Tidings of Joy: Based on a Hallmark Channel original movie Read online

  On the floor, the town’s most treasured holiday attraction, the snow globe, lay in a hundred messy pieces. Had the magical snow globe tradition just come to a tragic end?

  Chapter Eight

  Katie stood silently as the locals rushed to rescue the fragments of the famous snow globe from the floor of the Kringle Kitchen. Carol scurried behind the counter and came back with a box.

  Hannah’s hands shook as she picked up one of the trees.

  Carol handed the box to Joe, who began scooping the augmented fractions of the snow globe into the box. “Maybe it can be fixed.” Joe’s words were promising, but there wasn’t much hope in his tone.

  Nick walked over. “I’m partially to blame myself. I bumped into Hannah and—”

  She swallowed back a tear and shook her head. “No. I should have had a better grip on it. I’m so sorry, guys.” Her voice cracked, and tears fell to her cheeks.

  “Accidents happen.” Carol watched Joe pick up the pieces.

  “This globe has been an Evergreen tradition for years, and now—”

  Joe placed the last pieces in a box. A waitress rushed over with a mop to clean up the area and keep anyone from sliding as they came inside.

  Joe stood. “Let’s focus on having it fixed, Hannah? Okay?”

  Nick and Carol guided Hannah over to a table, trying to reassure her.

  Hannah nodded. “Do you think Elliott might be able to do something about it?”

  “It’s worth a try,” Carol said.

  Katie felt horrible for Hannah, and everyone else too. They were all genuinely upset. Anxiety filled the air. Even if that snow globe brought in a lot of customers, who else would know if they just replaced it with another one? No. Something was up with this one, which only made her curious to hear some of those stories about the wishes this particular snow globe had supposedly granted.

  Ben went over to the glass bakery case and picked out a pie for Nan.

  Katie had almost forgotten about the pie. Especially after Carol had filled them up on cookies and her famous apple dumplings. Right now, all the sweets were twisting in her gut. She could only imagine how Hannah felt.

  With the boxed pie in hand, Ben met up with her. “I guess I’d better get back to the library and check on Nan,” he said to Katie. “She’s probably already heard about what happened with the snow globe.”

  “I’ve heard word travels fast in small towns.” Which had already been proven by how fast people found out she was a writer and thinking about doing an article on the town. She hadn’t even really decided.

  “Oh, yes. News will beat you home if you’re not careful. Makes it tough when you’re a kid testing boundaries. Everyone knows everyone, and they aren’t shy about making a phone call or taking it upon themselves to set you straight.”

  She could imagine him as being one of those kids who was always into mischief. The class clown, even. That quick wit didn’t happen overnight. It wasn’t hard to picture him as a pre-teen giving his teachers a challenge. “I never had that problem living in the city.” She thought about it a second. “Then again, it might have been a good thing if I had on a couple of occasions. I got away with so much after Mom and Dad got divorced.”

  “Were you young?”

  “Twelve, I think. My older brother moved out west with my father. I stayed in New York with Mom.”

  “Must’ve been hard being separated from your brother.”

  “It was at first, but you know, you get new routines. We were at that age where we didn’t want to be around each other anymore. He was driving. After a while, you just get used to phone calls and cards to keep up. He got married last year. I talk to him more now than I ever have.”

  “I always thought it would be nice to have a brother or sister.”

  “We were really close when we were little. Yeah, if I ever have children, I’d definitely want two.” She made a goofy face. “I have no idea why I just told you that. Too much information?”

  “No. Not at all.”

  “So, tell me about you. You’re masquerading as a mild-mannered librarian, when underneath it all—the glasses and button-down shirt—you’re actually a mild-mannered reporter?”

  He rubbed the nape of his neck. He knew this would come back up. “Okay, yes, I was a journalist. But it’s not what I do now.”

  “Why not? You can’t possibly think all reporters are that bad, can you?” She noticed something that flashed across his face as he paused. “What? Too nosy?”

  “Yes.” But then he loosened up. “No. Not too nosy. Curiosity’s important. It means you’re good at your job.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Journalism was what I thought I wanted when I was younger. And I was pretty good at it. But then, I came back here to help out for a little bit and…”

  Katie waited for him to finish, but he didn’t go on. “And?”

  He shifted his weight, lowering his gaze to the ground. “The library is…sort of like my family. After my parents died, Nan raised me.” He said nothing else, but he lifted his gaze from his feet to her face as if searching for something.

  There was pain in his eyes, an emptiness that was almost tangible. “I’m sorry. Follow-up questions. Occupational hazard.” She resisted the urge to reach out and touch him.

  “Nan’s great. The best parent a kid could ask for, and as for the library, it started as a private collection from Nan’s family. It was her lifelong dream. I grew up around books, and so it’s no surprise I love them so much. Anyway, it’s a long story.”

  She’d love to sit down and hear the whole thing. “So, if I need help with town history—”

  “That would be David,” said Ben.

  That wasn’t exactly the answer she’d expected, or had wanted to hear. Had her prying questions made him want to pawn her off on David? How could a middle-schooler be the go-to on town history over a librarian?

