Chapter Eleven

By early afternoon, Ally and Noel were well into Peggy’s Christmas cookie baking boot camp. Ally had noticed a sudden temperature drop on the way back from Charlie’s, and, shortly after noon, a light snow began to fall. Christmas had officially arrived in Bethlehem.

“All right,” Peggy said, “before we commence your culinary masterpiece, we must name it. I do believe that the cookie naming is half the battle. Our judges love a good turn of phrase.” Ally and Noel exchanged a look.

“Well, Noel?” Ally said. “What do you think?” Ally could see the expectant mother’s mind percolating.

“Let’s see,” Noel said. “We’ve got cranberries and walnuts and chunks of white chocolate.” Noel chewed on her pinkie finger for a moment and then lit up. “I’ve got it! Crazy Cranberrilicious Chocolate Christmas Chunks!”

“Perfect!” Ally said. She gave Noel a fist bump.

Peggy clapped. “Wonderful! The judges will love that one.”

For the next half hour, under Peggy’s watchful eye and guidance, Ally and Noel mixed, blended, stirred, cracked eggs, rolled dough, greased pans, and chatted it up like giddy schoolgirls. Ally couldn’t believe how much fun baking could be. Just like working at the diner, she found herself happily distracted from the depressing thoughts that rolled through her mind like storm clouds. She was having fun, and when the counter radio announced that the airports would be closed again the next day, as well, Ally actually felt a bit relieved. She was in no hurry to move back into the tempest of uncertainty that awaited her in her real life. She figured that, as long as she stayed in Bethlehem, she’d be safe. It was as if the fates had gifted her a haven in which to wait out the storm, both literally and figuratively. The actual snowstorm might only last a few days, but she was realistic enough to know the cyclone that was enveloping her life might take a bit longer to blow over. So, if baking cookies and waiting tables could give her a reprieve—however brief—she was ready to embrace it.

“I’m nervous,” Noel said. She stood over the oven, peering through the tinted glass. “They look done. Do you think they’re done? I don’t want to burn them.”

“Breathe,” Ally said. “The cookies are fine. Right, Peggy?”

“When the timer dings, count to ten, and then take them out,” Peggy said. “We’ll let them cool on the counter for two minutes, and then carefully scoop them into the cookie tin. Tonight, we’ll store them at room temperature, so your cookies will be perfect for the judges tomorrow evening. I have a good feeling about this batch.”

Ding! The oven timer rang, and Noel and Ally gasped in unison. “Not yet…” Peggy said. Ally donned a pair of reindeer oven mitts. “A little longer,” Peggy said. “Now!” Noel swung open the oven, and Ally reached in.

“Mmm. They smell so good,” Ally said. She carefully removed the tray and took it to the center island. She put it down gently as Noel leaned in, carefully examining the dozen light-brown sugar cookies lined up in rows on the hot cookie pan.

“I’m dying to taste one,” Noel said. Peggy took a spatula and scooped one off the pan. She blew on it, then broke off three pieces, one for each of them.

“Okay, here goes,” Ally said. She took a bite. It was still a little hot. Whew. I could use some milk, Ally thought. Noel and Peggy each took bites at the same moment.

“Mmm,” Noel said. “That’s one awesome cookie.”

Ally smiled. “Yeah. I’d say we kicked some serious cookie ass.”

“Oh my,” Peggy said. Ally and Noel laughed.

“Sorry,” Ally said. “Serious cookie butt.”

“No, you’re right,” Peggy said. “You did kick ass. This is incredible.”

“Woohoo!” Noel said. “We’re going to win! Oh.”

Ally and Peggy looked at Noel. The pregnant mom-to-be’s expression had changed on a dime. She put her hands to her stomach.

“Noel, you okay?” Ally asked.

“That was some kick. I feel a little woozy. Maybe I should sit down for a little bit.”

Ally and Peggy each took an arm.

“Let’s get you to a chair,” Ally said.

“You take her, Ally,” Peggy said. “I’m going to call Doc Baker.”

“Oh, it’s all right,” Noel assured. “I’m sure I’ll be fine in a minute.”

“I’m sure you will, too,” Peggy said. “I’ll phone the doctor anyway.” Ally guided Noel over to a chair at the kitchen table and eased her into it.

“Oh,” Noel said as she settled in. “That’s better. I just got a little dizzy.” Ally pulled out a chair and sat beside her.

“No wonder with all the cookie excitement,” Ally said.

