David and Katie made the short walk from the library to the Chris Kringle Kitchen without much conversation.
Ben wasn’t really sure if this woman flustered or fascinated him. And what was she really up to, anyway? He didn’t take kindly to people minimizing the good life here in Evergreen. It might seem old-fashioned to some, but it was a wonderful way to live. Each year, some reporter would show up to write some story about the town, and each time it ended up being a slap in the face. He knew writers were paid to write stories that sold papers, but making fun of people was not his idea of good journalism.
He looked over at Katie. Her fair coloring and blond hair made her seem almost angelic. He’d been fooled by beautiful women before, though. Was it possible she was different?
When they got to the diner, Ben held the door for Katie and David. He watched Katie eye the huge portrait of Santa that covered the wall on the right.
She turned his way, an eyebrow arching slightly.
He knew exactly what was going through her mind. Not named after Chris Kringle, huh? The larger than life-size painting had to be the size of the portraits of the presidents on display at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Maybe the name was a little bit after the jolly old fellow too, but everyone around here knew it was a play on words because of the pastry they were known for.
He saw Katie staring across the way.
Okay, from her perspective, it might seem over the top. She was watching Nick, who looked just like Santa Claus, sitting at his usual table with the local artist who was freehand sketching a holiday scene.
If he put himself in Katie’s place, he could see how it might look to an outsider. Maybe a little too perfect. His case for the town that this was legit and not some marketing scheme seemed a bit wobbly.
Hannah rushed over to Katie. “Hey. Are you settling in okay at the inn?”
“Yes. I am. Less than twenty-four hours in Evergreen, and I’m already joining societies.”
“David has a way of getting people involved,” Hannah admitted. “This is great. We can always use a fresh point of view.”
“I was willing,” Katie said with a laugh. She turned, and moved straight for the counter where the snow globe sat on a bed of fake snow. “Is this the famous snow globe?”
Ben watched with amusement.
“It is.” Hannah picked it up. “Do you want to make a wish?”
“I do! Thank you.” Katie took the snow globe between her hands. She blew out a breath, then drew in another so deep, so hopeful. Eyeing Ben and then Hannah before concentrating on the snow globe itself. “I know there’s a second book in me, snow globe. Please don’t let me down.” She stared into the snow globe, closed her eyes and gave it a shake, holding it until the snow finally settled again. When she opened her eyes, she gave Hannah a resolute look. When she turned to Ben, he gave her a hopeful nod.
“Magic,” he whispered playfully, hoping she was sincere in her excitement and at the same time that the snow globe granted her wish so she’d believe in it too.
“I hope so.” She set the snow globe back down in its place of honor.
Carol, owner of the Kringle Kitchen, walked over, carrying a tray of fresh-from-the-oven cookies. “I see we have a new face.”
“We do. This is Katie,” Ben said. “She just arrived on the Evergreen Express yesterday from the city.”
“Hi, I’m Carol,” the pretty blonde wearing a Christmassy red sweater said, “and that’s my husband Joe.” She waved to him to respond. He was much taller than Carol, and his glasses were just as red as her sweater.
“Hello,” Joe called out from the table in the back as he waved.
“Thanks for letting me crash your meeting.” Katie followed the others.
Ben let the ladies finish their introductions, heading over to the table with the others for the meeting.
“She a friend of yours?” Ezra asked him quietly.
“No. Don’t know her, really. I bumped into her on the train yesterday. Turns out she’s a reporter of some kind writing a story about the town.”
“Oh?” Ezra perked up, as he was known to do when a hint of publicity was in the air.
Carol carried the tray of cookies over to the table, and Hannah sat down next to her nephew, David.
“Come on. Sit.” Carol was still talking