Page 3 of Winter Love

“Yeah, I’ll be in. Tourist?”

Paxton nods. “Your popcorn is getting to be well known.”

I chuckle. “Who knew that playing with flavors and popcorn would become something to be known for.”

“Right? It’s popcorn. But delicious popcorn.”

“You know Mom and Dad would be really proud of you and Rhett,” I say to him.

“Thanks. And I know we don’t say it enough, but thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

“You’re welcome. I hope that I did right by all of you. I worry that I missed stuff.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like did you guys have everything you needed?”

“Yes. We never really needed anything. We’re all doing well now and even though we could move away and start a different life? We don’t want to. Mom and Dad would want us to stick together. So that’s what we’re doing.”

I nod. Pax is right, this is what our parents would’ve wanted. Which is why I can’t move to Storyville. And I selfishly wish Emmanuelle would move here. But that’s not fair of me to want that either. Her family is just as important as mine.

I head over to the ski resort to talk to Karen James.

“Hi I have an appointment with Karen,” I tell the hostess at the front.

“Your name?” she smiles at me.

“Lukas Vandenberg. I’m a little early,” I say just as Karen comes over.

“Lukas.” Karen smiles and gives me a hug.

“Hey Karen, thank you for meeting me. I just wanted to go over the details for tomorrow.”

“Of course. Let’s take a walk. I can’t believe it’s been five years,” she says.

“It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long. Thank you for letting us do the memorial here. It feels appropriate. To say goodbye again to them.”

She nods sadly at me. “We miss your parents too. They were a great couple and they loved all of you so much.”

“Thank you.”

“So, you want to do a buffet lunch and a small ceremony?”

“I do. I’d like to make a short speech. Today is for everyone who knew our parents. They were loved by our community and we miss them every day.”

“I love that idea. We’ll have everything ready by eleven o’clock. Then you can make your speech and we’ll start the buffet.”

I look over at the mountain. We’ve had a good snowfall this year, it’s come a little early and the mountain looks like a fluffy cloud. “I have to get to the store, thank you again. I’ll be here about ten-thirty tomorrow.”

Karen gives me a hug again.

I head to the store that my parents put their life savings into. We’re a grocery store, hardware and wood store, pharmacy and bookstore, all in one. Paxton runs the hardware and wood section, Rhett is in charge of the pharmacy and Felicity runs the bookstore. Me? I do everything else.

I start making popcorn the minute I get to the store. We sell plain, buttered, sweet and savory, candied and I’ve been experimenting with more savory flavors. I’ve also been trying to make a few heart-healthy options. It’s been fun trying all these different flavors.

“Is everything ready for tomorrow?” Rhett asks as he comes over to grab some popcorn.

“Yep. We need to be there at ten-thirty. And start at eleven.”

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