Over the window hung a red awning trimmed in gold. Though the shop was several years old, the canopy looked brand new–especially compared to others on the street.
Gold lettering proclaimed the store’s name in an old-time font–the kind Santa would sign his name in at the bottom of a return letter–if Santa ever wrote back. He hadn’t responded to her inquiries over the years.
She found a spot in front of Burn’s Book Store, downloaded the app to pay the meter, did so, and then finally made her way along the snow-dusted sidewalk. The mountain air was crisp and thin, pinching her cheeks and making them glow red. Her sandy blonde hair lifted in the breeze. She tucked the collar of her Sandra Spanish merino shearling sheepskin coat with Toscana trim around her neck to ward off the chill. The black fur was soft against her skin, and she snuggled deeper.
Stopping at the door to the shop, she stepped back to take in the front of the building. Up close, the tree in the window was visible, the white lights glowing dimly in the sunshine. It was fun that they were on, though. An old-fashioned TV set, transformed into a winter carnival scene, provided movement as snow continually swirled over the heads of the tiny hot chocolate vendor and ice skaters inside. How cute. She wondered how long it took to put one of those together and debated taking on the project herself.
A slight movement drew her eye, and she startled at the sight of a little boy lying on his back under the tree, staring into the branches. He’d reached up to scratch his nose and caught her staring. His lips spread into a friendly, toothless smile.
All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teethhummed through her head and made her smile back. He motioned for her to come inside.
She glanced behind her to see if his grandmother or friend were near, but no one was there. When she looked back at him, he was kneeling pointing at her and then at the floor next to him.
“Well, that’s adorable,” she muttered. How could she resist such an exuberant invitation? She grabbed the golden scrollwork doorhandle and let herself inside.
Warm air scented like vanilla enveloped her immediately. She scarcely had a second to breathe it in before a warm, little hand clasped hers. “You have to see this,” said the toothless little boy. He dragged her to the tree and motioned for her to get down. He got onto his back and wiggled, so his head was under the branches. “Come on.”
Laughing, she crawled to join him and then turned onto her back. Looking up, the lights from the tree sparkled and danced with the sunlight filtering in through the window. She gasped. “It’s like looking into heaven.” She clutched her hands to her chest and relaxed into the moment.
Angels We Have Heard On Highpumped through a speaker somewhere in the store. Customers spoke in excited tones, their conversations muted by the music and sounds of movement. The cash register dinged in an old-fashioned way that added to the wonder of this store.
“It’s pretty, huh?” asked the boy.
A hint of pine laced through the vanilla, and she reached up to verify that the tree was real. “It’s so pretty,” she agreed in wonder.
“Collin?” called a woman.
“Oh shoot!” Her companion wiggled out with impressive speed, and Valerie was left to find her way out from under the branches. The lowest one caught her hair and pulled, no doubt ruining the sleek look she’d had before lying on the floor.
“Collin, what are you–oh!” The beautiful woman in a store apron placed a hand on Collin’s shoulder and smiled at Valerie. “Did he talk you into going under there with him?” She smiled down at the boy. “You’ve got to stop doing that.”
Collin fidgeted. “No one ever says yes, ‘cept Dad and this lady.” He pointed at Valerie as she struggled to stand.
The wooden floor was sleek and slippery under her boots, made wet from the snow, and there was nowhere to hold onto. She looked like a giraffe on ice skates and felt even more uncoordinated as the dark-haired beauty with big blue eyes watched her scramble. “Sorry. I didn’t know it was off-limits,” she apologized.
“It’s not.” The woman flapped a hand. Her ice-blue turtleneck was made of soft cashmere and the apron over the front of her had hints of the same color amidst the elves. “Don’t worry about it. I’m Charlotte–the owner of the Christmas Shop, and you’ve met Collin. What can I help you with today?”
Collin scratched his nose and grinned up at Valerie.
She smiled back at him. “I’m Valerie. I’m housesitting for the holidays, and I’m in desperate need of Christmas decorations.” Her aunt and uncle probably had a whole room stacked with boxes full of boughs of holly. But she didn’t want their decorations; she wanted her own.
For some reason, it mattered.
“That sounds fun. We should coordinate with what you already have up.” Charlotte motioned toward the store. “I’m partial to the reds and greens, but if you’re adventurous, we have pink, teal, navy… you name it.”
Collin leaned against Charlotte and tapped her belly. “Can I have a snack?”
She leaned down so they were closer in height and whispered, “My desk. Bottom drawer. Cinnamon roll.”
He nodded once; the secret received and was off. Charlotte stood back up and brushed off her hands. She caught Valerie watching the exchange. “Seriously, three doors that way on Main–youhaveto get a cinnamon roll.” She pointed to where the macaroon display had drawn Valerie’s eye.
“Consider it done.” Valerie glanced back at the tree behind her. Her heart warmed at the memory of seeing heaven. What if she lay under the tree every night? “Can I buy this display? Wait. No. I don’t want to take it from Collin.” Her shoulders fell.
Charlotte laughed. “Don’t worry. I have more.” She moved deeper into the store.
Valerie’s eyes roamed over everything from peacock-shaped tree decorations to a five-foot-tall nutcracker with bright silver buttons and cartoon eyes.
“Here we go.” Charlotte pointed to a tree display. “I highly recommend getting a real tree because nothing compares. However, if you’re housesitting, the needles might be an issue, and a fake tree is a great option.” She stepped closer. “This is the same type as the one in the window. It won’t take long to put up.”
