Would we have married?Had children?Moved to another part of the world?Would I have left Willow Valley?All these unanswered questions were driving me crazy.Yet they’d have to remain that way, I thought to myself.There was no way I would ever know the answers to them, I thought to myself as I gathered the letters and wrapped them with the elastic.I placed them in the box and shoved it off to the side.
I looked over at my laptop and, without another thought, grabbed my computer.I opened Facebook, typed in his name, and without hesitation clicked on the only name that came up.Shock rolled through me when I saw his picture.He was alive.The profile was brand new, but there was no doubt it was him.I hit the message button and began typing, and once I finished, I didn’t hesitate.I simply hit send.I then got up off the floor, picked up Sparkles, and headed down the hall to my bedroom.
Morning had come faster than I’d expected, and I’d been dragging myself around ever since.I’d checked my messages a few times already this morning, each time disappointment flooding me at the fact that Noah hadn’t even seen the message.
Willow Valley was bustling with shoppers this morning.The shop owners were decorating their windows for their holiday displays, and the town was busy decorating all the light posts.I climbed out of the car and let out a yawn.I needed a coffee before I went to the community center.I crossed the street and pushed the door of The Crispy Biscuit open and walked in, shocked to find the place empty.
“Oh, hey, Mindi,” I heard Brooke say, and saw a hand waving at me from behind the counter.
“Hey, Brooke, what’s going on?Where is everyone?”I questioned.“I don’t recall ever seeing this place empty.
“Oh, it’s been a morning, let me tell you.One of the large walk-in refrigerators went in the back, so we had to call in a repairman.However, that also meant that all our baking supplies that were in there spoiled overnight.Tristan has gone into Cedar Landing with Melinda to pick up some things from our supplier.”
“Oh, Brooke, I’m so sorry to hear.”
“It’s okay.Part of owning a business, I guess.Anyway, I have Jack in the back fixing the fridge.I was just going to close the place for the day but figured I could at least do coffee and whatever baked goods I had left over from yesterday.Thankfully, I had all the baking crate orders completed and wrapped up last night, but I’ve had to put a delay on the ones that came in today.I’m so glad my customers can understand.”
“Well, I am thankful for that too, and I’m thankful you are open for coffee because I need one.”I giggled.“And with my coffee, I think I’ll take one of those croissants.Oh wait, maybe one of those double fudge cookies.”
“How about both?I’ll give them to you at fifty percent off.”
“You don’t need to twist my arm.”I giggled.
Brooke laughed as she grabbed a plate.“You know, I think I might sit down and join you.”
“I’d love that,” I said, removing my coat and hat, moving over to one of the large booths in the store’s front window.“Getting ready to do your holiday display?”I questioned.
“Sure am.Tristan hired a local artist as a surprise.They are coming this week to get things started,” Brooke said as she slid in across from me after placing a tray down on the table.We each grabbed a croissant and a cookie and a cup of coffee.
“So what’s new?”she questioned.
“Not much.I have been busy planning the meal out for the community center for Christmas, so I should have my order to you by the end of this week.I have also been working on the list of things I was thinking we could get for Sarah.I want to make sure we are collecting during the winter festival.”
Brooke nodded in agreement.“I couldn’t agree more, and you know Tristan and I will have a table there with hot chocolate and goodies.We are always happy to accept donations that night.We could even place a box for gift items as well, in case people want to drop things off.I know Trinity is also happy to help.She was going through some books at the shop, figuring out what she could donate, and she mentioned collecting donations at her table as well.”
“Amazing, you two are too good to me,” I said, smiling.
“You do a lot for this community, Mindi.Besides, we’re always thrilled to lend a hand, no questions asked.Sometimes, we wish we could do more.”
“I know you never say no when asked anything, and I thank you for that,” I said, taking a sip of my coffee.“I just wish we could find Sarah a family for Christmas.That way she won’t have to move to the center after the holidays.”
Brooke brought her hand to her chest.“Me too.It’s so devastating.I can’t imagine what that will do to her.She’s been with you for over a year.”
“Me either.Willow Valley is the only home she’s ever known.Breaks my heart.”
“Well, you know, I always say Christmas is a magical time here in Willow Valley.Maybe the magic of the season will grant her a new family.Never say never.”
“I hope you are right,” I said, giving half a smile.“I wish I could take her in, but they have made it clear they are looking for a home with two parents,” I said, letting out a sigh.“I don’t suppose you and Tristan are…”
“We’ve talked about trying again, but we think we are just going to hold off,” she said, her expression growing serious.
Brooke and Tristan had been trying to get pregnant, but hadn’t been lucky, and they’d begun looking at adopting, but the last two opportunities they’d been given had fallen through at the last minute.She’d mentioned to me more times than not that they were both feeling like maybe a child wasn’t in the cards for them.
We both grew quiet, and I looked out the front window to see some crews from the Willow Valley Town Hall putting up the Christmas lights for the festival.
“Soon the town will become a twinkling wonderland,” I said, nodding to the men across the street.
“I can’t wait, to be honest.I always love looking out at those lights and the displays.Seeing the park filled with kids and people taking part in winter activities has always been one of my favorite parts of the season.”
