Page 62 of Christmas Charms
“Yes,” I say without hesitation.
“Is this about the promotion? Because I could probably pull some strings and make sure you get equal consideration for it, even though you weren’t able to apply for it in person.”
I didn’t realize he knew about the promotion, but it makes sense that he’s been in touch with work while he’s been away. He’d never completely step away from Windsor, even during the Christmas holidays. “Thank you. That’s a very kind offer, but no. This doesn’t have anything to do with the promotion.”
“Well.” He lets out a breath, and I get the feeling he’s not too disappointed that I’ve turned him down. In fact, he seems a little relieved. “Maybe this is for the best.”
Fruitcake swivels his head back and forth as if trying to keep up with the conversation.
Jeremy arches a brow. “I’m allergic to dogs.”
Once we’ve agreed that we’re better off as friends than life partners, Jeremy is anxious to get back to Manhattan. I half expect him to tell me that he’s allergic to the Adirondacks as well as dogs, but if that’s the case, he keeps the matter to himself. Lucky for him, there’s one last train back to the city tonight.
In truth, I’m ready for him to go. I’m sure I’ve missed the parade by now, but it’s still Christmas Eve. I want to meet my family and friends down at The Owl’s Nest like we’d planned.
Of course, it won’t be exactly like we planned. Aidan won’t be there—I’m sure of it. And his absence will cut me to the quick. Where’s Maya and her pint of her gingerbread ice cream when I really need her? I might have thought I was heartbroken after I broke up with Jeremy, but this time…
This time, I’m certain of it.
“Come on,” I say, wrapping my arms around my midsection in an effort to hold myself together until Jeremy gets on a train and I can properly fall apart. Aidan and I are over, and this time, it feels permanent. If we can’t find our way back to each other after a magical Christmas like this one, I’m not sure we ever will. “Fruitcake and I will walk you to the train station.”
We follow the walking trail halfway around the lake until the station comes into view. It’s all lit up for Christmas, with twinkle lights wrapped around the oversized grandfather clock out front and a cluster of evergreen trees, branches laden with snow, on the platform. I didn’t even notice all these details when I first arrived in Owl Lake ten days ago, but I was a different person then.
“Pretty,” Jeremy says, pausing in front of the train to gaze up at the lights and smile. “I can see why you love it here.”
Fruitcake woofs his agreement, and I can’t help but laugh. “I’m glad.”
“I should get going, though.” He glances down at the sleek silver watch strapped to his wrist. From Windsor, no doubt. “This is the last train, and it leaves in two minutes.”
Wow, it’s gotten late. I had no idea it was almost ten o’clock. The parade is definitely over. I’ve missed the entire thing, and suddenly, that realization makes me unfathomably sad.
“Go,” I say, waving Jeremy toward the train.
He looks at me for long, quiet moment until his smile turns bittersweet. “Merry Christmas, Ashley.”
And with a quick hug, Jeremy is gone. Just as he runs up the steps of the train, the horn blares, long and loud. I tuck my hands into my pockets and watch while it pulls away from the platform. I remember the last time I sat on that very train. I felt so lost, so adrift. Little did I know that the place I was traveling to would feel even more like home that it ever had before.
And to think it all started with a magic bracelet tucked into a handknit Christmas stocking that’s hanging from the mantle back at home.
Fruitcake leans his solid weight against my legs. He’s still here, the first of the charmed wishes to come true. Each of them taught me something new, and it’s not until now, alone at the train station on Christmas Eve, that I finally admit to myself how much I’d hoped the last charm would have something to do with Aidan. I wanted that ring charm to represent our happy-ever-after together. I wanted it so much that it seems almost unbelievable that I was wrong.
“Wear this and have the Christmas of your dreams,” I whisper into the cold, dark night.
And then I pull back the cuff of my coat to look at the bracelet and run my fingertips over the charms that brought me back home…but it’s not there. At first, I think it must have slipped further up my sleeve, so I search and search. I flail out of my coat. My stomach lurches and I feel like I might be sick. It can’t be gone.
How can this be happening? Over and over again, I tried to open that clasp and it wouldn’t budge. The bracelet can’t be lost. It just can’t.
Please, no.Please.
But it is, and there’s no telling where I could have lost it. I’ve been all over town today. It could be anywhere, buried forever in the holiday snow.
Sorrow closes up my throat. My magical Christmas—the Christmas of my dreams—is officially over.
Chapter Eighteen
I’m not sure how longI sit there on the cold, hard ground of the train platform, weeping into scruff of Fruitcake’s neck. It feels like hours, but when my phone buzzes with an incoming text from Susan, the time reads 10:21.
Just got seated at a table by the window at the Owl’s Nest. Where are you?
