Silver Nights (Part 4)

It's finally here! The final part of "Silver Nights"! 

Make sure you check out parts one, two, and three! Today, we wrap up the story with a neat little Christmas bow (and maybe a Christmas kiss ;) ), and I hope you'll enjoy it. 

PART FOUR

   It had been a week since “toddlergeddon”, as Micah called it, which meant that Christmas was only days away.  Fresh snow covered everything outside, but inside George Nichols’ house, a fire was going in the fireplace.  Zach, the youngest of the Nichols brothers, had brought his wife Jen home to Frost River from the big city to celebrate, and to Sam, it was officially Christmas.

   “No peeking!" Jen scolded as Uncle George tried to stealthily peel back the wrapping on one of the gifts she was arranging under the tree.  

   “And here I thought Zach was the Scrooge,” George playfully pouted. 

   “She learned from the best.” Zach joked, putting his arm around his wife’s shoulders.  Sam, who had unsurprisingly been put in charge of hot chocolate for the evening, chuckled as he studied his family.  It had been too long since they’d all been together. 

   With a gust of snowy wind, Micah and Stephanie blew in the front door, red-faced and smiling.  There were general exclamations of welcome, but Sam’s mind only focused on the face that was missing. 

   “Didn’t you invite Lucy?” He asked, sidling up beside his older brother and slipping his hand into his pocket to hold the little present he’d hidden there. 

   “We just dropped her off.  She had to get to the train station.”

   “The train station?” His heart skipped a beat, though he tried to ignore it.

   “Yeah.  Her train leaves in like,” Micah glanced at his watch. “Twenty minutes?” 

   “Twenty minutes?” Now his heart was really starting to panic.

   “Is there an echo in here?” Micah looked at him quizzically. “Wait, did you not know?” 

   Sam forced out a laugh.  “What gave it away?” 

   A sly expression slid onto Micah’s face as he smiled.  “Well, I mean, you do still have twenty minutes before her train leaves, and you could take my truck if you wanted…” He hadn’t even finished the sentence before Sam had snatched the keys out of his hand and was out the door.  Micah laughed fully as he called after him, “Go get her, tiger!”

-

   Lucy shivered a little against the cold on the train platform and hugged her green coat closer around her. 

   “Are you sure you don’t want to sit inside, Lucy?”  Sarah, the platform manager, popped halfway out the station door, her wrinkled face wearing a smile.  “It’s nice and warm in here.” 

   “No thank you, Miss Sarah, I’m good.  It’s nice to be out here in the quiet.  Just me and God and my thoughts, you know?” 

   She chuckled as she went back inside. “I do know.  Let me know if you need anything, dear.  We've got cocoa and marshmallows."

   “Will do.” 

   Evidently it wasn't just Sam who was obsessed with the winter beverage.  Or maybe he'd swayed the town's opinions with this joyful insistence on it being the best drink ever.  

   And now she was thinking about him again.  That wasn't a good sign.

   Alone on a bench in the brisk wind, which the station mostly blocked, she pondered the almost four weeks she’d spent in Frost River.  They had somehow been the among best weeks of her life, which felt cheesy, which made her feel ridiculous.  

   “This only happens in Christmas movies.” She whispered to herself, pulling her knit cap down further over her ears.  There was something in the air here that made her able to breathe deeper than she had in years.  Part of her mind added, and Sam is here.  That was the cheesiest part, but also the part that made her smile. 

   She’d been giving her parents updates since she came here, on how the job was going and various other parts of her life.  But her mom would be able to see it in her face this week if she wasn’t careful.  And since she didn’t really want to discuss how Sam was just her friend, at least for now, she needed to be careful.  

   The loud clatter of the station door opening broke her out of her thoughts.  Lucy, startled, stood up and looked straight into the eyes of Sam.  He was disheveled, his coat buttoned wrong and only wearing one glove.  He stared at her for a second before recognition lit up his face and he took a step closer to her.

   “Don’t go.” 

