AllFreeNovel
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This is by far my favorite Christmas season ever.
“Sorry honey, we forgot to send it out to the shed,” she says to Tom. “Next time we’ll give you more notice.”
I stand, offering her a hand to help her up, and I pull her into a huge hug.
“Thank you for that,” she says into my hair.
I fight back the tears filling my eyes. “I’m going to miss you when I go home,” I whisper.
“Me too, honey, me too. Remember, the offer still stands. You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
After a few seconds, we pull apart and she gently places her hand on my cheek. “Off to the diner?” she asks.
“Yep, my stomach is yelling at me for not putting food into it. Sally is going to make me my favorite, her BLT. I swear, she puts something addictive in that sandwich.”
“Ohhh that is a good sandwich,” she says, releasing me and rubbing her stomach. “Well, tell her hi from us, and tell her she needs to come by the inn for dinner one night. We haven’t had her over in so long. She’s always so busy at the diner.”
“I’ll tell her! See you both later for dinner,” I say over my shoulder as I make my way to the front door, grab my coat off the coat rack, slide on my UGGs, and wrap a scarf around my neck.
Each day, it gets colder and colder as Christmas inches closer. Today, the distinct smell of snow lingers in the air again, promising a white Christmas. It’s a scent I’ve come to cherish.
It doesn’t take long for me to walk to Main Street, and instead of going right to the diner, I trek through the town square park and stop at the gazebo.
As usual, there are people milling about. Some rest on the benches, others admire the massive tree. Some warm their hands at the fireplace. Couples walk hand in hand along the sidewalk, and kids run around playing tag.
Whenever the fire gets low or the wind blows it out, someone appears and lights it again.
Everywhere I turn, people stop and say hello, asking me how my car is and how I’m enjoying the Christmas season in Winterberry. And the feeling that consumes me, that settles in my heart, is a feeling of home.
I’ve found a place where I finally belong. Not as Penelope Maxwell, but simply asPenelope.
The thought crosses my mind that maybe, just maybe, I don’t have to leave.
Maybe I could live here permanently.
My home base can really be anywhere, what matters is where I go when I film. And in today’s world, I could reside anywhere and still have meetings with my agent, go on casting calls, and update my social media.
Would Brent want me to move here?
Or would that be too much, too soon?
My stomach growls before I can ponder that question. I need to eat, and Sally is waiting for me.
I make my way down the street, stopping to look at the decorations in the windows of the shops as I pass. Opening the door to the diner, the delicious smell of food and the sound of laughter reach me.
When I close the door behind me and step into the foyer, the conversations fade into silence and people turn to look at me.
Do I have something on my face? Did I accidentally slam the door?
I notice Sally in her usual spot behind the counter and wave. She locks eyes with me, her face grim. She holds up a finger to signal she’ll be there in a minute, then quickly glances away
That’s weird.
Usually she’s happy to see me and I’m greeted with a big hug. Her affection is something I’ve come to look forward to.
As I look around, people are still staring at me and I feel completely self-conscious.
It takes a few minutes before Sally comes out from behind the counter and walks toward me.
