Christmas in Evergreen Tidings of Joy - Nancy Naigle Page 0,61

way of getting into your heart. And now that you’ve got me addicted to peppermint cocoa and kringles, I have to come back.” She closed her notebook. “You can’t just get those anywhere.”

“Well, good. Then I’ve done my job.” She placed a hand on Katie’s arm. “Don’t be a stranger.” She glanced down at her watch. “Oh, look at that. It’s almost time to open another calendar box. I’d better get Joe.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

The sleigh bells on the door of the Kringle Kitchen jingled, and in walked Hannah with Elliott close at her heels. He carried the box, the one with the red and white poinsettias on it, that had held all those broken pieces of the magic snow globe not that long ago. That had been a heartbreaking day.

Hannah, all smiles, sang out a joyful imitation of a trumpet celebration and flung her arms out in a V. “Da, da-da, daaaaaaah.”

Elliott removed the top of the box, and Hannah carefully lifted the now-repaired snow globe into view.

“Oh my gosh. It’s perfect!” Carol ran toward the door. “How did you ever repair it? This can’t be the same snow globe.”

Joe and Katie joined them.

Hannah held it in her hands. “It’s the same one. It was all Elliott. He’s amazing. You can’t see a single crack unless you’re really, really looking for it, and I’m not going to tell you where to look.”

“You are quite the fix-it man,” Joe said as he looked over the piece. “It looks better than new.”

“I did my best.” He blushed.

“Thank you,” said Carol. “Look at that! Oh, it’s wonderful!”

Hannah’s smile was as wide as her sigh was long. “Whew. I can’t believe we were able to fix it. I couldn’t have done it without this guy.” Elliott’s smile was genuine, but he hadn’t taken his eyes off her. She was beginning to wonder if he was worried she might drop it again.

That made Hannah a little nervous. She put it back where it belonged in its place of honor on the stand, with the fake snow right there next to the cash register.

No sooner had she set it down than Elliott picked up the snow globe with an intent look on his face. He held it arm’s length away, then shook it in rapid succession, sending all that carefully placed glitter into the biggest snowstorm of all time. He squeezed his eyes tight and made a wish.

“Wow, that was determined,” Carol said, looking a little surprised.

Elliott raised a brow as he returned the snow globe back to the counter. “Can’t help knowing what it is I want, I guess.” A look of panic crossed his face, as if he hadn’t realized he’d just said that out loud. “Um, I’ll talk to you later.” He hurried out the door.

Hannah wondered why he made such a hasty exit. She turned back to the others, still riding high. “This has been a Christmas full of surprises.”

“Oh, I wish Allie was here,” Carol said. “She would have loved all of this. She called from Paris yesterday, and I told her all about the time capsule, but it’s just not the same as being here a part of all of it.”

“She’s having the time of her life,” Joe said, giving Carol a hug. “So is Zoe. She’s already speaking a few words of French.”

“That’s so exciting,” Hannah said.

Ben opened the door, coming to an abrupt stop behind the group of them huddled at the counter. “Hey!” When his gaze landed on Katie, he smiled even wider. “Everybody ready to open another calendar box?”

“Yes!”

“Good. Everyone get their coats. Let’s go.”

Katie, Joe and Carol grabbed their coats.

As Ben turned, he noticed the snow globe on the counter behind Hannah. “Oh wow. Good as new.”

“Yes. Thank goodness.” Hannah eyed the snow globe as everyone ran out to Kringle Alley for the daily calendar box opening.

Ben led Carol, Katie and Joe outside. Hannah hung back. Her fingers twitched as she went to grab the snow globe, but didn’t. Nick watched from a table nearby.

Guilt filled Hannah. Would she ever be able to pick it up without people being afraid she might drop it again? Surely that’s my imagination. Nick would never be like that.

She wanted to make another wish. She knew exactly what it would be. Stepping toward the door, she caught the look on Nick’s face.

He gave her a brief nod. Was he encouraging her to make a wish?

Why had she worked so hard to fix it if not for folks to still be