Chapter 15: Chapter 15

Chicken and dumplings had sounded like a good homestyle meal, the kind that warms a person from the inside out when it’s cold outside and they need a little pick me up, but even though the diner’s fare was just as tasty as any other place Memory ever dined, she just felt off. She found herself pushing the dumplings around her plate, only eating a bite or two. The sensation that she was starving earlier had been replaced by the worry she’d gotten to know so well over the last year.

“You know, your grandma tried to make chicken and dumplings one time,” her dad said, chuckling as he scooped another bite of meatloaf.

Despite her disposition, Memory chuckled. “How did that turn out? Too much sugar?”

Bryce snickered. “No, no she reserved sweetening the poultry for turkey. But she put way too much water into the dumpling mixture.” He laughed, slapping his hand on his thigh beneath the table. “Those were the soupiest noodles I ever tried to stab my fork into.”

Memory laughed along with him, picturing it in her mind. “Was Mom any better at cooking than Grandma?” She took a sip of her tea, guessing she already knew the answer.

“Not at all. In fact, if it’s possible, I think your mother might’ve been even worse somehow. Ann was gifted in many ways. Cooking was not one of them.”

Setting her glass down, Memory nodded. “I thought as much. Not that I can talk. If we would’ve stayed home, it would’ve been frozen pizza or mac and cheese.”

“In fairness, you do make a mean mac and cheese,” her dad said, winking at her.

“Thanks. I learned from the best.” She tried another bite of chicken as he chuckled at her joke, knowing he’d been the one to teach her how to make the dish—and everything else she knew about cooking, which wasn’t much. It was a wonder they hadn’t starved growing up. But despite his shortcomings in the kitchen, her dad had taken very good care of Memory and her sister. Grandma had been a huge help as well. She often wondered why he stayed in Christmas Falls and didn’t move back to New York after Ann died. That’s where her other grandparents still lived, along with her aunt and uncles, her father’s entire family, but he’d stayed.

“What are you thinking about, Ree?” he asked, using the nickname only he called her.

Shrugging, she wiped her hands on her napkin and set it aside, sure she was done. “I was just thinking... why did you stay here? What was it about Christmas Falls that made you decide it was better than taking us back to New York? Wouldn’t that have been easier for you? I mean, it was Mom who grew up here, not you.”

He smiled and ran a hand through his hair, stirring up a sprinkle of flour he’d missed before they came to the restaurant. “You know, I always loved this town. I could see why your mom liked it so much. There’s so much history here. She loved Christmas so much. It was never that big of a deal to me until I met her, and then I fell in love with the holiday, too. So... why not live in a place where every day is a little reminder of the most wonderful time of the year?”

Memory nodded. “Unless... it’s not that wonderful.”

“Ree, Grandma wouldn’t want you moping around, especially this time of year. I know things have been rough for you since she passed. We all miss her. But you’re letting her passing create more problems for you—and that’s not what she intended when she left you the house. If it’s too much, maybe Kirsten’s right. Maybe you should....”

Before he could finish, Memory spotted a familiar face coming toward them down the aisle. “Ellie!” she shouted, happy to have the opportunity to interrupt her dad before he finished. “How are you?”

“Memory! Dear, it’s so good to see you!” Ellie said, her smile contending with the brightest of the Christmas lights as she threw her arms open. Memory leapt up and gave her a hug. Ellie’s arms squeezed her tight, and Memory found herself instantly feeling better, as if all of her worries had been lifted.

“Join us, won’t you?” she said, sliding over into the booth.

“Oh, I hate to impose.” She looked at Bryce, and a sort of familiar smile came to her face. “Hello.”

“Ellie, this is my father, Bryce,” Memory said. Her dad pushed up from the table and offered his hand.

“Lovely to meet you.” Ellie shook his hand, the odd expression still on her face.

“You, too,” Bryce said. “Please, join us. Memory has told me so much about you.”

“Already?” Ellie laughed. “Well, if you’re sure it’s not an imposition.”

“Not at all. I was just about to order some coffee and pie.” Bryce pushed his plate away and signaled for the waitress. Julie, an older woman who’d worked there since Memory was a little girl, hustled over. “Can you bring a menu for our friend Ellie, please? And I’ll have a slice of pumpkin pie and some coffee.”

“Sure thing,” Julie said with a smile. “Memory, would you like some coffee?”

“No, thanks. I’m fine.” Memory returned the smile, noting her glass was nearly full of tea, which would do. Julie cleared the plates and headed off. “Is this your first time at the diner?”

“Yes,” Ellie said, looking around. “Lovely place. The chicken and dumplings looked good. Was it not so tasty?”

“It was good,” Memory insisted. “I just... wasn’t that hungry.” She hoped she didn’t regret not finishing it later, but then, she could always fix a sandwich. That didn’t require cooking.

“Did the two of you just decide to meet up for dinner?” Ellie asked, looking from one of them to the other.

“No, we live together,” Memory said. “I moved back in with my dad after my grandma passed away.”

“Oh.” Ellie’s forehead wrinkled, and she looked puzzled for several seconds. “I just assumed... I mean, you said you lived with your grandmother. I figured she’d left you the house.”

“Yes, she did. It... needs some repairs.” Memory felt the funk she’d been in earlier starting to come back but did her best to fight it. She didn’t need Ellie to think she was always in such a bad mood.

“What sort of repairs?” Ellie asked, her tone taking on a lighter note, as if she were simply curious. Julie handed her a menu, and Ellie opened it, looking it over as Memory decided how personal to get.

“The roof needs patched,” she finally said, figuring that was enough for now. “I’m hoping to get it fixed in the spring.” How she’d manage that she wasn’t sure, but it was the goal.

“Hmmm....” Ellie’s forehead was still furrowed, but she didn’t ask anything else about it. Julie came back and took her order—chicken and dumplings—and set Bryce’s pie and coffee in front of him. “Well, I just had the best Christmas cookies back at the inn. That Leon sure does a nice job of keeping the place cozy.” She did a little shimmy with her shoulders as if she had gotten a chill that went away thinking of the cookies.

“This is the time of year when our town really shines.” Bryce dug into his pie. “Will you be attending any of the Christmas events while you’re in town?”

“I sure hope so,” Ellie said, taking a sip of the water Julie had set before her. “I hear there’s plenty going on, a different activity almost every night.”

Memory listened as her dad and Ellie discussed the upcoming events, trying to stay focused on the conversation, but her mind wandered to the shop and to her grandma’s house. This time last year, they’d been planning the family Christmas celebration. Grandma Helen had been so happy. She’d even come to the parade and the Christmas tree lighting, even though she wasn’t one for the cold and usually tried to be in bed before 9:00. It would be different this year without her around for any of their holiday traditions.

“I’m planning to be there by 10:00 tomorrow, Memory, if that works with your schedule.”

Ellie’s voice brought her back to the conversation. “That’s great,” Memory replied. “Whatever time works for you.”

“Well, I figure by the time I get these old bones in bed, I may not want to get up too early in the morning. It’s been an eventful day.”

“Did you get into town today?” Bryce asked, finishing off his pie.

“Yes, I got in pretty early this morning. I did some exploring and then wandered into the shop.”

“And stayed there all day. Really, you should’ve spent some time back at the inn, resting.” Memory realized she sounded like she was talking to her own grandmother and not a woman she’d just met, but Ellie already seemed like someone she’d known for a long time.

“Now, now, dear, I had the best day today. And when I left, I did a little more exploring before I went back to the inn, had some cookies with some lovely people, and now I’m here with you. What could be better than that?” Her laughter was melodic as she patted Memory on the shoulder, and Memory couldn’t help but join in.