Chapter 19
CHAPTER 19
PENELOPE
I awaken to the sound of the griddle being half-dropped onto the countertop. It’s another day closer to Christmas, as Noelle reminds me when I join them in the kitchen.
Grandpa’s flipping pancakes while Noelle sets the table. The scene is so domestic, so full of warmth and love, that I feel my heart swell. I’m truly blessed to have these two in my life.
“Good morning, family,” I say, dropping a kiss on Noelle’s head and giving Grandpa a quick hug.
“Mamma!” Noelle exclaims. “Grandpa’s making Christmas tree pancakes!”
Sure enough, the pancakes on the griddle are indeed shaped like little trees, and the batter is dyed green. “Those are just one of his specialties.” I grin at him. The little things he does to brighten our days are precious.
“I’m just getting into the spirit,” he says innocently .
As we sit down to breakfast, Noelle is practically vibrating with excitement about going to pick out a Christmas tree.
“Can we go right after breakfast?” she asks, her mouth full of syrupy pancakes.
I laugh, shaking my head. “Sorry, sweetie. I have to go to work first, and you have to go to school. But how about we go this evening? We can pick out the tree and then decorate it together.”
Noelle considers this for a moment, then nods enthusiastically. “Okay! Can we get lights for it too? And ornaments? And tinsel?”
“Whoa there,” I chuckle. “Let’s start with the tree and see what decorations we already have. We can always get more if we need to.” I’m once again grateful for my promotion, which provides for the fun things in life as well as the necessities. I haven’t told Grandpa, but I’ve been supplementing some of the bakery’s bills. I won’t unless I have to.
Noelle blows me a kiss. “Have a good day.”
As I gather my things to leave for work, I find myself humming “Jingle Bells” under my breath.
Just before I walk out the door, I pause, my hand on the doorknob. “Grandpa?” I call out. “Do you think you could dig out the Christmas decorations from the attic today? Just so we’re ready for tonight?”
The look of joy on his face is answer enough. “You bet, sweetpea,” he says. “We’ll have everything ready for you when you get home.”
I leave, my steps hurried. The closer I get to the Kringle house, the more it feels like I’m walking on a sheet of ice and not making any progress. The house looks the same as it always has—a charming Cape Cod style painted a cheerful robin’s egg blue. But now, there’s smoke curling from the chimney.
Someone is definitely there.
I’m staring and staring without really seeing the house. I just can’t believe . . .
Movement captures my attention, and I suck in a breath.
Nick Kringle is standing on the front porch, a steaming mug in his hand, looking out at the street. He’s wearing one of his signature ugly Christmas sweaters. His wavy brown hair is slightly tousled, as if he’s just run his hand through it. I’m shocked at the sight of him. Stunned by how handsome he is. He’s filled out some in the chest and shoulders.
He’d probably make a joke about driving the sleigh being a good workout. I snort at the thought. Which was a huge mistake because he wasn’t looking my direction before, but the noise made him turn.
Our eyes meet.
For a moment, the world stops. Nick’s green eyes widen in recognition, and I see his lips form my name.
Before I can react before I can decide whether to wave or run or pretend I haven’t seen him, my phone rings. I break eye contact and fumble for my phone, answering it without looking away from Nick. “Hello?” I say, my voice sounding strangely distant to my own ears.
“Penelope? It’s Sarah. ”
I shake my head, trying to clear it. “Good morning. What’s up?” Nick Kringle’s appearance in Founder's Grove has nothing to do with me.
As Sarah fills me in on a last-minute meeting I need to attend, I force myself to start walking again. I can feel Nick’s eyes on me as I pass the house, they are the most wonderful caress and bring to mind all the ways he made me feel important to him.
My mind is reeling as I continue my walk to work. Nick is back. After three years, after everything that happened, he’s back in Founder's Grove.
What does this mean? For me, for Noelle? For Founder's Grove?
As I reach my office building, I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders. I can’t let this throw me off balance.
But I can’t shake the image of Nick standing on that porch or the jolt of... something I felt when our eyes met.
It seems the Christmas season has more surprises in store for me than I bargained for. The question is, am I ready for them?