Chapter 2
Chapter Two
The work day was done.
Holly yawned as she finished counting her receipts. It had been a good day—a very good day. Too bad all the days weren’t like this one.
With everything secure, all she had to do was lock the door and turn off the lights. She started toward the exit. Before she reached it, the door flung open. Felicity Wright walked in. Holly’s mouth gaped. She hadn’t seen Felicity in a long time.
Holly rushed up to her with a smile on her face. “You’re back.”
Felicity smiled and nodded. “I am. I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long. Life gets busy in New York City and time goes way too fast.”
“I totally understand.” After Gran passed, the days blurred from one into the next. “How’s life in the big city?”
“It’s okay.”
Felicity had left Kringle Falls for college and then got a job with a big publisher in New York City. Sometimes, Holly was jealous of her friend for getting out of this small town and being able to start over somewhere else. Other times, Holly couldn’t imagine living anywhere but Kringle Falls.
Holly gave her friend a quick hug. “How long are you back for?”
“I’m not sure.” When Holly sent her a curious look, Felicity said, “I mean, definitely until Christmas, but I don’t know if I’ll leave then or after the New Year.”
“Well, it’s good to have you back, even if it won’t be for long.”
Felicity looked around at the shop. “This place looks good. Your grandmother would be so proud of you.” Then Felicity got a somber look on her face. “I’m so sorry I didn’t make it back for the funeral.”
“It’s okay. I totally understand. The flowers you sent were beautiful.” When her grandmother first passed, Holly had been in such deep grief that she wouldn’t have been fit company. This was a better time for them to catch up. “I hope you’ll have some time so we can get some coffee and talk.”
Felicity nodded. “I should have some time when I’m not working at the bookshop.”
Holly’s brows rose. “You’re back there?”
Felicity glanced away. “Connie could use some help for the holidays.” There was something in her tone that seemed off, but Holly couldn’t figure out what it was. “And, uh… It’s not like I have anything else to do while I’m here.”
Another odd response. “I thought you’d be spending your time visiting with your mother. She had to have missed you a lot.”
Felicity’s gaze lowered as she nodded. “I didn’t tell her I was coming home. I thought I’d surprise her. The surprise was on me because her calendar is full between work and the holiday events. And I’ve missed working at the bookshop.”
“I bet Connie is already trying to talk you into staying on.”
Felicity shrugged as she lowered her gaze. “She hasn’t said much about it. Well, I don’t want to keep you. I just wanted to say hey.”
There was definitely something going on with Felicity, but she didn’t seem ready to discuss it. Holly understood. She hadn’t been able to discuss what happened to her grandmother for the longest time.
“I’d offer to get coffee now”—Holly thought of Merry Kringle’s request—“but there’s something I have to do.”
“I understand.” Then Felicity stepped forward and gave Holly another hug. Without another word, she headed out the door.
Holly stood there for a moment, staring at her friend’s retreating back. That was strange. What was up with Felicity?
Ding.
She reached for her phone and glanced at the new message.
Merry: See you soon! *smiley face*
Holly sighed. This was turning out to be a very odd day. Not a bad one. Still, it was like there was something in the air—and she didn’t mean snow.
But now her thoughts shifted to Merry’s unexpected invitation.
Holly couldn’t help but wonder what Merry wanted and why she hadn’t just told her while she was at the shop.
Then again, Holly recalled that their conversation had been interrupted by a customer.
That was probably why Merry had put off speaking to her.
After bundling up and turning off the lights, she headed out the door.
The snow lazily drifted downward as she pulled the key from the lock.
As soon as she turned, she realized what she’d forgotten to do—plug in the Christmas lights in the picture window.
Nearly every store and home in Kringle Falls was decorated. She had to do her part.
She unlocked the door and went back inside. She moved toward the wall and grabbed the plug. She pushed it into the socket, and the window came to life. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
Once back outside, she inspected the display. There was a four-foot Christmas tree with multi-colored lights and various soaps for decorations. Beneath the tree were assorted baskets to give the shoppers ideas of how to create their own presents for that special someone in their life.
All the customers needed to do was wrap the basket and place it under the Christmas tree. People loved them. In fact, she might put more baskets together later that evening. It was why she couldn’t spend that much time with Merry.
Although, she couldn’t deny her curiosity about what Merry wanted with her. Perhaps it had something to do with the Kringles’ annual Christmas party. It was that weekend. Holly wondered if Merry needed someone to bake some more cookies. Or maybe she needed someone to help her decorate.
Instead of turning right and heading to the entrance to her second-floor apartment, she turned to the left.