   She was so thrown off that it took her a moment to respond.

   “What?” 

   He was completely serious, that she could tell. 

   “Look, I know we just met, and I shouldn’t ask you to rewrite your life just for me.” He reached forward and took one of her hands in his.  “But I want this, Lucy.  You and me.  Whether it’s for two weeks, or the rest of our lives, I want to try.”

   A slow smile started to spread on her face. 

   “Sam?” 

   “Yeah?”

   “Where do you think I’m going?”

   He blinked.

   “Away forever and I’ll never see you again unless I convince you to stay?” 

   Now she had to laugh.

   “I’m going home to see my parents for Christmas.  Your uncle gave me the week off, I’ll be back by New Year’s.”

   "Oh." She could practically see his brain stall and restart. "Well… this is awkward. Sorry to interrupt. Have a nice Christmas." He started to back away, his face flushing.

   "No, no, Sam!" She followed him.  Her boot caught on an icy patch and she skidded into him.  He caught her against his chest, his face flushing further.  This adorably awkward boy had fallen in love with her.  It was almost too perfect.

   Lucy rubbed her gloved hands together and put them against his cold face.  He hadn’t even put a hat on, and it was freezing out here. 

   “I want this too.” 

   She did.  She didn’t know why, or how any of this was real.  All she knew was that he was in front of her, with his face turned down to hers, and if she didn’t kiss him now, Stephanie would never let her hear the end of it.  

   Sam beat her to it, leaning forward and pressing a kiss to her forehead, his cold fingers brushing against her chin.  Warmth rushed through her.  This was right.  He was right.  She’d never been so sure of anything.  

   A loud train whistle made them step apart a little.  Sam gave her a lopsided smile.

   “I guess I’ll see you in a week?” 

   Lucy couldn't hold back her snort of a laugh. "Yeah, I guess you will." 

   "Okay then." He pushed his hands awkwardly into the pockets of his coat and backed toward the station door.  "You should invite your folks here for Easter." 

   "I'm guessing you go all out for that too?" 

   "Obviously."

   “I would expect nothing less.”

   They stared at each other for a moment before Sam gave a little “oh!” and pulled something from his pocket.

   “This is for you.”  As he passed her the small box, she flushed.

   “I don’t have anything for you.”

   “Doesn’t matter.” His smile widened and he rocked up on his toes. “Open it."

   She returned his grin and pulled off the lid. Resting on a tiny pillow inside was a necklace with a gold reindeer pendant. It was absolutely perfect.

   “It’s beautiful, Sam, thank you.” She felt like crying, then felt ridiculous again, but the gesture was so sweet, so completely Sam, that it touched her.

   The train rolled into the station with a hiss and the platform began to bustle with people coming home for the holidays. Lucy tucked the little box into her pocket for safekeeping and picked up her suitcase.

   “Well… Merry Christmas.” Sam offered. “Safe travels, all that stuff.”

   She hesitated for a breath, then cleared the couple of steps between them and pressed her lips to his. He stiffened like she’d startled him, then relaxed, and when she pulled away, he smiled.

   “Merry Christmas, Sam.”

And a very merry Christmas to you! I hope y'all had a wonderful holiday season, and that 2022 is a blessed year for you! Let me know your thoughts on the story in the comments, now that it's done! (And hey, thanks for reading ;) )

~ Abby

Silver Nights (Part 3)

 Oh hey, remember how I wrote a Christmas short story and then never posted the end of it? 

Yeah, I do.

While blogging has been falling to the wayside a bit this year (oops), I thought it was high time I finally updated this story. (Also if I miss posting it for Christmas again I will never forgive myself, lol)

Basically, it's a fluffy, feel-good, Hallmark movie of a story about Sam and Lucy, who, in part three, are exploring the Christmas festival, eating caramel popcorn, and totally not going on a date. ;)  In case you need to catch up (which you probably do, and I totally recommend), here are part one and part two! 

Enjoy! 

