Colin picked out a gift card and placed it on the counter.“Hey, it’s good to see you.”
She smiled back at him.“It’s good to be back.”
She rang up the gift card, and then a thought came to him: Felicity used to be one of Holly’s good friends.Back in those days, the Bishop house was always full of kids hanging out.And his parents loved it.
After he’d paid for the gift card, he asked, “Would you like to sign a Christmas card for Holly Berry?I know she’s one of your friends and well, this is her first Christmas without her grandmother, and I want her to know that there’s a whole town that has her back.”
“Oh sure.I’d be happy to sign it.”
He pulled it out and placed it on the counter.“And if you could let your friends know, I’m heading to Kringle Cup Café with it for an hour or two.”
“I’d be happy to do that.”She reached for a pen.“What a thoughtful idea.”
After she signed the card, Connie Carmichael, the owner of Jingle Books, signed it as well.And then he headed for the Kringle Cup Café.It was the most popular spot in town.
He didn’t have to do anything but talk to the people as they lined up to sign the card.Once people signed it, they would message other people to stop by and sign it.In the end, the whole inside and back of the card were filled with heartwarming notes for Holly.
He hoped the card would show her that just because Roger and Billie Jean were her blood, it didn’t make them her family.But the people signing the card, they would be there for her.They would be her family by choice.
And he would be there for her—if she’d let him.
With the card signed, he stopped at his house to wrap the ornament.Then he headed to Holly’s apartment.He hoped she liked what he’d gotten her.
He had one more thing for her—his love.He was going to tell her he loved her.His stomach knotted up.He didn’t know how she’d react.He would take his chances.She was worth it.
But when he got to her apartment, she wasn’t home.
It had to be special.
Holly wanted a Christmas gift to show Colin that she was sorry for shoving him away.She wanted him to know that he was special to her—very special.
After closing the shop early, she’d tramped through the stores for a couple of hours.At one point, she’d spotted Colin but he hadn’t seen her.She’d ducked out of sight.She wasn’t ready to see him, not yet.
She’d browsed through the men’s store, but a sweater didn’t say special to her, nor did a hat or a shirt.She’d even made her way through the candy shop.Of course, there were a lot of temptations from peanut butter cups to watermelon drops.And yet as delicious as the choices were, they still weren’t what she was searching for.
After leaving the candy shop, she walked along the sidewalk with no particular destination in mind.The snow began to fall, putting a light layer on the ground.It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas.
When she looked up, she saw Mr.Price heading toward her.A smile immediately pulled at her lips.
As they neared each other, she said, “Merry Christmas.Thank you again for coming back to town and helping me deal with Roger and Billie Jean.”
“I take it they haven’t bothered you?”
“No, they haven’t.I’m so glad you got my message.”
His bushy brows rose.“Your message?I didn’t get a message from you.”
“Then how did you know I needed your help?”
“He didn’t tell you?”When she shook her head, Mr.Price said, “Colin called me and explained the situation.”
“Wait.Colin called you?About me?”
He nodded.“Yes, he did.You have a great guy there.”
She smiled and nodded.But he wasn’t hers.The thought panged her heart.“He is the best.”
After they wished each other a good holiday, she continued walking until she reached the card shop.She meandered around, looking at the ornaments, the Christmas decorations, and the cards.She made her way to the back of the store.
