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Chapter 24
Memory’s family was already at the lighting ceremony when she made her way over after locking up the shop. She’d taken a few extra minutes to change into a bright red sweater and her favorite dark blue jeans. The ones she’d worn all day weren’t dirty, but she thought she may as well look her best if she was going to go to the trouble of standing near Dak at the ceremony. She’d fixed her makeup, put on some red lipstick that matched her hat, scarf, and gloves, and brushed out her hair. And maybe sprayed on a little bit of her favorite vanilla-scented perfume.... She wasn’t necessarily trying to impress him, but why not look her best if she could?
Ellie had been talking about the ceremony all day, even staying past 2:00 when she’d normally been leaving the shop so that she could continue to chatter about it. Memory did her best to calm her new friend because it really wasn’t a big deal, but Ellie seemed to th
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Christmas Memory Chapter 25
“Hi, Memory,” Jen said first, her face lit up as she pulled at her long brunette braid. “How are you?”“Good. Hi, Jen. Hi, Chet.”“Hi there, Memory.” Chet’s voice was a little too sing-song for Memory’s taste as well. “You look nice.”“Oh, thanks.” She looked down at what she was wearing. “It’s just... my coat. My regular old white coat. That I always wear. All the time.”“Okay....” Chet caught Jen’s eye, and said, “Weren’t we going to meet your parents?”“Yep, and I bet they’re probably... over there. By the hot cocoa stand. It was nice to see you, Memory. Dak, nice to see you again.”“You, too,” Dak said to Jen, giving her a little wave as Chet clapped his arm. Memory followed them with her eyes, st
Christmas Memory Chapter 26
“Good evening, friends, families, and visitors,” Mayor Charles announced into the microphone, his voice ringing out in a joyous tone. He was a short man with thick glasses and hair around the edges of his head but not in the middle, though that was currently hidden under his hat. He held firmly to his fedora with one hand for fear it might blow off and leave his shiny head glistening in the lights, she had no doubt. “Welcome to the Christmas Falls Tree Lighting Ceremony!”The crowd clapped and cheered, and Memory and Dak joined in. Lorelei jumped up and down with glee.“Won’t you all join me in welcoming the worship leader of our own Cornerstone Baptist Church, Cindy Sheen?” Again, the crowd clapped as Cindy took the stage. Memory smiled at the familiar face of the woman who led them in singing praise songs each Sunday. She was a tiny blonde woman with a big soprano voice, and Memory felt confid
Christmas Memory Chapter 27
As soon as they were clear of the crowds around the lighting ceremony, Dak slowed down enough so that Memory didn’t feel as if she was running to keep up. He also let go of her hand, which Memory disliked more than she would’ve ever voiced. He looked both ways as he led her across the street on the north side of the square. Vick’s Diner was only a few blocks this direction, and even though it was cold, moving made it feel warmer.“Where’s your car?” she asked, partially making conversation and also wondering if he intended to walk all the way to the diner or was just headed to his vehicle.“In the lot next to the diner.”“How did you know I’d say yes?” She crossed the street, and they took to the sidewalk. There was no traffic since most everyone else was still chatting, but she felt safer out of the roadway.“I didn’t know
Christmas Memory Chapter 28
“I’m sure there are more servers around here somewhere, but yes, it will be crowded. Lots of people come in for dessert after the lighting.” She tore the wrapper off of her straw, rolling the paper between her fingers and fidgeting with it, as she dropped the straw into her drink, not sure what else to say. She took a sip of her drink, glad that she’d chosen the sugar, and set her glass back down, trying to think of something interesting, but every topic that popped into her head sounded silly.“Ellie and I had dinner here the other night,” he said, also seeming at a loss for words.“You did?” Memory was surprised. “She didn’t mention that.”“Yeah, she spent most of the time talking about you, so....”“Me?” She didn’t know what to say to that. “Well, I was under the impression she’d relayed ever
Christmas Memory Chapter 29
Dak didn’t respond to that. “I also leased an office space for the next few weeks, so maybe I can get a little more done. The inn is a great place to stay, but it’s not exactly suitable for work.”Memory raised an eyebrow. “What office space?”A crooked grin spread across his face, and he held her gaze for a second. “I’m not sure I should tell you.”“Why?” Before he answered, she put two and two together. “The empty building next to my shop?” Dak nodded, and Memory smirked back at him, shaking her head. “You just can’t leave me alone can you?” She was teasing, but she felt a rush of color come to her face.“Apparently not,” he replied, still grinning at her. “Don’t worry—I won’t be there too often. I just needed a place to set up a desk and keep my files organized.”
Christmas Memory Chapter 30
A blast of cold air set her cheeks aflame, and she was glad she’d chosen not to walk. It felt like the temperature had dropped twenty degrees while they were inside, and it was beginning to snow. Soft flakes cascaded from the heavens, a fine, delicate layer of down fluttering from the sky.“Fresh material for the snowman makers,” Dak noted, pulling gently on her arm and leading her down the sidewalk, through the diner parking lot to a public lot next door.She could tell which SUV was his because it was running, and she found herself gaping as he went around to open the passenger side door for her. “Wait—is this a rental?” she asked, staring at the gray Mercedes.“Uh, no,” Dak said, holding the door open for her. “It was a graduation present. From my parents.”Memory caught his eyes for a minute, hers wide, but managed to move past him and sl
Christmas Memory Chapter 31
“Is he interested in me?” she muttered to herself, unlocking the door and turning to wave at him before ducking inside and locking the door behind her, not wanting to turn the lights on and potentially attract people who might assume she was open. “No, he can’t be,” she whispered aloud as she headed to the back. “Why would he be? He’s just a nice guy. A very attractive, funny, intelligent, extremely wealthy, nice guy. Not that the money matters—because it doesn’t.” After all, if he got all of that money from taking advantage of families like the ones who owned those homes he was looking at, then that would just be wrong, and she wouldn’t want to be associated with it at all.She had a feeling that wasn’t the case, though. It sounded like both of his parents were successful in their fields, and perhaps they had also come from money. She couldn’t imagine what that would be like&m
Christmas Memory Chapter 32
Sleeping in proved harder than Memory had expected. She was up before 8:00, showered, dressed, and puttering around the house, wondering what to do with herself. Going to the shop early wasn’t really an option. Ellie had already sent a text that morning that said she’d better not dare show up before 10:00. After texting her sister and requesting five plush dogs for the snowman project, Memory settled down to watch a Christmas movie she hadn’t seen for a few years before she headed to the shop.Ellie had everything under control, despite the fact that there were plenty of customers inside when Memory came in. All of the shelves were stocked, the store was clean, and somehow, everyone she asked had already been helped with finding what they were looking for, even though Ellie was behind the cash register. Not only was the large table gone, so was another piece of furniture—a bookcase that had been in the corner for as long as Memory
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