Winter Falls (Evergreen Lake: Under the Mistletoe)

Chapter 16

sixteen

The next morning Amos checked his phone and finally had a message from Alana.

Sorry, I've had no connection for a while. You know, I'm wild and remote.

It's about time you got in touch. I was getting worried.

You know better than to worry. What's up?

When are you coming home? Asher is here.

There was a pause and Amos waited for her to respond. Even though he had a feeling he knew what her response would be .

Not sure.

Al, you need to make an effort to get here this week. It's important.

It was impossible to express importance through a text, and he hoped she would pick up on it.

I don't know if I can. What's the urgency?

This is the one time I'm going to tell you, you need to be home.

Amos was the last person to give orders, or demands, but he needed his siblings here.

Are you sick? Is Asher sick?

No! But we need to have a discussion and we all need to be here. Get home. Now.

I'll do my best. Now I'm worried.

No need to be.

Does Asher know about this important discussion?

You'll both find out once you're here.

Alright, I'll text you my flight details.

Good. Safe travels.

Thx. Luv u xx

You too.

He filled his mug with coffee and carried it through to his office. He'd already been out to the barn, fed and watered the animals, and tonight he planned to take the team into town for the sleigh rides. Asher was going to be on hot chocolate duty for the train's arrival. Amos paused at the window and frowned.

The snow was coming down heavier. If it kept up through the day, then he'd have to make a decision on whether to keep the horses home. They'd left the sleigh and wagon in the library parking lot so it didn't need to be hauled back and forth every day.

"Damn, the last thing I want to do is tell Holly there'd be no sleigh rides tonight. Hey, Jack, what do you think she'd say to that?"

Jack sat at his feet and looked up at him with his big, soft eyes.

"Yeah, that's what I think too." Jack's tail thumped on the floor. "How about you tell her?" As if Jack knew what he was saying, the dog whined. "Just what I thought. Traitor."

Sitting at his desk, Amos took the envelope with the official papers and put it on the furthest corner. He did not want to deal with it until they were all together.

"Amos, where are you?" Asher shouted from somewhere in the house.

He wasn't going to shout back because Asher would find him if he needed him that badly. Jack got to his feet and walked to the doorway, standing sentry.

His tail began to wag. "Hey, boy, is your pops in here?"

Asher came into the office and flopped into the deep leather chair on the other side of the desk. He had a to-go cup and was drinking from it.

Asher was tall, like him, but he was blond and blue eyed, just like Mom. His lanky and strong body was solid with muscles. Farm life did that to ya. A tall drink of water, he'd been called when he shot up just before Mom and Dad ...

Amos sucked in a breath and reached for his mug.

"What are you shouting about?" Amos asked and took a sip. He grimaced; his coffee was getting cold.

"Al said you were all bossy and want her home now. What's with that? She's on the other side of the world."

“It didn’t take her long.” Amos sighed. “She exaggerates. Yes, I want her home fast. It's about time she was with her family, especially at Christmas." He glanced at the envelope that was now sitting right in front of Asher. He didn't seem to notice it.

"That's a first. Since...well you know, Christmas hasn't been a priority. Why all of a sudden is it now?"

Amos shrugged. "It just is."

They were silent a moment. Asher watched him as if trying to read his mind.

"So, what is this discussion we're supposed to have? She's all bent out of shape about it." He switched the subject back to their sister.

"It's nothing to worry about now. I told her once we're all together we’ll talk about it. But for now, I just want everybody home and I'm glad you're here. Now only she is missing."

"You've got me just as curious as she is. But at least I have the patience to wait until you're ready to talk about it. She doesn't and I'm surprised Al has let it go." He finished his drink and leaned forward to put his cup on the desk, which happened to be right beside the envelope. "Anyway, looks like we could have some weather coming in." His brows knitted.

"I was thinking the same thing. If it kicks up more, then we'll have to bail on the sleigh ride tonight. But that damn train should be arriving at any time."

"What time is it supposed to get here?" Asher looked at his phone. "It's almost 10."

"Right about now. You're heading over there, correct?" Amos raised his eyebrows and watched his brother stand.

"That's me, the hot chocolate king." He laughed and touched his fingers to his forehead. "See you later, boss."

"Yep, it was a good turn out yesterday. Hopefully be another good one today." He rested back in the old chair and it creaked under his weight.

"I highly doubt you really mean that, social butterfly that you are," he threw the words over his shoulder as he left the office.

Amos smiled. He had that right.

"Why oh why did you buy that wine?" I moaned. My head was pounding.

Paulie's groan matched my own. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. It was a BOGO sale so I couldn't pass it up."

We both sat at the kitchen table with our heads in our hands, on our 2nd cup of coffee. A bottle of aspirin sat between us.

"Are you hungry?" I asked her.

She shook her head. "Not in the least. In fact, the thought of eating makes me wanna puke."

I nodded in agreement.

