He knew better.
“Well,” David added, “Nan said there might be another box to go through at the library.”
“Keep at it, buddy.” Ben loved how tenacious David was about these mysteries. He’d solved the key to the clock in the church tower last year. If anyone could figure this one out, it would probably be him. “Is there anything else you’d like to discuss before the meeting?”
“Oh yes, let’s start the meeting.” Carol jumped at the sound of a horn from out on the street. She glanced at her watch. “It’s Allie.” She turned to Katie. “She’s our daughter. Michelle is driving her to the…” She fanned her face, trying to stop the tears already puddling at the rims of her eyes.
“Now, honey.” Joe lifted his chin. “We can be brave about this.” He stood from his chair. “Probably,” he said with a wiggle of his brows.
Ben held the door as Joe jogged to catch up with Carol, who was already out at the curb calling Allie’s name.
Allie’s red truck was parked out front. Michelle and Allie were hugging when Joe and Carol got there.
Ben was excited for Allie. She and Ryan had really found something special.
Allie spread her arms wide and announced. “The great world awaits.” She saw her mom and dad standing there. “Mom!” Allie hugged her tight.
Joe patted her shoulder. “You tell Ryan and Zoey Merry Christmas.”
“I will, and I’ll be back after New Year’s.” Her lips quivered at the edges of her smile. “Everything’s going to be fine. I promise. I mean…I hope.”
“Oh, Allie. I love you.” Carol wrapped her arms around her. Joe joined in the group hug, as did Hannah.
“Merry Christmas,” Allie said to Hannah. “I’ll bring you some croissants.”
“Yes, please!” Hannah hung close with the rest, wishing Allie a good trip and heartfelt goodbyes.
Michelle climbed behind the wheel of the truck, and Allie walked around curbside to get in. Everyone had joined there on the sidewalk, including Nick, who stopped Allie before she got to the truck.
“Have a splendid adventure. I’m sure you’ll have safe travels and all kinds of Christmas surprises.” He opened the door for her with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Thank you, Nick.”
Nick closed her door, and Allie rolled down the window. “Okay, the moment of truth.”
Michelle squeezed her eyes closed and twisted the key in the ignition.
Ben knew the truck would start. Allie belonged with Ryan. That finicky truck had enabled the whole relationship from the get-go. Today would be no different.
Joe stood behind Carol with his hands placed sweetly on her shoulders as she crossed her fingers on both hands.
Everyone sort of held their breath, except for Katie, who wasn’t aware of the local lore and this truck…yet.
The truck started, and everyone cheered. “I guess the truck says we’re a go.” Allie waved.
“Bon voyage!” Hannah yelled.
Ben raised his arm above his head and waved. They cheered as Michelle pulled away from the curb with Allie grinning ear to ear. “Joyeux Noël! Merry Christmas! Au revoir!”
Chapter Seven
Later, after they’d all gone back into the Kringle Kitchen and worked through the Evergreen Historical Society agenda, everyone packed up to go about their day.
Ben still couldn’t help but wonder what Katie’s intentions were. An anxious swirl in his gut made him pause, though. It wasn’t like he hadn’t experienced nosy journalists before, but this reaction was different—more personal.
He walked outside with her, stopping her before she crossed the street. “So, did you learn everything you needed about Evergreen?”
She cocked her head to the side. “If I’m being totally honest, it all feels a little too good to be true.”
There it was again. Her doubt agitated him. “Which part? I’m just curious.”
“Well, first off, you have a guy who looks exactly like Santa Claus on vacation.” She pointed inside, where Nick was still sharing coffee and pie with the artist.
“Yeah. Nick.” Ben knew how that looked. “He splits his time between Evergreen and—”
“The North Pole?” she teased.
“No.” The joke bothered him more than it should. “Burlington. He comes from Burlington for the month of December.”
“Look. Fine. But come on, even your alleys are decorated for Christmas. I get it. I’m all for it. I mean, you have to put on a good Christmas show. It’s for the tourists.” She was being playful about it, even raising her hands into the air and spinning as she spoke.
“No. It’s not that.” His jaw pulsed. “It’s not like that at all. We truly love the holidays, and it’s wonderful that people like to get out of