Noel smiled. “Right. We did good, huh?”

“We dominated,” Ally said. She noticed that Noel was flushed and her breath was coming in spurts. Ally turned toward Peggy just as she was finishing up on the phone.

“All right, Doc. We’ll look forward to seeing you.” She hung up and came over to the table. “The doctor will be here shortly.”

“All this trouble for me?” Noel asked. “I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Oh nonsense,” Peggy said. “You’re my guest. I always take care of my guests.” Ally took one of Noel’s hands and squeezed it.

…

“Okay, just going to eavesdrop a little on your baby’s heartbeat.”

Doctor Tom Baker arrived within a half hour. Ally was impressed. Not only did he make house calls, but he made fast ones. Ally helped Peggy clean up while the doctor sat in front of Noel at the kitchen table, his stethoscope pressed against her bare belly. He was a tall, handsome man in his early sixties, and she thought he looked a little like Morgan Freeman. He had a comforting and wise way about him that seemed to put Noel instantly at ease. Ally wondered if all small-town physicians were like him. She doubted it. His manner was like a nice, calming sip of ginger tea.

“Well?” Peggy asked. “How is she?”

“If you mean baby Chelsea,” Doctor Baker replied, “then I’d say she’s doing quite well in there. If you mean Noel here, then I’d say she’s going to be just fine. This is perfectly normal as you near the delivery date.” He removed the scope and started packing up his black medical bag. “Okay, young lady, you give me a call if you have any questions. And no more cookie baking. You need to stay off your feet as much as possible.”

“Okay, Doc. Thanks,” Noel said.

Doc Baker stood up and fastened his bag. “Those cookies for the bake-off?” he asked Peggy.

“Of course,” she said. “These girls did a masterful job. Would you like a sample to go, Doc?”

“Now, Peggy, you know that’s unethical.” Doc Baker winked at Ally. “I’m a judge.”

“Ah,” Ally said. “Is there anything else we can bribe you with?”

He smiled. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that. Good luck.”

Peggy handed him a small red tin. “Don’t worry. It’s just my toffee,” she said. “Wouldn’t dream of trying to sway your decision.”

The doctor took it from her. “Thank you, Peggy. You know how much I love your toffee.” The doctor nodded to Ally and Noel and called “hope to see you all at the welcome shindig tonight” as Peggy saw him out.

Ally looked at Noel, then Peggy. “Welcome shindig? What welcome shindig?”

It was just after seven on a cold, crisp December evening when Ally strolled up to the Bethlehem Community Center. It had been snowing steadily since midafternoon, and there was a fresh layer of white on the grass and hedges. But, as she walked, Ally noticed the snow suddenly shut off like a faucet. She gazed up at the evening sky. There was a break in the clouds, revealing a starry-gemmed night sky. Ally thought how nice it must be to live in a place with so many stars. The last time she’d seen that many stars was on a trip to Yosemite with Tim the previous summer. She wondered if the small-town residents took that glorious night sky for granted.

She rounded the corner into the square and could see the lighted community hall beckoning just beyond the center green. As she passed the majestically glimmering tree, she paused for a moment to take it in. She flashed back to Jake’s memories of Kate and felt a stirring in her gut. She was glad Noel had decided to stay in with Peggy and take it easy. She was worried about her roommate. Noel had taken everything so well, but she knew she was anxious about the baby, about being apart from Brian. Ally stepped up to the tree and looked at some of the homespun ornaments the residents had hung there. She secretly wished she had one of her own to hang. “Fate has a strange way of making plans,” she whispered.

“Do you always talk to yourself?” Ally turned to find Jake standing there. She’d been looking for him, but somehow, he’d slipped up on her. He was wearing a black Tommy Hilfiger sports coat over a white Oxford shirt and navy khakis. He smelled nice. Chaps, Ally guessed.

“As a matter of fact, I do,” Ally said. “You clean up good. I don’t think I’ve seen you out of your diner attire.”

“Thanks,” Jake said. “So do you.” Ally was wearing a winter green Sun Valley down parka over jeans and a dark gray Eddie Bauer turtleneck sweater. She had on her comfy leather-and-wool-blend boots.

“So,” Ally said. “What’s with this welcome shindig, anyway?”

“The people of Bethlehem wanted to officially welcome our guests from the sky,” Jake said.

“We sound like space aliens when you put it like that,” Ally said.

“You are, in a way,” Jake said. He held out his arm. “May I escort you?”

