Page 54 of The Christmas Keepsake
“Driving?” Hollis asked.
“That’s what she does when she’s upset. She drives.”
How the heck was he going to find Mallory if she was driving all over Bloom? “Any other tips?”
“She likes to eat cheesy fries when she’s upset. Or she did when we were younger.”
“Cheesy fries? From Daryl’s Diner?” Hollis asked. He somehow doubted Mallory still enjoyed grease and ketchup, but he was willing to flip the entire town upside down to find her… and hold her.
“Okay. Thanks for the tip. Let’s hope she’s there.”
“You’re going to look for her?” Savannah asked. “Let me know if you find her. I want to make sure she’s okay too. As okay as someone can be when they’re losing a family member to dementia and struggling to keep that person safe. And also balancing the expectations of the town and their obsession with this play on her shoulders… Wow, Mallory really is under a lot of pressure.”
Just like Nan had predicted last Christmas. “I’ll find her,” he said.
Even if it took him all night.
An hour later, Hollis had driven from one end of the county to the other and back. He’d gone to Daryl’s Diner three times, driving around the lot and looking for Mallory’s car. And in the process, he’d had a lot of time to think. Men were fixers. Isn’t that what everyone said? And he was even more of a fixer than the average guy, thanks to Matt.
If the play couldn’t happen at the theater, there was nothing saying it couldn’t happen somewhere else.
Think, Hollis, think.
A text came through, and Hollis immediately snatched his phone,expecting it would be a message from Mallory. Instead, it was from Damian about the tree farm, giving updates on sales and goings-on. The kid was a godsend this season.
Damian:Closing up now. Just giving you an update, boss.
The tree farm’s hours were different during the week, based on the day. From Monday through Thursday, five thirty was most cost-effective because most sales happened on the weekend, between Friday and Sunday.
Hollis:Great. Thanks, bud.
As Hollis started to put his cell phone away, an idea clicked into place like a missing puzzle piece.Of course.The play could happen on Popadine’s Tree Farm—if Pop agreed. The property was more than big enough, with generous parking space. All it would really take was for Hollis and the construction crew to build a modest platform as a stage inside of Pop’s large, empty barn. In just a couple of hours’ work, they could bring the props over from the community theater.
Veering toward Memory Oaks, Hollis went to speak to Pop directly. Fifteen minutes later, he had Pop’s blessing. Hollis had even gotten a friend to donate all the seating inside the barn—the same chairs that had been used for Maddie’s wedding to Sam last summer. Matt owned outdoor heaters for the construction crew when they worked in the most frigid temperatures. With a few texts and phone calls, Hollis felt confident he’d solved most of Mallory’s dilemma.
This was one of many things he loved about Bloom. When there was a need in the community, folks showed up. All that was left was figuring out what the issues were with the theater, and fixing those as well. He was committed to keeping his promise to Nan to take care of Mallory.
Everything would be okay. Now he just needed to locate Mallory and make her believe it.
The Rattle Ornament
The Rattle Ornament is in the box numbered with an 8. It’s a simple yellow and white plastic rattle with a shiny golden bow tied in the middle. Hang it eighth down from the top, just south of the middle of the tree.
Here’s the story.
I didn’t feel any movement from the baby for the remainder of our honeymoon. At one point, I even called my mother to ask her what I should do.
“Babies go quiet in there sometimes. I’m sure the little guy is just giving you and Mickey some privacy. It’s fine, dear. Focus on your new husband and your happy future.”
I allowed myself to believe her too—for a couple of hours. Then I called my doctor.
“Are you bleeding?” he asked.
“N-no.” The only thing I had to report was that the movement had stopped.
“You’re a nervous mother,” the doctor said. “That’s normal for first timers. I just examined you last week, Nan, and everything was A-OK. Relax and make an appointment when you get back from your honeymoon.”
“Okay.” With shaky hands, I hung up the phone and turned to Mickey.