"I haven't even looked outside yet. I can hear the wind, and I can't face the possibility of snow. Not just yet anyways," I muttered. Barely able to form words, I lifted the cup, draining my coffee. "Want more?"

She pushed her mug towards me. "Please."

I shuffled over to the pot, keeping my head down so I didn't see what the weather was doing. I know it was stupid, and I’d find out eventually, but I just couldn't face it right now. I filled up the mugs, topped them with cream, and came back to the table. I put the mugs down and went back to the cupboard. I needed something in my stomach so I reached for the package of shortbread cookies. You know, the kind with red tartan packaging imported from Scotland. Nana had always had these in the house and I followed in her footsteps.

I pulled my robe tighter, tucking it under my chin and sat back down. I picked a cookie and munched on it.

"Never again," Paulie moaned.

"Nope. Never again."

My cell phone shrilled and we both jumped. "Does that have to be so loud?" Paulie rested her forehead on her hands on the table.

I grabbed the phone, wincing as I answered it. Joanne was on the other end.

"Holly, are you coming in? I know it's still early, but I think we have some decisions and planning to do today."

"Yes, just having a coffee and then I'll be in." I swallowed and took a quick sip.

"Are you okay? You sound weird."

"Mmhm, just a bit slow this morning. I should be in in about half an hour. Why? What's going on? Did something happen?" Thought of a problem helped to wake me up, even if the headache still lingered.

"No, no, nothing to worry about. I just think we need to be aware of the next couple days with Christmas being on Wednesday."

"If you think so, but everything has been finalized and I don't think there's any last-minute changes about to happen so we should be good. But I'll be in shortly." I finished my coffee, put my mug in the dishwasher and the cookies back in the cupboard.

"Is there something happening?" Paulie asked, raising her head to look at me.

"No, I don't think so. I hope not. She just wants to go over the schedule since Christmas is only two days away. I think it's time for me to look out the window."

Paulie got up, took care of her cup, and stood beside me. Our shoulders touched, but we were both still staring at the wall.

"I got your back, shall we turn in unison and to look? This is really silly, you know." She was quick to let you know what she thought.

"Right, on three--one, two, three! Turn."

The only problem was we hadn't said which way we were turning so we bumped into each other face to face and started to laugh. She continued to chuckle, but I didn't.

It was snowing. More than yesterday, but still not enough to wreak havoc.

"I have a really bad feeling about this." I muttered, not at all pleased to see how the weather was working against us.

"It's not so bad. Just a flurry, " she stated. "I bet it stops before lunch.

"I certainly hope so. I'm gonna get dressed and go in. Did you wanna drop off at home before coming in or..."

"Nah, there's no point. I'll just freshen up."

Fifteen minutes later we were on our way. "We're stopping at Hanson's, I need some of that coffee and one of those sausage rolls."

"Excellent idea."

It only delayed us a couple of minutes and as we drove past Main Street to park behind the Chamber, I saw the wagon and sled in the library parking lot for tonight's sleigh rides. Both were layered in fresh snow. I hadn't thought about Amos all morning. But now he was heavy on my mind.

Car parked, we rushed into the building from the back door. But there was no sign of Joanne.

"I thought she'd be here?" Paulie commented.

"Me too." I put the tray of coffees and bag of pastries down and shrugged out of my coat. It was dark inside the office, setting the mood for the day. "How about we get those Christmas lights on and cheer this place up?" I suggested while hanging my coat in the closet. I carried the goodies to the little kitchen.

I flicked on the lights to the little tree that was on the counter in the kitchen, then went out into the main room and helped Paulie turn on the lights. Slowly, with each flip of a switch, a warm and festive atmosphere took over.

"I could sit and watch Christmas lights all day," I said and fussed with some ornaments on the tree in front of the window. A long-ago memory rose, of my dad telling me I could never leave the Christmas decorations on the tree alone and was always rearranging them and the gifts underneath.

I missed him and Mom. He'd been gone three years after getting some stupid infection, the same with Mom, only her cancer treatments had weakened her so it was a shock when she passed so swiftly. Nana had outlived them all until she went peacefully in her sleep. Now I was the only Raymond left and no male heir to carry on the family name. A rather archaic tradition but still. I decided if I had a child, which I hoped was not wishful thinking, a boy would be named Raymond to carry on the family name, and it would be a girl’s middle name.

"Penny for your thoughts." Paulie put her arm around my shoulder and gave me a little squeeze.

"Just thinking about Mom, Dad, and Nana and missing them."

"I'm sorry, honey. I can't imagine how you feel. But you do know my tribe is your surrogate family and we all love you."

"I know and I truly appreciate all you crazy Wareings. I just wish I'd had my parents longer." We fell silent and watched the snow fall outside as the sky brightened. Maybe it would stop and clear up.

Thinking about my parents and how I missed them got me thinking about how Amos, Asher, and Alana must feel. We were all orphans. Even as adults, the feeling of loss was strong.