Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,35
of her to check it out.
“Oh, it will be, yeah.” She snagged it back from him. “I like to get it down on paper first.” She tucked the folder back under a book and tapped it with a protective hand. She wasn’t quite ready to share this with the world yet, and especially not with Ben.
“I’m the same way. Paper. Pen. Old-school. I just like the feel of it.”
“Yeah. Me too, but as I’m typing it all in now so I can send to the magazine, something just isn’t quite working. Do you mind if I print it again? See if I can figure it out?”
“Be my guest.”
“Thank you.” Katie sent the file to the printer, and started packing up her things. “So, that tree we picked up today. Did you get it all set up?” She walked into the other room to grab the printout from the tray.
“Yes. Now all that’s left is to decorate it.”
“And when will you be doing that?”
“Tomorrow sometime, if you’d like to help. And also, they’re clearing off the ice-skating pond tomorrow if you want to—”
“Oh, no. No, no, no.”
“What do you mean, no? Before I even finished asking?”
“People say, ‘come do this charming super-cute winter thing. Ice skating.’ And then your feet are freezing and—”
“What happened to the ‘getting to experience everything in town so you can write about it’ girl?”
Katie thought for a moment, then stacked her things. “Using my own words against me is low. But effective. I can’t promise winter sports, but decorating, I can. Yes.”
Ben smiled and handed Katie her bag. “Don’t forget this.”
She took it, absolutely charmed. “Thank you. Decorating. Tomorrow. You and me.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Chapter Fourteen
The next morning, Hannah changed clothes three times before finally settling on a red sweater with a wide black-and-white plaid. Not too dressy, but not like she hadn’t tried at all. Plus, she always received compliments when she wore red.
I’ve known Elliott for years. Why is today any different? Relax.
But it was different. Something had changed, or was it just that Katie had made that suggestion the other day at the inn?
And then there was that awkward slip-up. It’s a date!
She still couldn’t believe she’d said that. How awkward. Part of her wished she could avoid him forever, but she really didn’t want to do that. She liked spending time with him, and she hoped he could fix the snow globe.
They hadn’t exactly set a time, he’d simply said morning, but she knew he was an early bird. She’d hung around the house as long as she possibly could, then made her way down to the shop. Since Elliott had bought the old building and reopened, she’d missed Mom and Dad more than ever.
Elliott’s truck was parked out front. She hesitated at the front door. He was working on the snow globe. The only one in the shop. She opened the door and stepped inside.
“Good morning,” she said.
He lowered the piece and smiled. “Hi. I’m glad you came.”
“Me too.” She moved closer to the counter. “I mean, I want to help if I can. You know.”
“I was up late working on it last night.” He scooted the somewhat-repaired snow globe into view.
“Oh my gosh. It’s looking good.” She reached for it and turned it carefully. “So good.” Overcome with relief, she took in a deep breath. “Thank you so much, Elliott. I know this was a nearly impossible task.”
“I wanted to help you.” His words were soft, kind. Comforting.
“You are so wonderful.”
“Let’s see if we can get it back to a hundred percent.”
“Okay.”
Elliott held the miniature church in front of him, the tiny steeple between a pair of hemostats. With the steady hand of a surgeon, he positioned it back into place and let the glue take hold. “What do you think?”
She clapped, smiling. “I can’t believe it.”
“One step closer.” Elliott didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until he’d glued the church back into its place of honor in the center of the decorative base. Still missing the glass globe, at least the trees and the horse-drawn sleigh were back in place too.
“Oh.” It came out more of a sound than a word. Hannah swept her sweating hands together and let out the breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this, Elliott.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Without pause, he looked into her eyes.
The warmth of his gaze made her heart leap.
“Now all that’s left is to let the glue dry,” he said. “Megan said she’d help