a pile of the flyers and taped them all over the diner, even in the restrooms. The little dog’s photo competed for attention with Charlie’s overwrought Christmas decorations, but that couldn’t be helped.

  Ezra headed to a table by the window, and she gave him a minute to take off his heavy clothing and settle in. Of course, under the Artic expedition outerwear, he wore a tweed sports coat, a cashmere sweater, and a button-down shirt with a red bow tie. She imagined he wore the same outfit to the beach. The man didn’t seem to know the meaning of casual attire. But it would have seemed very odd, at this point, to see him dressed any other way.

  By the time she approached with a menu and a coffeepot, a large map was spread over the table, alongside his cell phone and a few fine-point mechanical pencils.

  “Coffee, Ezra?”

  “Had my quota for today, thank you. I would like some tea, please. With lemon and honey?”

  Her well-trained ear picked up a slight rasp in his voice, but she wouldn’t ask about it. He was a doctor; he could tell if he was coming down with a cold.

  “I’ll bring it right out. We have some special oatmeal this morning, with apples, cranberries, walnuts, and cinnamon sugar. It’s very good,” she coaxed him.

  “That sounds perfect. A small orange juice on the side, please. It’s not as cold out as you’d expect. I think this white stuff will melt down in a day or two.”

  “Hope so,” Lucy agreed.

  “I’m surprised to see you here, Lucy. Fitting in the diner around your nursing shifts?”

  Ezra, bless his heart, was one of the few in town who could remember that waitressing was no longer her real job. “Juggling is more like it. Charlie needs some help with all the movie fans in town. It won’t be this busy much longer.”

  Lucy was relieved about that. Lack of time had settled the question about whether or not to see Craig Hamilton again, for better or worse. Right now, she felt it was all for the best. She was eager to shut the door, once and for all, on that episode in her life.

  “I heard the production group is due to leave today. I never did get to see any of the filming. Too busy with more important matters,” he said.

  “Any sign of your dog, Ezra?”

  If he had found Teddy, Lucy was sure he
wouldn’t have looked so glum. But she wondered if there was any progress in the search.

  “There have been sightings. Two, maybe three. It’s encouraging. The flyers have helped. But by the time people call and I get there, he’s moved on. I’m tracking his movements on this map. Assumed movements, of course, because some sightings have been at a distance and could have been another dog. But I have to work with what I have. Never thought the art of triangulation would come in handy when I was forced to learn it as a Scout. But here you are. Everything you know comes in handy sooner or later, Lucy. If you live long enough.”

  “That’s probably true.” Ezra was a clever man. She enjoyed chatting with him.

  She gazed down at the map. It showed the village and the surrounding area. Ezra had marked red dots and dates on certain streets in the village and beyond and had connected them with green lines, which created myriad triangles.

  He pointed into the center of a triangle. “I’m trying to narrow down the search area. I’m afraid that he’s sick or injured. Or he lost his way and he’s found shelter somewhere. Around here, maybe?” He pointed with his pencil. “Under a porch or in a shed?” He took out his phone. “My grandson showed me something called ‘Google Earth.’ It’s a roving eye up in the sky. A satellite picture of everywhere. In real time. You just type in an address. Look, here’s the diner.”

  Lucy looked at his phone screen. “Well, I’ll be. That’s the Clam Box, all right.”

  “I check this, too, whenever I get a call.”

  Lucy was impressed. For an old person, Ezra wasn’t afraid to explore technology. She couldn’t say the same for herself, more than forty years younger than him.

  “Teddy’s run away before but he certainly knows his way to Providence Street. There must be a reason he hasn’t returned by now. Unless he did come back at some point and I missed him.”

  Ezra sounded worried by the myriad of possibilities. Lucy could think of a few that were even more dire than those he’d mentioned. Hit by a car? Attacked by a bigger animal? Of course, she would never add to his fears.

  “Maybe someone took him in and they haven’t seen your flyers, and they don’t know how and where to return him.”

  He nodded. “Could be. I’ve left my name and number at all the shelters. And I posted flyers in Hamilton and Essex, too. Dogs can travel miles. You’d be amazed.” He sighed. “He’s not even my dog. Not really. But it feels to me as if he is. I can’t rest until I know he’s safe.”

  “You care enough to make the effort, Ezra. That’s what really counts. I think that little dog is truly blessed to have you working so hard to find him. And you will be, too.” She patted his shoulder. “I’ll be right back with your oatmeal.”

  “Thank you, dear. Bedside or tableside, you’re an angel. And that’s a fact.”

  His compliment touched her heart. It was good to see him finally smile, too, even if only for a moment.

  She’d just served Dr. Elliot his breakfast when Charlie burst through the door. He wore a thick fisherman sweater with a down vest on top, a traffic-stopping shade of orange. Lucy suspected it was a gift from some utility worker, but it looked very official and was just the right touch for a man in charge of a community emergency. His dark blue baseball cap was marked with the Clam Box logo, of course. He was rarely without it.

  He’d had all sorts of diner souvenir items made—T-shirts, hats, aprons, and mugs—though they didn’t sell much. He’d even considered stamping something about the movie on the items. But the cost was too expensive. He did have a plan to persuade the movie stars to autograph a few shirts and aprons, but so far, that hadn’t come together.

