Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,42
are just…earnest and want what’s best for each other. Small towns are—”
She clenched her teeth. “That again? Small towns don’t have a monopoly on people caring about each other. I know plenty of hard-working city-dwelling people who make sure everyone around them is cared for.”
“You’re oversimplifying my point,” Ben said.
“And so are you. You’re going to have to trust me that I’m not here to write a hit piece about your town.”
Ben frowned. “Right.” Before he could say anything else, a triple knock at the front door broke his train of thought. “That’s the fourth-grade class coming over. I have to get that.” He walked past her and opened the door. “Ah! Welcome to story hour, everyone.” He masked the situation by imitating a funny inflection. “Get settled. I promise to do my most hilarious voices.”
The kids giggled at his Transylvania-vampire accent and gathered around the empty stool where he’d soon sit and whisk them away into a fairytale or holiday story.
Ben corralled them into the room, casting a look of irritation in her direction. He sucked in a breath, then played to his audience like there was nothing wrong.
Most of the kids greeted him by name as they marched inside in what seemed to be an endless parade of kids.
“Ben, I—” She didn’t want it to be like this between them.
“I should get in there,” he said.
“Ben, wait. I really have enjoyed my time here. Despite my vacation turning into a work trip, I really like the peppermint hot cocoa and the way the whole town rallies to put up Christmas decorations. And I really like…” She caught herself. Surprised that what was getting ready to come out of her mouth was I really like you. She stood there, shocked by that realization.
He handed the outline back to her. “Write the article you want to write.”
She took it, unable to speak a word.
Quietly, he said, “I hope it turns out.” Taking his place on the stool at the front of the room, he poured all of his focus on his audience. “Okay. Gather around.” He spoke with contagious enthusiasm.
Katie watched the children lean in anxiously with their chins tipped up, already enthralled in the story yet to be told.
“On Christmas Eve, on the long, long day that was the twenty-fourth of December…” It was as if Ben’s voice had already lulled them into a trance.
Unsure if it was his storytelling or the man himself that had her feet so firmly planted there in that spot in the library, she didn’t move. The children’s laughter and joy made it hard to pull in another breath.
She lowered her head, hoping he’d forgive her and feeling more conflicted than ever over what to write, or why she was even doing it in the first place. She may have just blown a potentially special friendship with Ben, maybe even more.
A Christmas tree made from books all stacked in a pyramid stood in the corner. Instead of a star on top, there was Louisa May Alcott’s A Christmas Dream and How It Came to Be True. Nan had mentioned it was her favorite. It’d be just like Ben to have put that together for her.
Katie slowly backed out of the library with regret and walked through Town Square. Shoppers came in and out of Daisy’s Country Store with bags full of gifts for loved ones, and the smell of sausage and bacon, mixed with something sweet, drifted from the Kringle Kitchen. A few people sat outside. Filled to capacity, no doubt. She knew why. Not only was the food good, but the family-owned business truly cared about their role in these people’s day. She walked past the Letters to Santa box and went directly to the inn.
Maybe she should just head home now. Had she worn out her welcome in Evergreen?
When she got to the inn, she didn’t stop to talk to Megan, who was in the kitchen. Instead, she went straight to her room and closed the door behind her. She stared at her suitcase, wondering what she should do.
She crawled across the bed and closed her eyes. Her intentions had been good. There was something about Evergreen, that was for sure. It might be Christmas magic, it might just be a bunch of kind people with good hearts, but whatever it was, it had had a profound effect on her. Her life wouldn’t be the same after this. There’d always be a little sparkle of joy from what she’d experienced here.