“Christmas is a time for miracles,” he said quietly. “Maybe it’s time for yours.” And then, to her total amazement, he leaned down to gently kiss her. Her heart fluttered with hope as she returned the kiss, interrupted by Emily’s voice inside the apartment.

  “Come on, Mama,” she called out. “You need to pack your bag.”

  Conner smiled at her, patting her on the back. “You go get what you need for the night, and Anna and I will meet you over there.”

  Feeling slightly dazed and still questioning how this could’ve happened, Krista packed a few things, then she and Emily got into their little red car and drove over to the Christmas House. Conner and Anna were already there, waiting for them in front of the well-lit house. In addition to strings of white fairy lights outside, the interior lights were on as well. It was all very sweet and welcoming. Even the Christmas tree was lit. But Krista knew it was an illusion. By tomorrow, they would be booted out.

  “Just relax and enjoy it,” Conner told Krista.

  “But I—”

  “Remember you can only live one day at a time,” he said quietly. “Just take this one night at a time for now, okay?”

  She simply nodded. “Okay.”

  “This is so exciting,” Anna told Emily as they all stood on the small porch. “Aren’t you going to go inside?”

  “Everything is so wonderful,” Emily murmured. “Just like a dream that really came true.” She ceremoniously handed the key to Krista. “You open the door to your new house. This is for you.”

  Krista’s hand trembled as she unlocked and opened the door. It truly was beautiful. Even more spectacular than the last time she’d been here. But Krista knew it was too beautiful to be true. And it was heartbreaking to imagine the crushing disappointment Emily would experience when she discovered they couldn’t keep the house.

  Emily ran ahead of the rest of them, going inside and spinning around in the great room like a ballerina. “Do you believe dreams come true now, Mama? Do you?”

  Krista couldn’t speak, but her eyes were filled with tears.

  “Oh, Mama, those must be tears of joy.”

  Without the heart to tell her the truth, Krista simply nodded. Her daughter would find out the truth soon enough.

  14

  To her surprise, Krista slept well that night. Whether it was because of the fabulously comfortable bed or sheer exhaustion was unclear, but she felt a tinge better in the light of morning. And, just like last night, Emily’s eyes were bright and shining as she bounced into the pretty master suite.

  “We didn’t pack any food,” Krista told Emily as she finished brushing her teeth. “So we’ll have to go—”

  “There’s food here. Remember the fruit basket on the counter? And I looked in the fridge and there are all kinds of really good things in there.”

  “Oh?” Krista frowned. “But maybe we shouldn’t eat—”

  “They’re for us. And I already had a banana.”

  Krista sighed. Well, the worst the committee could do would be to bill them for what they consumed. Maybe it didn’t matter. So she began to fix them a breakfast of farm-fresh eggs, gourmet bacon, sweet rolls, and juice. She even made a pot of delicious-smelling coffee.

  “Does this feel like a dream, Mama?”

  Krista nodded as she sipped her coffee. She didn’t admit that it felt like a dream that was about to knock them sideways, yet she felt certain that someone somewhere was working on a diabolical plan that would probably destroy Emily’s faith in human kindness indefinitely. But how to prevent it?

  “Emily,” Krista said as they were putting the dishes into the sleek new dishwasher. “I want to be completely honest with you.”

  “Okay.”

  “There might be a problem.” Krista closed the door then looked into Emily’s eyes. “You see, I work for the city and I’ve read the city charter and—”

  “What’s that?”

  “Oh, it’s a big book of rules for the city and also for the employees.”

  “Okay.” Emily went into the living room, sitting down by the Christmas tree.

  “And I know there are rules that prohibit city employees from winning contests or profiting from the city in any way.”

  “What does that mean?” Emily looked worried.

  “Remember how I told you I would be ineligible because I work for the city?”

  “But what about me, Mama? I don’t work for the city.”

  “But you’re my daughter. That means they might take this house from us, honey.”

  Emily leaped to her feet. “They can’t take it, Mama. I won it fair and square.”

