Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50080 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 250(@200wpm)___ 200(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
I nod, popping my eyebrow. “What is it?”
“Grace.”
“I’m impressed.”
Caryn laughs and throws her napkin at me. She stands, comes to me, and presses her lips to mine. “Go visit your dad today.”
“I will.” I pull onto my lap and hold her. While I believe I, or even we, needed this trip, it’s messing up my feelings. “I love you.”
Caryn peers into my eyes. “I love you too.”
“Have fun today. Call me if you need anything.”
She laughs. “Don’t you mean, call my dad?”
Ouch, another shot to my ego. Before I can say anything to defend myself, she’s off my lap and gone. I tell myself she doesn’t mean to hurt my feelings. Her parents raised her to depend on her dad for everything. Still, her words sting, and are a stark reminder I’ll never be able to financially support her. Unless I take over her father’s company, and considering her dad isn’t retiring anytime soon, I guess things will always be like this.
After Caryn and Leslie leave, I head to my dad’s store. By the time I get to Main Street, it’s bustling with activity. Last night’s snowfall has sparked some magic, and people are out being jolly.
I find a parking spot a block away and walk toward the store, stopping and talking to people who recognize me. I give them the quick and dirty—living the life in the big city, home for the holidays—type stuff. Some ask about Caryn, having heard about her from my dad, and I promise to introduce her to everyone at the tree lighting ceremony this coming Friday.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I tell them all. Except, when I think about the last one I went to my insides twist. I’d been to so many over my years living in Deer Ridge, but that very last one sticks out in my mind. It’s when I told Evangeline about the internship.
Imagine if you hadn’t?
No, I can’t go there. Nothing good comes from playing that game.
Outside the store, a young man peddles the stockpile of Christmas trees. He sees me and smiles.
“Hey, I’m Jake. You must be Zane.”
“I am.” We shake hands.
“Cool. I work for Reindeer Ridge and am filling in, helping your dad out. He’s inside with Evangeline.”
“She’s here?”
That shouldn’t have been my response.
Glancing at the door, I steady myself for what I’m about to walk in. Last night, being in her place, stirred dormant feelings inside of me. I know better than to go in, but I’ve never been able to resist her.
The chime above the door sounds as I open it. I used to hate the sound because it meant I have to work. But now, I like it. It brings back a lot of fond memories. Christmas music plays from the overhead speaker and people shop the small aisles. I find my dad and Eve at the lone cashier stand. Both look surprised to see me.
“You’re just in time,” Evangeline says to me.
“For what?”
“To convince your dad to accept the town’s nomination to be this year’s grand marshal for the tree lighting ceremony.”
“Dad! This is amazing. How come you’re not saying yes.”
“That’s a lot of people to stand in front of. Give a speech to, and pressing the button to turn on the lights seems stressful. What if I push the button and nothing happens.”
“Mr. Whitaker,” Eve says to him, “you know very well we’ve never had any mishaps.”
“Well, there was that one year, when Dino Morelli pushed the button, and nothing happened.”
“Dad, technology has come a long way since Dino Morelli was grand marshal. Besides, he was like ninety something and wasn’t strong enough. You’re strong.”
“Exactly what Zane says,” Eve adds. “Mr. Whitaker—”
My dad sighs loudly and I imagine Eve rolling her eyes.
“Bernie, the people of Deer Ridge love you. They voted for you to have this honor.”
“And I’ll be there with you the entire time,” I assure him.
“Me too. I’ll be there.”
“See, Dad. We’ve got your back.”
I look at Eve with hope in my eyes. This would be great for my dad and well deserved. He’s been a pillar of the community for as long as I’ve been alive. He loves Deer Ridge and Evangeline is right; the people here love him as well.
Dad looks from Eve to me. Back and forth. His brain must be spinning and knowing him, he’s imagining the world crumbling around him the minute he steps up to the podium. Unfortunately, no amount of encouragement will ease his mind. He either wants to accept the honor or pass it up. I don’t know how often the town tries to give the honor to someone who declines the opportunity, so this might be his only chance.
“Okay,” Dad says with a grin. “I’ll be happy to light the tree on Friday.”
“Yes!” Evangeline’s hands go into the air in celebration. “Mr. Whitaker, you have made me very happy. I’m so very honored to give this to you.” From the bag slung over her shoulder, she pulls out a box and hands it to my dad.