Chapter 10
Ten
EVAN
T he scent of freshly baked apple pie and hot rolls wafts through the air as I step into Violet's Diner, the warmth of the cozy eatery enveloping me like a comforting hug. It's been a week since the break-in at Molly's house, and though the community has rallied around her, I can't shake the feeling that I’m continuing to let her down somehow.
I slide into my usual booth, the red vinyl creaking beneath me. The diner is buzzing with activity, locals chatting over steaming mugs of coffee and plates piled high with hearty comfort food. But as I scan the room, my eyes searching for Molly, I feel a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach.
Things have been strained between us since our argument at the tree lighting ceremony and she hasn’t been to work on the farm. I know I spoke out of turn, let my own frustrations and fears get the best of me. But seeing Molly so upset, so hurt by my careless words... it's been eating away at me ever since.
I'm lost in thought, absently fiddling with the salt shaker, when a familiar voice jolts me back to the present.
"Evan? What can I get for you tonight?"
I look up to see Molly standing beside the booth, her order pad in hand. She looks tired, dark circles beneath her hazel eyes, but there's still a warmth in her smile that makes my heart skip a beat.
"Hey, Molly," I say gently, trying to gauge her mood. "I'll just have the usual, thanks."
She nods, jotting down my order. But as she turns to leave, I reach out, my hand brushing against her arm.
"Wait, Molly... can we talk for a minute?"
She hesitates, her gaze flickering to the bustling diner around us. But then she sighs, sliding into the booth across from me.
"Sure, Evan. What's on your mind?"
I take a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "I wanted to apologize, Molly. For the way I acted at the tree lighting ceremony, for the things I said. I was out of line, and I'm sorry."
Molly's eyes soften, a flicker of understanding crossing her face. "I appreciate that, Evan. And I'm sorry, too. I didn’t handle that well."
I shake my head, reaching across the table to take her hand in mine. "You have nothing to apologize for Molly and again, I’m so sorry about your house. If there’s anything I can do…"
She smiles, her fingers tightening around mine. "You’ve already done more than enough.” Her eyes are brimming with emotion. “I know it was you who paid for the security system to be installed, not to mention the anonymous gift card to ‘Hanks’ Department Store’.”
My brow furrows as my face heats. “That was supposed to be a secret.” I huff and cross my arms over my chest. “And it was purely selfish. I feel a lot better knowing you and Chad are safe.”
We sit there for a moment, lost in each other's eyes, the rest of the world fading away. But then Molly clears her throat, pulling her hand back as she remembers where we are.
"I should probably get back to work," she says, a hint of regret in her voice. "But thank you, Evan. For everything."
I nod, watching as she slides out of the booth and heads back to the kitchen. But before she disappears behind the swinging door, I call out to her.
"Hey, Molly? Your wreath-making job at the farm... it's still open whenever you're ready to come back. We miss having you around."
She pauses, a surprised smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Evan. I'll keep that in mind."
As she vanishes into the kitchen, I feel a weight lift off my shoulders. It's not much, but it's a start. A step towards mending the rift between us, towards finding our way back to the easy camaraderie and budding connection we'd been building before everything went sideways.
I'm just digging into my meatloaf when a familiar voice pipes up from beside the booth.
"Hi, Mr. Evan."
I look up to see Chad grinning at me, his sandy hair tousled and his cheeks flushed from the cold.
"Hey there, buddy." I say, setting down my fork. "What brings you here tonight?"
"Mom had to work, so I'm hanging out until she's done," he explains, sliding into the booth across from me. "Are you going to the Community Caroling Night tonight?"
I blink, surprised by the question. "The what now?"
"The singing night." Chad says, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's this big thing where the whole town gets together in the square and sings Christmas songs. There's hot cocoa and cookies and everything. Mom’s getting off early so we can go."
I chuckle, charmed by his enthusiasm. "That sounds pretty great. But I don't know, buddy. I'm not much of a singer."
Chad's face falls, his bottom lip jutting out in a pout. "But it won't be the same without you, Mr. Evan. Please say you'll come?"
I hesitate, glancing towards the kitchen where Molly is bustling about. "I don't know, Chad. I'm not sure if your mom would want me there.”
But Chad is undeterred, his eyes wide and pleading. "She will want you to come. You are best friends, remember?She likes you, Mr. Evan. I can tell."
I feel a flush creep up my neck, my heart stuttering in my chest. "She does, huh?"
Chad nods vigorously, his little face serious. "Yep. And I like you, too. You make her smile, even when she's sad."
I swallow hard, a lump rising in my throat. "I like your mom a lot, too, Chad. And you. I hope you know that."
He beams at me, his smile brighter than the twinkling Christmas lights outside. "I know. So you'll come to the caroling thing? Please?"
I sigh, unable to resist the hopeful look on his face. "Alright, buddy. You win. I'll be there."
Chad lets out a whoop of joy, fist-pumping the air. "Yes!"
I can't stop myself from laughing, his excitement contagious. And as I watch him scamper off to tell Molly the good news, I feel a flicker of something warm and bright kindling in my chest. I marvel at his innocent joy. Even after having his home broken into, and his gifts stolen, he still sees the good, feels the excitement of the season, and smiles through it all.
Maybe Chad is right. Maybe this will be the best Christmas ever, not because of the presents or the decorations, but because of the people I get to spend it with. The people who are starting to feel more and more like family with each passing day.
* * *
Later that night, I find myself standing in the middle of the town square, surrounded by what seems like the entire population of Benton Falls. The air is frosty and cold, the scent of marshmallows and spiced apples permeating from the vendors selling hot cocoa and cider.
I tug at the collar of my coat, feeling oddly nervous as I scan the crowd for Molly and Chad. We'd agreed to meet here, but as the minutes tick by and the caroling gets underway, I worry that maybe they've changed their minds.
