by Ginny Baird
Mary chuckled to herself, envisioning him in that fake beard and big round belly. Even dressed like that, he’d still been handsome, with his twinkling blue eyes and his rugged smile. She packed up the extra coasters, because Connie had said that the town council would find some use for them. There were very few magnets left, and no flags.
Putting these items away reminded Mary she needed to pack her bag at the inn. She’d definitely spread out all over her room, and she wanted to tidy it up as she prepared for her return to Richmond. A melancholy shroud draped over her spirit. Spending Christmas in Richmond alone held zero appeal. But she wasn’t going to crash Judy’s family party, no matter how kind or well-intentioned the invite had been.
She looked up as Evan entered the room, still dressed as Santa, minus the hat and the beard. “Nice going today,” he said, walking over to examine the stacks of T-shirts she’d folded and set on the table. “These all we’ve got left?”
“Believe it or not, yes.” She smiled at him, but her smile was shaky, because she felt all torn up inside. Going back to Richmond didn’t just mean leaving Clark Creek. It also meant leaving Evan. Once she was in Seattle, she’d be even farther away. “Thanks for all your support with the parade.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t more supportive from the beginning.”
“It’s how everything turns out in the end that matters.”
“Yeah.” He gave her a thoughtful look. “What time are you planning on leaving?”
She checked her watch. “In a couple of hours. Why?”
“Because I was wondering,” he said, “if you have time for a walk?”
She scanned the conference room. “I still have a few more things to take care of.”
“I’ve got to change out of my Santa suit. I’m covering for Dennis this afternoon.” His blue eyes sparkled. “Linda’s having their baby.”
Mary grinned at the happy news. “A Christmas baby,” she exclaimed. “How exciting.”
“Yeah.” Evan studied her in a longing way, and Mary’s face heated. “So, I was thinking we could take a walk down Christmas Avenue? Might be a little crowded, and it’s snowing really hard. But if you’re game for one last peek at the town—”
“All right,” she said, savoring the idea of spending more time with him. Secretly though, she’d been disappointed by the way he’d put that. Like he was resigned to her saying goodbye.
Well, what did she expect? For him to beg for her to stay? No one had ever asked Mary not to move on before. It was like the whole world accepted her status as a wanderer. She’d accepted that fate for herself a long time ago.
Mary’s throat burned hot and her heart thumped painfully. Then she told herself to buck up. This is how it always went for her. How it had always gone. Which was why forming attachments was bad for her in the first place. What was the point in coming to care for someone, when all you were going to do was leave them behind?
“Can you take a break in ten minutes?” he asked her.
“Sure.” She was almost wrapped up here, and she could finish any incidentals after returning from their walk.
Evan exited the conference room and Mary’s cell rang. She scanned the incoming caller ID, surprised to see it was her mom. “Hello?”
“Mary, hi!” Lila said. “Merry almost Christmas.”
“Merry almost Christmas to you. How are things in Portland?”
“Crazy busy. The hotel’s doing this huge soirée tomorrow and calling it a Christmas Ball. Lots of important people will be there, big names from the community and such.”
“That sounds like fun.”
“For them, maybe. For my part?” She laughed. “I’m a stress-mess.” Lila was always tense before large events, yet for as long as Mary remembered, she’d done well with them.
While Mary didn’t have the closest relationship with Lila, her time here had made her want to do better. Clark Creek’s warm and friendly people had made such a lasting impression on her, and Evan’s family served as a shining example of a loving, tight-knit family. In the back of her mind, Mary had been thinking that maybe by being geographically nearer her mom, she could bridge the emotional distance between them.
“I know you’ll do great with the party,” Mary said. “You always do.”
“Thanks! How are things in Richmond?”
“Actually, I’m not in Richmond. I’m in Clark Creek.”
“Clark where?”
“It’s a small town near the mountains.” Mary’s enthusiasm surged when she recalled the glowing faces of so many adults and kids enjoying the festivities. “I’m here for a work project. Not just any ol’ project, a parade!”