Ally hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “Delighted.” She took his arm, and Jake escorted her across the green toward the community center. His arm was tight and taut, and she liked the feel of his muscles.

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas” was playing as Ally and Jake came through the door into the community center. Ally thought the song was ironic, as home was the one place it looked that the passengers and crew of Flight 1225 wouldn’t be for Christmas. It was already crowded, and she figured there were upward of 400 people crammed in the gym-sized room. The festive holiday decorations included poinsettias and garlands, wreaths and gingerbread houses, along with giant candy canes and a couple of real twin decked-out eight-foot noble fir Christmas trees bookending the stage. There was an eats table with punch and cookies, and a check-in table with peel-off name tags.

“We need to get our name tags,” Jake said, raising his voice to be heard above the happy hubbub. “I think it’s a requirement.” Ally was impressed with the effort they’d put into the decorations. There was a large banner dangling from the rafters. Welcome Flight 1225 Passengers and Crew. As Jake led Ally over to the sign-in table, she noticed it was being manned by Robbie’s crush Amelia and another young woman about her age.

“Hi, Mr. Nelson,” Amelia said.

“Hello, Amelia. Lanie. This is Ally. I guess we both need name tags.”

“Sure thing,” Amelia said. Amelia and Lanie each picked up red sharpies and peel-off tags. Lanie wrote out Jake’s name while Amelia looked at Ally, who answered her question before she could ask it.

“A-l-l-y.”

“So, Mr. Nelson,” Amelia said, “how’s Robbie?”

“He’s doing well,” Jake said. “You should stop by the diner and say hello.” Lanie snickered, and Ally shot her friend a look to shut her down.

“Maybe I will,” Amelia said. “Here you go.” The girls handed them their name tags, and Ally and Jake peeled off the backing and stuck them on their respective chests.

“Thanks,” Ally said.

As Ally and Jake stepped away from the table, she pulled him aside. “You know nothing’s ever going to happen if Robbie doesn’t make the first move, right?”

“You’re preaching to the choir,” Jake said. “I already told him that, but he has a panic attack every time she comes near him.”

“He shouldn’t,” Ally said. “The feeling is mutual.”

Jake gave her a look. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, she likes him back.”

“How do you figure?” Ally could tell Jake was genuinely curious.

Ally shook her head. “Men. Didn’t you notice what went on back there?”

“I guess not,” Jake said.

“Well, first of all, Amelia asked about him. That’s a none-too-subtle hint, and then her friend smirked.”

“Guess I didn’t pick up on the smirk,” Jake said. “And what does the smirk mean?”

“It means that they’ve been talking about him,” Ally said. “That’s a good sign.”

“I’m not so sure,” Jake said. “I don’t think Robbie’s going to make a move any time soon. He’s afraid of her.”

“Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life,” Ally said.

“Nice,” Jake said. “Is that a yoga saying?”

“I guess so,” Ally said. “Also, a saying for life. You know, Jake, despite your bias against it, I think you could use a little yoga.”

“I’m not biased. And what do you mean I could use it?”

“You seem a little stiff.”

“Stiff? Am I stiff?”

Ally looked him over, reached out, and adjusted his shoulders with her hands. “Like a board.”

“May I have your attention, please?”

Ally, Jake, and the others turned to the stage to see mailman/mayor Frank Farmer standing at the microphone. He was wearing a very loud red-and-green Christmas sweater with the words “single and ready to jingle” across the front. Frank waited for the crowd to settle.

“Thank you. As mayor of Bethlehem, I’d like to offer an official welcome to our newest friends—the stranded passengers and crew of Flight 1225.” The crowd broke into applause and cheers. “Having you with us this Christmas season has made it all the more special. Of course, we don’t know how long you’re going to be here, but, as long as you are, we want you to know that we consider you part of the Bethlehem family.” More cheers rose from those gathered. “Now, I’d like to turn it over to our party planner extraordinaire, Ms. Tina Nelson! Take it away, Tina!”

Jake leaned into Ally’s ear. “My sister.” Ally nodded. She recognized her from the photos in Charlie’s.

As “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” played, Ally stood by Jake and watched his sister run up onstage and grab the microphone. “Happy Holidays, everybody!” Tina called out. “How about we get to know each other by playing some icebreaker games?” The crowd cheered. “All right, we’re gonna start with a game called belly balloon…which should help us get up close and personal.” Ally saw Maddie, Libby, and a few others moving through the crowd carrying bouquets of inflated balloons. “Okay,” Tina continued, “everybody pair up with a partner. Each team gets one balloon.”

