Page 6 of A South Hill Christmas Keepsake
“Guess we’ll never know.” Aunt Winnie smiled, then glanced at her watch. With a quick hug, she tugged on Hannah Leigh’ssleeve. “Oh dear, I need to check something at the office. Let’s walk. It’s not far.”
“Sure.” She didn’t mind a Southern winter kind of cold, the sort that shows your breath without chasing you indoors. It was nice to take a stroll with no agenda and no phone ringing in her ear.
As they neared the Chamber of Commerce, South Hill’s iconic LOVE sign came into view, standing proudly out front. They created it entirely from old railway parts. A rusted RR Crossing sign for the “L,” a spoked train wheel for the “O,” a pair of antique track tongs for the “V,” and reclaimed railroad ties forming the “E.” The sight made her smile. It had been the backdrop for her high-school graduation photos, back when she couldn’t wait to leave town.
As they passed, a young couple snuggled up close for a selfie, laughing as their golden retriever leapt into the frame at the last second, ears flying and tail wagging like he’d planned the photobomb all along.
Hannah Leigh’s heart danced, caught between envy and nostalgia as she watched the couple. “What’s next on the list?”
“Tomorrow, you’re helping Nate Collier set up wreaths and garland at the old school. He’s turning the gym into a winter wonderland for the festival.”
“Nate?” Hannah Leigh echoed, the name tugging at something old and unresolved. “As in… Nate Collier from school?”
“Don’t worry. He got taller. And kinder.” Aunt Winnie’s eyes twinkled. “Mostly. I mean, sometimes he can show a little temper if there’s a bad call on the field. Did I mention he coaches football on the side?”
“You didn’t, but he was an outstanding player in high school. If he coaches on the side, what does he do for a job?”
“He’s a contractor. A good one, too. He is a real craftsman, not one of those who take shortcuts. He’s well respected around here.”
Her palms began to sweat. Nate Collier. She hadn’t said that name out loud in years, but it still carried a spark of what-if she didn’t trust anymore. Not after Evan. The idea of seeing Nate again made her pulse quicken in equal parts curiosity and dread. She wasn’t ready for anyone’s charm, least of all the boy she’d once written his name in the margins of her notebook beside hers.
Before Hannah Leigh could protest, a big gust of wind caught her off balance, tugging at the clipboard Aunt Winnie had assigned to her like it had something personal against her holiday plans. She pinned it against her chest, sighed, and squinted up at the banner above the sidewalk that was hanging slightly crooked.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Friday, December 12, 7 PM
From down the block, a sputtering, puttering motor grew louder.
“Oh no,” Hannah Leigh muttered under her breath. “Is that Birdie?”
“She hasn’t changed a bit,” Aunt Winnie said. “Well, she might be even more audacious.”
Sure enough, here came Birdie, swaddled in tartan plaid and driving her bedazzled baby-blue golf cart like it was a presidential motorcade. A wreath the size of a Smart car was zip-tied to the front, glittering like a disco ball in the midday sun. “Jingle Bell Rock” blared from a speaker strapped to the back.
“Heads up, sugarplum! I’m comin’ in hot!” she squealed, red hair flying.
Hannah Leigh stepped aside just in time forThe Gossip, Birdie’s appropriately named golf cart,to roll to a bouncy stop against the curb.
Birdie flung herself out of the doorless side as if she were exiting a limousine. Birdie’s red sweater had a reindeer with a light-up nose, and she wore a matching lipstick shade, possibly namedCranberry Chaos.
“I was just at Harper’s Jewelry, and I havenews. You remember that ring they kept in the display case for years, the one with the two little dogwood blossoms on either side of the diamond? Gone. Sold this morning. And not to whom you’d guess.”
Aunt Winnie’s eyes widened. “Not Billy for Sonja?”
Birdie’s lips curled, not totally unlike the Grinch. “Nope. An out of towner. I can’t believe they sold it to someone with no connection to our tree! What were they thinking?”
“That a sale is a sale?” Seemed perfectly acceptable to Hannah Leigh.
“Don’t be silly, child!” Aunt Winnie nearly shuddered. “Remind me to give you my bracelet to take over there to get fixed. The darn thing flew off my wrist right in the middle of choir practice last week. Nearly clocked poor Pastor Qualls right in the halo.”
“Oh, goodness gracious. We can’t have that! I’ll get the bracelet over there,” Hannah Leigh said, then turned to Birdie. “How have you been?”
Birdie cast her a disappointed look. “Oh, I’m swell. Arthritis is barkin’ and I sat on a caramel earlier, but otherwise, I’m upright. About time you came back.”
“Thanks for the warm welcome,” Hannah Leigh said, regretting the passive-aggressive tone. “I’m just here to help with the festival.”
“Oh goodness. Well, your aunt has her work cut out this year. Don’t get me started on the mayor and his opinion of Christmas lights. Patsy Blackwood, who’stwiceremoved from city business but still knows everything, said the mayor vetoed red-and-green bulbs on the stoplights because they looked ‘too playful.’ I’m sure he’ll be by soon to remind everyone that Christmas cheer requires a permit.”
