Sugar picked up four bottles of wine from a grocery store in Reno before she set out for Silver Falls. Hope greeted her at Dottie’s front door. Sugar stepped inside and saw Drew and Grant setting up the Christmas tree in the living room.
“Wow, you guys don’t waste any time,” she said, holding up the wine. “I come bearing gifts and greetings from Mom. She said to tell you all hello.”
“Let me take your coat,” offered Hope. “Come in and make yourself at home.”
Jake was opening all the lids on plastic bins of ornaments and decorations, the dogs were piled in front of a roaring fire, and the fresh scent of pine mingled with the aroma of cinnamon and sugar. It smelled like the Christmases of Sugar’s childhood. After hanging the coat, Hope said, “How about something hot to drink? We’ve got coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or apple cider.”
Jake piped up and said, “Hot chocolate for me, Mom.”
Sugar laughed and said, “Tea sounds great.”
“How about you help us decorate?” said Jake, handing Sugar an ornament.
“We’ve got to get the lights on first, buddy,” said Grant, turning to face Sugar. “Then we’ll put our guest to work.”
When Dottie finished in the kitchen, she joined the fun. The ladies sipped their tea while they watched the two brothers wrap the huge tree in hundreds of lights. Sugar hadn’t decorated a tree or been part of a family activity centered around a holiday since her youthful days in Silver Falls.
After her dad died, Christmas had been full of sadness and a reminder of happier times lost forever. Her mom tried to continue their traditions, but her heart wasn’t in it. Peggy delighted in making her candies and bringing the spirit of Christmas to her customers, but since Eddie had died, she had struggled with the celebration at home.
To escape their memories, the mother and daughter distracted themselves at the holidays. Sugar found excuses to work, and Peggy volunteered at the senior center or the church. The arts center was Peggy’s latest passion.
As Sugar helped attach Dottie’s collection of ornaments to the branches, she listened to the happy chatter, laughter, and ribbing between Grant and Drew. Each time Dottie chose an ornament, she told them the history of it, where she bought it or who gave it to her, and why it held a special place in her heart. Some ornaments commemorated trips she and Curt had taken to London, Ireland, Scotland, Canada, and several states across America. Others marked milestones or provided fond memories of their pets.
Sugar couldn’t help but feel nostalgic while she listened to Dottie’s recollections of Christmases past. Eddie had always made Christmas a big deal. He loved the holidays and made sure Sugar’s childhood was filled with happy activities and seasonal fun. As she put a pretty hand-blown glass ornament on the tree, one that Curt had bought for Dottie when they were in Germany, a tear trickled down Sugar’s cheek. She heard the sorrow in Dottie’s voice and knew how she felt.
Hope’s phone chimed, and she motioned to Jake and Drew. “It’s Tina on video.” She led them into the private wing of the house to take the call. Dottie excused herself to check on the turkey.
“Tina is Hope’s daughter. She’s in college back in Chicago and decided to join her roommate for Thanksgiving this year. She’s going to come here for Christmas.” Grant explained that last year Drew had arranged for Tina to come to Silver Falls and reunite with Hope. “Their relationship had been strained, but they are working hard to restore it. Jake has adapted to living here and having a new family. It’s been harder for Tina.”
Sugar adjusted another ornament. “The holidays are a difficult time of year for so many people.”
Grant added the capiz star to the top of the tree while Sugar gathered and stacked the ornament boxes and bins. “Looks good, I think we’re done.” He turned to see if Sugar agreed.
“It’s beautiful.” She paused, the lights of the tree reflected in her watery eyes. “I haven’t had a tree since I left Silver Falls.”
“We can remedy that. Your mom always has a tree in the shop. I can help you get one set up in there.”
She pondered the idea as she finished her tea. “I didn’t want to bother, but I had forgotten how much I always loved the tree.”
“It’ll be a piece of cake. I’ll call Tim over at the tree lot and grab one after we eat. We can put it up tonight.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to bother you.”
“It’s no bother. I like doing it.” He took out his cell phone and punched a button. “Tim, hey, it’s Grant. Happy Thanksgiving. I have a quick favor to ask.”
Dottie came around the corner and said, “Oh, the tree looks wonderful. Thank you for helping, Sugar.” She pointed at Grant. “Who’s he talking to?”
“Tim at the tree lot. Grant thinks I need to put up a tree and is arranging to get it done after dinner.”
Dottie smiled. “He’s right. Peggy would never let that slide. She loves having a tree there at the shop.”
Sugar laughed. “It’s clear I’m powerless to resist in the midst of all of you and your Christmas spirit.”
Grant disconnected. “All set. We can swing by tonight and pick one up. Tim says it’s on the house for Peggy.”
“Aww, that’s not necessary,” said Sugar. “I’m happy to pay him.”
“Everybody loves your mom. It’s his way of helping.” Grant pointed to the kitchen. “How’s the turkey?”