“As a fundraiser?” She could hear the doubt creeping into her mom’s voice. “Have you ever done one before?”
“No, but—”
“I don’t know, Mary. Maybe you should rethink that. Parades are very hard to organize and they’re not exactly moneymakers.”
“Wait. That’s what I’m telling you, I already have organized one. And…” She drew in a breath. “It was amazing!”
“So it’s over?”
“Yeah, we held it this morning. It was a Christmas parade, and really super.” Mary didn’t know why she was trying so hard to convince Lila of that, but she felt moved to defend her idea. Just like she’d had to do as a kid. Whenever she’d floated creative concepts by her mom, Lila had relentlessly deflated her balloon, warning her to be realistic about outcomes.
Over the years, Mary had taken that realism and spun it into optimism, which suited her personality so much better. It paid to put a positive spin on things. Hadn’t Evan demonstrated that with his stellar T-shirt-typo-fiasco fix?
“We raised lots of money for the town and its businesses,” Mary said. “Charities like the animal shelter, too. There were pet adoptions and reindeer rides. Santa’s workshop—”
“I don’t need all the details.” Lila was a get-to-the-point sort of person.
“Ah, yeah. So anyway.” Mary swallowed her hurt. “I wanted to tell you my news. This assignment went so well that I’m getting promoted to program manager in Seattle!”
“Seattle?” her mom asked. “West Coast?”
“Yeah,” Mary said. “I’ll be much closer, so maybe we—”
“Not for long.” Her mom tsked. “I’m moving to Orlando in January.”
“Orlando? What?”
“It’s a prime assignment,” her mom said, growing elated. “I’ll be working at Disney!”
“Oh. Well, I…I’m very happy for you.”
“Portland was growing kind of stale, anyway. You know what I mean?”
“Yeah, I think I do.”
Her mom was the kind to move on before forming too many attachments, too. She’d been raised by her single aunt after her folks died, and the aunt sadly hadn’t been up to the job, showing Lila very little affection. To this day, Lila had difficulty expressing emotions herself.
“Anyway,” her mom said. “Since tomorrow will be busy, I thought I’d share my Christmas cheer with you now. You’ll have a nice gift basket waiting on your doorstep when you get back to Richmond.”
“Thanks, Mom. I sent you something, too.” Mary had ordered a fully decorated miniature Christmas tree to be delivered by a florist later today.
“That was nice of you, Mary. Thanks.”
Mary sighed, wondering if it her mom would actually appreciate it. Ever since she’d been a little girl, Mary had been swept away by the magic and wonder of Christmas. The grand holiday displays in the hotels where she’d lived had further sparked her imagination. Sadly, Lila viewed all the decorations as window dressing. Mary didn’t. She saw them as a sign that there was something in this world larger than themselves. Benevolence. Beauty. Love. And ultimately, renewal. Just like the gorgeous evergreen trees dotting Clark Creek’s gazebo and the tall one in the town square.
“Congrats on your new job in Orlando,” Mary said.
“Equal congrats to you.”
“And Mom?”
“Hmm?”
Mary decided to say it because she hadn’t in a while, and it seemed like the moment was right. It was almost Christmas. “I love you.”
Lila wasn’t a touchy-feely person, and she rarely said it back. Mary’s soul ached in anticipation, hoping that this time she would. The notion of leaving Clark Creek was getting her down. The holidays were so much about family, and Mary still wanted to believe she had one, no matter how small.
Her mom was silent a moment before answering. Then, she spoke in a thin, quiet voice. “I love you, too, Mary. I hope you have a merry Christmas. Will you stay in Clark Creek?”
Mary’s heart sank when she answered. “I hadn’t planned on it.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Evan changed out of his Santa suit and into his uniform, folding the costume and placing it back in the box on his desk. He’d return it to his dad tomorrow at Christmas dinner. Since he had a few minutes before meeting Mary, he decided to give his dad a quick call to check on him.