  Ben continued with all sincerity, “That kid is the eyes and ears of this place.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” She wished she’d kept her mouth shut earlier.

  “He’s always in the library though, so, I probably will see you around.”

  Good. So, maybe he does want to see me again.

  But Ben smiled and turned away before she could get a good read on him. She watched him walk through town square all the way until he turned the corner toward the library.

  She didn’t mind getting pawned off to David for research as long as Ben was still going to be in the wings to brighten the way. She looked forward to the next excuse to go to the library and maybe bump into him once more.

  The door to the Kringle Kitchen opened behind her. Katie turned to see Hannah walking out, carrying the red-and-white Christmas box Joe had scooped all the broken snow globe pieces into earlier.

  “So what were you wishing for?” Katie asked.

  “I have a complicated relationship with this snow globe.” Her hands shook as she held the box, almost as if she was afraid she’d drop it and make things worse. “Even more so now.”

  Katie wanted to ask if Hannah considered this the “breakup” from the snow globe, but was pretty sure it was a little too soon for that joke. Trying to be supportive, but also just dying to know more, she asked, “It hasn’t granted your wishes?”

  “Sometimes I think I’m not specific enough. Sometimes I think I’m too specific. Honestly? I don’t know.”

  “Yeah.” Katie felt a little silly for making a wish on the famed snow globe now. Sure, it was a town tradition, but it wasn’t like her to let fantasy woo her like that. Besides, she didn’t need a snow globe to tell her she had a second book inside her. She’d known that for a while. She just needed to come up with an idea and start writing. Which was the whole reason she was here in the first place. “But do you really think it grants wishes?”

  “I know i
t does.” Hannah pulled the box closer to her. “I know it sounds crazy, but it’s worked. More than once, and even though I haven’t gotten exactly what I’ve wished for, it has opened some doors.”

  “Like how?”

  “Well, a couple of years ago I wished for a special someone to spend the holidays with.”

  “That sounds like a perfect wish.”

  “Well, technically I got that wish. I met this great guy at the festival. We were wearing the same exact Christmas sweater. I mean, seriously, what are the odds?”

  “I don’t know. Was it a white cable-knit sweater?”

  “No. It had scotty dogs with little ribbons around their necks on it. And he was awesome. We had so much fun, but we weren’t right for each other. We enjoyed the holidays, and we’re good friends now, but that’s not what I was really looking for.”

  “That’s what you mean about not being specific enough.”

  “Yeah. It’s hard to explain.”

  Katie couldn’t resist the opportunity. “But others’ wishes have come true?”

  “Yes. Lots. I had a friend who wished her parents would stay together, and no one thought after what they’d been through it could ever happen. But it did. And when the town was in dire need of a preacher, one wish, and Rev. Zach showed up on vacation and never left. He’s been here six years now. And get this, the only reason he stopped in Evergreen was because he blew out a tire at our exit.”

  “That does sound serendipitous.”

  “Call it what you will. Michelle wished for someone to come into her life, and wham, she and Thomas met and it was kismet.”

  “I’ve seen them together. They make a great couple.”

  Hannah shook the box in front of her. “And now I’ve ruined it for everyone. I’m sick over this.”

  Katie placed her hand on the woman’s arm, wishing she could help. “What are you going to do with all those broken pieces?”

  “I’m going to take this over to Elliott and see if there’s anything he can do to help repair it.”

  “At the arts center?”

  “Yeah. It’s worth a shot. I have to at least try.”

  “I’m actually a little curious about the arts center after hearing you and Elliott talk about it. Mind if I come with you?”

  “Not at all. It’s just up here around the corner.” Hannah seemed to welcome the company. The Turner Tinker Shop, in great big red letters on the sign across the front of the building, was just ahead.

  An old forest green pickup was parked at the curb, which was pretty much the only color in front of the gray building.

  Even their choice of transportation in this town was kind of magical. The Evergreen Express train number 1225 that dated back so many years. Allie’s red antique truck with the garland and wreath decorating it, and now this one—just as unique, even if it wasn’t wearing holiday attire. Somehow, all of it seemed perfectly normal here in Evergreen.

  She followed Hannah up the steps toward the door to the shop. Big glass front windows on each side of the door were filled with artwork and antiques that had been restored to their original beauty.

  The building was narrow, but deceiving, because when they walked inside, it looked like the place went on forever.

  A fan kept the warm air circulating in the old building. It smelled of craftsmanship. Oil, turpentine, and paint. People gathered shoulder-to-shoulder around a table on the right side of the shop, working on Christmas ornaments. The table was filled with paint, glue, glitter and beads, and in the back of the shop she could see artists working in other mediums. The chatter among the artists was melodic, and the sound of the heavier tools back in the glassblowing area only added interest. She’d never seen anything like it.

  Who’s to say what normal is, anyway?

  Maybe this was the article she was meant to write about Evergreen.

  Chapter Nine

  Michelle was seated at the craft table in the Turner Tinker Shop, now also known as the arts center, making a Christmas ornament. David sat next to her, his attention intent on the work in front of him. With Thomas out of town, she and David had been taking advantage of some of the new classes here at the arts center, and they weren’t the only ones.