Ally turned to see Jake smiling at her. “You game?” he said.

“I’m not really sure what I’m getting myself into,” Ally said, though she had an idea how the game worked.

“The goal,” Tina said from the stage, “is to keep the balloon pressed between your two bellies, and then you try to pop it. First team that pops their balloon wins.” The crowd murmured and laughed as teams formed up, snatching balloons from the bouquets as they moved through the room. “And the last team to pop has to sing a duet of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas.’” The crowd groaned. Ally determined they couldn’t be last. She couldn’t carry a tune, and that was her least favorite Christmas song.

“Here, you guys,” Maddie said, stepping up to Ally and Jake. Ally chose a green balloon as Maddie moved on to the next team.

“Okay,” Ally said. “I think we can do this.”

“I like your confidence,” Jake said. “Because I’m not so sure.”

“All right,” Tina said, “everybody into position—go on, belly up!” Ally watched a nearby couple wedge their balloon between their bellies, and she looked at Jake.

“You ready?”

“Let’s do it,” Jake said. Ally held out the balloon to her stomach, and Jake moved in to her, putting a hand on her elbow as he did. She enjoyed being so close to him, face to face. If only this balloon wasn’t here, she thought.

“Okay!” Tina said. “Three, two, one…go!”

The room filled with chatter and laughter as the belly balloon teams started jostling about, pressing hard on the balloons, laughing, stumbling, looking awkward and strange, moving around like they were doing the funky chicken dance.

“Hey!” Ally called to Jake over the racket. “Your stomach’s too high!”

“Ha!” Jake said. “C’mon! We’ve got to really squeeze it!”

Soon, balloons started to burst, the sharp popping noises moving around the room like a wave of firecrackers. “Keep pushing!” Ally shouted. “We’ve got this!”

POP.

Finally, their balloon burst, and Ally and Jake were thrust into each other, chest to chest, face to face, bodies blending for a wildly delirious moment. Ally was laughing so hard she had to struggle to catch her breath, and so was Jake. Ally grabbed him and buried her head in his shoulder, laughing unrestrainedly into his sweater until she finally caught her breath. “That was amazing,” she said as she slowly got control of herself.

“Yeah,” Jake said, “I think our ice is broken.”

“Shattered,” Ally said.

Jake took her hand, and Ally felt a warm flush swell on her cheeks. Settle down, she told herself. You’re not fourteen. Ally noticed Jake looking past her across the room. “What’s up?” she said, following his gaze.

“Robbie seems a little lovesick,” Jake said. Ally spotted Robbie standing all alone near the door, as if, at the first sign of trouble, he could easily make a run for it. She then looked back over toward the sign-in table to see Amelia standing in front next to Lanie. They were still laughing at the balloon craziness they’d just witnessed. Ally noticed Amelia shoot a sideways glance over in Robbie’s direction as if she was keeping tabs on him.

“Now’s his big chance,” Ally said. “He’s got to talk to her.”

“He’ll never do it,” Jake said. “And it’s too bad. She’s going to head back to college never knowing how he feels about her.”

“Don’t worry,” Ally said. “I’ve got this.” As the losing balloon couple was ushered to the stage to sing their duet, Ally winked at Jake, and then made a beeline for Amelia.

“Hi,” Ally said. “Remember me?”

“Oh hi,” Amelia said. “Sure I do. A-l-l-y.”

“Right,” Ally said. In the background, Tina was giving Bethlehem key chains to the balloon game winners as Eartha Kitt’s “Santa Baby” started to play over the speakers.

“So, how are you enjoying your stay?” Amelia asked. Ally could see why Robbie had such a crush on the girl. She had lovely green eyes and a near-perfect face. She imagined that Amelia had always been the prettiest girl in class.

“Not bad,” Ally said, “as unplanned layovers go.” Ally glanced back at Jake. He was now standing with Libby. They both had a watchful eye on her. “Listen, Amelia. Can I be brutally honest?”

“Sure,” Amelia said. “I guess so.”

Ally motioned over to where Robbie was lurking in the shadows by the door, pretending not to be watching them. “There’s a boy over there who would absolutely love to ask you out, but he’s a little shy.”

“Oh?” Amelia said. Ally watched the coed blush, and she liked her even more.

“So,” Ally said, “I was thinking that—since he’s never going to muster up the courage to walk over here—maybe you could ask him instead. I mean, this is the twenty-first century. Who made up those archaic dating rules, anyway?”

