Christmas to the Rescue! (Heartsprings Valley Winter Tale Book 1) Read online

  Christmas to the Rescue!

  A Heartsprings Valley Winter Tale

  Anne Chase

  Contents

  Christmas to the Rescue!

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

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  About Anne Chase

  Copyright © 2016 by Anne Chase

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  For my dear friend Pepper Frost, who loves Christmas even more than I do.

  Christmas to the Rescue!

  by Anne Chase

  1

  It was the sign in the window display that did it. The Adopt-a-Pet sign with the adorable photo of the cutest, fluffiest dog that Becca Jameson had ever seen, its coat of shaggy white fur begging to be hugged. She paused, captivated by the dog's joyful expression, and felt a tug of warmth and longing.

  "Help a pet find a home!" the sign said. "Join us this Saturday at Heartsprings Valley Veterinary Clinic. Our strays need a home for Christmas."

  Becca bit her lip, trembling with the realization that she was a stray, too — a newcomer to this small New England town. The dog in the picture looked so friendly and playful, his spirit shining so brightly. So much like she used to be. So much like she wanted to be again.

  Could she be that person again? Did she have a chance to find lightness and happiness again? That was exactly why she'd moved here. A fresh start in a new town, a new job as the new librarian of Heartsprings Valley Public Library. Surrounding herself in books, tackling with determination the challenges of a big move and a new job in a new place, moving forward past the heartbreak and loss of the past three years.

  Tears threatened at the thought of what she'd left behind. No tears, not now — that would not do! Hastily, she pulled a handkerchief from the pocket of her winter coat and dabbed her eyes. A brisk breeze brushed her cheeks, which were pink with cold despite the brightness of the afternoon winter sun. The warmth of her coat — thick and long and dark blue, with lovely downy lining in the hood keeping her snug and warm despite the crispness of the day — reassured her. Sometimes it was the little things that mattered most.

  She needed to be sensible right now, she told herself, even as she felt the tug of that wonderful picture once again. She'd been in town for just three days. Most of her boxes were still packed up. The idea of adopting a dog right now was crazy — pure and simple. She'd barely moved into her cozy little cottage on the outskirts of town. She needed to be practical. No way, no how!

  And yet.... As the threat of tears abated, she realized another feeling was stirring within her, this one a familiar and welcome friend. A friend who tempted her way too often. The reason was easy to understand. After all, she was standing in front of the display window of a store dedicated to that delicious friend.

  She stared up at the name on the window: Abby's Chocolate Heaven. And inside the window were some of the most mouth-watering chocolates she had ever seen. Rows of gorgeous truffles — dark chocolate, hazelnut, almond, raspberry, lemon, and more. Nougats to die for. Caramels and brittles of all sorts.

  Maybe she couldn't adopt a dog today — but she definitely needed some chocolate!

  With a determined step, she pushed open the door to the store and was immediately enveloped in the welcoming aroma of cocoa and spices. A heady warmth embraced her. The walls were decorated with all the trimmings of the holiday season — garlands of holly, Christmas ornaments, and ribbons of red and green.

  Behind the counter, a woman with a kind face and brown hair, shoulder-length and flecked with gray, gave Becca a warm smile. "Welcome to Abby's Chocolate Heaven," the woman said. "How can I help you?" Beneath the woman's white apron, her red holiday sweater showed a reindeer with a familiar red nose.

  "I need a chocolate fix in the worst way!" Becca said gratefully.

  "You've come to the right place," the woman said with a laugh. In her early forties, about a decade older than Becca, the woman had a welcoming way about her. Even though she was a complete stranger, it somehow felt to Becca like they had known each other forever. "I'm Abby, by the way."

  "So pleased to meet you," Becca said. "I'm —"

  "Let me guess. You're our new town librarian."

  "That's right. Becca Jameson. How did you know?"

  "We've been looking forward to your arrival for several months," Abby said, "ever since Hettie Mae announced her retirement."

  Becca thought fondly of the woman who'd hired her to take her place as town librarian. "Hettie Mae is such a treasure."

  Abby smiled. "And she is so happy you're here. She is so excited about enjoying her retirement — traveling on cruises with her husband and spending time with her grandchildren."

  "I'm happy to be here, too," Becca said, realizing as she said it how much she meant it. "I take it this is your shop?"

  "All mine," Abby said proudly, adding with a laugh, "all three hundred and eight square feet of it."

  "It smells so wonderful," Becca said, breathing in the delightful aromas. "And you've done such a lovely job with the Christmas decorations."

  "Thank you," Abby said with a twinkle in her eye. "We take our holidays very seriously here in Heartsprings Valley — you'll find that out soon enough!"

  Becca's eyes wandered to the rows of exquisite chocolates lined up in the display counter. "I can tell you have such a talent for this," she said, taking in the scrumptious offerings. "They almost look too beautiful to eat."

  Abby laughed. "I've always wanted to do this, and when this space opened up on the town square, I knew my chance had arrived."

