Everyone’s steps slowed.
Mia waved her arm. “Caro!”
Caro and Simon approached, and as they engaged in lively conversation, Mia longed to ask Caro how her secret angel project was going. Was she having a difficult time fulfilling it the way Mia was? How were the other friends—Nate, Sara, Holly, and Taye—doing with theirs?
The squeal of the microphone resounded in the distance.
Kristi and Amy begged to go.
“We’ll see each other soon,” said Mia.
She and Jesse hurried after Diane and the teens. They weaved through the crowd until they stood at the foot of the town Christmas tree.
“Good evening.” Mayor Hardy’s voice boomed through the microphone. “How is everyone feeling tonight? Are you as excited as I am?”
A few cheers erupted.
Mayor Hardy said a few words of welcome and prepared the crowd for the main event.
“On the count of three,” he said. “One! Two! Three!”
A drum roll rattled, and the mayor raised his arm. He held it there and lowered it like he was at the Indy 500. “Hit the switch!”
The deep green of the pine needles vanished beneath a glow of bright colorful lights that covered every part of the tree.
It took Mia’s breath away. Her mouth fell open.
Kristi and Amy cheered with the crowd.
The noise subsided.
“It’s funny,” said Jesse. “In all my travels to different towns for my job, I’ve never been to a tree lighting until now. I’m starting to wonder why.”
“I’m starting to wonder why I’ve been away for so long,” said Mia. She turned and gazed at Jesse. The wonder in his eyes mesmerized her.
“Isn’t this the best tree you’ve ever seen?” asked Mayor Hardy. “I want to thank everyone who helped decorate it and put this whole event together. You did a fantastic job. Let’s give them a round of applause.”
Applause filled the air.
Mayor Hardy brought his message to a close. “There’s hot food and warm drinks and arts and crafts at all the booths. If you’re hungry and want to get your Christmas shopping done, you’re at the right place. Enjoy yourselves.” He raised his hand and waved at everyone. “Have a good night and have a Merry Christmas.” He stepped away from the microphone.
The crowd disbanded.
Mia exhaled. “That was incredible.”
“The tree is so pretty.” Amy’s gaze traveled around it.
“I’ll miss it,” said Kristi. “I’ll miss all of this.” The sadness darkened her eyes.
Mia’s heart broke. She rested her hand on Kristi’s shoulder to comfort her. Somehow, someway, she had to find a home for her in Snowflake.
Diane pulled her keys out of her handbag. “I’ll meet you back at the shop,” she said to Mia. “Thanks for helping us today, Jesse. We needed it.”
“It was my pleasure. We should do it again sometime.”
Diane smiled. She excused herself and left.
Jesse, Kristi and Amy strolled in the same direction with Mia. The teens walked a few steps ahead.
Jesse sighed. “I can’t believe tomorrow is my last day here. The week went by so fast.”
“When will you be back?”
“I’m scheduled to be at a job site in San Francisco on Monday, and I’ll be there for a few days.”
A familiar face emerged from the crowd.
Don.
He wasn’t alone. His arm hung around a woman’s back—a woman Mia had never seen before. Not only was she young and pretty but she looked happy. They both did. Their faces radiated.
Mia stopped and held her breath.
Don stopped too.
Their gazes locked.
The thought of running away flashed through Mia’s mind.
“Mia,” said Don. “How are you?”
Did he really speak to her? “I’m, I’m fine,” she said. “And you?”
“I’m doing well. Very well.” Don glanced at Jesse.
Jesse’s arm met Mia’s back. He pulled her closer in a hug.
“Take care,” said Don. He turned away and guided the other woman past them.
Mia let out the breath that she held. She turned and watched them walk along the street. The tears stung her eyes. She blinked hard to hold them back.
“Are you okay?” asked Jesse.
Mia shook her head.
“Don’t feel that way,” he said. “He doesn’t deserve it.”
Mia turned away. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”
“Let’s go.” Jesse turned toward the shop.