PART THREE

   There were fourteen boxes of cookies to carry to the festival booth, and Sam felt the same satisfaction he always did as he loaded them into the old red wagon they used to haul them.  Nichols Delivery had sponsored the cookie decorating booth for the past ten years; it had been his idea in the beginning, and Aunt Sharon had run with it.  When she passed away, Micah became his helper.  But as much as he loved his brother, he had to admit that having Lucy help was a lot more fun.

   Snow started to fall gently as they walked the five minutes it took to get into town, and Sam stuck his hand out to try and catch some flakes. 

   “This is going to be a magical night, Micah, I can feel it.”

   Micah gave a non-committal grunt and yanked the wagon over a bump in the sidewalk.  The whole of Main Street had been blocked off, booths set up in storefronts, lights zigzagging between buildings.  Laughter and Christmas music carried on the air as they approached.  Even though the festival hadn’t started yet and the sun had barely set, the various vendors and volunteers were friends, and no one could help but feel a little thrill once the snow started falling. 

   When Sam and Micah found their assigned spot - in front of the hardware store - Stephanie, Lucy, and Uncle George were already waiting under the pop-up awning. 

   “Took you long enough!” Stephanie teased as she helped them start unpacking. “It’s freezing out here!” 

   “Hey, it’s not my fault Sam’s a perfectionist.” Micah plopped the cash box down on the table.

   “I am not a perfectionist!  I just like things to look right.”  Sam passed a box of cookies to Lucy, who grinned. 

   “So you take the extra time to doodle on these boxes that no one will actually see?”  She looked over the cardboard. “Ooh, I like this star.” 

   “Thank you very much, Lucy, it’s nice to feel appreciated.” Sam sent a pointed look to Micah, who just rolled his eyes and laughed. 

   “Well, I for one like Sam’s doodles.” Uncle George stuck his hands into the pockets of his Santa Claus costume.  “They’re tradition.  Wouldn’t be Christmas without ‘em.”  George, who looked remarkably like the jolly gift-giver, had been tapped to portray him every year at the festival ever since Sam could remember.  

   “Speaking of tradition,” Sam pulled his phone from his pocket.  “Staff picture time!”  There was a small scramble as George put on his hat, Micah shoved the rest of the boxes under the table, and Stephanie insisted on taking the photo.

   “You’re never in them, Sam, and I don’t even work with you guys.  Go, get in there.”  She practically shoved him in next to Lucy, and they all shuffled together. 

   “Say sugar cookie!” Steph called, and they all laughed through the words.  Even Sam had to admit, as he looked at the picture, that with Lucy’s bright green coat, Uncle George’s Santa red, and Micah’s blue jacket, it was one of the loveliest staff pictures they’d taken in a long time.  

   Soon the stall was set up and George left them to get settled in the photo booth.  A crowd of locals had gathered at the end of Main Street, waiting for the festival to open.  While the mayor led the countdown on the temporary stage to light the giant town square tree, Micah nudged Sam and Lucy out of the booth. 

   “We’ve got this, you guys go have fun.” 

   “But-”

   “No excuses, James!” Micah pointed at Lucy. “Steph and I are the dream team!”

   “Yeah, we are!” Stephanie exchanged an air fist-bump with him.  Lucy stifled a laugh and held up her hands.

   “Fine, then, but don’t call me if you have any problems.” 

   “Wasn’t planning to.” Micah hollered after her as she strolled away, then elbowed Sam.  “Go with her, man.” 

   “Yeah, I’m gonna- I’m gonna go.  But not because you told me to!” Sam stammered out his words and followed Lucy, hearing Micah’s laughter behind him.

   Her hair reflected the colored lights; he had to catch his breath when she blinked up at the snow. 

   “So where do we start?” She fixed those green eyes on him and he smiled.

   “I believe you agreed to decorate another wreath.” 

   “Ah, yes.  I was thinking tree topper, though.”  

   He lengthened his steps until he was beside her, and she tucked her gloved hand into his elbow. 

