Page 52 of Christmas Charms
“Ed,” my mom says quietly. Something unspoken passes between them.
“What?” My head swivels back and forth between my parents. “Dad, I thought you’d be glad to hear I stepped up to help more. Mom thinks it’s a good idea.”
“I am glad,” he says, followed by a sigh that doesn’t sound glad at all. “But do the other committee members realize you’re not here to stay?”
“I’m sure they do.” I swallow. Then a lead ball settles in the pit of my stomach when I realize I’m not exactly sure of this fact at all. “It didn’t specifically come up in the meeting, but everyone in town knows I’m only here for a visit.”
“They also know that there was a possible promotion waiting for you back in Manhattan, but that you gave that option up to stay here for the holidays.”
“Exactly.For the holidays,” I repeat.
But even as I’m saying it, I get my dad’s point. It’s possible that my behavior in the past few days has been sending mixed messages. I’ve accepted the well-meaning nominations of people I care about for a volunteer position that by its very nature extends into next year. I’ve adopted a dog knowing full well that my apartment back in the city has a no-pet policy. I haven’t bothered checking in with my boss at Windsor to let her know I’m not coming in for an interview. I’ve been too busy peppering the town with snowmen.
I’ve also nearly kissed Aidan.Twice.
But he knows I’m not staying permanently. I’ve made that very clear. I’m sure I have.
“I’m always proud of you, sweetheart. Your mom and I are both thrilled at how much you’re enjoying your time here at home, and I am so glad to see that you want to spend some of that time helping others.” My father smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. It seems I’m not the only one who’s newly aware of the ticking clock.
Everything has been happening so fast. Have I really been back in my hometown for a week already?
“It’s okay, Dad. I’ll make sure my intentions are clear. The last thing I want to do is disappoint anyone.” I push back from the table and wrap my arms around him, hugging him tight while Fruitcake prances in a circle around us, tail wagging against our legs.
I pull away when I hear the shutter of a cell phone camera. “Mom, what are you doing?”
She holds up her iPhone. “Look at the three of you—it was such a sweet moment. I had to capture it.”
The photo puts a lump in my throat, and I think that maybe the reason I haven’t reminded everyone I’m leaving so soon after Christmas is because I’m not ready to go, a thought that’s only just occurring to me now. And I’m pretty sure a handful of days isn’t going to make a difference.
“Can you text it to me?” I give my mom a wobbly grin. “I want to make it the wallpaper on my phone.”
“Sure, honey.” She taps the screen of her cell and seconds later, my phone chimes with her incoming message.
“And now I’m off to bed,” Mom says, slipping her phone into the pocket of her bathrobe before gathering her teacup and heading toward the bedroom.
“Me, too.” Dad yawns. “Good night, sweetheart.”
“Night-night,” I say, and the sight of them walking past our glittering Christmas tree and down the hall together makes me feel unexpectedly wistful.
The holidays are passing in a blur, and soon Christmas will be over. No more snowmen, maybe even no more charms.
Fruitcake lets out a tiny whine and nudges his head beneath my hand the way he always does when he thinks I need extra-special attention. How have I gone so long without a dog in my life? I bend down to hug his thick neck. Warm, golden fur tickles my cheek.
“I’m not ready,” I whisper.
He swivels his soft brown eyes in my direction. There are questions shining in his gaze—questions I have no idea how to answer. I fumble with the silver charm bracelet and marvel at how much has changed in only a matter of days.
I might never be ready to leave this all behind.
Chapter Fifteen
The following day, I startchecking off items on my to-do list of things that need to get done before the parade kicks off the day after tomorrow. All the town permits have already been obtained, and I’ve organized them behind a special tab in my binder. The parade route is set, and the firefighters on duty tomorrow night have already agreed to set up signs so all the participants are clear on where they’re supposed to go. Best of all, we’ve already surpassed our goal for the amount of toys we’ve collected for children in need. Check, check and check.
I flip through the planning binder again and again, ticking off more boxes on my list as I go. Before long, when I look out the window of the coffee shop where I’ve set up camp for the day, I see that the sky is growing dark. I’ve been sitting here far longer than I’d realized. The lights on the big Christmas tree at the top of the hill shimmer in the twilight. The streets of Owl Lake turn lavender and then brilliant purple as early evening shadows sweep across the snow.
I glance across the street toward Enchanted Jewels, and squint at the sign still propped in the corner window.Going out of business. At the meeting the other day, Susan mentioned the shop was for sale, though. Until that moment, I hadn’t realized the buyer might be open to selling the business.
Fruitcake lets out a snuffle, dragging my attention back to the task at hand. I don’t know why I’m thinking about Enchanted Jewels, anyway. I’ve got enough on my plate to deal with between now and the parade, not to mention Christmas the following day. Plus I’ve already got a train ticket back to the city—to my life and my job in Manhattan.
