by Ginny Baird
“That’s what folks keep telling me.”
“Folks like who? Mom?”
Evan laughed. “Yeah.”
“She’s always been a decent judge of character. What do you think?” When Evan gave him a blank stare, Nash continued. “Of Mary?”
“I think she’s…very good at her job. And that she’s leaving at the end of next week.”
“Richmond’s not that far away.”
“No, but you’re way off base.”
Nash chuckled, and Evan was heartened to see his mood lightening. “Okay. I’ll lay off.”
“Thank you.” As Evan climbed into his truck, Nash said, “Hey, I heard the old Miller place sold.”
“Did it?”
“Dad mentioned something about it. He heard from Fred,” Nash said, referencing one of the real estate agents in town.
“I hope the new owners are handy.” Evan knew that the rundown Victorian on Maple Street, across from Marshall’s inn, was badly in need of fixing up. The fact that it had sold held promise. It would be nice to see Evaline Miller’s old place restored. It had stood empty for a couple of years, ever since the elderly Miss Miller moved out of state to live with her niece.
“The house does need work,” Nash agreed.
“Any idea who bought it?”
“Dad wasn’t sure. Only knew that they weren’t local.”
“Always nice having newcomers in Clark Creek,” Evan said.
“Kind of like Mary Ward?” Nash ribbed.
Evan wryly twisted his lips. “You, Dr. Nash, are a very funny guy.”
Nash shot him a smug look. “I do have my charms.”
Chapter Fourteen
When Evan returned to his place, Mary was waiting on his front porch, a vision in the snow. She was also holding a Christmas tree upright in one hand while the base of its trunk rested on the stoop. She held an enormous canvas bag in her other hand, and it was stuffed to the brim. She couldn’t have…but she had. She’d arrived to decorate his house.
He laughed and shook his head. Maybe he should have been perturbed, because he’d expressly asked her not to do this. But it was hard for him to be mad at Mary. Especially since he’d been thinking about her during his whole drive home from Nash’s farm. Nash had teased him about liking her, and so had his mom. While he’d blown off their comments, he admitted to himself that there was something intriguing about her. Lots of somethings. Her persistence was one of them.
She watched him park his truck and pop his door open. “Evan!” Her face lit up and his pulse pounded. Yep, she was intriguing, all right. And his ticker knew it. “I was just about to leave you a note.”
And what? he wondered, drop off a Christmas tree? He doubted he would have felt inclined to decorate it himself. With her here, he might be tempted. “Mary,” he said. “I’m surprised to see you. How did you know where I live?”
She smiled her dimpled smile and Evan felt himself melt. Sort of like when a marshmallow gets roasted over a campfire. Which was definitely not like him, and also one hundred percent disgusting. Get a grip, man. She’s only a lady trying to help you overcome your holiday decor deficit. She’s not tacking up any mistletoe. Or was she?
“Itzel gave me directions,” she said.
She must’ve seen Itzel at the town square, since Itzel had taken Chloe ice skating. “How did the tree installation go?” He climbed out of his truck and headed for his front door.
“There were several trees,” she told him. “Including this bonus one here.”
“Ah,” he said. “A little lan-yap.”
She laughed at his stab at humor and he like the way it sounded. Heartfelt and musical. “Yeah, I guess you could say so. I asked for five for the gazebo, but Ken got mixed up and brought six. He said not to worry about the extra tree—to just keep it. So.”
Evan unlocked his door and peered over his shoulder. “You thought of me?”
Her cheeks colored. “You’re not mad?”
“At you, Mary? Never.”
She exhaled as he held open the door for her. “Whew. I guess I was a little worried. You know, after what you said.”
“I didn’t know you were planning to bring a Christmas tree.” He took it from her and carried it over the threshold, making room for her to enter his foyer.
“You know what?” she said. “I didn’t either.” She stared around his living room, and Evan was glad he’d finished up with those French doors. Everything looked tidy now. “This is a sweet place. I like it!”
Maybe it was a small compliment, but he enjoyed that she liked his house. “Thanks. I’ve been working on it for a while.”
“Well, everything looks great. Very—bachelor-like.”
He laughed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Streamlined,” she explained. “A sofa, two end tables and a recliner. Flatscreen TV over the fireplace. A dining table for two, and oh…” she peered into the kitchen, “a small galley kitchen, which is compact yet functional.”
“You haven’t examined the bedrooms.”
Her blush deepened. “Don’t intend to.” She set her canvas bag on the floor, then asked, “How many are there?”
“Just two. A master and a nursery.” He regretted sharing that last part. “What I mean is, the second room is much smaller so it was used as a nursery by the last people here.”
“And now?”
“It’s my study.”
“Sounds perfect for you, except…” She leaned toward him. “Evan. There’s nothing on the walls.”
He surveyed the room, conceding she was right. Not that he’d really thought about it. “Not true,” he said, noting the hearth. “There’s my TV.”
She giggled. “I’m not sure that counts. I was thinking of artwork. Photos. Things like that.” He pointed to a couple of framed pictures on an end table. One was a group shot of his family that looked like it had been taken at Christmas, because there was a decorated tree in the background. The other was a pic of him with his two brothers on a boat, wearing sunglasses. They held fishing poles and wore big grins.