  They got down to the important business of selecting the dozen delicious pieces that Becca decided she simply had to take home with her. Picking which ones was nearly impossible, but Abby helped guide her.

  Eventually, Becca picked four truffles (dark chocolate, lemon, raspberry and caramel), four nougats (caramel, dark chocolate, rum, and peanut), two brittles (chocolate mint and milk chocolate), and two caramels (honey and hazelnut).

  "Would you like to wrap these up?" Abby said when the red candy box was filled.

  Becca smiled, admiring the beauty of the twelve pieces in the box, as her stomach rumbled in anticipation. "No need — these are my treat for me."

  "I noticed you looking at the Adopt-a-Pet sign in the window," Abby said. "I'm heading to the vet's clinic to help out after I close up. Why don't you join me?"

  "Oh," Becca said, filled with a sudden mixture of hope and anxiety, "I really shouldn't. I'm afraid I'd scoop up every dog and cat there is and take them all home with
me before I even knew what I was doing."

  Abby laughed. "I'm just like you — when it comes to pets, I have no willpower. If you'd like, I can be the voice of reason, whispering in your ear that you must be strong."

  Yes, Becca thought, she must be strong. "Are you sure?"

  "Absolutely," Abby said. "I can introduce you to some of the other folks who live here. We're a small town. Everyone will welcome the chance to meet our new librarian."

  "Then I'd be happy to join you," Becca said. "Thank you."

  "Have you had a chance to acquaint yourself with our town square? It's beautiful at any time of year, but at Christmas it really becomes something special."

  "Not really, not yet."

  "I tell you what. I have about fifteen minutes of work to do before I close up. Why don't you get acquainted with the square and I'll join you when I'm finished in here?"

  "Is there anything I can help you with?"

  "Nonsense," Abby said with a smile. "Now shoo. I'll see you outside very soon."

  Becca smiled. "See you soon!"

  2

  The weather outside was brisk, with a crisp breeze stirring her senses after the homey warmth of Abby's Chocolate Heaven. Becca blinked in the late afternoon sun, adjusting to the bright light. Her breath filled the cold air around her.

  Grateful again for the coziness of her heavy winter coat, she took another deep breath and looked around. Abby was so right — the town square was beautiful! Covered in a light dusting of snow, it looked like a postcard of a picture-perfect New England town, brought vividly to life. The four streets surrounding the open square were filled with stores and small businesses of all sorts. She spied a hardware store, a flower shop, a cafe, a bookstore — oh, yet another temptation! — and more. She promised herself that, as soon as she had the time, she was going to explore each and every one of them.

  With just two days left before Christmas, it was hardly a surprise that the streets and shops of the square were bustling with townspeople. Families with excited children filled the sidewalks, dodging shoppers loaded with last-minute gifts.

  A pang of remorse and guilt hit her. Had she made a mistake moving to Heartsprings Valley so quickly? She'd insisted on arriving here before Christmas, over her mom and dad's objections and despite not knowing a soul besides Hettie Mae.

  "You'll be so lonely," her mom had said, "especially at Christmas. You don't know anyone there. Christmas is a time for family."

  "I know, Mom," Becca had replied. "But I don't have a choice. The job starts the week before Christmas."

  Which was a lie. Yes, she'd lied to her own mother! Not her finest moment. But how could she tell her mother, who she loved and honored and trusted so much, that the past two Christmases at home had been the most painful of her life? That the family traditions of the season only magnified her loss of her husband? How could she tell her mom, in a way that didn't hurt her feelings, that breaking free of the past meant starting fresh right away?

  She couldn't bring herself to do that. Not when Christmas meant so much to her mom, and her dad, too — he sure did love carving the Christmas turkey! As much as she loved them, she knew she needed to be brave and begin moving forward again. Even if it meant missing her family's annual gathering — with her mom and dad and two brothers and their young families — and spending Christmas in a town where nobody knew her.

  Except Hettie Mae, of course. And now Abby. She had a wonderful feeling about the two of them — like they were going to become good friends. Hettie Mae was a true mentor. Oh, the things she knew about libraries and life. As the town's librarian for thirty years, she had a wealth of knowledge and experience that Becca was eager to draw upon.

  They'd spent the afternoon together at the library, with Hettie Mae taking her on a tour of the two-story building, showing her every nook and cranny of the rambling structure. The musty, familiar smell of the books had been so reassuring. The joy of reading had always been such an important part of her life. And now she was immersing herself in books — protecting them and promoting the habit of reading for an entire town. A gust of wind hit her then and she shivered — not from the cold, but rather from anticipation of this new chapter in her life.

  Hettie Mae's manner tended toward firmness, but Becca knew that underneath lay a generous heart.

  "I want you to join me and Frank for Christmas Day dinner," Hettie Mae had told her that afternoon, in a tone that meant that Becca shouldn't even think about arguing. "It won't be anything fancy this year — we'll be too busy packing for our cruise — but we'd love to have you."