  He pulled off a pair of heavy gloves and rubbed his hands together as he walked toward her. Lucy guessed he’d done some “boots on the ground” mayoring today with the snow-clearing crews. Charlie wasn’t above pitching in if help was needed, and she gave him credit for it. Her husband was a down-to-earth guy, scornful of what he called “airs.” People liked that about him. She did, too. Most of the time.

  “Wait till you hear this. You’ll never guess who just got in touch with me.”

  Lucy stood stone still, coffeepot in hand. She didn’t have a clue but knew it had to be good. Charlie looked like he’d just won the lottery.

  “I can’t imagine. Who?”

  He took out his phone and showed her the text. “Adam Cook, from the movie crew. He’s in charge of hotel accommodations and the catering and all that. He said the snow delayed their schedule, and they need to stay a few days longer than expected. Molly Willoughby is all booked up with parties and didn’t plan on feeding them past breakfast this morning. So guess who gets the job, after all?”

  Lucy’s calm and contented mood shattered, as if she’d just dropped a tray of water glasses.

  “The diner. You, I mean,” she said.

  “That’s right.” He grinned from ear to ear and patted her cheek. “We made it after all, honey. Just the tail end, but it’s something.” He tossed his gloves on the counter. “Where’s a pad and pen? I need to take a quick inventory and figure out what we’re going to feed them.”

  Lucy wasn’t surprised to hear he didn’t know. That was Charlie. He often worked backward to catch up with some overzealous promise, dragging everyone else along to help him make good on it.

  For some reason that she didn’t entirely understand, feeding the movie crew was important to him. But she wasn’t going to rob him of this small victory and joy. He was absolutely thrilled. She felt just the opposite.

  “So how will this work? We’ll be delivering the food to the set, right?”

  “Sure. We’ll set up a buffet for breakfast and lunch. But Adam and I decided the crew could take meals here, too. They can just walk in and sign the check, and I’ll tally up the cost. With a discount, of course,” he added.

  “I see.” Lucy nodded. She felt a little numb at the news. Just when she thought she was free and clear, this had to happen. It was bad enough the snow had delayed the crew from leaving town, but now they’d all be in here eating, and she’d agreed to help Charlie over the weekend—all day today and part of Sunday.

  She wasn’t sure what she would do if Craig came in, but she’d think of something. Hide in the kitchen? Plead a migraine? Even if he took dinners at the inn, he’d still be in town a few more days and was likely to visit the diner sooner or later.

  She could already imagine what Fran was going to say about all this. It’s a sign from the universe! Another chance to change your mind, Lucy!

  Or something like that.

  Well, I’m not changing my mind, she nearly said aloud as she clipped an order to the wheel at the pass-through.

  Charlie looked up from the pad. “Spaghetti and meatballs? All you can eat?”

  Lucy wasn’t sure what he was talking about. Then she realized he was proposing the menu for tonight’s dinner for the movie crew. “Sounds good to me,” she replied, though Italian cuisine was hardly the diner’s strong point.

  Right now, that was the least of her concerns.

  * * *

  * * *

  On Saturday evening, Cole appeared at Lauren’s house right on time. Luckily, her mother was still working and her father and Betty had gone to the middle school for a basketball game.

  Lauren was relieved that there would not be any awkward moments of small talk with her family. She already felt as if she was in high school, fretting over her outfit and appearance while she got ready.

  Where’s the fashion police when you really need them? she’d asked herself, thinking of the way her two sisters had critiqued her look before her date with Joe on Thanksgiving weekend. Now, feeling completely stressed and confused, which wasn’t like her at all, she did a quick FaceTime with Amanda, who helped her sort out the perfect outfit—a burgundy turtleneck, jeans, and black boots. Amanda insisted she looked great and as if sh
e hadn’t tried that hard. Lauren liked that message.

  When she answered the door, Cole looked as if he had tried, wearing a leather jacket and jeans, with a black turtleneck underneath. He also looked so handsome that she didn’t even notice the blue Volvo in the driveway, not until he politely opened the passenger-side door for her.

  “What’s this? I was looking forward to a ride in that comfy-looking red pickup truck. Country music on the radio? A hound dog in the cargo area?” She glanced at the back seat with dismay, and he laughed.

  “I can find some country music if you want. This is my socializing car. I keep it in a shed behind the barn. I don’t take it out much.”

  “It’s very nice. Very comfortable. Though I would like a ride in that old truck sometime.”

  “Sure thing. You bring the hound dog.” Cole turned to her briefly and smiled. Lauren felt a current of attraction down to her toes. Were they really on a date? Finally? She’d imagined this moment so many times. It was hard to believe it was really happening.

  Here you are, Lauren. Try to relax and enjoy it?

  Cole had chosen a French restaurant in Newburyport, a casual café with great reviews for its food and atmosphere. “We have some time before the reservation,” he said, as they parked on a cobblestone street in the center of the village. “I thought we could stroll around and do some Christmas shopping?”

  “Great idea. I still have so much left on my list.” Lauren winced. “I’ll be shopping online and hitting ‘Express Ship’ until the last possible minute.”

  “You have a big family to cover. I just have Phoebe and a few nieces and nephews.”

  “Thanks for the excuse, but I’ve always been a last-minute shopper. I generally operate best with a deadline.”

  She hadn’t meant to be amusing; she was just telling the truth. But the admission made him chuckle.

  He quickly walked to her side of the car and opened the door. Lauren felt perfectly capable of opening her own doors and such. But she was still impressed by his manners.