Christmas in Evergreen. Nancy Naigle

back tears, Mom said, “You’re hugging me right now just to hush me up, aren’t you?” She giggled.

      “No.” Her mother knew her so well. “I’m hugging you because I love you. The hushing is just a bonus.” When she stepped back, she was glad to see her mom was still laughing, too.

      Mom ran her fingers through Allie’s hair. Her crooked smile and furrowed brow said things she didn’t need to vocalize.

      “I gotta go,” Allie said. “I love you.”

      “I love you.”

      She kissed her mom on the cheek and headed for the door. She glanced back, watching her mom race-walk to the kitchen. She didn’t have to stick around and check to know that Mom would be crying in Dad’s arms in a matter of seconds. That tugged at her heart. She was tempted to run back and hug Mom one more time.

      It was hard to leave, but she knew she was doing the right thing. She hoped everything would fall into place. She didn’t like seeing Mom sad—especially at the holidays.

      Allie reached the door, then turned and scanned the diner. So many wonderful years and memories had been made here. She’d miss this place. All the charming shelves Grandpa had built and painted white to give the diner a warm country feeling and to give Mom a spot to show off her teapot collections. The life-sized Santa sign just inside the door. The candy jar next to the register that was filled with something different every month—candy canes for December. And the snow globe.

      The snow globe was a legend around here. Mom said she’d wished for a daughter on it one Christmas after she and Dad had been trying for years with no luck. Allie had been born the following September.

      It wasn’t to be taken lightly. Only wishes your heart truly wanted even had a chance of being granted.

      Mom was nowhere in sight.

      Allie dashed over to the snow globe. She lifted the glass ball from its place of honor next to the cash register and held it in her hands reverently.

      Following one deep breath, she turned it upside down and gave it a good shake, then flipped it back upright, sending the snow inside twisting and swirling like a blizzard around the exact replica of the Evergreen church.

      She closed her eyes and silently made her wish.

      As she opened her eyes, a calm washed over her, as if there was no doubt her wish would come true. She set the snow globe down and gave it a gentle pat on the top, then headed for the door before her parents came back and saw her.

      In a hurry, she almost plowed right over a sixty-something man wearing a dark suit and jaunty red scarf.

      “Whoa,” he said, coming to an abrupt halt.

      “Oh, my gosh!” Allie exclaimed. “So sorry.” She patted his arm, then, taking in his appearance—the perfectly shaped, snow-white beard and laughing eyes—she realized he was the spitting image of Santa. Come to think of it, his Whoa! had sounded a lot like a ho-ho-ho that a certain red-suited Christmas guy was known for. Thank goodness he hadn’t fallen. That would have landed her on the naughty list for sure.

      “In a hurry to get your Christmas plans started?” His blue eyes twinkled with every word, and his fluffy beard looked like the real deal. She was tempted to reach out and touch it.

      “Yes.” Allie couldn’t believe how much this man favored jolly old St. Nicholas. It had her stumbling for words. “Just about to head out of town.”

      “Well…” A flash of concern crossed his face. “Be sure to check the weather before you go to the airport. Mother Nature can be unpredictable.” He leaned back and gave a hearty laugh and a wink, like it was some kind of inside joke.

      How did he know where she was headed? Had she said that? It didn’t matter. The joke was on him. It was snowing, but that was just another wintry day in Evergreen. No problem. She couldn’t wait to set out on this journey. It was both exciting and scary to leave this place she’d called home her whole life.

      The bells on the diner door jingle-jangled as the man went inside. Would he order cookies and milk? Maybe cocoa in this weather?

      Allie smiled at the sweet man. Nice of him to offer his concern for her when she was the one who’d nearly knocked him over.

      She walked to her truck, checking off her mental list of things to do before heading to the airport this afternoon. So far, everything was right on schedule.

Chapter Three

      Allie pulled away from the curb with a heavy heart even though she was exhilarated about the journey ahead. She didn’t like that Mom was so worried, but she knew she just wanted things to work out for the best. Couldn’t fault her for that. Chopping onions? Who’d buy that old excuse?

      Her house was walking distance from Main Street in good weather, but this time of year, it was better to drive and forego the risk of a broken ankle on the ice. Besides, she was on the countdown to get to the airport. She had no time to waste.

      She drove around the block and pulled into the Premier Gasoline station. The owner ran out and filled up her tank. She was pretty sure she wouldn’t get service in DC like she did here at the Royal Oak Garage. Not only did they give her full service on the self-serve pump, but they’d also opened the garage on the weekends or after hours when the need had arisen. And with this truck, that happened more than she liked to admit. Sometimes she wondered if the guys booby-trapped the old truck so she’d have to come in for service. They loved Grandpa’s truck as much as she did.

      Small-town living definitely had perks. What they lacked in volume and glitz, they made up for in fellowship and convenience. Those two businesses would probably miss her and the money they made working on her truck, too.

      With her gas tank filled, she puttered around the block and headed home.

      As she got within sight of her house, she thought about how it was large enough for a family of five, and she loved having that two-car garage. It made it so easy to keep all her sporting equipment, crafts, and stored holiday decorations nice and neat. She’d never realized until she’d gone hunting for a place to live in Washington, D.C. how lucky she was to have all this space. The whole apartment she’d be renting there would fit in the living room and kitchen of this house.

      But how much room did a single gal really need anyway?

      There was no way she could move everything she owned, so she’d planned to store some of her furniture and collections until she decided if she’d eventually buy a house there. Unfortunately, the cost of living and price of homes in DC wasn’t even in the same playing field as Evergreen. Until she was more familiar with which areas were most desirable, she’d just have to rent, because the things Spencer was showing her were way out of her comfort zone—budget-wise and style-wise. Besides, she’d have the chance to meet more people living in an apartment community, and that wasn’t a bad thing.

      She knew every single person who lived on this street. For that matter, she knew most everyone in Evergreen. It would be fun to make new friends in a new town.

      She slowed to a stop, then put her arm on the back of the seat and looked over her shoulder to back into her driveway—a necessity, since Grandpa’s truck was so finicky. She never knew when she might need a jump-start. The darn thing was hit or miss, but she still loved that truck. It was her last connection to Grandpa, and they’d been so close. He was the whole reason she’d gone to North Carolina State to get her veterinarian degree. Following in his footsteps was all she’d ever wanted to do. He’d been a large animal vet, and she’d gone on calls with him from the time she was in first grade. She hoped one day she’d have someone want to walk in her shoes…or muck boots, as the case might be. Chuckling at that thought, she knew that wouldn’t be the case in DC. She’d probably be wearing snappy clogs or something.

      She stepped out of the truck and