Christmas in Evergreen. Nancy Naigle

worn it every day since. The new practice required that they all wear the lab coats provided for them with the corporate logo, and a couple of vendor patches. The idea of sponsors seemed weird to her, but that was big business for you.

      She took her red wool coat down from the hook next to the door and pulled it on, tugging the belt tight around her waist. She lifted Frank’s fish bowl from the desk and hugged it to her body as she left. Using her old waitressing skills, she walked at a slow, steady pace, moving her legs but not her torso or arms so as to not cause a tsunami in Frank’s world on the short trip to her parents’ diner.

      “Hang on, Frank.”

Chapter Two

      Allie stepped out onto the porch of her clinic, Evergreen Veterinarian Care. She glanced at Frank, then back at the blue-and-white sign behind her. She still remembered like it was yesterday the day she and Grandpa had hung that sign there. It had been a cold, snowy day just like today. Everyone else in town had been home, hunkered down that wintry night. Mom and Dad had insisted on closing the diner early so they could be a part of it, too. They’d stood out in the cold, watching until that last screw had gone into the wall. They’d applauded wildly, but Allie had barely heard them because of their gloves. It had been like watching a silent film, and she was the star.

      And now she was leaving it behind. For something new. Something bigger, and different, in the city.

      For a moment, she tried to imagine the bustling streets of Washington, D.C., leaving work in her lab coat—not to just walk across the street to check in with her folks. No quiet little block where she knew most everyone by name. Would strangers smile and say hello?

      Her throat tightened.

      Soon, someone else would take over this office and chase their dreams just like she had. She hugged Frank closer, silently wishing the new business good luck.

      She locked the door behind her and carefully navigated the steps down to the street.

      A fluffy snowman wearing a top hat stood next to the stairs, waving a welcoming hello to customers, and past that, three lighted wire reindeer, one with a red nose, frolicked in front of the bookstore. Rudolph the well-read reindeer, she amused herself. Those same decorations had been there every year since she’d been back. But she liked the way things stayed the same here in Evergreen. That was all the more reason to make the big change—to experience new things in a new town.

      She looked both ways then headed across the street. Frank’s water sloshed against her coat as she twisted to avoid collision with a young man hurrying past with his collar pulled high around his neck to ward off the cold wind.

      At the end of Main Street, the town Christmas tree dazzled with colorful decorations. Each year, families added an ornament to the tree that became part of the collection going forward. That connection made the tree seem more personal. Not new was the giant, gold star on top, designed by the shop teacher at the local high school. How would the Evergreen Christmas tree compare to the big, fancy one at the White House?

      The town had planted the Balsam Fir in front of the gazebo about ten years ago when a farmer up on the hill, in exchange for the privilege to sell his trees there, had donated it. It hadn’t been a huge tree then, but now it rose to the height of the gazebo. Before this, the town had cut and tractored a tree in each year for the holiday lighting.

      Allie zipped past the post office, noticing how many people were lined up with packages to send. She was glad she didn’t have anything to mail out this week. She was carrying her gift to Spencer with her on the plane—that was, if she ever got out of Evergreen.

      She glanced at her watch and almost ran into one of the giant red, blue, and gold ornaments that brightened the sidewalk in front of Home Bakery. The door chimed again and again, reminding her of a Christmas handbell concert, as customers came out with bags of freshly baked goods. Business was brisk for the middle of the afternoon.

      The three-foot-tall, carved nutcrackers that used to guard Grandpa’s porch now stood sentry in front of Chris Kringle Kitchen—a nice addition in honor of him. All combined, it made for a cheerful sight. She never tired of Christmas in Evergreen.

      She pulled the Chris Kringle Kitchen door open and stepped inside the warm diner.

      “Joe! She’s here.” Mom rushed toward her, wearing a sweater set the color of a balsam fir, and Dad came through the green-and-white curtain that separated the kitchen from the dining area, catching up to her in long strides.

      “Hi, honey.” Dad wore his signature red apron, and he must have been in the middle of cooking something, because he was still carrying a red and white checkered hand towel. This restaurant had been in Dad’s family for three generations, and he was the best cook she knew.

      “Oh, Allie!” Carol stopped, tears spilling down her cheeks as she cocked her head as if it would be the last time they’d ever see each other. “My baby.” She lunged forward, pulling Allie in for a hug.

      “Mom, this is not goodbye.” Allie gave her dad a pleading look as her mother clung to her neck. “I’m just dropping off Frank. Besides, you promised you wouldn’t cry.”

      “I’m not!” Carol swept at her tears and then took the fish bowl from Allie. “I was just…chopping onions.”

      Dad snickered.

      “I’m going to be home right after Christmas.”

      “Mm-hmm.” Carol clung to the goldfish bowl. “And then you’re leaving again right after that…for good. And all I’ll have to remember you by is a goldfish.”

      “Maybe I should, uh…” Joe tossed the towel over his shoulder and took the goldfish bowl from Carol. “…take care of Frank, okay?”

      Oh gosh, was he teary-eyed, too? Allie’s heart clenched.

      “Thanks, honey,” Carol said to Joe.

      He headed for the kitchen, and Allie placed her hands on her mother’s shoulders. “Mom, Washington D.C. has modern conveniences.” Allie rubbed her shoulders, encouraging her to relax.

      “I know.” But Carol’s words were unconvincing.

      “Phone.”

      “I know,” Carol whispered.

      “I hear they even have an airport now,” Allie teased.

      Carol granted Allie a small smile, then took a breath. “Honey, I just want to make sure…that you’re sure. Because this is a big change, Allie.”

      “I’m sure.” She held Mom’s gaze, hoping to calm her down. “It’s a great job. And besides, I’m ready for a change.”

      Carol leveled a stare. The one Allie knew so well. “And I’m not just talking about the job.”

      “No. Mom.” Allie raised a finger in the air, shaking her head. “No. We’ve been over this.” She took a step back, as if the space between them would erase the comment. She was tiring of this discussion. It had been Spencer who’d found her the amazing job opportunity in Washington, D.C., and yes, he wanted her closer to him, but applying for that position had been one hundred percent her choosing. If things worked out with Spencer, that was great, but it wasn’t a deal breaker. Sure, she was giving up her own vet practice here in Evergreen, but she was going to be doubling her salary in the city. There was so much opportunity in Washington, D.C. So much to see and do. It was a good change. The chance of a lifetime. “Spencer and I are just testing the waters.”

      “Mm-hmm. And there was a reason you two broke up, honey.”

      “Yeah, we couldn’t handle the long-distance thing. So, now we’re going to be in the same city, and…it’s not a big deal,” Allie said. We’ll figure it out.

      “You’re going to be spending Christmas with him, Allie. That is a very big deal.”