Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,49

holiday was turning out to be even more amazing than usual with the discovery of the time capsule, and now the daily advent calendar celebrations. He could hardly blame Katie for being a little skeptical under the circumstances.

He didn’t want to be mad at her, and sour moods were no fun either. Part of his frustration was that he wasn’t sure why he was really mad at her. She was entitled to her opinion. He didn’t even know her. She surely didn’t owe him anything. But there was something about her that kept his attention in a weird push-pull kind of way.

Evergreen was a small town, and she was a guest. He’d have to make nice with her. It was the right thing to do.

More cheerful after having accomplished a few things this morning and the decision to make up with Katie, Ben went back downstairs, whistling “Up on the Housetop.” On his way out the front door, he noticed a red box with a green bow sitting on the desk. People were always leaving little thank-you gifts for Nan.

Curious, he stopped and picked it up. The box was as light as air. Tucked beneath the bow, a makeshift card from a folded piece of wrapping paper peeked out. It read, “Ben, Winter Sports Attempt at the Skating Pond? 7 p.m.?”

That light little box and note carried some weight. Katie?

A smile spread across his face. One so big he could feel it in his cheeks.

He lifted the top of the box and peeked inside. A glass star ornament edged in gold lay nestled atop a plush bed of cotton. He picked it up by the gold cord. I know exactly what I’d wish for on this star. To spend more time with Katie. Sharing a few smiles. Making her believe, like a real Evergreenian. Tucking the ornament back into the box, he was glad his afternoon was going to be busy with helping out at the pond to get things ready for the first night of ice skating. Otherwise, it’d feel like one long day.

He tucked his skates under one of the benches, then went over to the skate rental building to help them unpack the boxes donated by the Stralls.

The fire department posted their safety approval, and then everyone pitched in to get the holiday light tunnel set up where people would enter and exit the ice. Ben had been a part of this transformation since he was in high school, but still it surprised him how different everything looked decorated for the holidays.

By dinner time, Ben and Nick had already handed out a good many scarves. At six o’clock, the lights on the bridge automatically came on, only tonight there were other decorations too. He must’ve checked his watch more than a dozen times from that point, anxious for seven o’clock and to see Katie.

Thank goodness handing out scarves didn’t require much attention, because he was squarely focused on the bridge that went over the skating pond.

Following the excitement from today’s time capsule box, tonight had to be a record-breaking attendance for the first skating night. Everyone wore the colorful scarves. It looked like a kaleidoscope of colors with everyone skating and spinning on the ice. Smoky puffs from the warmth of the skaters’ breaths in the frigid air disappeared as quickly as they expelled them. He sucked in a lungful of air. It smelled like snow to him. That fresh, clean air that seemed almost too thin to breathe sometimes.

Finally, he caught a glimpse of Katie walking across the bridge. She’d stopped and leaned over the railing, watching the skaters below. He grabbed the scarf he’d set aside for her. Technically, she wasn’t a resident, but she’d been a big part of uncovering the mystery behind the time capsule, so it seemed only fitting she should get to partake in the gifts too.

“I’ve got to run,” Ben said to Nick.

Nick followed his line of sight and smiled. “Yes, you do. I’ve got this. You go enjoy your evening,” he said with a wink. “She’s a special young lady.”

“I think so too.” Ben patted the old man on the back. “Thanks.” He ran up the path toward the bridge, slowing to a walk to catch his breath, going over in his head what he should say.

Standing there holding Nan’s skates, Katie looked beautiful.

“Hey,” he said.

She turned with a smile. “I’m glad you came. Ben, I never meant to—”

“Thank you.” He caught her elbow with his hand. He didn’t