   “Tree topper?”

   “Yeah, my parents’ old one broke last year, and I thought it might be a fun present to make them one.” 

   “That’s awesome, Lucy.”

   “Thanks!” She tossed her blonde ponytail and stopped. “Wait, you didn’t mention there was a caramel popcorn booth.” 

   “Oh, yeah, the dentist's office puts it on.  It's ironic.  Do you want some?” 

   “Heck yeah, I want some!”  She dragged him over, right as the crowd finished the countdown and the festival truly began.

-

   It only took her about twenty minutes and two large scoops of glitter to make the perfect Christmas star.  Her mom was going to love this.  After arranging with Millie to pick up the decoration later once it was dry, Lucy found Sam, finishing up the last of the caramel popcorn and studying the nativity scene set up in front of town hall. 

   “That’s really pretty.”  Lucy stepped up beside him, feeling a sense of peace settle over her as she looked at the scene. 

   “My mom painted it, actually.  Mr. Samuels at the hardware store carved the pieces and, as Uncle George says, she brought them to life.” 

   Mary and Joseph looked like real people kneeling in the snow, bent over the manger where the infant Christ slept peacefully.  A lamb sat beside them and a dove perched on the edge of the manger.  Both parents had a look of exhausted joy, unlike any portrayal she’d seen before, but deeply moving. 

   “I can see why the city puts it out, it’s stunning.”  She leaned down to look closer. 

   “I think so too.  It’s grounding, you know?  Like, I can put as much joy as I want into trees or cookies, but without this, it doesn’t really matter.” 

   “This is joy.” Lucy glanced up at him and he nodded, taking a deep breath.

   “Okay, so what’s next?  Hot chocolate taste test at the bakery?  Ornament scavenger hunt on the big tree?  Photo with Santa?” He wadded up the empty popcorn container and offered her his arm again.  She grasped it, a little shiver running down her spine, but whether or not it was from the cold, she couldn’t tell. 

   “Let’s go see Santa.” 

   “Let’s do it!” 

   They laughed together as they headed for the little Santa’s Village that the elementary school had set up, complete with volunteer “elves”.  According to Sam, even though most of the children in town knew George, they liked to humor him and overplay the idea that they were meeting the real, live Santa Claus.  In a way, for many of them, pretending that Mr. George was Santa was a Christmas tradition in and of itself. 

   They spent a few minutes in Santa’s Village, watching kids get their pictures taken with a grinning George.  Spotting the Reindeer Games, a booth devoted to various games involving tossing one object onto another, Lucy challenged Sam to a duel.

   “If you don’t win the Reindeer Games, I’m going to be very disappointed.” She poked him with the plastic ring the attendant had just given her. 

   “So will I,” he laughed.  

   In the end, Lucy beat him soundly, but gave him the giant stuffed cartoon reindeer prize. 

   “He belongs with you,” she said solemnly.  He accepted the prize, his expression just as somber and he put the plush over his shoulders. 

   “I am honored and humbled to receive such a gift, Lucy, truly.” 

   “Well, you know, I take care of my friends.” She shrugged, and they both nodded until they erupted in laughter.  

   They hit the bakery’s hot chocolate taste test next, deciding that the gingerbread flavor was the winner.  After a quick check-in with Micah and Stephanie, Sam led her to the town square Christmas tree. 

   A dance floor had been set up under a large tent, and a dozen or so people danced to the holiday tunes played by the high school jazz band.  Sam propped the reindeer plush up in a chair and held out his hand.

   "May I have this dance?" 

   Lucy shook her head and smiled.  “You’re a dork, you know that?” 

   “I’ve heard that more than a few times in my life, yes.”  He rubbed his forehead and chuckled.  Lucy grabbed his free hand and tugged him onto the dance floor as the band went into Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. 

   “So,” she said once he’d pulled her into his arms and they started swaying, “have you ever thought about leaving Frost River?”   