“Evan!” his dad said when he answered. “I heard you were a big hit in the parade. Might even give me a run for my money next year on Advent Sunday. I hope you don’t steal my job.”
Evan chuckled. “Not on your life, but I was glad to fill in this time—for a worthy cause.”
“Very worthy. Your mom texted me the numbers. Outstanding. You can tell Mary she’s really outdone herself as a Christmas Consultant.”
“How are you feeling?”
“Much better. I do think it was those jalapeños, after all.”
Evan shook his head. “Next time, just use the sour cream.”
“Or the tiniest hint of Tabasco.”
“Dad.”
His dad chortled. “Just joking.”
Evan decided to let his dad in on the good news. “Linda’s gone into labor. Dennis is on his way to take her to the hospital.”
“Fantastic. What a memorable Christmas this will be for his family.”
It was turning out to be a very memorable Christmas for Evan, too.
Everything had changed for him since Mary had come to Clark Creek.
When he reached the conference room, she was already wearing her coat.
“Good timing,” she said, slipping on her gloves. “I’ve just finished up—I’m all done here. So I’ll be going back to the inn after our walk.”
“That’s great. So. Maybe I can walk you there?”
“Sure.” She shrugged like she was fine with that, and picked up her satchel, slinging its strap over her shoulder.
“Is there anything you need me to carry?” he asked her.
“Nope. All of the parade stuff stays here.”
He thought of the decorations she’d delivered to the courthouse on her first day. “And your lan-yap?”
“All of that definitely stays.” She smiled, and his heart was warmed by it. Evan hoped Mary found his presence heartwarming too, because he didn’t want this to be the last he saw of her. After today, he was hoping their relationship could continue.
“Don’t forget your umbrella,” he said. “It’s snowing heavily out there.”
She picked up her bright red umbrella and he thought of the way she’d looked when he’d seen her walk out of the Whistle Stop Café after the first time they’d met there for coffee. Evan admitted to himself now that, though he’d been initially opposed to her parade, he’d been intrigued by her determination and positivity from the start.
During their very first meeting in his office, she’d challenged him to use his imagination a little more, and he eventually had. Before meeting Mary, he never could have imagined himself playing Santa Claus in a Christmas parade, that was for sure. Just like he never could have imagined himself enjoying Christmas again, or falling head over heels for someone so amazing.
He opened the door for her and they stepped outside, where activity swirled around the gazebo and town square. The ice skating rink was busier than he’d ever seen it, and there was even a line of people waiting.
“That was a good time we had,” he said, his gaze on the outdoor rink.
She glanced in that direction and smiled. “Yeah, really fun. Thank you for that, and…” Her eyes misted. “…everything.”
He didn’t know what was wrong, but he guessed that she was sad about leaving. He was definitely sorry she had to go. He just wanted to make sure she was coming back. He was also cool with driving to Richmond. Whatever it took.
They reached the sidewalk and she popped open her umbrella. “It’s really special what you’ve done,” Evan said, and tilted his sheriff’s hat against the snow. “Restored hope for so many people.” He counted himself among them.
“With luck, that hope will last.”
Evan searched her eyes, thinking about how warm they were and how a man could get lost in them. About how he had become lost in them dozens of times. “My parents were hoping you’d come to Christmas dinner. Actually, so was I.” He shot her a cockeyed grin, and she blushed.
She took a moment to process this. “That’s very sweet, but I’d planned to leave today.”
“I know, but tomorrow’s Christmas.”
“Yeah.”
She turned and started walking toward Main Street and he accompanied her, stride for stride. “What else have you got going on?”
“Judy’s invited me to her folks’ place in Richmond.”
“Judy? Your friend slash boss? That was nice.”
“Yeah, but I don’t want to butt in.” She shared an impish grin. “Judy’s got a new boyfriend.”