  “I know you did.” Krista felt her eyes filling with tears as she hugged Emily. “You wrote a beautiful essay. And in my heart, I will always think that you really did win this house—and that you gave it to me. Honestly, that’s the very best part of this dream coming true.” She choked slightly then looked into Emily’s eyes, which were also filled with tears. “Don’t you think so?”

  “I—I don’t know.”

  Krista hugged her again. “No matter what happens, Em, we have each other. That really is what matters. God will take care of us. No matter what. Right?”

  “Yeah.” Emily’s voice was gruff with emotion. “But I really hope we can keep this house. It feels like it belongs to us.”

  “Tell you what.” Krista wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her robe. “Let’s just live like that for today. For today, this house is ours. Just yours and mine. And we will enjoy this time completely.” She smiled. “Then we’ll see what tomorrow brings. Okay?”

  They spent the day completely enjoying the Christmas House. They made a fire in the fireplace. They ate the food. They watched a Christmas movie on the big TV that was cleverly hidden behind a pair of wooden shutters. Even when Conner called, inviting them to join him and Anna for dinner at Comet’s, Krista declined. “We’re spending the day together in our Christmas House,” she explained. “Just Emily and me.”

  “That sounds nice,” he said. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “It’s a good reminder of what Jesus said . . . that we can only live one day at a time,” she told him, trying to sound brighter than she felt.

  “Very true. So how do you like the house?”

  “It’s the most beautiful house in the world,” she gushed. “We love it.”

  “That’s nice to hear. My crew worked hard on it. Along with a lot of other people.”

  “Well, you did a fabulous job. Thank you.”

  “One reason I wanted to call was to tell you I’ll be out of town. I’ve got a big commercial project over in Spokane, something I started two years ago—back before I started this new housing development. Anyway, it should’ve been done by now, but we ran into some glitches with the EPA last fall, and there are still some loose ends to wrap up there. I expect to be gone all week. But I hope to see you when I get back.”

  “That’d be great.”

  “Oh, another thing. Have you heard from Beth Seymour? She said she was trying to reach you.”

  “There have been a few calls on my phone,” she confessed, “but I’ve ignored them, letting them go to voice mail. You’re the only one I answered.”

  “Then I’m honored. But if you feel like it, you should talk to Beth. I told her as much as I could. But she wants to do a story about you and Emily in your own words. And I can assure you it will be a positive story.”

  “Oh?” She considered this. “Well, then I guess I could call her back.”

  After she hung up she called Beth and, from the privacy of her bedroom, honestly answered her questions. “I’m sure that I was more shocked than anyone,” she admitted. “And I fully expect that it was a mistake. But Emily worked so hard to do this—and she was over the moon about it. Well, I just couldn’t stand to ruin it for her. Not just yet anyway. But I told her the truth. I warned her that someone will probably try to take the house away from us. And I’ll understand completely if that happens. I know city employees are ineligible to win city contests.”

  “Well, it sounds as if you’re handling it well. I was concerned for Emily’s sake too. I’ve interviewed a number of people, and to be honest, the jury is still out. Some are convinced that the whole thing was rigged. Others feel that Emily won the house fair and square. I guess we’ll just have to see how it plays out.”

  “I’m just hoping that vigilantes with pitchforks won’t show up at our door and drive us out.”

  “Call me if they do. I’d love to get photos.” Beth laughed. “Can I get your comment on the situation with Winston Palmer? It’s all over town that you fired him. But if that’s true, I’m sure you have your reasons.”

  “I don’t think I’m free to comment on that yet,” Krista told her. “The city attorney is handling that. Have you spoken to him?”

  “Yes. He said ‘no comment’ too.”

  “Sorry. As soon as I get the green light, I’ll be happy to tell you what’s going on.”

  “Great. I’ll hold you to that. In the meantime, I hope you and Emily enjoy that sweet little house. And I hope you get to keep it too.”