   “Why would I leave the perfect town?”  He raised his eyebrows teasingly.  He smelled like cinnamon, not that she planned to mention that. 

   “Fair enough.  But there’s a lot of world out there, haven’t you ever wanted to see it?” 

   “Well, sure, I guess.  But don’t underestimate the power of books and the internet to take you anywhere you want to go.”

   “Mmm, not the same thing.  I get it, though.  You’ve got family here, and community… it really is pretty much perfect.  Ever dated anyone here?” 

   She regretted the words the second they left her mouth, but there was no pulling them back now.  Sam, for his part, didn’t even flinch. 

   “Nope.  Miss Emma at the bakery tried to get her granddaughter Jenny and I together when we were in high school, but we’ve never exactly… clicked.” 

   “I take it she’s not a Christmas person?”

   “No.” He gave a wry smile. “Among other things.  But it’s fine, we’ve learned to peacefully coexist, as long as she never, ever knows that I sneak her grandma double chocolate chip cookies.” 

   “My lips are sealed,” Lucy said with an exaggerated wink.  He laughed, and they pulled apart as the song ended so they could applaud.  The teenage band excused themselves for a break, starting pre-recorded music playing in their absence.  Slowly the dance floor started emptying, and Sam’s gaze caught hers. 

   “Lucy, I wanted to say…” He was interrupted by his cellphone chirruping a Christmas carol ringtone; he sighed and answered it.  “What's up, bro?”  He listened for a moment, then burst into laughter.  “Yeah, we’ll be right there.”  He put the phone back in his pocket and went to retrieve the reindeer plush.  “Evidently Micah and Steph have been overrun with the preschool crowd and require reinforcements.” 

   “The dream team taken down by toddlers.”  Lucy shook her head ruefully.  “You hate to see it.” 

   “Well, let’s at least make sure they go down fighting, shall we?” Sam took her hand, which sent a lovely tingle into her heart, and they hurried back to the Nichols Delivery booth.

Keep an eye out for part 4 coming this week! (for reals this time)

~ Abby

Silver Nights (Part 2)

Here we go, friends, it's part 2!  I hope you all had a lovely Christmas (or whatever holiday you celebrate)! 

In case you missed Part 1, you can check it out right here!  And as an extra treat, here's a link to my Spotify playlist that inspired the story!

And now, enjoy part 2 of "Silver Nights"! 

PART TWO

   Two days after Lucy secured the job at Nichols Delivery Service, she officially started unpacking her bags.  Her cousin Stephanie, who had lived in Frost River as long as she could remember, had graciously offered Lucy her spare bedroom. 

   “So, tell me everything.” Steph tucked her fuzzy-sock-clad feet under her as she perched on the bed.  “What’s it like being in the Nichols house all day every day?  Micah hasn’t driven you too crazy, has he?  ‘Cause I can deal with him if you need-”

   “No, no,” Lucy chuckled.  “Your boyfriend has been perfectly polite.  And you know I can handle him even if he wasn’t.”  She smiled as she started putting sweaters on hangers and into the closet.  "Everyone’s been sure to make me feel welcome." 

   Stephanie gained a knowing smile.  “Sam offered you hot cocoa, right?”

   “So much that I feel like I’m floating.” Lucy put a hand on her hip.  “Did you know that he keeps seven different flavors of cocoa in that place?  Peppermint, caramel, snickerdoodle, and… others I don’t remember.  Oh, and vanilla.  Which kind of defeats the whole purpose of it being hot chocolate.”  Stephanie snorted out a laugh.

   “If there’s one thing Sam Nichols knows, it’s Christmas spirit.” 

   “I’m not complaining.  It’s kind of nice, actually.”  She shut the drawer she’d filled with socks.  “He invited me to the Christmas festival, too.”

   “He did?”  Steph’s eyebrow rose.  “And you said yes?” 

   “Well… yeah, I guess.”  Lucy shrugged.  “If you wanted us to go together instead, I can-”

   “No, that’s great!  Sam’s the perfect person to go with.”  She smiled teasingly.  “I’m sure you’ll have a grand time.”

