Page 17 of Christmas Wishes
“What’s a donation tree?”
“How new are you to our little town?”
“Very.”
“Different places have different ways of donating things. We do several things, but the donation tree helps people in the surrounding forest with paying bills or buying food or giving their kids a Christmas.”
“You don’t worry about people who don’t need the money just stealing it?”
“No. It’s there for whoever needs it.”
Rand was sure what to think or even what to say. He’d heard of charities and giving, but not in such an open, trusting capacity. Stanley and his wife made it sound as though everyone trusted everyone else to do the right thing by their neighbors.
He looked at Stanley. “Pardon me for saying, but you look familiar. Have we met before?”
“No, son, I don’t believe so. I’d have remembered, given the way my wife is ogling you.”
“I am doing no such thing,” she stated firmly, though she stayed glued to Rand’s side.
Stanley simply shook his head and slid the bag toward Rand. “Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, I don’t think so. I just… When the kids ran out of here earlier, I got a whiff of the candy and couldn’t resist.”
“Now that’s what I like to hear. Been making it for so many years, I don’t even need recipes anymore and people come from all over that I don’t even need to advertise. It’s been crazy the last few years, more business than we can handle some days.”
“Why is that?” Rand asked.Snows Fallwas definitely different than he’d expected.
Stanley shrugged. “I really don’t know. There’s been a boom for those of us in the handmade business that I’m just riding the wave. I like to think it’s because I offer something unique and I give generously. I like to think the universe is giving back.”
“That’s an interesting way to look at it.”
“Keeps me smiling. Making candy and being married to my Lila.”
“Well, thank you so much for your kindness.”
“Anytime. We’re always here if you need anything.”
Rand nodded and backed away from the counter. Stanley and Lila went back to their tasks. He noticed several people looking at him and whispering, but they all looked friendly enough and he smiled back and offered a small wave.
Once outside again, the cold hit him hard making him shiver. He wondered how long it was going to take to get used to it.
His next stop still remained theSnows Fall General Store.When he entered the warm and fragrant building, bells jingled overhead, just as they had from the candy shop.
The scent of cinnamon permeated the air. He smiled, reminded of Blix.
“Hello there.”
Rand looked in the direction of the voice. A small, slender woman with silver streaked hair and a red sweatshirt emblazoned with a garishly decorated Christmas tree sat behind a scarred wood counter. “Hello.” he replied.
“I don’t recognize your face, young man. You new around here?”
Young man? Rand smiled. Lila had called him young man, too. He’d be willing to bet he was older than the whole establishment of the town. “Yes. Just moved in.” Rand grabbed a small crate with handles. It sat in a stack under a sign which read ‘Take One’. It would be easier to put his haul in one, than to carry an armful. Besides, he wasn’t completely oblivious to how things usually worked in the human world.
Well, other than the generous encounter with Stanley and his wife.
“Where?”
“Cabin a few miles into the woods to the east.”