“Where was that one taken?” she asked about the brothers shot.
“Outer Banks.”
“North Carolina?”
“Yeah. Marshall, Nash, and I do a fishing trip every year in October.”
“No girls allowed?” she asked lightly.
“It’s an equal-opportunity adventure.” Evan stroked his chin. “Becca used to join us.”
“She was…?”
“Nash’s late wife.”
Her face fell. “Oh, wow. I’m sorry. How long has it been?”
“Three years now.”
“That has to be tough.”
“Can be. That’s what I was doing at Nash’s. Helping him clear out some of Becca’s stuff.”
She viewed him with admiration, and it made his heart full. He enjoyed it when she looked at him that way. Like she saw and appreciated who he was. “You were very good to help him.” She thought a moment. “Is that why Chloe was with Itzel?”
“Yes.”
“Are Nash and Itzel—?”
“No.”
“Oh well.” She studied his living room again, then pointed to a spot to the left of the French doors. “That looks like a good place for our tree. What do you think?”
His necked warmed because she’d said “our” like the tree belonged to both of them, and he found the thought of joint ownership appealing. “I think it’s the perfect spot for our tree. Did you bring a stand with it?”
“I did. It’s in my SUV. Ken provided those as well.”
“Thoughtful guy.”
“Yeah.”
She turned toward the door but Evan held out his hand. “Toss me your keys and I’ll grab it.”
“You sure?”
“Of course.”
“As long as you’re grabbing the stand, there are a few more boxes of decorations, if you don’t mind.”
“Nope. Why don’t you take off your coat a
nd sit down?” He found he liked the idea of her making herself at home.
“I can’t stay long.”
“Come on,” he urged. “You can’t leave me all alone to deck my own halls.”
She blushed again. “Okay. I’m glad to help.”
Evan went outside and Mary removed her coat. She hadn’t intended to stay. She did need to tell Evan about her lodging breakthrough, though. He should be very happy about that, and she wasn’t honestly going to insist he take her skating. She was a little embarrassed she’d made that silly bet.
If Evan didn’t want to go skating with her, that was fine. Maybe she could go with Itzel sometime before she left Clark Creek. Itzel was so warm and friendly, and Mary had really appreciated her invitation to go with her to the ballet. She knew life would be different in Seattle, but she found herself yearning to make friends there, too.
Friendships had never been a high priority for her, since she’d always poured herself into her work and had moved around so frequently. Plus, she always had Judy to rely on. But being in Clark Creek had made her see things differently. There was such a sense of community here, and she found that comforting.
She looked around the living room and spied a door near the dining area. Peeking inside, she saw it was the coat closet, so she hung up her coat after jamming her gloves and hat into the pockets.
Evan had leaned the Christmas tree against the wall near the corner. He really did have a sweet house, but it definitely lacked something. A homey feel, she guessed. Maybe her decorations would help liven things up?
Evan returned with the tree stand and two more boxes. “You really weren’t kidding at the courthouse when you said you keep a lot of decorations in your cargo area.”
She shrugged. “Old habits.”
“So, how long have you been a Christmas hoarder?” he joked.
“Ever since college.”
He set down the stand and the boxes. “What happened there?”
“I was the president of the Christmas Club! A club that I started.”
He gave her an admiring look. “I might have known. What did you do at this Christmas Club?”
“We helped those less fortunate deck their halls.”
“So, I’m less fortunate now?”
She smirked. “No, I’d say you’re a very lucky guy, judging by what I’ve seen of Clark Creek and your family.”
“True.” As he took off his coat and hung it up, he asked, “Would you like coffee?”
“I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”
“No trouble. I was already planning to make some when I got home.”
“Well, in that case…” She followed him into his kitchen, where he set up his coffee pot.
“How do you take yours?
“With a little bit of milk, if you got it.”
“Half and half okay?”
“Great.”
He started the coffee and took two mugs from the cupboard. Through the window above his sink, she saw more snowflakes drifting down. “It snows a lot in Clark Creek.”
“That’s because we’re close to the mountains.” His smile warmed Mary through and through.
“Where is the creek?” She been curious about where it was in relation to the town.
“On the other side of town. You turn left at the Whistle Stop Café onto Three-Notched Pass, cross over the railroad tracks and it’s down a ways. It’s got a swimming hole and folks go tubing there in summertime.”
That sounded idyllic to Mary. “I’ve never been tubing.”
“No?” His eyebrows rose. “You’ve led a deprived life.”
“Ha ha, yeah.”
The coffee finished and he poured her some, handing her a mug and spoon. Then he took a small carton of half and half from his refrigerator, which Mary saw was nearly empty, except for a couple of large soup containers. He poured her some half and half. “Just say when.”
“When!” she said, when he’d given her a smidgen. She stirred and sipped from her coffee, which was tasty and hot.
“Get much of the white stuff over in Richmond?”
“Some.”
“Bet they do tubing over there, somewhere on the James. It’s a long river. Mountains to the coast.”
“They might. I’ll have to ask Judy.”
“Your boss, and also your friend,” he said, recalling what she’d told him.