   “It’s not like that.” Lucy threw a sock at her.  “We just met, and he’s my co-worker, that’s it.”

   “He offered you cocoa.”

   “According to you, he does that to everyone.”

   “He does, but that’s besides the point.”  Steph rocked up onto her knees.  “You could do a lot worse than Sam Nichols.  He’s sweet, and he’s cute, and-”

   “You date him, then.”  Lucy tossed her the other sock.  “We’re going as friends.  That’s it.  I don’t need a relationship right now.” 

   “Gotcha.”  Stephanie stood up and handed her the now-folded socks.  “Just friends.  Totally platonic companions to the Christmas festival.  Which is renowned for its romantic atmosphere.  Nothing to see here.”  

   She ducked out the door just in time for the sock ball to miss her.

   

-   

   The jingle bells above the office door made her smile as she entered.  Sam’s desk was vacant, the jukebox uncharacteristically quiet.  The whole place smelled like baking cookies.  Lucy tugged her coat off and hung it by the door. 

   Even though she should go straight to her office, her nose led her feet in the direction of the kitchen.  Warmer than the rest of the house as the oven baked away, the kitchen seemed empty, though supplies were spread out across the counters and dozens of sugar cookies covered the dining table.

   “Hello?” Lucy called, worried the oven had been left unattended.  There was a thunk and a grunt, and Sam’s head popped up from behind the counter. 

   “Oh!  Are you okay?”  Lucy hurried toward him. 

   “How is it every time we meet I end up sore?” Sam asked with a laugh.

   “And I end up apologizing.”  She took his arm to help him up.  “Sorry.”

   “No, no, I’m fine.  The ginger was at the back of the cabinet and I can’t make gingerbread without it, so...” He held up the bottle of spice.  A timer dinged and he grinned.  “Oh, that’ll be the last of the sugar cookies.”  

   “You don’t have enough?” Lucy nodded in the direction of the dining table.  Sam followed her gaze and chuckled.

   “Nichols Delivery runs the cookie decorating booth at the Christmas festival.”

   “Aha.” She squinted at him.  “What is your job, exactly?” 

   “Officially, I’m the office manager.  Unofficially,” he started ticking off on his fingers, “phone answerer, document filer, website coordinator, office decorator, cocoa maker, gingerbread house architect.”  He pulled on a pair of oven mitts.  “And, uh, whatever else needs doing.”  He retrieved the pan of cookies, which had been cut masterfully into various holiday shapes like the others, and moved them to a cooling rack while she watched, not really sure what to say.

   “That’s an impressive resume.” 

   “I like to think so!”  He took a deep breath.  “So, you want to help with the decorating?” 

   “Oh, uh, I don’t know-”

   “C’mon, it’ll be fun.  They have to cool for a little while anyway, so you can get some work done while you wait.  We only have to do a dozen or so as examples.  And for eating.”  He stepped closer and wiggled his eyebrows. “I’ll even let you have the trees.”  

   She had to laugh. 

   “Well, if you’re giving up the trees, how can I refuse?” 

   Thus, she found herself back in the kitchen twenty minutes later, having only filled out one of the many spreadsheets she would need to stare at later.  But the sparkle in Sam’s eyes made it worth it.  He had flour in his dark hair, presumably from the gingerbread-making process, and he had on the most obnoxiously Christmas apron she’d ever seen.  It was patterned with stockings and mittens, and the lights worked into the design actually twinkled.

   Lucy gave him a once-over.  “That’s quite a look.” 

   “Why thank you.” He glanced down at the apron. “My grandmother made it for me.  Can’t make cookies without it.  And, to make it even better…” he opened the pantry and she instantly knew what was coming.

   “Oh, no.”

   “Oh, yes.”  Sam held out the second most obnoxiously Christmas apron she’d ever seen, one that could double as a Mrs. Claus costume.  

