Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,53
standing there long? “Hey, Ben. I am still at it. I was just going over all of my notes. I’ve interviewed a few more people. I didn’t know the story about Lisa re-opening Daisy’s General Store until I was helping her decorate the tree.”
“Yeah. She came down from Boston for a visit.”
“So I hear. And then never left.”
“That’s right. Happens all the time.” His eyes searched her for something. Did he know that she was, in a way, wishing it might happen to her? Even though she knew she couldn’t…wouldn’t…make a life here in Evergreen, it was certainly alluring.
She tucked the notebook under her arm. “I also heard a great story about twin sisters who live on a farm called Two Pine Farms. I can’t wait to interview them. They were there with Nan and Nick during the big blizzard.”
“So you feel good about your story.”
“I’m still working on it. I decided to try to talk about Evergreen in this article in a way that would make most of my jaded city friends want to come here for Christmas.”
“It’s a good angle,” he said.
“Well, I’m really not sure it will work for the magazine. But luckily, Mom’s been looking for other projects, so maybe she’ll find a better article for the magazine and I’ll be off the hook. Either way, I’m sticking around for a while to enjoy the festivities.”
“Good.” A wide grin spread across his face, and that made her day.
She stood. “Let’s go get a good spot so we can see what’s in the next box of the time capsule.”
“After you.” He swung an arm wide then walked with her past the choir to a spot right in front of the mural.
Michelle was right on their heels. She stepped in front of the advent calendar. “Good morning, Evergreenians. We’ll be opening the next box here shortly, so grab your friends, and we’ll get started in about five minutes.”
“Just in time,” Katie said to Ben.
Michelle walked over to Hannah. “Thanks for bringing the choir together for this. What a great idea.”
“It makes it even more special,” Katie added.
“Thanks. I thought we’d multitask. We all want to see what’s in the daily box, and we need the practice. A win-win for the Christmas Festival.”
“Ah, the Christmas Festival always ends up being just fine. I’m not worried about that.”
Hannah stopped and looked at Michelle. “Is this my same friend who almost had a total breakdown over decorations at the last festival? Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this calm about anything.” Hannah glanced over at Katie. “Seriously. One year we almost had to have her breathe into a paper bag to keep her from hyperventilating.”
“Wow.” Katie couldn’t even picture it.
“True, but not anymore.” Michelle popped a hand onto her hip. “Everybody’s going to have to stop saying that. The Christmas season is upon us—we get to bundle up in scarves and eat pie for breakfast. What’s to stress over?”
“I don’t know…something is different this year. You seem very happy. And you have for a while now. Happy and relaxed.”
“Is it the pie?” Katie asked. “If that’s all it takes to be happy and relaxed, I’ll take a double serving.”
“Pie helps, but I can promise you that’s not it.” Michelle blushed. “I think that’s what love does to a girl.”
A high-pitched squeal escaped from Hannah as she wrapped her arms around Michelle. “I’m so glad you said that. He’s so in love with you too. And thank you for not being mad with me about the snow globe.”
“I’ll be honest. I think the old me might have gone a little cuckoo when that snow globe broke. It’s definitely a town draw, but I was more worried for you. You were the one who convinced me to wish again. When I wished on that snow globe last year, I had no idea that Thomas would be my answer.”
“You?” Katie looked at Michelle, then to Hannah. “Your wish came true?”
Michelle nodded.
“It does grant wishes. We’ve seen it happen.” Hannah squeezed Michelle’s hand, then wrinkled her nose. “But now…I don’t know. I think my wish needs updating.”
“To what?” Michelle and Katie said at the same time.
“I’ll let you both know if the snow globe is fixed.” She crossed her fingers. “We’re very close to having it all done.”
Ezra showed up with the top hat for Michelle to draw the next person to open a box, and the town began applauding, anxious for the next big reveal.
Michelle walked over and addressed everyone. “Okay, everyone,