  Krista thanked her, and for the rest of the evening, she and Emily continued to enjoy their house. They had a nice little dinner, made popcorn, and even watched another Christmas movie. But as Krista tucked Emily into the sweet bedroom, she reminded her that it was in God’s hands. “Even if we find ourselves back in our little apartment tomorrow, we still have each other.” She kissed Emily. “That’s more than enough for me.”

  On Monday morning, Krista dropped Emily at the Harris house so that Anna could babysit. Emily had suggested Anna come to the Christmas House, but Krista felt worried that someone like Val Palmer could show up and evict them. And even if it was just her overactive and negative imagination, Krista didn’t want to risk that happening in her absence.

  As soon as she got to her department, she could tell by Pauline’s expression that all was not well. “I might as well get it out,” Pauline said even before Krista removed her coat. “Winston Palmer is launching an inquisition on you. He’s questioning you on the Christmas House and a couple of other trumped-up charges. He’s in the conference room talking to the mayor and council right now.”

  “And I suppose I’m not welcome.”

  “You’re not welcome, but I’m sure you have the legal right to be there.”

  Krista considered this. “No, I think I’ll pass. Is Byron there?”

  “Fortunately.”

  “That’s good enough for me.” She unbuttoned her coat.

  “There’s not much on the agenda this week,” Pauline said. “But that’s not unusual the week before Christmas.”

  “Maybe I’ll take some time to go over the city charter again.” Krista forced a smile as she removed her coat. “Review the rules on city employees winning city contests.”

  Pauline shook a finger at her. “It was not a city contest, Krista. It was a Christmasville contest.”

  “Yes, but the city is a sponsor of Christmasville.”

  Pauline frowned. “That’s true.”

  “If you see Byron coming out of that meeting, could you tell him I’d like to meet with him?”

  “You got it.” Pauline nodded. “And, please, don’t be too worried, Krista. I just know that it’s all going to come out all right. All things work together for good . . . eventually.”

  Krista smiled stiffly. “I tried to tell Emily that too. Still, it’s hard sometimes.” She went into her office and sat down. She hated to give in to such discouragement, but this felt utterly hopeless. Right now, Winston was in the conference room, lobbying, she had no doubt, for her dismissal. What would she do if they told her to leave? She hadn’t been here long enough to get a severance package. And she’d already tapped into her slim savings account just to make this move. Her rent at the apartment was paid to the end of the month, but how hard would it be to find a new job if she were fired? She bowed her head to pray, but the only words that came to her were “God’s will be done.” She repeated them again and again, then, determined not to give in to despair, opened the city charter and flipped to the employee section.

  She’d just finished reading it for the third time when Byron came into her office. “Pauline said you wanted to see me.” He sank into a chair with a discouraged expression.

  “How did Winston’s meeting go?” she asked tentatively.

  “For you? Or for him?”

  “Both.” She took in a deep breath.

  “Winston has nearly convinced the council that you’re a power-hungry opportunist with no professional experience and no regard for Winter Hill. He claims that you wanted to get rid of him in order to get away with all sorts of things. Including winning that house, which he claims is a fraud.”

  “Yes, that figures.” She sighed.

  “He even had the gall to tell them that you hate Christmas and would like to put an end to Christmasville. He said you told him that when you first came.”

  “That is partially true. That’s how I felt then. Not now.” She frowned.

  “He claims you used your innocent child as a guise to enter the contest, knowing full well that city employees were ineligible.”

  “Oh, that’s ridiculous that I used Emily. But the ineligibility part—is that true?” She held up the charter. “I’ve read and reread this rather vague paragraph about city employees not profiting through remunerations, reimbursements, paybacks, contests, and so on. But would that include the Christmas House contest? It wasn’t owned by the city, and Christmasville is not owned by the city.”

  “I’m working on interpreting these questions myself right now. I’ll let you know what I find out as soon as I’m certain.”

  “So do you think Winston convinced everyone in there?” she asked. “Should I be packing my bags?”