   “I’m not wearing that.” 

   Sam blinked.  “But it’s tradition.” 

   “I find it difficult to believe Micah would ever put this on.” 

   “Well, technically, it was my Aunt Sharon’s.  But she’s the one who taught me how to decorate cookies, and even though it’s been a few years since she passed, whoever helps has to wear it.” 

   “That’s true.” Micah strolled into the kitchen and plucked up a star-shaped cookie.  “I’m just glad it’s you this year and not me.”  He stuffed the sweet in his mouth, crumbs falling into his dark beard. 

   “Hey, hey, hey, those are for the festival.” Sam shooed him away from the cookies.  “I’m not going to let you run the booth with Stephanie if you keep eating the merchandise.” 

   “You can’t control everything, little brother.  And anyway, I heard you had a date.”  Micah winked at Lucy, who felt her face flush. 

   “It’s not a date!” 

   Lucy and Sam spoke at the same time, then turned wide eyes on each other.  Micah burst out laughing and sauntered out the door, calling back over his shoulder, “You two have fun!”

   Sam laughed awkwardly.  “Brothers, am I right?” 

   “I wouldn’t actually know.” She gently took the apron from him and looped it over her head.  “I’m an only child.  Steph’s the closest I’ve ever gotten to siblings.” 

   "Oh." He ducked his head and handed her a plate of tree-shaped cookies and a piping bag of green icing, then pulled a plate of reindeer shapes closer and brandished his own tube of brown. 

   "So do you have a thing for reindeer or what?" Lucy asked as she started filling in her mini forest. 

   "Sorry?" 

   "Well, there are six in the front office alone.  And you offered me the trees, not those.  Favorite animal?" 

   "Uh…" he thought for a moment. "Yeah, I guess you could say that.  When I was a kid, Uncle George assigned us different nicknames at Christmas time.  Micah was Claus because he was the best at keeping presents secret.  You couldn't get a hint out of him for anything - still can't." 

   His chuckle was contagious as Lucy imagined a tiny Micah guarding the gifts around the tree. 

   "Our younger brother Zach was Scrooge because he was the most money-conscious but also gave the best gifts.  He had your job, actually, before he had to run off and get married."

   "The nerve of him!" Lucy mimicked his fake seriousness.  Sam’s smile was adorable, it just kind of crinkled up the corner of his mouth.  

   “And then I was Blitzen.”

   “Blitzen, really?”

   “Hey, just because he doesn’t have a shiny nose doesn’t mean he isn’t imperative to the team!” 

   She held up her hands in joking surrender, licking a bit of frosting off her finger and then going to wash her hands. 

   “Anyway, when I asked him his reasoning behind it, he said without the reindeer, Santa would still be at the North Pole.”  He studied the plate of cookies for a moment. “Our parents died on Christmas Eve when I was ten.  We came to live here with Uncle George and Aunt Sharon.  I decided that I wasn’t going to let the loss change the holiday for me.  It’s supposed to be a celebration of Christ’s birth and that’s the way it was going to stay.” 

   “So… without you, Christmas wouldn’t have happened around here, right?”  They had both gone very still throughout the story, but now Lucy put her hand over his.  “For what it’s worth, Blitzen is my mom’s favorite of the reindeer.”

   He narrowed his eyes at her.  “Don’t patronize me, Lucy James.”

   “No, I’m serious!” She couldn’t stop a giggle from popping out.  “She made us all pick a favorite - Dad’s favorite is Donner and mine is Dasher.” 

   “Of course you’d pick the leader.”

   “Well, someone needs to take charge.” 

   “Fair enough.” 

   They worked in silence for a minute before Sam said, “You know, I usually put a movie on while I’m doing this.” He wiped his hands on his apron and went over to the small television in the corner.  “Do you like White Christmas?”

