Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,29
to put in place for Evergreen.”
“Works for me,” Megan said. She handed a “something special” wrapped in paper towels to Ben. “For a little late snack. I know they’re your favorite.”
Ben peeked inside and grinned. “Thank you, Megan.”
“Count me in on your committee,” Carol said as she washed up, and Joe nodded in agreement.
Katie cleared the red paper plates from the counter. “Looks like we filled up an entire trash bag.” She pulled it out and tied it up. Ben swooped in and took it from her. “I’ll take that out.”
Everyone else began getting their coats and hugging out goodbyes.
It was like a cookie-scented parade out of Barbara’s Country Inn as everyone went their separate ways. Katie was glad she didn’t have anywhere she had to go. She went to the door to see off her new friends.
“Nan, wait. I can drive you home.” Ben hurried to catch her as she and Hannah walked down the steps.
Nan turned and looked at him as if she were ready to argue. “No. I’m fine. I’m going to walk.”
Katie appreciated the way Ben watched over Nan. It was really sweet.
“You shouldn’t walk alone.” He stepped onto the front porch.
“Benjamin, I am perfectly capable of walking home. It’s not that far, and it’s good for me.”
Hannah tried to hold back a laugh. “I can walk her down a ways.” She placed a hand on Nan’s arm. Nan gave Ben a victorious smile as she took Hannah’s arm and started walking down the sidewalk. Over her shoulder, Hannah said, “Nan always has the best stories.”
“Okay,” he conceded. “I appreciate that, Hannah.” Ben waved, and Nan rolled her eyes.
Katie wished she’d offered to walk Nan home now. She did enjoy a good story. But she was staying here, and saying goodbye to all of her new friends was a little bittersweet. Besides, offering to walk Nan home would’ve meant shortening her time with Ben. She looked up at him. One of the good guys. She hated for the night to end. She could’ve hung out in that kitchen all night with him. A million novel-worthy thoughts raced through her mind.
Ben was the last one out the door. As he descended the steps, he stopped and turned to her. “It was fun tonight.”
“It was. So, tomorrow,” Katie said. “When you go to get the tree. I should come along. Yes?” She twisted her hands in front of her, hoping he’d say yes, but he was hesitating, and that felt like a looming no. Was he not feeling the spark like she was? Not one to give up so easily, she said, “Do you mind if I tag along?”
He shoved a hand into his pocket. “Why would you want to do that?”
You’re fun. I want to spend more time with you. Can’t you see that? But she couldn’t say that. “What better place to prove this isn’t all some kind of Christmas hallucination than to see it for myself? Right? You say it’s all authentic. I say prove it.”
His response to the playful banter was exactly as she’d hoped. That playful smile turned her insides out. “Okay. Fine. Tomorrow morning. Right here.” He pointed to the steps.
“Right here.” That was the answer she’d been hoping for. “Okay.”
He pulled the key to the truck out of his pocket to leave, and if she wasn’t mistaken, there was a lift to his step. If she weren’t afraid he might turn and catch her in mid-bravado, she’d do a little leap in the air right now.
He stopped and waved before sliding behind the wheel.
“Oh, wait.” She leaped off the porch, and ran to the truck. “Let me give you my number. You know, in case you decide you want to get an earlier start.” She held her hand out, palm up.
His lips pressed together. He gladly placed the phone in her hand.
She typed in her number and her phone rang. “Now we’re all set.”
“Yes, we are. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah.” She clung to her phone. “I’ll see you then.” She turned and ran back to the porch.
The red truck with the wreath and fresh garland down the sides started with a throaty rumble, then slowly made its way down the road.
She waved from the porch, tightening her charcoal-gray sweater around her and glancing at the sky as tiny dry snowflakes started to fall. Another perfect evening in Evergreen. She couldn’t wait to see what tomorrow would bring.
Chapter Twelve
When Ben drove up to Barbara’s Country Inn, Katie was sitting on