Chapter Twenty-four
Tucker merged the Tesla into traffic on the highway. “You know,” he said, “they’re having a cookie sale in front of GG’s Mountainside Gardens Unique Design and Creative Use of Lights and Decorations; and Display and Placement of Decorations. We have such great representation in all of them. Of those three winners, the grand prize of bragging rights for the year and this eye-catching banner with their name on it hung in the school will be presented for the best overall presentation. Is everyone ready for this?”
A resounding “Yes” lifted from the stands.
“Here we go.” The mayor shuffled big red-and-green Christmas envelopes, and then opened the first one. “This year’s winner in the Unique Design and Creative Use of Lights and Decorations category, cited for its use of alternative energy and all-upcycled ornaments, is Solar Spruce, designed and decorated by the senior class of Chestnut Ridge High, for their six-foot Norway spruce. A hidden solar-energy panel on the top of the tree is providing the energy for all the lighting and the colorful spinning Moravian star on top. Ornaments are made from aluminum cans, paper plates, and old magazines. Now, that’s innovation.”
The team, wearing matching high school jerseys, bounced arm in arm in celebration. Their excitement was contagious.
“Next, the winner of the Display and Placement of Decorations category.” The mayor chuckled. “They seem to make it into the top every year.”
Tucker looked at Natalie. “That’s got to be my guys.”
“The Chestnut Ridge Fire Department for their Ninety-Nine Ways to Get Home for Christmas. They have generously decorated this twenty-two-footer full of bikes, trucks, skateboards, skates, horses, you name it, and every decoration is a toy that will be distributed in our county. I, the mayor of Chestnut Ridge, can speak for Santa when we give this team a hearty thank-you for their generosity.”
Santa danced across the stage, ho-ho-ho’ing. “And I didn’t even have to ask. Thank you. You are truly ho-ho-ho-heroes in every way! I believe there are enough shiny handlebar bells on that tree to put one on every bicycle in the county. Maybe in every car! Well done.”
Sheila threw her arms around Tucker’s neck. “Congratulations! That’s wonderful. You’re wonderful.”
He looked down into her eyes, her face just inches from his. “You make me want to be.”
The mayor took the mic from Santa and shuffled him off the stage. “You’d think that guy got enough attention this time of year. This is my minute in the spotlight, Santa.” The mayor summed up the winners of all of the categories and special mentions, and then it was time for the big announcement of the evening.
Sheila and Tucker pulled themselves together and focused their attention back on the mayor and the final envelope. “And now the winner of the Christmas Tree Stroll. Drumroll, please.”
Everyone in the place slapped their hands to their legs, and in the stands the kids were pounding their feet until the whole place rocked like a concert. “Our winner of the Storyline or Theme category is Feathered Friends Home for the Holidays.”
Natalie and Sheila both leapt so high that Sheila bumped Tucker right in the nose.
“I’m sorry,” Sheila squealed the apology, but then bounced toward Amanda and Natalie.
Tucker rubbed his nose.
“I can’t believe it. I’m so proud of us!” Natalie hugged Randy. “Thank you for your help, babe. Y’all are all amazing. I can’t believe it!”
“This team decorated a six-foot Fraser fir and somehow they hand-painted the tips of every branch with iridescent paint, making them appear as if ice has crystallized on them. The use of real pine needles painted to appear like golden tassels was ingenious, and the birdhouses on this tree are nothing short of artworthy. And I’ve been informed that some of the birdhouses will go to the senior center. Be sure to head over and congratulate them on a job well done.”
Tucker turned to Sheila. “I’d like to be the first. Job well done.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “And a lot more fun than usual with you around.”
Following the celebratory hugs and high fives, Natalie said, “Come on. Lets everyone go to Orene’s and celebrate.” She looked up at the tree with appreciation. “Someone is going to really enjoy this tree.”
Randy looked surprised. “Natalie, wait. I wanted you to have that tree topper. I made it special. For you. Won’t you keep that birdhouse?”
She clasped her hand over her mouth. “Yes. Of course. I’m sorry. Yes! I have to keep that one. Take it down.” Natalie shot Sheila a look who nudged Tucker to help Randy reclaim the gift.
“Thanks.” Randy seemed flustered. “We’re all going to Orene’s. Tucker, you’ve got to come with us.”
“Sounds good.” Tucker pointed to the tree and gave Randy an encouraging nod. “How about I grab that tree topper for you?”
“That would be great,” Randy said.
Tucker reached up and got the topper, and Sheila and Natalie and Amanda selected three birdhouses to take down to the senior center. They shifted the rest of the ornaments around, and then moved the bird nest to the place where the topper had sat just a moment ago to fill the gap.
“That looks pretty good,” Sheila said to Natalie under her breath.
“It does. We might have to backpocket that idea for another year.”
“I agree.”
“Are y’all coming?” Randy called to them.
“I don’t know why he’s so antsy tonight,” Natalie said. “We’re coming.”
They all drove back to Orene’s in the separate cars they came to the event in. They were all tired, but enjoying reliving the excitement of the evening.
“That smells like Orene’s fresh baked cookies,” Tucker said.
Randy sucked in a breath. “This town just gets better and better.”
They filed inside, where they were greeted with fresh-baked cookies in the shape of birdhouses arranged on a large white platter, and a punch bowl of eggnog waiting on them.
“How did you do that so fast,” Natalie remarked.
“I had a gut feeling you were going to win,” Orene told Natalie. “I knew it as soon as I saw your tree, so I got a head start. Let’s celebrate.” She waved her hands in the air; it looked more like jazz hands than celebration, but it was so Orene.
“You think of everything, Orene.” Natalie hugged her. “You’re the best family we could have.”
“I second that,” Sheila said. “You just don’t know how much being here with you has meant, especially with my mom… well…” Sheila’s eyes glassed over. “It’s just been so comforting to be here with you. My mom would’ve loved you too.”
“Well, if I could’ve handpicked a bunch of kids to call my own, I’d have adopted you all!” Orene’s smile was sweet, and her eyes were misty. “Seriously, you bring this old woman so much joy.” She picked up a cup of eggnog. “Get a cup.”
Everyone picked up a cup of eggnog.
“Here’s a toast to making a big splash at your very first Christmas Tree Stroll.” Orene raised her cup high in the air, and the others followed. “Chestnut Ridge is better for having you all become a part of our community. Our family. Cheers.”
Everyone took a sip, and Randy swung his other arm around Natalie’s waist. “And we are so happy to be here.”
“I wouldn’t want to be anyplace else tonight,” said Sheila. “With all of you.”
“I want to go on record”—Tucker shot a playful stink eye in Natalie’s direction—“that I have every intention of trying to woo your secret weapon over to my team next year.”
There was a collective murmur of interest from everyone.
“Didn’t I tell you I can’t be bought?” Sheila said with a sassy lilt.
“You did, but it won’t keep me from trying. I need to win back my Christmas Tree Stroll title next year.”
“Oh my gosh, I’m supposed to help you decorate your tree at your house,” Sheila said. “I totally forgot.”
“Well, we’ve been busy.”
“True, but I don’t want to break the Christmas tree picker primary rule. You pick it, you decorate it.” Sheila looked back at Tucker. “That is what you said, isn’t it?”
“That is not a rule,” Orene said.
“I might have made it up to spend more time with you,” he admitted.
“I might have known that when I agreed,” she said, tucking up close against him.