“I mean in Snowflake.”
He stopped. “Oh.”
“I don’t want to keep seeing him. I don’t want to always be reminded of him everywhere I turn. I just, I need to go.”
Jesse stood still for a few seconds. He reached out and pulled her close.
The warmth of his body and the strength of his embrace were everything Mia needed right then.
Chapter 14
The memory of seeing Don on Main Street flashed through Mia’s mind. So did the woman who was with him.
Lying awake in bed, Mia swallowed the lump in her throat.
And then Jesse’s voice filled her thoughts. Don’t feel that way. He doesn’t deserve it.
She reached up to turn off the lamp on the nightstand. The cupcake ornament that Jesse made caught her attention from where it sat beside her Bible. The lopsided foil cupcake liner brought a smile to her face. So did the image of Jesse struggling to glue it on the ornament. “Oh, Jesse,” she whispered.
Lying there in the darkness, Mia realized that Don was no longer on her mind.
“I HAVE ONE LAST ANNOUNCEMENT before Pastor Callahan shares his message.” Associate Pastor Manuel Cruz gazed at the congregation inside Snowflake Chapel. “One of the teenagers that attends church here needs a foster home. If anyone has an extra bedroom and is willing to help, please see Alma after the service.”
Mia glanced around to see if anyone reacted.
“I know this young lady,” said Pastor Cruz. “I’ve known her for years, and she’s a wonderful person. Otherwise, I wouldn’t ask for your help. It’s an emergency, so the sooner you can come forward, the better.”
Mia sighed with relief because now everyone at church knew about Kristi’s need. She turned and smiled at Jesse, who sat beside her.
The hope reflected in his eyes.
She reached out, grabbed hold of his hand and gave it a comforting squeeze.
The warmth of his touch soothed her and jolted her at the same time. She released her grip and wrapped her fingers around the edge of her Bible.
After the service, Pastor Manuel Cruz’s wife, Alma, met them in the lobby.
“I appreciate this,” said Mia. “You can’t imagine how much.”
“Me too,” said Jesse. “Thank you.”
“All of us here at the church are hoping and praying someone will open their home to Kristi,” said Alma. “We’ve all asked people we know.”
A new church member approached. Her husband and child joined her.
Mia’s heart leaped. Were they here to ask about Kristi?
Alma greeted them, but their conversation wandered onto a different topic.
The minutes passed. The church emptied. Mia and Jesse stood alone.
NORMA, THE CASHIER at Snowflake Sporting Goods stopped and watched Mia, Jesse, and Kristi.
They plopped a plastic snow sled, a plastic snow disc, and a rubber snow tube on the counter.
“It looks like someone’s planning to have fun today,” said Norma. She grabbed the scanner to total the order.
“We’re conducting an experiment,” said Mia.
Norma raised an eyebrow. “An experiment?”
“We made a bet to see which one of these will slide down the hill the fastest,” said Mia. “I think it’s the disc, and he thinks it’s the sled.” She pointed her thumb at Jesse.
Kristi raised her hand. “And I say
it’s the tube.”
“I see.” Norma pulled the items closer and held the scanner over the price tag on the disc.
“The sled makes the most sense,” said Jesse. “The overall measurements would make it pick up speed going downhill.”
Mia smiled. “That’s a math genius for you.”
Norma scanned the price on the sled. “And what prize does the winner get?”
“The satisfaction of knowing I was right,” said Jesse with a playful grin.
“You mean the shame of being wrong,” said Mia.
Norma scanned the tube. “It sounds like you’re about to have the time of your life.” She totaled the order.
Jesse paid, and the three of them picked up their snow toys.
“Have fun!” said Norma.
The three of them took off across the parking lot, piled inside the car, and sped away on their search for a place to test their theory.
They arrived at an isolated spot.
“Over there!” said Kristi from the back seat.
Jesse stopped the car at the foot of the perfect snowy hill.
They clamored outside and lugged their snow toys up the powdery slope. Reaching the top, they turned.
