Chapter 20
twenty
The coffee shop was busier than Malcolm had expected, as he’d thought other people would be busily getting ready for Christmas.
But maybe that was for the older generation, like his parents, since most of the customers in here appeared to be more of his age group.
He wondered if they all lived here in town or were visiting their folks for the holidays.
And he wondered if he could really fit back into small-town culture like he’d just assured Doc Wheeler he was ready to do.
Admittedly, his reentry back into the home front would be much smoother with the right woman by his side.
But was the right woman ready for that? And was Olivia really the right woman?
Most of the time he believed she was, he wanted her to be, but sometimes her uptight mother was unsettling.
And what if Olivia wasn’t interested in living in her hometown?
After all, she had her life in the city.
And sometimes she seemed perfectly happy there.
Maybe he was moving too fast. Maybe giving up the security of his demanding job at the city clinic was like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
After all, Doc Wheeler’s goal was retirement.
What if Malcolm wasn’t ready to carry the workload that came with running his own practice?
But he shoved all those troublesome thoughts aside as Olivia walked in the door.
As usual, she looked fresh and pretty with her auburn hair partly tucked under a dark knitted cap dusted with snow, the rest curling around her cold flushed cheeks.
Her eyes lit up when she spotted him. He pointed to the coffee mug next to him, and she broke into a grateful smile to see he’d already ordered for her.
She peeled off her parka and sat down with what sounded like a happy sigh.
“Having a good day?” he asked.
“Surprisingly.” She told him about her mom’s early Christmas gifts and how she’d seemed genuinely changed or at least changing.
“It felt nothing short of miraculous. Especially since she’d been threatening to lock herself in her room until Christmas was over.
And considering her bad attitude, I don’t think anyone would’ve minded.
Well, other than Dad. It’s so sweet. I mean, I can tell he really loves her despite, well, everything.
” She paused to pick up her latte, smiling at the heart cut into the foam, then took a sip.
“That’s good to hear. Amazing, really. Do you think that intervention had anything to do with it?”
“Maybe partly. But I honestly think it was your mom’s kindness with the wig and haircut and everything.
And Grandma’s help too. It’s like they were speaking her love language.
They got through to her, made her feel understood.
” She shrugged. “Of course, it might all wear off. No telling with my mom. But it did feel like progress. Just the same, I plan to urge her to see Pastor Justin’s counselor friend after the new year. ”
“Couldn’t hurt. Speaking of Pastor Justin, do you want to go to the early candlelight service with me? That’s what my family is doing. It starts in about forty minutes.”
She nodded eagerly. “I’d love to. Thanks.” She glanced around. “Where’s Sadie? I thought you might have her with you.”
“It’s pretty cold out for her. I took her for a little walk right before I came here.
And she loved the snow. You should’ve seen her biting at it, rolling in it.
I wish I’d taken a video. But by the time we got home, she was so worn out.
So I just dried her off, fed her, and put her in her crate for a long winter nap. ”
“Oh, I wish I’d seen her in the snow. She’s such a sweetie. I missed her today.”
“You really do like her, don’t you?”
“Of course. I love her. She’s a darling.
” Olivia looked like she wanted to say something more, but she suddenly seemed a bit shy as she looked down, fiddling with her napkin.
Then she looked up, locking eyes with him.
“You said you wanted to meet me here for a special reason . . . and, okay, I’m dying of curiosity. What’s up?”
“Two special reasons.” He told her about Doc Wheeler’s job offer.
“That’s wonderful, Malcolm! Although I’m not the least bit surprised. Of course, he wants you. Why wouldn’t he? But congratulations. That’s great. I mean, I assume you accepted it?”
He nodded. “I said yes, but to be honest, I’m still playing the pros and cons in my head. But the pros seem to be way ahead.”
“Good for you.” She bit her lower lip then smiled. “I’m really happy for you.”
For a long moment, they both just sat there sipping their coffee, while all around them were voices and laughter and jazzy Christmas music . . . until finally Olivia spoke.
“You said two reasons. What’s the other?”
He reached for the shopping bag sitting on the floor next to him and held it up.
“This isn’t really from Emilia’s,” he explained.
“I just begged a bag from my mom. You know how she saves everything.” He laughed.
“Anyway, it’s something I, uh, I made for you.
I didn’t want it to wait for Christmas. Because, well, I thought you could use it beforehand. Maybe.” He handed it to her.
“It’s heavy.” She tested the twine handles. “Do I get to open it now?”
“Of course.” He watched as she pulled out the sturdy cardboard box, also scavenged from his mom, but just right for the nativity set. He held his breath as she lifted the lid, pulled back some white tissue paper, and removed a carved piece. A shepherd.
“Oh, Malcolm.” She looked at him with wide eyes. “Seriously? You made this?”
He nodded, smiling uncontrollably. “It’s what I’ve been doing over at my parents’ house. Dad helped me with a few things. But I mostly made it. I remember you telling me about the plastic set you had, and how your mom got rid of it. So I thought you needed a new one.”
She was eagerly removing more pieces, setting them on the bistro table one by one. “I can’t believe you made these. So creative.”
“Well, the style is kind of rustic. But that’s on purpose. I thought it was fitting.”
“It’s absolutely perfect, Malcolm. I totally love it.
Thank you so much.” She got up from her chair to hug him, kissing him solidly on the cheek.
“I really love, love, love it.” And now she grabbed his chin and planted a big kiss right on his lips.
“Thank you.” She stepped back, looking slightly embarrassed to have done that in public. “I hope that was okay.”
He grinned. “It was better than okay.”
A few curious onlookers approached their table to admire the nativity set, asking where they’d gotten it, and Olivia proudly explained Malcolm had made it. But when they asked if they could order more sets, he explained this one was one of a kind.
“A labor of love,” he told a woman balancing a toddler on her hip.
The woman turned to Olivia. “You’re one lucky girl.”
“I know.” Olivia beamed at Malcolm.
By the time Olivia had admired every piece in the set and packed them neatly away and they’d finished their coffees, it was time to head over to church.
He carried her shopping bag in one hand, and in the other hand he held onto hers.
And as they walked the short distance through town, he could imagine a small-town life like this .
. . with a woman like this. And with the glowing streetlamps and strings of Christmas lights reflected on the shiny surface of snow, he felt this evening was truly magical.
With Olivia by his side and the hope of more sweet kisses to come, well, despite their slightly bumpy start, this was promising to be a very good Christmas.