“Just about ready. Come help me with the rest of it, so we can get it on the table,” said Dottie.
Dottie tried to find a job for Sugar, but she shook her head at each suggestion. “I’m not good in the kitchen. Mom’s candy is the only thing I can make. I eat out mostly.”
Sugar poured water into the glasses at each place setting and then took a seat at the huge granite-topped island and watched the mother and son finish preparing the meal. With their fluid movements and easy chatter, it was obvious they cooked together often.
Drew, Hope, and Jake came into the kitchen a few minutes later. “Tina said to tell everyone hello and she can’t wait to see you all at Christmas,” said Hope.
“That will be here before we know it,” said Dottie, handing Drew a bowl of vegetables to put on the table.
“I think we’re ready to eat,” said Grant, delivering a huge platter of sliced turkey to the table. He followed with the potatoes and gravy.
Dottie pointed to a chair next to Grant’s place and said, “Sugar, you go ahead and sit there.” She turned to Jake. “You come sit next to me, sweetie.”
They gathered around the heavy wooden table decorated with a festive floral arrangement surrounded by fall leaves and miniature pumpkins. As they passed serving dishes and ate the delicious meal, they talked about the coming weeks and the Festival of Lights. Dottie mentioned the fundraising event Peggy was chairing for the arts program.
“Tell me more about what that involves,” said Sugar, loading her plate with more green beans.
“A few years ago, a group got together and took over the old school building. They got some grant money and remodeled it. It’s become an important part of the community. They have classes for adults and tons of activities for children and teenagers.” Dottie poured more gravy over her plate. “Your mom knew how much art meant to you, especially after you lost your dad. She’s been a faithful supporter of the center.”
A look of surprise flashed in Sugar’s eyes. “She never said much about it.”
“This year it’s more important than ever. We lost the director at the beginning of the year. We need the fundraiser to keep the center open and to hire a new director. The City of Silver Falls said they can’t continue to support it unless the center can attract some donations and more grant funding.”
Jake smiled at Dottie and said, “It’s so fun. They have all sorts of rooms set up with different activities. I love going there.”
“It’s been limping by with community volunteers, teachers, and a few donations from local businesses. It’s very dear to Peggy’s heart.” Dottie put a gentle hand on Jake’s shoulder. “And to the whole community.”
When they finished dinner, Hope and Drew insisted Dottie relax while they took care of all the dishes. Grant turned to Sugar and gestured toward the door. “How about we go get that tree of yours decorated, and then we’ll come back for pie?” He wiggled his brows at his mom.
“I hate to eat and run. I’m happy to help with the clean-up duties,” said Sugar.
“Nonsense. You two go on. Hope and Drew can handle it,” said Dottie. “Jake can help clear the table and then read me a story while we wait for dessert.”
Grant held Sugar’s coat, and she slipped into it. “My truck’s out back.”
He drove to town and parked alongside the bakery, on the side street. Grant had let Tim put up some fencing and create a makeshift tree lot on the wide sidewalk next to the bakery. He found the key on his ring and unlocked the heavy padlock that held the fencing together.
“Okay, time to choose a tree.” Grant stood several up so she could inspect them.
“I haven’t picked out a tree in years. Which one do you like?”
He plucked a Douglas fir from the stack. “This one has a great shape.”
She nodded and walked around it to look at it from all angles. “It’s perfect.”
He loaded it into the truck and reattached the lock. He rubbed his gloved hands together. “It’s getting cold. Let’s get moving.”
He drove to the end of Main Street and parked in front of Peggy’s house. While Sugar unlocked the door, he hefted the tree down the walkway and leaned it against the house on the porch. “Let’s find the stand and make sure we have a spot for it before I take it inside.”
They rummaged in the storage room and uncovered boxes of ornaments and the tree stand, along with a stepladder. They rearranged the tables and chairs in the customer area and made room for the tree in front of the window. Sugar held the door open while Grant muscled the tree inside and set it in the stand.
“Do you want to hold it, and I’ll get down there and tighten the screws?” he asked.
She nodded and reached inside the thick branches to hold the trunk while Grant slid under the tree. A few minutes later he emerged. “Okay, looks straight. Just make sure you keep this filled with water. We don’t want it to dry out.”
While Grant worked on gathering enough strings of lights, she fetched a pitcher and made sure the reservoir was full. He started wrapping the tree with lights and passed them off to her to string around the other side. She took great care to keep the lights spaced evenly and rearranged Grant’s to match.
“For someone who doesn’t do trees, you sure are picky,” joked Grant.
Sugar smirked and kept stringing the lights. “It’s my job to be finicky about details. I can’t help it.”
“I smell coffee,” said Grant.
“I started some brewing when I was in the kitchen. I’m freezing,” she said.
Grant left the lights in her capable hands. “I’ll bring you back a cup.”
“No sugar, I take mine black,” she said.
