Mindi
The entire town gathered at the Gazebo for carols, hot chocolate, and sweet treats. Some kids continued skating while others gathered for the tree lighting. The entire crowd erupted in applause as I plugged the lights in and flipped the switch. Soon everyone was singing carols around the tree.
“Well, that was another successful event,” I said, grabbing another cookie from the basket Sarah was holding as the crowd dispersed.
“Sure was, and we are out of hot chocolate again,” Brooke sang as Trinity and Thomas came over and stood with us. “Pretty much perfect timing.”
“How did donations go?” I questioned them both, nodding toward Sarah for them to remember not to say too much.
“Box was overflowing at my table,” Trinity added. “Thomas put the box in the car just before we came over.”
“Yeah, I’ll bring it over to the center in the morning.”
“Perfect. I should be there around noon to get ready for our gingerbread house decorating day.” I smiled.
“Tristan ran the one that was here at home as well. It was full as well He will pop by tomorrow afternoon,”
Sarah smiled up at me. “Who were we collecting for this year? I missed it, but I have a few things that I could donate. I’ve outgrown some of my toys and some clothes, plus when the time comes to leave, I won’t be able to take much with me other than a couple of items.”
My heart almost ripped in two as I looked down at her. I couldn’t tell her she was the recipient, but I also couldn’t turn away her donation. She’d always donated something to the drive.
“I didn’t have time to get them, but I will, I promise. I’ll bring them to the community center tomorrow for craft day, if that is okay? I want someone to remember me here once I leave.”
I glanced over at the gang and then at Noah as I tried to contain my tears. I’d worried about what harm telling Sarah she’d be going into foster care would do. I had at least allowed her time to process the loss of her parents before I explained to her what would happen when the time came.
“Yes, bring it with you. We are donating to a few families this year,” I said, swallowing hard. “And you’ll always be remembered here.” I smiled softly as I placed my hand on top of her head.
“Ready to go, Sarah?” Gracie asked, coming over to the table.
Sarah looked up at me and held out the basket, which I took as I smiled at her. “Can I go?”
“Of course, we will be over in a minute,” I said, as she wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me.
We all watched her and Gracie walk across the park to the gazebo in silence.
“Have you thought about putting in an adoption application?” Trinity questioned quietly.
I nodded. “I have, but I already know that they won’t even consider me. Single mom. I’ve seen this before; they want a family situation for a child like Sarah.”
“No harm in trying though,” Thomas added. “Never know what they will decide. Maybe if they see how happy she is with you, it may tip the scales in your favor.”
I nodded, knowing full well he was right, but I didn’t want to get my hopes up.
“It’s all about finding the most stable location for her,” Noah said. “If you are the one providing that, then the power lies with you. They may watch to see how things go with you before they decide. It’s worth it to put an application in.” Noah placed his hand on my back.
“What do you say we all head back over to the diner after the carols and have some coffee and cake?” Peggy asked, coming up beside me, Ethan and Noah behind her.
“I’m down for that,” Noah agreed. “Do you have any of that double fudge cake, Brooke?”
“I think I can find one somewhere over there.” She giggled.
“Perfect, what do you say, Mindi, want to join me?” Noah asked.
It sounded wonderful, but I was tired and feeling a little down, especially after seeing how sad Sarah was. I hated that she’d be leaving the only home she’d ever known.
“I’d love to, but I think after we do the carols, I’m going to head home and get Sarah tucked into bed,” I answered. “I’m tired, and I have to be up early to go over the receipts from the tree farm before I open up tomorrow morning. Otherwise, it’s going to get out of hand.”
“Oh, okay then.”
“You’ll still join us though, right, Noah?” Ethan asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” he said, grabbing the large pot Brooke had used to put the hot chocolate in.
Sarah and I meandered through the park, admiring the lights as we made our way to the car. I felt so empty inside for most of the night. There were so many things I was facing at the moment, and I didn’t have a clue how I was supposed to feel about any of them.
Sarah climbed into the front seat of my car, while I pulled the snow brush from the back seat and cleared the windows, then threw it back inside, hoping into the front seat.
I shoved the key into the ignition and turned it, my car making a funny sputtering sound.
I tried it again, and once again, the same thing happened.
“That doesn’t sound very good,” Sarah said, looking over at me.
“No, it doesn’t,” I said, once again trying to start the car only to have the same thing happen.
I closed my eyes. The last thing I needed on top of saving for the repairs on the Potts tree farm truck was my car to act up. I turned the key again, listening to the same sputtering sound it had let out before.
“Oh, come on…don’t do this,” I cried, trying again, this time holding my breath as if it were going to make a difference.
When the car failed to turn over, I rested my forehead against the steering wheel and let out a small scream.
“It’s okay,” Sarah said, patting my shoulder.
“Oh, dear, I wish that were true,” I whispered as I looked over at The Crispy Biscuit. We needed a ride home, and I had no choice but to ask for one.
“Come on, put your mitts back on.” I sighed, opening the car door, waiting for Sarah to come around and join me.
“Where are we going?”
“To see if someone can give us a ride home.”
“Maybe Noah could,” she said, smiling up at me.
