Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,21
the library and maybe bump into him once more.
The door to the Kringle Kitchen opened behind her. Katie turned to see Hannah walking out, carrying the red-and-white Christmas box Joe had scooped all the broken snow globe pieces into earlier.
“So what were you wishing for?” Katie asked.
“I have a complicated relationship with this snow globe.” Her hands shook as she held the box, almost as if she was afraid she’d drop it and make things worse. “Even more so now.”
Katie wanted to ask if Hannah considered this the “breakup” from the snow globe, but was pretty sure it was a little too soon for that joke. Trying to be supportive, but also just dying to know more, she asked, “It hasn’t granted your wishes?”
“Sometimes I think I’m not specific enough. Sometimes I think I’m too specific. Honestly? I don’t know.”
“Yeah.” Katie felt a little silly for making a wish on the famed snow globe now. Sure, it was a town tradition, but it wasn’t like her to let fantasy woo her like that. Besides, she didn’t need a snow globe to tell her she had a second book inside her. She’d known that for a while. She just needed to come up with an idea and start writing. Which was the whole reason she was here in the first place. “But do you really think it grants wishes?”
“I know it does.” Hannah pulled the box closer to her. “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s worked. More than once, and even though I haven’t gotten exactly what I’ve wished for, it has opened some doors.”
“Like how?”
“Well, a couple of years ago I wished for a special someone to spend the holidays with.”
“That sounds like a perfect wish.”
“Well, technically I got that wish. I met this great guy at the festival. We were wearing the same exact Christmas sweater. I mean, seriously, what are the odds?”
“I don’t know. Was it a white cable-knit sweater?”
“No. It had scotty dogs with little ribbons around their necks on it. And he was awesome. We had so much fun, but we weren’t right for each other. We enjoyed the holidays, and we’re good friends now, but that’s not what I was really looking for.”
“That’s what you mean about not being specific enough.”
“Yeah. It’s hard to explain.”
Katie couldn’t resist the opportunity. “But others’ wishes have come true?”
“Yes. Lots. I had a friend who wished her parents would stay together, and no one thought after what they’d been through it could ever happen. But it did. And when the town was in dire need of a preacher, one wish, and Rev. Zach showed up on vacation and never left. He’s been here six years now. And get this, the only reason he stopped in Evergreen was because he blew out a tire at our exit.”
“That does sound serendipitous.”
“Call it what you will. Michelle wished for someone to come into her life, and wham, she and Thomas met and it was kismet.”
“I’ve seen them together. They make a great couple.”
Hannah shook the box in front of her. “And now I’ve ruined it for everyone. I’m sick over this.”
Katie placed her hand on the woman’s arm, wishing she could help. “What are you going to do with all those broken pieces?”
“I’m going to take this over to Elliott and see if there’s anything he can do to help repair it.”
“At the arts center?”
“Yeah. It’s worth a shot. I have to at least try.”
“I’m actually a little curious about the arts center after hearing you and Elliott talk about it. Mind if I come with you?”
“Not at all. It’s just up here around the corner.” Hannah seemed to welcome the company. The Turner Tinker Shop, in great big red letters on the sign across the front of the building, was just ahead.
An old forest green pickup was parked at the curb, which was pretty much the only color in front of the gray building.
Even their choice of transportation in this town was kind of magical. The Evergreen Express train number 1225 that dated back so many years. Allie’s red antique truck with the garland and wreath decorating it, and now this one—just as unique, even if it wasn’t wearing holiday attire. Somehow, all of it seemed perfectly normal here in Evergreen.
She followed Hannah up the steps toward the door to the shop. Big glass front windows on each side of the door were filled with artwork and antiques that had been restored to their original beauty.