Chapter 15
fifteen
Later that afternoon, and after riding the train back to Evergreen Lake, I took the opportunity to visit the festival down by the lake and stop at some vendors. Sleigh bells, and the clip clopping of horse’s hooves could be heard along with the sounds of carolers.
The town was busy, and the snow was still falling. Although it hadn't gotten worse, it was steady and sticking. It certainly did add to the festive atmosphere and I embraced the lovely feeling of Christmas.
You know that very special emotion that filled you inside when you were a kid and waiting for Santa to come? It was an indescribable feeling, and as I grew up, it slipped away.
When it showed up now, as I walked around the town, I smiled, happiness and joy filling me. This was the Christmas magic I loved and it was the first time I’d felt it in ages.
My phone buzzed and I pulled it out of my pocket.
Are you back from the train? Want to meet for coffee? I hear Hanson's has made some delicious apple fritters.
Ooh, yes! I'll meet you there in ten minutes. I'm over at the festival grounds.
I was beginning to get chilly and a warm up with coffee and a donut would be perfect. To think I'd been outside most of the day and only now was feeling the cold was rather incredible. It didn't take long to get to Hanson’s and the antique bell on the door jingled when I pushed it open.
As usual the store was busy and I weaved my way between the shoppers to the cafe. Paulie had a table and I pointed to the counter. She’d bought the coffee this morning. I owed her and ordered our usual, plus two apple fritters.
I took the tray and put it down on the table beside the window, pulling off my gloves while I sat.
"This is a great idea. I need a bit of a warm-up." I put my gloves in my pocket and unzipped my jacket. Which totally threw me back to yesterday when Amos had done the same.
“I've been out and about a bit too. Just making sure everything's going to plan. Would you look at those beauties! And drizzled with caramel sauce too!"
"To die for, aren’t they?” I pulled a piece of the apple fritter off and popped it in my mouth.
"Yep. They’ll sell out too. I didn't take the train today though, maybe I'll do it tomorrow. Did you?" She also took a bite of her fritter. "Man, these are so good." She talked around the piece in her mouth.
"I know. I don't know what they do, but there must be some kind of Christmas crack added to the batter."
We were quiet for a few minutes as we noshed on our treats.
"So, did you?" she asked again.
"Did I what?" She’d lost me.
"Ride the train?"
"Oh, yes. I did. I took the morning train and then I spent most of the afternoon wandering around town taking photos and notes for our debrief and the report I have to prepare in the new year."
The coffee was exactly what I needed. Not fussy with foam or flavors, just good solid, dark roasted coffee with lots of cream. Yum.
"And, how was it? Why is it like pulling teeth to get you to talk this afternoon? This isn't like you."
I looked at her and shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know. I don't feel like I'm not being myself."
Paulie narrowed her eyes and watched me. She didn't say anything. She just gave me this weird look.
"Stop it. You're creeping me out," I told her.
"I'm doing no such thing. I'm just trying to figure out why you're so reserved."
Again we went quiet and munched our pastries.
Was I being weird? I didn't think I was. "Maybe I am a bit off, but I'm not sure why."
"OK, never mind. It's no big deal. So how was the train? Was it everything you hoped for?"
"It absolutely was. You should've come! The conductor, good old Daniel Butler, was completely decked out in a historical costume. He had the whistle, the hat, the vest, and completely immersed himself in the role. He even yelled all aboard at the top of his lungs." I laughed and Paulie joined in.
"Was it busy? Did a lot of people come?"
"It was packed. I was actually a little surprised to see so many people out at 9 o'clock in the morning. Whole families were waiting for the train. And you should've seen it inside! It was beautifully restored and decorated with cedar garland draped along the windows, a Christmas tree as well.
"It sounds fantastic. Good job," she told me.
"You know I can't take all the credit. Many people helped pull this together." I would definitely include it in my report. “The town and the volunteers really rallied and stepped up to the plate. It wouldn't have happened without them.”
"True enough. But, I'm not sure anyone else could've pulled it off. You have a unique talent that brings people together with excitement for the project. I admire that."
"Oh, go on. We still have until Christmas Eve to make sure everything goes without a hitch, as well as the New Year's event." I looked out the window. The snow had stopped a little bit and the sky seemed to brighten a little, then darkened again with flurries. There’d be no sun today.
"Don't worry, it won't stay. It's just giving a little dusting so that we have some atmosphere." Paulie assured me.
"I hope you're right. It was so pretty when we got off the train. One kid was saying it was Christmas snow, and the walk from the farm platform to the bonfire was magical. Here, take a look at the photos." I put my phone on the table and opened my screen. "Scroll through and you'll see what I mean."
She did, and I craned my neck to look at them as well.
"These are great. And I see what you mean about the decorations and the snow. Oh! There's Amos." She glanced at me quickly and waggled her eyebrows. I shook my head and turned to watch the snow fall.
"These are really nice photos. I'm glad you took them. Did you talk to Amos?"
She pushed my phone across the table to me. I nodded. "Yes, we talked."
Paulie let out a big sigh. "OK, so you talked to him. Tell me how it went. Did he say anything about the newspaper? Oh I bet he was just as shocked as you were.”
"No, it never came up and I didn't want to bring it up. We talked for a couple of minutes and he made me a hot chocolate. I burnt my lip because it was so hot and then he added cream to cool it down. Then we were silent for a bit watching the families have fun." I grew thoughtful, thinking about our conversation, and looking back on it, it did get a bit personal with an undercurrent of emotion.
"I wish I had come.” She paused. “Are you're holding something back?"
I felt a flash of anger, and I had to bite it back so I didn’t snap at her. "I'm not. I just told you what happened. Nothing more than that."
"Fine. Are you gonna hang around anymore or head home?" She placed her mug on top of the plate and stuffed her napkin in the cup.
"I think go home. I'm tired because I got woken up very early this morning." I smiled at her and shook my head.
"You've always been a sleepyhead." She returned the smile and we stood.
"If you've got nothing to do and if you're not gonna hang around for the festivities, I'm gonna grab a meat pie for later. You’re welcome to come over." I walked over to the display; there wasn't a whole lot of selection.
"That would be nice--we could watch a Christmas movie," she suggested.
"I like that idea. I'll grab something for dinner. Why don't you go and get some snacks for later? We can have a girls’ night in."
"Will do. I'll meet you at the front." I pointed to a couple of sausage rolls and puff pastry, and a lovely looking beef pie. "Could I have a side of gravy as well? Do you have any fries?" I asked the girl behind the counter. I didn't know her, but she looked cute dressed up like an elf.
"Of course. Gravy and fries will be right up."
"Thank you." I went to the cashier and paid. When I turned around, I saw Sheila and her cronies at a table. She was watching me and gave me a big smile and a happy wave. I returned both.
She leaned forward and whispered to her friends. It was too noisy to hear what she was saying. The ladies glancing in my direction confirmed my suspicions--they were talking about the newspaper article.
"Here's your order," the elf told me.
I took a bag she left on the counter and she was already going off to serve another customer. I had to walk past the ladies to meet Paulie, and greeted them as I passed. "Merry Christmas." No way was I going to let them think I was intimidated by their whisperings.
"Merry Christmas, Holly," they chorused.
I kept my eyes open for any leftover newspapers, and sure enough, there were some beside the cash register at the front of the store.
Paulie nodded towards the newspapers.
I tightened my lips and shook my head. Just as I was about to leave, the cashier called me.
"Is this true? Has Amos Winter really fallen for you? Are you dating?"
I froze mid-step, then decided it wasn't worth a reply. I walked out the door, the cheery bell ringing behind me.