“Ah. Gotcha.” Evan smiled to himself, thinking that he wouldn’t mind having a new girlfriend, but only if her name was Mary Ward.
“So, I’ll probably just have a quiet day at my apartment. Play some Christmas music. Maybe drink some eggnog.”
“I’ll bet your place is really decked out,” he said, trying to imagine how many Christmas decorations she could cram into one space. Probably even more than his mom.
“It is! Except for a tree. I didn’t have time to get one this year, but that’s maybe for the best with my—” She frowned in concentration. “Post-holiday plans.”
Evan wasn’t sure what those were, but they sounded kind of ominous.
“Post-holiday plans?”
“It’s job-related. I’m going to be really busy.”
Evan swallowed hard, wondering if this was the start of a kiss-off. “I see.”
“I heard from my mom,” she volunteered, and he turned to her.
“Yeah? How’s she doing?”
“Okay. She’s moving again. To Orlando.”
“It’s kind of a lifestyle, huh?”
“It is, and Evan—”
“Mary—” he said at the same time. They had reached Main Street. The crowds had thinned and lunch lines no longer formed on the sidewalks, but you could see through their windows that the eateries were packed inside. The various gift and knickknack shops, too.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “What is it?”
Evan nodded hello to a few familiar faces, then continued their conversation. “I was going to say that, when things slow down. I mean, after your busy post-holiday—”
“Evan,” she said suddenly. “I’m moving to Seattle.”
He felt like someone had socked him in the gut.
“Seattle? What?”
“It’s a promotion,” she told him, as they approached the corner with Maple Street and turned right. “Because of the job I did here.”
Evan’s head spun. “When did you find out about this?”
“Only this morning,” she said. “After the parade and when the numbers were in. I mean, there was a possibility I might get promoted all along if the parade went well, but never a total guarantee. After my run of bad luck with the T-shirts, I thought I’d blown it big-time. I actually feared—” She grimaced, and he could tell she meant this sincerely. “That, instead of being promoted, I was going to get fired.”
He put th
ings together, recalling her anxiety yesterday afternoon before he took her to Nash’s farm. “That’s why you were so stressed.”
“Yeah, but you helped me feel better. Trixie did too.” She wryly twisted her lips. “Not so sure about Jumper.”
Evan repressed a grin. “I’m sure Jumper didn’t mean to upset you.”
“No, I’m sure you’re right.”
They reached the front of the Clark Creek B&B, and Evan noted that the newcomer across the street had installed a sign front of her house that read The Sweetheart Inn. His brother Marshall was going to have some competition in the lodging department, and very soon.
“Well, here we are!” Mary said. “Thanks for walking me back.”
“Mary. Wait.” He lightly touched her arm. “About tomorrow, and Christmas dinner. My folks will be so disappointed if you don’t come. Nash and Chloe too. Not to mention Marshall.”
She tilted her head.
“And…” Evan swallowed hard. “So…so will I.”
She hesitated, but he could tell she was wavering.
“My mom and dad want to thank you. It would be nice for them, and all of us, if we could spend Christmas Day together.”
“I’d like that, but—”
“Then please say yes.” He waited then added, “It’s what I want for Christmas.”
Her cheeks bloomed red. “Honestly? That’s what I want for Christmas too. To spend it with your awesome family. But Evan, I need for you to understand that afterwards…”
“We can make this work,” he said. “Find a way to build a relationship. Seattle, okay.” He exhaled sharply. This was way more of a hurdle than he’d anticipated, but it wasn’t insurmountable. “That’s a long way. But airplanes travel between here and there. I’m not opposed to long drives, either. Plus, we’ve got telecommunications.”
She hung her head, thinking. When she finally looked up, she said, “I love that you want to do this, because the truth is, I’d love to do it too. Being with you has been so wonderful and amazing. But, it’s just like you said when we went ice skating: I’m a wanderer who needs to keep moving.”
