Page 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Tom

Dorothy’s Clam Shack was a small seafood restaurant right near the water. It closed for the season in late September but reopened for YuleFest, and based on the line at the take-out window, despite the temperature, it was doing a booming business. After Will and Tom tried a couple of pizza samples that Tavino’s, the town’s Italian restaurant, was handing out, they decided bowls of clam chowder would be the perfect ending to lunch.

They waited patiently in line, then Tom ordered two bowls along with some crusty bread. Will suggested they walk back to Bradley House, where they could eat in comfort and relax for a little while before heading out again.

“This chowder is really good,” Tom said, dunking a piece of bread into the rich, creamy soup and chewing thoughtfully. “What are we gonna do after lunch?”

“The Strand is showing holiday movies all day for free,” Will said, referring to the movie theater at the edge of town. These days it doubled as a venue for plays and other live entertainment as well. “We could pop in and see what’s playing.”

“That works for me,” Tom agreed. “And then another walk down Main Street to see if anything strikes our fancy.” They cleaned up the trash from their lunch and, after using the facilities, ventured out into the cold again.

The strand was showing The Bishop’s Wife with Loretta Young, David Niven, and Cary Grant when they arrived, so they sat in the back, holding hands, and watched for a while. “I really like this movie,” Tom told Will. “I try and watch it every Christmas.” They ended up staying to the end, and when a Christmas cartoon started up after the movie, they left the theater.

“Oh, look, it’s snowing!” Tom exclaimed gleefully when they walked out. Snow gently fell, coating the trees and lampposts, adding a layer of glittery whiteness to the holiday decorations around town.

“Now it really feels like Christmastime,” Will said.

As they moved down Main Street, Tom’s phone buzzed. “Cee Cee’s done with work,” he told Will. “Char says they’re heading to the park so they can meet the ladies at Hook’s Traveling Book Nook. Then they’re gonna go to The Pub at Tavino’s to have pizza for dinner. She wants to know if we want to join them.” The main dining room at the town’s Italian restaurant was a bit more formal, but a few years before, they’d opened an adjoining space simply called The Pub that served appetizers and pizzas. It featured a long bar and lots of high-top tables and attracted a younger crowd, especially on weekends.

“I’m good with that,” Will replied.

“Okay, we’re meeting them at Tavino’s at five,” Tom said, putting away his phone. “That will work out perfectly since the tree lighting at the town hall is at eight.” The town had erected a tree that was easily twenty-five feet tall on the lawn outside of the town hall. They would have a small lighting ceremony, followed by carolers around the tree. “What do you wanna do until dinner?”

“Why don’t we head toward the park; we can meet up with them early.” Will suggested, taking Tom’s hand.

“Lead on,” Tom replied.

They leisurely strolled along, enjoying the decorations along the way. It was getting dark, and lights were coming on, turning the town into a magical holiday scene. One shop had an inflatable snowman perched near the door, and folks were stopping to have their picture taken with it. A block later, the town’s candy shop, Oh Fudge, had a large wooden nutcracker out front, and once again, it had become a photo opportunity for many.

“It’s so nice to see everyone out and about, enjoying themselves,” Tom said. “This is part of why I love living in a small town.”

“I know, right?” Will agreed. “As much as I like visiting places like Boston, I can’t imagine living there. Small towns are definitely more my speed.”

When they reached the park, Tom peered into the doorway of the rainbow-painted bus. A string of tiny multicolored lights was strung around the doorway and along the length of the vehicle, adding to the already festive feel. He saw Char and Cee Cee chatting with the ladies, so they waited outside, so as not to crowd the entrance.

A few minutes later, their friends exited the bus, along with Cybil and Jane. “Hi, guys,” Char said. “Isn’t this bus great?”

“Yeah, we were here this morning. It’s amazing,” Tom effused.

“Hello, boys,” Cybil said. “You know these girls?”

“Oh yeah,” Tom replied. “Char and I go way back. She’s more like my sister at this point.”

“We thought we’d stop by and meet up with them,” Will added. “We’re going to Tavino’s for some pizza before we go to the tree lighting at town hall.”

“Have a wonderful time,” Jane told them. “Some lovely lady who works at the Cask and Larder brought us some sandwiches and gingerbread cookies, so we’re planning on eating in the back, but we may see you at the town hall later.”

The four of them hugged the ladies and went on their way.

The Pub was filling up even at this early hour, but a lot of that had to do with everyone being out for YuleFest. Nevertheless, after waiting a few minutes, they were seated at a high-top that opened up near the bar.

“I’m still kinda full from lunch,” Tom said to Will. “Wanna just split a salad and a small pizza?”

“Yeah, that works.”

They settled on pepperoni and onion with extra cheese and a Caesar salad while Char and Cee Cee decided on mozzarella sticks and a white pizza with chicken, black olives, and cheddar. And since they all felt that the only appropriate beverage to accompany pizza was beer, they split a pitcher of a local lager.

“Were you slammed again at work today, Cee Cee?” Will asked.

“Yeah, all day,” she told them. “But no one was getting cranky, so it was fine. And the extra money will really come in handy.”

“I know what you mean,” Tom said. “I plan on talking to Michael again next week about picking up some extra hours once the new semester starts.” Michael was Tom’s manager at the Whale.

“Again?” Char’s face scrunched up, and she raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t know you’d spoken to him already.”

“It wasn’t anything official,” Tom explained. “A few weeks ago, I mentioned in passing that I might be available to take more hours after the first of the year, and Michael said to let him know closer in, and he’d see what he could do.”

“So you’re definitely planning on getting your own place?” Cee Cee asked. “Char and I both expected your mom to have talked you out of it by now.”

“I know what you mean.” Tom sighed. “I did too. But she’s been unusually quiet about it so far. Well, after that initial conversation, where she did everything she could to convince me not to do it. But I’m standing firm this time.”

“Have you started looking for a place yet?”

“No, but Will mentioned it to Clay, and he may have a lead for me. We’re hoping to hear more next week.”

“Let us know if you need help with anything,” Char said. “You know we’re here for you.”

“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it.”

After dinner they slowly walked back to the center of town for the tree-lighting ceremony. It was still snowing lightly, but there hadn’t been any real accumulation—just a dusting to make everything look magical.

Lots of people had already gathered when they reached the town hall, but they managed to find a good spot not too far back. The mayor gave a short speech, thanking everyone for coming, and then she introduced the YuleFest committee, led by Imogene Lewis, who flipped the ceremonial switch to light the beautiful tree. Everyone oohed and aahed when the tiny white lights blazed on, their incandescence illuminating the large multicolored ornaments that graced the tree.

A chorus of men and women from a few of the local churches had assembled on bleachers near the tree, and they sang a variety of holiday songs, both religious and secular. Slowly, people began to drift away, and the foursome followed suit, Char and Cee Cee one way to their apartment and Will and Tom back to the B&B to Tom’s truck.

When Tom dropped Will off at home, Will said, “I had a great time today. I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow, okay?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. I enjoyed myself today too.”

They kissed for a few minutes but stopped prior to things going too far.

“See you in the morning,” Will said before shutting the door.

Tom watched him walk along the drive and waited until he went inside before pointing his truck home.