Mary nodded. “She’s very outdoorsy.”
“What do you like to do?”
“Yoga,” she answered. “And decorate.”
“Might have guessed that second one.” He toasted her with his coffee. “Thanks for bringing the tree, by the way.”
“Ready to decorate it?”
“Any time you are.”
They returned to the living room together and got busy setting up the tree. It was a nice full one with a good shape. Ken’s nursery delivered really fine trees. Mary thought the ones in the gazebo were awesome too, and the town tree was super amazing.
“I think this will work.” Evan tightened the screws on the tree stand, then scooted back from his crouched position, standing up. He set his hands on his hips. “Nice. What shall we name him?”
Her eyebrows rose. “Him?”
“I’m thinking it’s a male tree, seeing as how it’s in a bachelor pad and all.”
Mary giggled at his assertion. “I don’t think you really name trees.”
“What? Why not? People name their pets.”
“Yeah, but—”
“And bodies of water…and constellations.”
“How about Polaris?” she asked him.
“As in, the North Star?”
“It…sorry…he might like it,” she giggled again, not having realized Evan had this goofy side. “It is a Christmas tree, after all, and Polaris is the brightest star we’ve got.”
“Ah, but it’s not the Christmas Star.”
“Who says?”
“Astronomers think it might have been the conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn.”
“Or a miracle,” she said sassily.
“Not discounting that.” He turned to study the tree, rubbing his chin. “Polaris. Hmm.” His eyes twinkled. “I like it.”
“Then Polaris it is!” She grabbed her canvas bag and carried it over. “We should have something in this bag to suit him.”
“No bows,” Evan teased. “Nothing too girly.”
“I don’t think you should put judgey gender limitations on your tree.”
He smirked, and she could tell he was enjoying her humor. “Fair point. I’ll keep an open mind.”
She held up two boxes of strings of lights. “First the lights?”
He nodded. “Always.”
“I thought you’d never done this before?”
“Never at my own place, but I’ve helped at my folks’ place.”
“Ooh, so you have experience.”
He made a pinching motion between this thumb and forefinger. “Just a tad.”
Mary smiled. She was enjoying this. Having a really good time with Evan. If he’d only been this amenable before, he wouldn’t have proved nearly as difficult to work with. Maybe he was feeling better about the parade, since she’d come up with solutions to so many of his problems. Which reminded her: She needed to tell him about the Airbnbs.
She passed him one box of lights and held onto the other, opening it up. “I have some good news.”
“Oh yeah? What’s that? You’ve solved our lodging problem?” He laughed like it was impossible.
Mary grinned. “Yep. I’ve solved our lodging problem.”
Evan nearly dropped his box of lights, but he caught it, and a gnarly tangle of cord with tiny attached bulbs spilled toward the floor. Fortunately, nothing broke. “What? How?” He wound the light string back up while wrapping it between his splayed hand and elbow.
“I had another inspiration,” she said brightly.
Evan’s eyebrows arched. “Don’t keep me in suspense.” He began draping the lights a
round the tree by starting at the tippy top, which he was tall enough to reach without a ladder.
Mary set her own box of lights down and went to help him, positioning each string of lights on the tree as he continued unwinding, walking a few paces ahead of her. “I thought that some of the townsfolk could open up their homes as Airbnbs.” When he opened his mouth to speak, she added, “Only temporarily. Davenport Development Associates is helping with the business setup.”
“Wow. That’s innovative. Do you think you’ll get any takers?”
“I already have,” she told him. “Several.”
They finished stringing the lights and she handed him some colorful balls to hang on the three, while she did the same. “I’m afraid I don’t have too many tree decorations left. Just these tree balls and some candy canes.”
“That’s okay. Polaris is a minimalist.”
She gaped at him. “You really are funny.”
“Why is that such a surprise?”
“I don’t know. It just is.” She thought back to his earlier comment about the town council robbing a bank, realizing he’d always had this side to him. He’d just kept it hidden away, like so many other interesting things about him.
“You just have to get to know me.”
“I see.”
“What’s your innermost secret?” He scanned her eyes and butterflies flitted around in her belly.
“Um. I’m not sure I’ve got one.” Her face heated. “What you see is what you get.”
He smiled and half of his mouth lifted up higher than the other, which made her heart pound harder. “Nothing wrong with that.”
She handed him a box of candy canes, but it slipped from her hands. “Oops!”
He bent to catch it, and they nearly bumped heads.
Evan backed away and picked up the box of candy canes off the floor. This time they weren’t so lucky. Each candy cane had cracked, a few of them in more than one place.
“Looks like Polaris is going to be even more of a minimalist than we thought,” Mary said.
Evan shrugged. “What else have you got in that bag?”
“Well…” She grinned, enjoying the moment. Loving being here with him. Even if it was only in friendship, it felt good being in his company. Evan made her feel happy. “We have…garlands…and more lights! And, oh!” She spied a sprig of mistletoe attached to a silky white ribbon in the bottom of her bag, but decided not to mention it. He might think she was hinting, or even thinking of kissing him. The thought did cross her mind—briefly. But she quickly swept it away. “Um…also an advent calendar.”
