Page 3 of A Gift of Time
That’s when I saw it.
Outside of the bigger shopping centers, there was a small log building that sat just a little ways off the main road. Christmas trees adorned with lights stood on each side of the entrance, and a word flashed in the frosted window.Open.
I parked in a spot in front of the store and pulled my coat tighter against me as I got out of the warm interior of my car and faced the deathly arctic temperature.
A sign hung on a candycane colored pole that readChristmas Wish Shoppe.
An actual store dedicated to just Christmas crap? I didn’t remember seeing it before, but I hadn’t been on that side of town in a while.
Right when I entered, warm air took away the chill in my bones and the scent of cinnamon and baked goods filled my nose.
A fireplace was in the far corner, giving off cozy heat, and the lighting was soft and golden. Brown shelves lined the walls holding antique items, and matching tables with similar objects were scattered throughout the room.
No one else was around.
“Hello?” I called out, walking farther inside and shaking out the snowflakes on my coat.
My teeth chattered as my body got accustomed to the change of temperature. I couldn’t wait to be done with the stupid errand so I could leave and go home.
Might as well take a look around while I’m here.
I moved along the shelves, checking out the old-fashioned clocks and wood carved Christmas décor. Caden loved the traditional things, so I basked in my good fortune at finding the shop. Maybe I’d just get him one of the glass bells or a house for the Christmas village he put up every year.
“Can I help you find something?” someone said from behind me.
I turned to see a chubby older man with a short white beard and glasses. He wore a white shirt and red suspenders. Basically one of those Santa Claus wannabes.
“Uh, yeah. Sure.” I cleared my throat and approached the counter. “I’m looking for something special for my fiancé.”
“What does this fiancé like?” His voice was deep, yet pleasant, with hints of gruffness.
All things cheesy and romantic.
“He’s an interior designer, so he loves anything stylish, but old-fashioned as well. I kind of screwed up and waited ‘til last minute to get his gift.”
The man held an odd look in his blue eyes, almost as if he knew some secret.
“Sounds to me like you put other things before him,” he said, walking out from behind the counter and nearing a shelf on the wall. “Love is the most important thing of all.”
I followed him, unsure how to respond.
“That’s personal, Mr…”
“You can call me Nick.”
At least he didn’t say Santa.
“Okay, Nick. Well, that’s personal and between me and my fiancé.”
He ran his fingers along the items on the wooden shelf before stopping at an ornate snow globe. “What about this?”
Although it was pretty, there wasn’t anything spectacular about it. Just a simple snow globe with a Victorian house covered in white and surrounded by Christmas trees on the inside.
“I don’t think that’s it,” I said, wishing I could find something and get the hell out of there.
The detour to the shop was eating up too much time already.
Nick nodded and kept searching. “I do have one item that I keep locked away. It’s not just an ordinary gift, however. It’s one meant only for special cases. If you’re interested, I could show you.”