He returned and set her cup on the table nearest her and cradled his in his hands. “Looks nice. Time for the stepladder.” He took another sip before setting his cup down. He positioned the ladder close to the tree. “Do you want me to do the high part?”
“I can do it,” she said, climbing onto the first step. She wobbled a bit, and he reached out and steadied her around the waist.
“You got it?” He kept his hand at the small of her back.
She laughed. “I think so, but no guarantees.”
He stood close by and kept his hand in place. “It looks great. Like a professional did it.” She stepped down from the ladder to admire her handiwork and took a sip from her cup.
“Ready for ornaments?” Grant opened the first box. “Are there rules, or can I just put some on the tree?”
“You can put them on.” She arched her brows and added, “But I reserve the right to relocate them.”
As they worked together, she asked him more about the old school building and the fundraiser. “I’ve been thinking about how to gather some interest and raise enough money so the center is viable. I think we need some sponsors.”
“All the businesses in Silver Falls have donated quite a bit already. We get hit up all the time for local stuff. I don’t know that they have much more to give.”
She nodded. “I mean big sponsors. I’m thinking of a few of our major clients at the advertising firm.” She moved a couple of the ornaments he had placed. “I also want to use the Internet to get more people involved and excited. Make it easy to donate even if someone is out of the area. Advertise the event and try to make it go viral. I need to think about it a bit.”
“For the girl who said she wasn’t going to do it, sounds like you’ve already been doing more than some thinking.”
She chose some more ornaments from the box. “What Dottie said about my mom recognizing the importance of art for me struck a nerve.” She attached a vintage Santa to a branch. “Art saved me. It let me escape from the cloud I was living under after my dad died. It gave me a path forward and the career I have today. I want to make sure it’s available to others.”
Grant opened another box of ornaments. “It’s popular with all age groups. They’ve done a good job of catering to the entire community. Mom’s taken some classes there, and Jake loves it. I think they even have family nights because Drew went with Hope and Jake to something.”
“I forgot what a small town was like,” she said, climbing up the ladder to add some miniature ornaments to the upper part of the tree. “That sense of community and belonging isn’t there for me in Santa Monica.”
“I couldn’t do a big city. I love it here. It can be a little overwhelming when it seems like everyone knows everything about you, like last year when Lisa and I broke up. Everyone that came into the bakery had to tell me how sorry they were. It went on and on and made me nuts.” He handed her a few more ornaments.
“I haven’t had anything resembling a boyfriend for years. My dates are like solar eclipses—once or twice a year and short-lived.”
Grant chuckled. “Lisa and I were together for several years. I thought she was the one.”
“What happened?” She gasped and added, “Sorry, you don’t have to tell me. It’s none of my business.”
“It’s okay. Everybody else knows.” He took a deep breath and explained that Lisa hadn’t told him she had applied for a job in Boston. She ended up getting the job and expected Grant to move across the country with her. “She wanted more. Her life here in Silver Falls wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough.”
“I’m sorry, Grant. I’m sure that was devastating after such a long relationship.” She shrugged. “I’ve never been lucky enough to have someone in my life for that long. I tend to concentrate on work and building my career. It doesn’t leave much time for a personal life.” She turned to face him. “Even though she’s gone, I’d say you were lucky to have her.”
He frowned. “That’s a different way of looking at it. It took me a long time to get over it. Honestly, I’m not sure I’m over her yet, but at least it’s not on my mind all the time. I’ve always got plenty to do at the bakery or around town. It’s not easy to date in Silver Falls, so I’ve been spending most of my free time with family.”
She inspected her work and said, “You have a wonderful family. Like I said, lucky guy.”
He opened a decorative box inside the bin of ornaments. “Oh, this looks like the topper. Can you do it, or do you want me to climb up there?”
She looked at the angel he held and brought her hand to her throat. “Oh, wow, I haven’t seen her in years. That belonged to my grandmother. My dad’s mom.” With a gentle hand, she took the delicate angel from the tissue. “I think I can reach.”
She fluffed the white and gold dress with ornate ribbons, soft feathers, and delicate pearls. With great care, she placed the angel, which resembled an antique doll, on top of the tree. She made a couple of minor adjustments and stepped down from the ladder.
“It looks terrific,” said Grant. “Just like Peggy would have done.” He turned to Sugar and noticed tears on her cheeks. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Too many memories.”
“I’ll get these boxes put away,” he offered, leaving her alone to admire the tree. When he returned from the storage room, she was sitting at one of the tables, using a napkin to blot her eyes.
He placed his hand on her shoulder. “You ready? We better get back to the house. They’ll be eager for pie. Not to mention we always watch a movie with dessert. It’s one of Dad’s traditions.”
She smiled and took the hand he offered. As he opened the passenger door for her, she gripped his hand in hers. “Thanks for doing this tonight. I didn’t want the tree, but I think I needed it.”