  "Oh, you don't have to worry about me," Becca had replied.

  "Oh, yes I do," Hettie Mae said firmly. "And this is not a request, it's an order! Until I officially retire next week, I'm still your boss." Hettie Mae said this with a no-nonsense stare, squaring her shoulders, looking for all the world like an active grandmother preparing for battle!

  Becca had laughed. "You don't fool me, Hettie Mae."

  Hettie Mae tried to keep her face stern but couldn't, and she laughed. "Frank and I want you to spend your first Christmas in Heartsprings Valley with someone you know. Right now, that means me. You will come, won't you?"

  "Of course," Becca said, grateful for Hettie's concern. "I'd love to be there."

  "Good. Now, let me show you the filing system...."

  Becca smiled as she remembered the exchange. Yes, her decision to move to Heartsprings Valley had been impulsive, but her heart told her she'd made the right choice.

  In the center of the town square, she noticed a large bandstand. Curious, she crossed the street and stepped into the square for a closer look. In the warmer months, she guessed, the square was covered in green grass and flowering plants. But now, with winter swirling around them, the ground was blanketed with a light dusting of snow and the tree branches were bare. The path she walked along was crunchy with salt beneath her winter boots.

  And the Christmas decorations! Every tree was swathed in ribbons and lights. The path was lined with beautiful ornaments. Becca could only stare with wonder at the literally dozens of snowmen, snow-women, and snow-children, with their carrot noses and coal eyes and top hats and scarves, who greeted her along the path, alongside reindeer who pranced and frolicked. Abby had said that Heartsprings Valley took its holidays seriously — and she wasn't kidding!

  The bandstand was a raised platform with a half-shell as a backdrop. On the stage, a man with thick white hair and a bushy white beard, dressed in a red winter coat fringed with white, was busy setting up chairs and adjusting a microphone. He looked like Santa Claus himself as he hummed a tune that Becca recognized as "Deck the Hall."

  She heard a familiar voice call out "Becca!" and turned to see Abby bustling up the path toward her.

  "I see you found the heart of Heartsprings Valley," Abby said.

  "It's so amazing here," Becca breathed. "The decorations are so beautiful."

  Abby gestured toward the stage. "Every evening at dusk during the Christmas season, carolers gather to sing the songs of the season." She gestured to the Santa Claus lookalike on the stage. "That's Bert Winters, the director of the chorus." At the sound of his name, Bert looked up from his chores. He saw Abby and waved.

  Abby waved back. "Bert, I'd like you to meet someone." Bert's gaze moved toward Becca. "This is Becca Jameson, our new librarian."

  Bert rushed to the edge of the stage and reached a hand down. "Welcome, young lady, welcome!" Becca reached up to shake Bert's hand. "We've been looking forward to your arrival."

  "Thank you, Bert," Becca said, as her hand got pumped quite vigorously by the enthusiastic man. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

  "Bert is Mr. Everything here in Heartsprings Valley," Abby said. "He organizes the carolers, plays Santa Claus at the hardware store, runs the snowplow to clear the streets after big storms, and is the town's mayor."

  "You're the mayor?" Becca said.

  "Only until I find someone else foolish enough to take on the
job," Bert said with a chuckle. "You wouldn't happen to know how to fix a snowplow, would you?"

  "Me?" Becca said with a surprised laugh. "Not a chance!"

  "Had to ask. You never know. People know the darnedest things."

  "Why are you asking?" Abby said.

  "The darn thing won't start, and my nephew Billy won't be able to drive up to fix it until the day after Christmas."

  Abby said, "But aren't we due for a nor'easter on Christmas Eve?"

  Bert nodded. "We might get socked in for a day or two. I'm letting folks know — would appreciate you spreading the word."

  "Sure thing," Abby said, then glanced at the setting sun, which was dipping fast toward the horizon. "Becca and I are headed to the vet's, so I'll let everyone there know."

  "Thanks, Abby, much appreciated." Bert turned to Becca. "Young lady, welcome to Heartsprings Valley."

  "Thank you, Bert," Becca said. "It was a pleasure meeting you."

  Abby took Becca by the arm. "Now — it's time for some serious puppy love!"

  3

  Ah, puppies. Perhaps her greatest weakness after chocolate!

  "Are you sure about me going with you?" Becca said, somewhat anxiously, as the other woman led her across the square.

  "Don't you worry," Abby replied, reading her thoughts. "I promise I'll help you stay strong." She laughed, then added, "At least, I promise that's what I'll do — if that's what you still want me to do after you get there."

  "Oh, no. I'm gonna need all the help I can get!"

  The vet's office was one block off the main square, in what looked like an old-style, three-story Victorian mansion. A sign in the front said, "Heartsprings Valley Veterinary Services," and underneath that were two names, "Nick Shepherd and Gail Strong, Veterinarians."

  Becca looked at the big house, with its shingles and turrets and beautiful bay windows. "This big old house is a vet's clinic?"