“How should we do this?” asked Mia.
“I’ll count to three,” said Jesse, “and we’ll take off at the same time.”
“Okay.” Mia dropped her plastic snow disc on the snow and plopped herself on it.
Jesse sat on the sled and Kristi on the tube.
They positioned their legs for the lift-off.
“Ready?” said Jesse. “Go!” He sped away down the hill.
“Hey!” said Mia. She dug her feet in the snow and pushed with all her strength. She went flying.
Kristi bounced after her.
Their laughter filled the air.
Mia leaned forward to go faster. She passed Jesse. Was she winning?
Kristi’s legs came into view. They stretched out past Mia.
Mia’s heart pounded. The adrenaline raced through her. She couldn’t catch up to her.
Kristi reached the finish line first and threw her fists in the air in victory.
Mia swung around to look at Jesse. Where was he?
He lay on his back with the plastic sled strewn on its side.
“What happened?” she asked.
“I fell,” he said. “Can someone show me how to use a sled?”
Mia laughed.
He sat up. The snow tumbled off him.
THE WARMTH OF THE FIREPLACE felt like heaven after spending the day in the snow.
Sitting on the sofa, Mia took a sip of her hot chocolate and gazed at the flickering flame in the fireplace. The lights on the Christmas tree twinkled.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this,” said Jesse, “but I’m not looking forward to going back to the hot weather.”
Mia turned and gazed at him.
Kristi lay asleep beside him on the sofa.
“When I first came to visit my sister during the winter,” he said, “the cold and snow were such a shock but now Christmas doesn’t seem right without them.”
Mia smiled. “I can’t imagine Christmas any other way.” She set her cup on her lap. “Will you be here for Christmas?”
“I have to,” he said. “I can’t let Kristi spend it alone.”
Mia’s gaze lingered. “You’re a wonderful uncle, Jesse Quinn.”
He turned and gazed at her. “You’re a wonderful friend, Mia Rosa.” His gaze moved to her mouth and lingered there.
Was he going to kiss her? Mia’s heart thumped.
A rustling sound filled the air. Kristi raised her head and glanced around the room. “What time is it?”
“It’s time to go,” said Jesse. “I have to take you home.”
Kristi’s body slouched. She laid her head back and watched the crackling fireplace.
Jesse scooted to the edge of the sofa. “I’ll take you to the inn,” he said to Mia, “and then I’ll drop Kristi off. I need to come back and pack my things and drive to the airport.”
Sadness tugged at Mia’s heart. Did Jesse have to go?
Mia set her cup on the coffee table and rose to her feet.
Jesse stood too. “I’ll see you when I get back,” he said. “That’s if you’ll still be in Snowflake. You said you wanted to leave.”
Her breath escaped her lips. “Not yet,” she said.
STANDING AT THE DOOR of Snowflake Inn, Mia waved to Jesse and Kristi who sat in Jesse’s car. She turned and entered the building.
Ursula and Henri, the owners, stood beside the Christmas tree in the living room. The lights were out.
“Good evening, Mia,” said Ursula with a Finnish accent.
“Is something wrong with the lights?”
“A couple of them stopped working,” said Henri with the same accent. “I need to change them.” He fumbled with a bulb. “Luka went to the basement to look for the replacements.”
“How was your day?” asked Ursula.
“Great.” Mia sat on the sofa and gazed at the flickering flame in the fireplace. “I had the most wonderful time.”
“Did you?”
Mia nodded. “I spent the day with friends and then we went back to the cabin and... it felt like home.”
“Ah,” said Ursula. “Was it the young man you told me about? The one who travels a lot for his job.”
Mia sighed. “Yes, that’s the one. And his niece.” She glanced up. “Would you be interested in becoming foster parents to a teenage girl?”
“Foster parents?” said Ursula. “We’re old enough to be foster grandparents.” She chuckled.
Mia smiled. “Age doesn’t matter.” She explained Kristi’s situation.
