Page 66 of A South Hill Christmas Keepsake
He reached over and placed his hand on her leg.
When they arrived, the parking lot was full. The place buzzed with activity, unlike their last visit. Hannah Leigh carried the small Harper’s Jewelry bag on her wrist. Inside, nestled in tissue, was Ruthie’s gold locket, cleaned, mended, and shining like new.
“Feels strange not running deliveries,” Nate said. “Feels like the holiday is almost over. Almost too quiet.”
She gave him a flirty wink. “You thrive on chaos. Admit it.”
He nodded. “Only when you’re part of it. This is going to be my favorite delivery though.”
“Mine too.” She hugged his arm. “For sure.”
They walked inside, moving easily among the crowd until they reached Ruthie’s room. The door was closed. Nate tapped lightly.
Ruthie opened it and smiled, surprised. “Well, if it isn’t my Christmas angels. Come in.”
Hannah Leigh set the parcel in her hands. “We brought something that belongs to you.”
Ruthie’s breath hitched. “The locket?”
Hannah Leigh nodded. “Harper’s Jewelry fixed it. Good as new.”
Ruthie untied the ribbon slowly. The tissue parted, and the gold caught the light, restored and whole again. For a moment she only traced the engraving with her thumb. Then she opened it. Two tiny photographs looked back, she and Henry, young and full of forever.
Her shoulders trembled. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Can I get the clasp for you?”
“Yes, please.”
Nate fastened the clasp behind her neck, the metal warm against her skin.
Ruthie turned toward the mirror, fingertips brushing the locket. “Beautiful,” she whispered. “This is a very merry Christmas indeed.”
Hannah Leigh stepped over, twisting the locket to the front. “Ruthie there’s more.” She looked over at Nate, hardly able to contain herself as she handed the large envelope to her. “Ruthie, there are a few documents about Henry in there for you. I think you should have them, but there is one I think you’ll want to read first. It’s a letter from Henry’s sister.”
“Mabel?”
“Yes. You knew her?”
“No, but he spoke of her.” She reached into the envelope and pulled out the contents.
“There it is. That one,” Hannah Leigh directed her. “You might want to sit down.”
Ruthie read the letter, cried, lifted it and read it again. “I can’t believe this. Thank you both. You don’t know how much this means to me.”
Hannah Leigh couldn’t control her tears. “I’m just so sorry you both spent all those years loving each other and never finding your way back. It’s heartbreaking.”
“Honey, don’t you be sad,” Ruthie said. “You have a wonderful man, and you two will have a beautiful love story. And you’ve brought me more joy than I’ve known for a long time.”
“Yes, we will,” Nate said. “And we intend to keep you a part of our lives. We’re still going to come and take you to South Hill this spring.”
“I can hardly wait,” Ruthie said. “I have something for you.” She reached into the basket by her chair and pulled out a small crocheted heart of deep red yarn. “A thank-you for fixing something that mattered.”
Hannah Leigh accepted it, the yarn soft in her palm. “We just helped it find its way home.”
Ruthie smiled through tears. “That’s the best kind of fixing.”
“We’d love to visit again, if that’s alright,” Hannah Leigh said.