  “Too soon to say.” He frowned. “But to be honest, it doesn’t look good.”

  “And I assume you’ve found no evidence on Winston regarding the embezzlement suspicion.”

  “Nothing yet. But my guy is on it. Unfortunately, these things take time.”

  “Did the mayor stand up for me?”

  “In a way he did. But he’s trying to be diplomatic. And, naturally, he’s concerned about how this casts a bad light on the city. A city employee winning that house . . . well, a lot of people feel pretty disgruntled over it.”

  She held up her hands. “I’d gladly surrender the house, Byron. If that’s what they want, I’m more than willing. I’m only staying there for Emily’s sake. I never entered that stupid contest. And I had no idea that Emily had. She never told me. I felt literally sick to my stomach when I heard she’d won.” She couldn’t even bring herself to confess how sickened she’d felt to have the whole town know about her pathetic childhood history. How completely humiliating! Perhaps the best thing would be to just quit now.

  “Well, don’t be too hasty, Krista. It might turn out to be perfectly legal.”

  “I don’t even care if it does,” she told him. “How can I live in a house—in a town—where it feels like everyone hates me?” She stood, going for her coat. “How can I possibly be city manager after losing the respect of the city?”

  “Are you quitting?”

  She was trying hard not to cry. “I’m not sure, Byron. I’m not usually one to give up so easily, but maybe I should quit. It would probably be for the best—for everyone. Mostly for my daughter. I can’t imagine living here and subjecting her to this. It’s hard enough for her to lose her dream house, but to have people treating her like some kind of juvenile criminal. Well, I can’t put her through that.” She opened her briefcase, shoving what few personal items she had into it. “I guess I am quitting. I’ll send in an official notice later today. In the meantime, would you pass the word on to the mayor and council? I’m sure they’ll be relieved.” And before he could argue with her, she swooped up her coat and things and rushed out. To her relief, Pauline wasn’t at her desk. Krista would have to explain it to her later.

  She felt sick to her stomach as she drove over to the Harris house. There, she paid Anna generously for just two hours of babysitting. “I’m sorry, but we’ve had a change of plans. I won’t need you to watch Emily during Christmas break.”

  “Is something wrong?” Anna asked with concern.

  “I’ve quit my job,” Krista said in a controlled tone. “It’s for the best.”

  “Oh . . . okay.” Anna nodded with a quizzical expression.

  “Come on.” Krista helped Emily into her parka. “We’ve got a lot to do.”

  “What do we have to do?” Emily asked with concern as they went outside.

  As Krista drove, she explained her plan, trying to make it sound like they were embarking on a holiday adventure. “We’re going to drive our new car to this lovely ski lodge,” she said pleasantly, acting as if she’d already picked the place. “They’ll have a gigantic Christmas tree and snow and all kinds of things. Maybe we’ll learn how to ski. Won’t that be fun?”

  “What about our house? I thought we were going to have Christmas here—in our Christmas House.”

  “I know it’s hard for you to understand.” Krista kept her voice cheerful as they went inside the Christmas House to get their things and straighten it a bit. “But I don’t think we get to keep this house, Emily.”

  “Why?”

  “Remember I told you about my job with the city. Well, they had a meeting this morning and it looks like . . . well, I think the people in this town don’t really want us here anymore. And it’s just better for us to go now.”

  “But some people in this town want us here. Anna and Conner and the Harrises and my teacher and my BFF and—oh, Mama, why can’t we stay?” Emily was starting to cry and Krista felt like joining her. Except she knew that wouldn’t help.

  “There are good people here who do like us,” Krista reassured her as she packed her overnight bag. “But not everyone. And not the people in City Hall. That’s where I had my job. You know that if I don’t have a job, well, we don’t have money to buy food or things we need. So we really have to go, honey. I need to look for a new job. But not until after Christmas. Don’t worry, we’ll have a nice Christmas up at the ski lodge. Just you and me.” Krista blinked back tears as she picked up her bag. “But first we have to start packing up our apartment. Okay?”