  Every chair at the table was filled.

  Michelle was glad to see town residents taking part in the offerings. As new mayor, she hoped to get neighbors engaged as much as possible, keeping the heartbeat of this town alive and prospering. Entrepreneurs, like Lisa reopening Daisy’s Country Store, and Elliott here at the Turner Tinker Shop, were already breathing fresh life into Evergreen.

  Michelle knew Elliott had always been good at fixing things, but his skill as a craftsman really shined on this renovation. The outside was still as Plain Jane as could be, but inside the place dazzled, just waiting for inspired artists and craftspeople to put their hands to good works.

  What had once been a space full of wooden shelves, dark and dusty, had been transformed with just a few coats of bright white paint. It’d been such an easy fix and had done wonders on the old dusty building, but Elliott hadn’t stopped there.

  He’d updated the old workroom, tearing out a wall and adding a work-height counter and shelving along the entire back wall. A series of cabinets, drawers and shelves, even diamond-shaped bins perfect for storing the hand-spun wool being made here, since they rebranded it an arts center. Henry had added a herd of Angora goats to his farm to improve the petting zoo, and Elliott had immediately seen the win-win to buy the angora from Henry to teach folks how to spin their own yarn on the drop needle spindle that’d been in the storage room unused for who knew how long.

  Michelle couldn’t wait to have the team update the city website with the recent additions in the new year and find ways to connect more activities to the calendar to grow tourism for the town.

  Elliott came from the glassblowing room carrying ornaments. “Remember. A good Christmas ornament has color, evokes a feeling of nostalgia and is made with care.” He placed the ornaments in the middle of the table for them to decorate. He leaned over David’s shoulder. “What are you making there?”

  “Oh, this?” David held up the ornament he’d just finished, painted gold. “It’s a key ornament for my Aunt Hannah. I really want her to know how much fun I think she is.”

  Elliott set the palms of his hands on his knees, to David’s level at the table. “She definitely is that.” The words were simple, but Michelle caught a hint of something more in the statement.

  Michelle leaned over to see David’s project. “I see, like the key that started the church bells. I still can’t believe you and Hannah figured that out last year. It was absolutely amazing. I can still remember hearing those bells come out of nowhere that night.” She placed a hand on his arm. “Still gives me chills. That’s a really good ornament. She’s going to love it.”

  “Yep. What’s yours?” he asked.

  She held her ornament so he could get a better look. “It’s a candle for your dad. See, last year we were searching for candles in the storeroom at Daisy’s Country Store for the midnight candlelight processional, and that’s when I knew I—” She caught herself. The moment she’d known she was interested in Thomas wasn’t exactly the conversation she needed to be having with his son. She corrected the course of the conversation. “I really love candles.”

  “Cool,” he said. “Then, he’ll probably like that too.”

  Elliott was walking back to get more ornaments when Hannah and Katie walked in. Hannah was carrying a box. “Elliott?” His name came out high-pitched, nearly frantic.

  Michelle set down the candle ornament, worried by the sound in Hannah’s voice.

  “Hannah. Hey, I was just leading a workshop on ornament making,” he said. “You should join us. There’s a seat next to David.”

  Hannah glanced over, but looked back to Elliott with pleading eyes. />
  Michelle watched David quickly tuck his ornament under art supplies so Hannah wouldn’t see her present, then grab one of the glass ornaments from the center of the table and start dabbing paint on it.

  “You can joi—Whoa.” His voice shook.

  That was all Michelle had to hear Elliott say to be on her feet and at his side to see what was going on.

  Elliott lifted pieces from the box, one by one, examining the condition.

  Michelle clapped her hands over her mouth. “The snow globe! Oh, no.” She hadn’t meant to remark out loud. She scooched closer to Hannah. “What happened?”

  Hannah shook her head, placing her hand over her heart. “Michelle, I’m so sorry. I know it’s an important part of the Christmas Festival, and—”

  “It’s okay, Hannah.” She offered a hug. Poor Hannah was so upset. “We’ve withstood broken pipes and flooded venues, even blizzards during the Christmas Festival. Really, it’s okay.” She smiled, hoping to ease her friend’s concerns. But this wasn’t good. Not good at all. There were so many pieces in that box. Not even the best puzzle maker could put that back together.

  Hannah’s lips quivered. “Really? You’re not mad?”

  “Of course I’m not mad. It’s not ideal,” Michelle admitted with an obvious nod. “But we can’t change the past. Now, we just focus on fixing it.”

  Hannah turned her attention to Elliott. “Do you think you can fix it?” Her eyes were glossy with tears.

  It appeared to be a lost cause to Michelle.

  “Uh…” Elliott looked like he was going to say no, but when his eyes met Hannah’s, he said, “Absolutely.”

  Michelle stood there in disbelief.

  Elliott scrambled over to the counter and started spreading out the pieces. “Let’s see. The two pine trees are intact.”

  “That’s good,” Hannah said.

  “The horse is…fine.” He turned it in his hand then pulled up the magnifying lamp attached to the wooden counter to evaluate the piece closer. “There’s something?”