Amelia looked past Ally, and a tiny smile came to her pink lips. “Maybe he’s not so shy after all,” she said, “because here he comes now.”

Ally turned just as a tall and very cute boy stepped up to them. He was blond and blue-eyed with a winsome dimpled smile and confident manner. He was also definitely not Robbie.

“Hey,” he said. “I’m Justin.” He pointed to his name tag. “This is your handwriting.”

“Hi,” Ally and Amelia said in unison. Ally felt foolish. He wasn’t speaking to her.

“I’m one of the airplane people,” Justin said with a disarming grin. “And I was hoping someone could show me around while I’m here.”

“Sure,” Amelia said. Ally recognized the glow in her face, and it wasn’t good news for Robbie.

“How about right now?” dimple boy said.

“Okay,” Amelia said.

Then Ally watched in dumbstruck horror as the boy named Justin took Amelia’s hand and led her away, just like he’d done it a hundred times before. Ally looked back at Robbie just in time to see him spin on his heels and head out the door. He’d seen it all.

“Nice work, Henderson,” Ally said.

“Crash and burn?” Ally didn’t notice Jake approach. She slowly shook her head.

“Big time. I should just learn to mind my own business. That’s the yogi in me, I guess. I think I can fix everything.”

“Don’t kick yourself too hard,” Jake said. “Robbie had his chance.”

Ally’s smartphone rang. “Sorry,” she said. She reached into her jeans back pocket, pulled it out, and checked it. It was her mother again. Ally figured she’d avoided her long enough. She picked up.

“Mom?”

“Ally?”

“Yes, it’s me. Who else would it be?”

“Ally, I think we need to talk about your wedding.”

“I know, Mom. But do we have to do it right now?”

“Yes, I think we do. We have to call the guests and tell them. Some of them are flying in from out of town. They’ve spent money, Allison. They won’t be able to get all of it back. This is just so terribly sad.”

Ally sighed. She suddenly felt a rush of guilt. She’d been so wrapped up in feeling sorry for herself, she’d forgotten everybody else. Her mother was right. They had nearly a dozen wedding guests coming in from out of town. Nonrefundable plane tickets had been purchased, hotel reservations had been held. She felt selfish and thoughtless. As much as she would like to forget everything that had happened in the last few days, she had to face it.

“Okay, Mom, why don’t we divide up the list? You take half, and I’ll take half.”

“All right,” Ally’s mother said, “but what do we tell them?”

“Just that the wedding’s off, nothing more,” Ally said. “They don’t need to know details. Tell them I’ll be writing them later. Tell them I’m sorry for their inconvenience. How about this? You tell all the local guests, and I’ll take the ones from outside New York. Sound good?”

“I suppose so,” Ally’s mother said. Ally was annoyed that her mom couldn’t just agree and move on.

“Thanks, Mom. We can touch base tomorrow.”

“All right,” Lucille said. Ally could tell her mom wanted her to stay on the line. “I love you.” Ally felt a rush of emotion run through her. Maybe she’d been too hard on her mother. After all, Lucille was just as broken up about the whole wedding cancelation as she was—possibly even more so. She’d been looking forward to the day she married off her daughter since Ally was ten. She’d talked about it ad nauseam for twenty years.

Someday you’re going to find your prince.

Your wedding day will be the happiest of your life.

I can’t wait to see my baby girl in her wedding dress.

You’ll be such a pretty bride.

“Love you, too, Mom.”

Ally hung up and looked over at Jake. He was chatting with the mailman/mayor. Her eyes moved to Amelia. She was huddled close in a corner with the handsome airplane boy. He said something into her ear, and she laughed. It really didn’t look good for busboy Robbie.

Ally looked back to Jake, and he was swinging his niece Maddie around. The giggling little girl was so pretty in a Christmassy red-and-green dress and red shoes. She was beaming and seemed so thrilled to be playing with her uncle. Ally watched them for a moment and again thought about what life would have been like for her had she grown up in Bethlehem.

Suddenly, her eyes filled, and a lone tear broke free and rolled down her cheek. She wiped it away with the palm of her hand as Tina announced the next game. Ally felt her lower lip tremble, and she knew she was in real danger of a meltdown. Hold it together, she told herself. It’s not the right time to fall apart. But Ally knew she needed to be alone. She needed a real cry, a tension release; all that bottled-up emotion had to go somewhere. She took one last look at Jake, turned, and headed back out into the cold.