But then I see them, weaving their way through the throng of people, Chad's hand clasped tightly in Molly's. She looks beautiful, her chestnut hair spilling out from beneath a knit hat, her cheeks flushed from the cold. And when she spots me, her face lighting up in a smile that makes my heart skip a beat; I feel like the luckiest man in the world.
"Evan, hi," she says, a little breathless as they reach me. "Sorry we're late. Someone had to hurry and finish their homework before we could leave."
She shoots Chad a mock-stern look, but he just grins up at her, unrepentant.
"I'm here now, aren't I?" he says, bouncing on his toes. "And look, Mr. Evan is here, too. Just like he promised."
I chuckle, ruffling Chad's hair. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, buddy. Not when I've got you to keep me in line."
Molly rolls her eyes, but there's a warmth in her gaze that makes me feel like I'm standing in a patch of sunlight, even in the middle of the winter night.
"Come on, you two," she says, herding us towards the group of carolers. "Let's go make some joyful noise."
As we join the crowd, the sounds of "Deck the Halls" ringing out into the frosty air, I find myself marveling at the sense of community, of belonging that washes over me. Everywhere I look, people are smiling and laughing, their faces aglow with the spirit of the season.
And as I glance around, my gaze landing on the familiar faces of my neighbors, my customers, the people who have become such an integral part of my life here in Benton Falls, I feel a sudden rush of gratitude, of appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of this place.
Maybe the adventure I've been searching for has been right here in front of me, waiting to be discovered in the laughter of a child, the touch of a woman's hand, the quiet magic of a Christmas spent with the people I love.
As the caroling continues, the voices of young and old blending together in perfect harmony, I let myself get lost in the music, in the moment. And as I do, I feel a sense of peace settling over me, a rightness that I haven't felt in longer than I can remember.
I reach out, taking Molly's hand in mine, feeling the warmth of her fingers even through our gloves, and I know that I'm finally ready to take that leap, to open my heart to the possibilities of the future.
She looks up at me, her bright eyes shining beneath a fringe of dark lashes, and smiles. I'm so lost in my thoughts, in the swelling emotions that fill my chest, that I almost don't notice when the carol comes to an end, the final notes lingering in the air.
Molly turns to me. "That was beautiful," she murmurs, her voice soft and filled with wonder. "I can't remember the last time I felt so... so..."
"Peaceful," I finish for her, understanding flickering between us like a flame. "Like everything is exactly as it should be."
She nods, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Yes. Exactly."
We stand there for a moment, lost in each other's gaze, the rest of the world fading away. But then Chad is tugging at my sleeve, his little face eager.
"Mr. Evan, can we go get some hot cocoa now? I'm freezing."
I laugh, the spell broken, but the warmth still glowing in my chest. "Of course, buddy. Lead the way."
As we make our way towards the cocoa stand, weaving through the crowds of carolers and onlookers, I catch a glimpse of a familiar face in the throng. Betty, bundled up in a bright red coat, her eyes twinkling with a secret sort of joy as she watches us.
For a moment, I swear I can feel the weight of her gaze, the unspoken encouragement and understanding that passes between us like a current. And then she's gone, disappearing into the crowd as quickly as she appeared.
But the warmth of her presence lingers, a reminder of the countless little moments of guidance and support she's offered me over the past couple of weeks. The way Betty always seems to show up just when I need her most, with a kind word or a gentle nudge in the right direction.
I don't know how she does it, how she always seems to know exactly what I need to hear. But as I stand in line for cocoa, Chad chattering away at my side and Molly's hand still clasped in mine, I feel a rush of gratitude for her friendship, for the quiet strength and wisdom—she’s kind of like my own Christmas angel.
As we sip our cocoa, the rich, velvety sweetness chasing away the chill, I let myself get lost in the simple pleasure of the moment. The twinkling lights of the Christmas tree, the soft murmur of conversation, the way Molly's shoulder brushes against mine as we stand huddled together against the cold.
It's perfect. All of it. The cocoa, the company, the sheer magic of this night. I turn to Molly, my heart hammering in my chest as I take a deep breath, gathering my courage.
"Molly," I begin, my voice soft but filled with determination. "There's something I've been wanting to ask you.”
She looks up at me, her eyes searching mine, a flicker of curiosity and hope dancing in their hazel depths. "What is it, Evan?"
I reach out, taking her hand in mine, marveling at the way our fingers intertwine, like two halves of a whole, finally coming together.
"Molly, would you like to go on a date with me? A real date, just the two of us, where we can talk and laugh and get to know each other with no distractions or interruptions?" I smile as I glance at her son, who’s wearing a chocolate mustache. “Not that I don’t love spending time with Chad, but just the two of us sounds nice.”
A smile blooms across her face, radiant and beautiful. “Just the two of us would be really nice,” she says, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
I grin, feeling like I could float away on the sheer happiness that bubbles up inside me. "Great. That's... that's fantastic. How about Saturday? Can you get work off that night at the diner? I could pick you up at six, and we could go to Casa Ramirez?"
“I would love that,” Molly says, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “But how about tomorrow night? I’m on the day shift tomorrow, and I’m sure Saturday will be a busy day on the farm.”
“That works too,” I grin. The sooner the better for me.
“And I don’t work Saturday, so Chad and I can help all day at the farm, if you want us to.”
“Yes, please.” I squeeze her fingers. “I can’t think of anything better.”
We stand there for a moment longer, our hands still clasped together, the rest of the world fading away until there is nothing but the three of us, the snowflakes swirling around us like a benediction.
As I look into Molly's eyes, as I see the hope and the promise and the sheer, unbridled potential shining back at me, and I think Chad is right—this is going to be the best Christmas ever.