Her smile widened as she met his gaze, a warm feeling of success and happiness washing over her. Their mission to uncover the stories behind Nana’s Christmas box treasures was proving more successful than she’d dared hope. And she realized part of her happiness was from how much she enjoyed sharing this journey with Randy. His enthusiasm matched her own, making the research feel less like a task and more like an adventure.
“I never imagined we’d find out so much about these old keepsakes. It’s like piecing together a family puzzle.”
Randy nodded, his expression mirroring her satisfaction. “Your grandmother would be proud,” he said, his voice gentle. “We’re honoring her memory by bringing these stories to light.”
CHAPTER 9
Randy held the door open for Evie as they left the historical society. Evie was lost in thought, her expression pensive.
“That was quite the story about the town sending Warren the Christmas package after his mom died, wasn’t it?”
“It was. And I’m so glad he made it back from the war. He looked very happy in that photo with his family.”
“So far we’ve had good luck figuring out the story behind each item, haven’t we?”
“We have.” She nodded.
“You know, with all these memories we’re discovering, maybe you’d want to decorate the cottage for the holidays. It could be a nice way to honor your grandmother and the traditions she kept alive. Would you like that?”
Evie hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. “I… I don’t know. I was kind of going to ignore the whole Christmas thing this year.” She laughed softly. “But that sure isn’t working out like I planned, is it? What with the Christmas box and baking Christmas cookies.”
He grinned at her. “No, not exactly like you planned.”
They locked gazes, and for a moment he was afraid she would reject the idea.
“You know what? Yes. Let’s decorate the cottage. Nana would love that.” She frowned. “But I don’t have a tree. Nana would have nothing to do with an artificial tree. Always a real one.”
“Then let’s head to the Christmas tree lot and get you a tree.”
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Okay, let’s do it.”
Proud of himself that he’d convinced her to decorate, he took her arm and led her to the truck. Truth be told, he just couldn’t image Miss G’s cottage without holiday decorations.
He opened the truck door for her, and she climbed inside. They made their way to the local Christmas tree lot, just down the street from The Sweet Shoppe. The scent of pine and the twinkle of Christmas lights greeted them as they entered. Evie’s eyes lit up, the holiday spirit seeming to wash over her as she took in the rows of beautiful trees.
Christmas music drifted over the lot as Evie carefully looked at tree after tree. “It has to be a balsam fir. Nana says that’s the best tree and is the most aromatic.”
As they continued looking, he wondered if she would ever make up her mind. But the concentration on her features as she carefully inspected each tree amused him. It was so like Miss G when he’d taken her to pick up her tree. Must run in the family.
Finally, she came to a stop in front of a stunning balsam fir, its branches full and even, the perfect shape for decorating. She circled the tree, taking in its beauty from every angle. Then she turned to him and threw out her arm. “Ta-da. This is it. It’s perfect. Just like the ones Nana would pick out.”
“This one it is, then.” His heart warmed seeing the look of joy on her face.
They paid for the tree, and he placed it in the back of this truck for the drive back to her cottage. Once inside, Evie pointed. “It goes right by the window over there.”
He laughed. “I’m well aware of where it goes. I’ve set up Miss G’s tree for her ever since I moved next door.”
She turned to him, surprise in her eyes. “You did? I didn’t know that.”
“Yep. And helped her decorate it. She always repaid me by inviting me for a nice dinner and sending me home with leftovers and a plate of cookies. I always told her I got the better end of the arrangement.” He grinned.
“I’m glad you were here to help her with things like that.” She frowned. “I should have made time to come back here more. Nana never complained and traveled to see me. Said she knew I was busy. But… still… I wish I would have made more of an effort to come here.”
“I’m sure Miss G understood.”
“I’m sure she did. But it didn’t make it right.” She shrugged. “But she always said we end up where we’re supposed to be. I guess I was meant to live in the city.”
“Well, she’d be glad that you’re decorating the cottage now. Miss G did love the holidays.”