The sidewalk was illuminated by the street lamps.
There was a gentle breeze that picked up some of the fresh snow.
It rushed the snowflakes into the air, swirled them around, before they kissed the ground.
The Christmas lights were on in all of the store windows, including hers now that she’d remembered to plug in her Christmas display. She loved this time of the year. It felt like Kringle Falls was a little bit nicer and the world was a little bit more compassionate.
She said hello to friends and strangers alike. She thought of swinging by the Kringle Cup Café to get a latte, but she decided to go to Merry’s place first. She’d find out what she needed, and then she’d get her latte. It’d be an added boost to get her through that evening’s chores.
It had been a busy day that ended on a good note.
But he wasn’t done yet.
Colin Bishop walked into his backyard. In the corner of the property was a large shed that he’d converted into a makeshift barn.
It was home to Cupcake, the pig. Cupcake had been abandoned by her owners.
They hadn’t realized that “miniature” pigs when fed properly would weigh over one hundred pounds.
Cupcake had been starved because the owners had been trying to keep her small.
Cupcake didn’t live in the little barn alone. Her roommate was Jinx, the billy goat. Jinx had endured a spinal cord injury early in life. Colin had saved him from being euthanized. And now Jinx was getting used to his wheelchair.
Even though Colin lived in the borough of Kringle Falls, his backyard still resembled a small farm. Before he’d purchased the property, he’d had a conversation with the town mayor, Kris Kringle. Colin had explained how he would be taking in some animals here and there to help rehabilitate them.
Kris had praised him for his endeavor. However, it was pointed out that he couldn’t have a barn in town.
Colin gave it a little thought and came up with the idea of a shed.
Kris agreed. When Colin mentioned a large shed, Kris told him that as long as the structure was indeed a shed, he could have whatever size he wanted.
He’d known when the Anderson place came on the market that it was the perfect place for him. The big white house had red trim and was in need of some TLC. He was working on the house a little at a time. He’d spent the bulk of his time working on the yard and the shed.
He believed his calling on this earth was to help animals.
He’d never met an animal in need that he didn’t want to help.
He rehomed as many animals as possible. In the event that he couldn’t find them a proper home, he took them home with him.
At a later date, he might find a home for them.
But there were special cases such as Jinx, who would stay with him permanently.
It was dinner time for Cupcake and Jinx. He fed Jinx first, just like he always did. Cupcake had no patience at all and started fussing.
“Cupcake, calm down. I’ll be right there.”
Once he finished with Jinx, he picked up the bucket holding pig feed and chopped fresh vegetables. She loved her food. He opened her pen and found that she’d overturned her feeding trough.
With a sigh, he turned to put the feed bucket down outside the pen. No sooner had he placed the bucket on the floor than Cupcake ran up behind him. Her head hit him in the backside. He went flying forward with his arms outstretched.
He landed on the concrete floor. His head rammed into Jinx’s pen. With an ugh he sat up.
He gave his head a quick shake before looking over at Cupcake. If a pig could snicker, she was doing it. She had merriment dancing in her eyes.
And then she eyed up the bucket. He moved faster than she did. He shoved the gate shut. Cupcake let out a frustrated sigh.
He eyed her over the gate. “Are you going to behave?”
Cupcake let out a snort. He wasn’t quite sure what it meant.
“If you behave, I’ll feed you.”
Her gaze moved to the overturned trough. He took his time opening the gate again, keeping an eye on her as he moved. Cupcake stood still, as though she knew if she moved, it would be that much longer until she got to eat.
He turned over her trough. She just watched him. And then he dumped the bucket into it. He knew from past experience to move posthaste after dumping her food, or he would get mowed down. Nothing stood between Cupcake and her dinner.
At lightning speed, he stepped outside the pen.
He closed the gate and secured it. He peered over the gate and watched as Cupcake snuffled down her dinner.
A smile pulled at the corner of his lips.
Two months ago, she was emaciated, and he wasn’t sure she would make it.
Now she was beginning to put on some weight.
It was taking time, but she was beginning to look healthier.
By springtime, he hoped she’d be ready to go live on a farm.
He turned to Cupcake and Jinx. “Sorry. I have to go. I’ll check in on you guys later.”
And then he headed outside where there was a light snow falling. He had been planning to start stripping the wallpaper in the dining room, but it had waited a couple of years now. It could wait a little longer.
Right now, he had a house call to make at his brother’s place.
And that was to be followed by a stop at the pet store to see what was on Merry Kringle’s mind.
Perhaps she’d found a stray animal out in the snow.
The thought quickened his footsteps as he ran inside to collect his medical bag and be on his way.