The questions stirred in Henri’s eyes. “Could she stay in one of the rooms upstairs?”
“I’m not sure,” said Mia. “I can ask her caseworker.”
“Even if she could,” said Ursula, “we wouldn’t be able to keep an eye on her. We’re so busy running the inn.”
“I know what you mean,” said Mia. “I’m busy running the shop. And the process for becoming a foster parent takes time.” Mia sat up taller. “And besides, I’m thinking of leaving Snowflake.”
“Leaving?” said Ursula. “Do you mean you’re moving away?”
“Yes,” said Mia.
“Why?”
“My business isn’t doing so well. The Christmas cupcakes were a hit during the tree lighting, but it probably won’t last. And aside from that, there are too many reminders here, things I would rather not keep facing.”
The floorboards creaked. A woman exited the dining room holding a mug.
Mia glanced up at her. “I didn’t realize someone else was here.”
Ursula extended her arm. “Mia, meet Lynn from Denver. She’s one of our guests. And Lynn, meet Mia. She owns Cupcakes on Main.”
Lynn’s eyes widened. “Hello there. I went to your shop yesterday.”
“You did?”
“I bought the new Christmas flavors to take home with me. I’ve already tried the hot chocolate flavor. It was delicious.”
“Thank you.”
“I don’t mean to pry, but did you say you’re planning to close the shop?”
Mia nodded. “It looks that way.”
“When are you closing?” asked Lynn.
“My business partner, Diane, convinced me to wait until after the holidays but we’ll have to close soon to avoid going bankrupt.”
Lynn’s expression saddened. “I’m sorry to hear it.”
Chapter 15
Snowflake’s tree lighting event was a memory now, but Cupcakes on Main remained busy since that day. The Flavors of Christmas were the most popular items, but once customers saw all the other cupcake flavors, they wanted those too.
Mia spent most of the time on her feet, and during her lunch breaks and after work, she visited every friend she knew to ask if they could become Kristi’s foster parent.
On Friday, a m
oment of quiet filled the shop. Mia held her phone to her ear and paced across the kitchen floor while Diane waited in the storefront.
The bells on the front door chimed.
Mia paid little attention. “It would only be until Jesse can get a job around here,” she said to the person on the line. “He has job interviews scheduled for when he comes back to town.”
“Mia!” said Diane from the storefront.
Mia glanced up and walked in that direction. “The jobs look promising. They’re in his line of work. Jesse works for an auditing firm.”
Diane pounced into the kitchen. “Mia, Kristi’s here.”
Mia’s heart jumped. Her phone slipped in her hand, but she caught it. “I, I have to go. Can I call you back?” She hung up and shot a worried glance at Diane. She took a deep breath to compose herself. Her legs wobbled to the storefront.
Kristi and Amy stood at the counter with their matching school backpacks around their shoulders.
Mia flashed a smile. “Hey, there, girls.”
“Hi, Mia. Were you talking to my Uncle Jesse? I heard you say his name.”
Mia’s heart leaped. “Oh, um, no,” she said. “I was just, just...”
Diane jumped in. “She was telling a friend that your uncle is looking for a job in Snowflake. Isn’t that right, Mia?”
Mia nodded. “That’s right.” Did Kristi suspect anything? How much of the conversation did she hear?
“I hope he finds one soon,” said Kristi.
“Me too,” said Amy. “That way you can stay in Snowflake.”
The quiet desperation on their faces tugged at Mia’s heartstrings. She had to hurry and fulfill Kristi’s wish, now more than ever before. And time was running out.
The click-clack of high-heeled shoes caught Mia’s attention.
Sheila pulled the door open and strolled inside the shop wearing a Santa hat and a Christmas sweater.
Diane crossed her arms across her chest.
“My goodness,” said Sheila, “you’ve been so busy this week. I’ve seen people coming and going every single day. I thought I would see what’s going on.” She glanced around like she might find the answer hidden somewhere.
Mia's Gift (Small-Town Christmas Wishes Series Book 1) Page 9
