“Don’t give up hope yet. The island has a way of making things work out how they’re supposed to be.”
“And maybe I’m supposed to go back to Baltimore.” She stared at her coffee.
“You know what you need? A pick me up. How about meeting Julie and me for the annual Christmas caroling night? We all meet by the gazebo and sing Christmas carols. It’s a fun time and a lovely way to celebrate the season.”
“I’m afraid I wouldn’t be very good company.”
“That’s okay. Come anyway. It will lift your spirits. It’s hard to be sad and in a bad mood when you’re singing carols.”
She smiled weakly. “You’re probably right.”
“Good, then we’ll see you there at seven. Bring your best singing voice.” Tally smiled as she rose. “We’ll be expecting you.”
She was pretty sure no one ever said no to Tally. So it looked like she was going to the annual Christmas caroling night.
Evie arrived at the gathering a few minutes before seven. The gazebo was lit up with hundreds of twinkling lights, casting a magical glow around the town square. The scent of hot cocoa and freshly baked cookies wafted on the air as the townspeople gathered around, talking excitedly, waiting for the caroling to begin.
Tally waved to her, and she wove her way through the crowd to join her and Julie.
“You made it. I was afraid you’d decide not to come,” Tally said, her eyes filled with concern.
“No, you were right. It will do me good to be out. No use sitting at home and feeling sorry for myself.” She pasted on a smile.
“Tally told me what happened,” Julie said. “I’m so sorry.” She pressed a cup of hot cocoa into her hands. “Here. Take this.”
“Thank you.” She was grateful for the small kindness as she wrapped her hands around the warm cup.
The mayor interrupted their conversation when he went up to the gazebo. “Welcome, everyone. Glad to have you here. Now I’m going to turn us over to the high school music teacher and we’ll get started.”
As her gaze roamed over the crowd, she spied Randy on the other side of the gazebo, his familiar silhouette illuminated by the twinkle lights. She only allowed herself a moment to drink in the sight of him, then turned away.
The crowd started to sing “Silent Night,” and she joined in. But the words caught in her throat as she remembered coming here so many times with Nana and knowing this was the lastcaroling night she’d go to. Her gaze kept drifting back toward Randy, who steadfastly ignored her, his jaw set in a tense line.
Tally nudged her. “Aren’t those wreaths pretty on the gazebo? I swear, each year we get more and more decorations up here in the square.”
“They are very pretty,” she answered automatically.
Just then, the children’s choir tramped up to the gazebo to sing Jingle Bells. The cheerful tune and the animated faces of the children did lift her spirits slightly. But when they finished and rushed back to their parents, the reality of her situation came crashing back.
“I’m a bit tired. I think I’ll head out now,” she whispered to Tally.
Tally just nodded with knowing eyes.
Evie lingered at the edge of the gathering, watching families and friends embracing the holiday spirit. The joyous atmosphere only heightened her sense of isolation. Children laughed as they chased each other around the gazebo, their parents chatting happily nearby. Couples held hands, sharing warm glances as they sipped their cocoa.
She felt like an outsider looking in, no longer part of the community she’d briefly allowed herself to imagine joining. The realization stung, reminding her of all she was about to lose.
With a final glance at Randy, who was now engrossed in conversation with other islanders, she slipped away from the square. She moved quietly, not wanting to draw attention to her departure. As much as she appreciated Tally’s efforts to include her, the gathering had only proven how alone she truly was.
As she walked home alone, she passed houses adorned with twinkling lights and Christmas decorations, each display a bittersweet reminder of the life she was about to leave behind. The elaborate Santa and reindeer scene on the roof of the yellow house on the corner, the beautifully lit nativity in front of thewhite house with the cute picket fence, and old Mrs. Peterson’s simple but elegant wreath—all sights she’d grown to love during her time on the island.
She remembered helping her grandmother put up similar decorations when she was young, the excitement she’d felt as a child seeing the island transform into a winter wonderland—albeit a warm, sandy winter wonderland. Now, those memories served as a painful reminder of all she was losing—not just her grandmother’s cottage, but the chance to build a life here, to create new traditions and memories.
The walk seemed longer than usual, each step taking her further from the warmth of the community gathering and closer to the reality of her situation. The sound of carols faded behind her, replaced by the gentle lapping of waves against the shore and the distant cry of seagulls. The sounds that had become comforting to her over the past weeks but now seemed to echo her loneliness.
Reaching her grandmother’s cottage, she paused on the porch, surveying the holiday decorations she’d put up. They’d all have to come down now. The cheerful glow from the lights did little to chase away the heaviness in her heart as she unlocked the door to what would soon no longer be her home.
CHAPTER 18