“I don’t think it has to be Noah. Ethan and Peggy could give us a lift.”
“No, I think Noah should. He’s nice.”
“He is nice,” I said, taking her hand in mine and smiling down.
“He’s the one from the letters, isn’t he?” she asked, looking up at me.
“How did you know that?” I questioned.
She shrugged. “He told me he used to date you.”
“He did, did he? When did he tell you that?”
“Yesterday, when we were decorating the cookies. He also told me he thinks you’re pretty.”
“What else did the two of you talk about?” I questioned as we made our way down the street.
“My mom and dad. He told me he knew them. He’s really easy to talk to, just like you.”
“Let’s go,” I said, taking her hand as we crossed the street.
“I saw you guys skating in the park.”
“Yes, we used to skate when we were younger.”
“Do you think the two of you might date?”
“Oh, Sarah, where are these questions coming from?”
Sarah shrugged. “I don’t know; you just seemed happy tonight.”
“You know me; I love this time of year, and I’m always happy.”
“That is true,” Sarah said, picking up the pace to catch up to me, as we stopped in front of The Crispy Biscuit and pulled the door open to be greeted by laughter.
I stepped inside to see Noah look over at me.
“Mindi, what is it?” he questioned, getting up from the table as the rest of my friends went on talking and laughing.
“My car won’t start,” I said, letting out a sigh.
“Need a ride?” he questioned.
Before I could say anything, Sarah answered for us.
“Can you drive us home?”
Noah looked at me and smiled.
“It doesn’t have to be you,” I said, bumping Sarah’s shoulder.
Noah looked down at Sarah and winked. “If you need a ride, I don’t mind.”
I glanced out the window and over at my car and then looked back at Noah. “You sure you don’t mind?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, I don’t mind. Why don’t you come sit for a bit, have a coffee and some cake. We will get going shortly.”
“We really should—”
“Yay! Coffee and cake!” Sarah shouted, running on over to the table where everyone was sitting.
“Come on,” he urged.
I smiled softly as he gently guided us over to the table where Trinity immediately made room for us both to sit down, and Brooke grabbed a mug full of coffee and placed it down in front of me while grabbing a hot cider for Sarah.
I hadn’t planned on being so late, but conversation with good friends goes that way. It was almost midnight when Noah pulled into the driveway and drove down to the house, where he stopped his truck.
“Thanks,” I said, looking over at him.
“My pleasure. Looks like the little lady is sound asleep.”
I glanced over my shoulder into the backseat to see Sarah lying across the backseat, asleep.
“Didn’t she tell us she wasn’t tired when we left?” I giggled.
“She did. Did you want some help to get her inside?”
I let out a sigh. Sarah was very close to my full height for being twelve, and I knew there was no way I’d be able to pick her up.
“Do you mind?” I questioned.
Noah shook his head and cut the engine of his truck, then climbed out of the front seat while I gathered my things and dug for my keys. He followed me up the front steps, Sarah in his arms while I opened the door.
I shut the door behind him and led the way down to Sarah’s room, where he placed her down on the bed.
“Give me a couple of minutes,” I said gently, removing her coat.
Once I’d gotten her coat and hat off, I covered her up and then made my way into the living room, where I found Noah standing looking around the room.
“You still have the stand?”
“Sure do. Still working the trees too.”
“I know; I got a flyer. It was nice to see your dad actually made this work. How are your parents?”
“Mom passed away four years ago, and Dad sadly went just before Christmas the year before last.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“I know. What about yours?”
“Mom passed a few years back, and Dad is out at that retirement community. He has dementia. The last time I was out there he didn’t remember me.”
“Oh, Noah, I’m sorry to hear that.”
Noah nodded, looking around the house. “It still looks the same,” he said as I stood beside him.
“What does?”
“This house, your old room,” he said, turning to face me. “It brings back all these memories.”
“I know. Not much changes around here.” I smiled.
“Some things do, but not much,” Noah said, meeting my eyes. Even with that long-lost look in them, they were still gorgeous. It was all I could do to tear mine away from his.
“It’s late. I have to be up early to go over the sales from the trees today.”
“Yeah, gosh, I should get going. About the car—”
“Don’t worry about it, I’ll get out to town later tomorrow and get it looked after.”
“You’re sure? I can always meet you and take a look at it.”
“I’m sure. No worries. Have a good night.”
“So you know, I had a fantastic time tonight,” he whispered, placing his hand on the small of my back.
“So did I. It was like old times.”
Noah stepped out the front door and turned to look at me.
As our eyes met, it felt as if everything fell away.
We stood there, staring into one another’s eyes, and slowly we moved toward one another until our lips touched.
It felt like I’d been holding my breath forever, but when his lips finally met mine, my soul quieted.
The upset, the pain, the wondering all finally quieted as he kissed me.
The moment our lips parted, the silence went away and things got loud again.
He looked at me, and I at him. I knew full well what that kiss meant, and in those moments, I felt the walls I’d built up come crashing down.
No one had kissed me that way but him. My heart still belonged to him, which made me question if it hadn’t always.
“Good night,” I whispered.
“Night.”
I watched him walk down my front porch steps and climb into his truck. Once he drove away, I went back inside and shut the door.