   “Well, I mean, I’ve only seen it about thirty times, so... yes.”  She usually watched it during the first few days of December, but between moving and her new job, she hadn’t had the chance yet.  Sam grinned and turned it on, and they worked on, both of them able to quote their favorite lines and laugh at the jokes.  By the time the characters were on their way to Vermont, Sam declared that they were done. 

   “That’s two dozen for the festival and one dozen for Emma at the bakery.” He started putting the decorated cookies into little boxes. 

   “Emma at the bakery?”

   “Yep!  We have a deal.” He loaded one of the boxes into a paper bag and took off his apron.  “Speaking of, are you hungry?” 

   She wasn’t, really, but when she considered that it was either the bakery or back to her spreadsheets, she smiled and said, “I could go for something.”

-

   “Sam Nichols, you’d better have my cookies!” 

   “I’m not stupid enough to show my face around here and not bring them, Miss Emma.”  Sam chuckled as he and Lucy stood in the doorway and shook the snow off their coats.  Frost River Bakery was small but cozy, and smelled of sugar and cinnamon.  Emma herself was probably in her sixties, small, but with a twinkle in her eye that told Lucy she wasn’t someone to be messed with. 

   Sam hefted the paper bag of cookies onto the counter and waved for Lucy to follow.  Emma dug through the bag. 

   “A dozen sugars… ooh!  Decorated!  Aren’t we fancy?” She winked at Sam, who looked delighted.

   “Keep going.” He pointed in the bag.  Emma raised an eyebrow and did as he said, then gave him a sly look.

   “Double chocolate chip, Sam?  Oh, Jenny’s gonna have your hide, you know you aren’t supposed to feed me these!” 

   Sam leaned across the counter. 

   “I also happen to know that they’re your favorite, so merry Christmas.”  

   They laughed together, and Emma patted his cheek.  “You’re a good egg, Sam.”

   “So I’m told.”  He lowered his voice to a whisper. “You got the goods?”  

   They glanced in tandem at the back room.  Emma shifted her eyes back to look at Lucy. 

   “Two for now, four for later.”  She pulled a crinkling parchment bag from behind the counter and slid it to him.  Sam peeked inside, nodded, and took it. 

   “You’re the best, Miss Emma.”

   “So I’m told.” She winked again, and they both straightened. “Now, Sam, you’d better introduce me to your friend.” 

   “Oh!  Right, uh, Emma Williams, this is Lucy James.” 

   Lucy extended her hand with a “Hi.” 

   “You’re the girl who got Zach’s job, right?”  Emma gripped her hand.  “We’re all very glad you’re here, my dear.” 

   "I'm glad to be here.  Frost River is exactly what I needed." 

   "Just what I said when I rolled into town thirty years ago.  And now look at me.  Couldn't leave even if I wanted to." She smiled as she shook her head. "You'll be coming to the festival, won't you?" 

   "Practically everyone I've met has insisted that I have to go, so I'll be there." 

   Sam gave her an exaggerated eye-roll and went toward a table by the window as the door clanged open and another customer walked in.

   "Thanks again, Miss Emma." He called as he sat down, got two napkins out of the dispenser, and placed them down like plates.  Lucy sat across from him. 

   “Now,” said Sam, unrolling the top of the parchment bag, “get ready to have your mind blown.” 

   “Really?  That’s a high promise.”

   “These are worth it, trust me.”  He pulled a croissant from the bag and placed it reverently in front of her.  She blinked down at it.

   “A croissant?” 

   “One of Miss Emma’s Christmas croissants.  Try it.” 

   She shrugged and took a bite.  Okay, so maybe this was the best thing she’d ever put in her mouth.  Flaky, buttery, with just a pinch of cinnamon and vanilla.  

   “That’s delicious.” 

   “I know, right?” He did a little dance in his seat as he took a bite of his own.  “Worth two dozen cookies any day.” 

   She couldn’t help but agree, especially when his face lit up with the pure joy of pastry and he looked for a moment like a little boy on Christmas morning.  That expression she could get used to.

Be on the lookout for Part 3 coming soon!

~ Abby