Chapter 10 - A NEW TRADITION
By 10:00 PM, the fire hall was quiet again.
The guests had all headed home into the snow-paved night, full, warm, and happy. The auxiliary ladies had gone home to their families, leaving the kitchen spotless and shining.
Chief Dale locked the heavy front doors and handed the master keys back to Nan.
"Good night, Nan," Dale smiled, tipping his hat to her and Greg. "Leonard would have been damn proud of you tonight."
"Thank you, Dale," Nan said softly.
Outside on the snow-covered parking lot, the night air was still and clean. The moon shone brightly through the clouds, reflecting off the fresh white drifts.
Greg was loading the sleepy kids into the back of his SUV. Ella rubbed her eyes and waved out the window. "Good night, Grandma! Best Christmas ever!"
Amber walked over to Nan’s Buick. She held out a small plastic container wrapped in foil.
"What's this?" Nan asked.
"It’s the extra slice of pie from the kitchen," Amber said, smiling shyly. "And... I was wondering."
"Wondering what, dear?"
"Next year..." Amber hesitated, looking at her husband and children, then back at Nan. "Next year, can we rent the fire hall again? Together? I’ll write a new list."
Nan looked at her daughter-in-law, then down at the quiet town glowing under the winter moon.
"What’s on the new list, Amber?" Nan asked warmly.
Amber smiled, her eyes bright with tears and hope.
May you like
"Rule number one: Arrive early. Rule number two: Bring everyone. And rule number three... No time limits on love."
Nan pulled Amber into a tight, warm hug as the snow began to fall softly over Oak Creek, wrapping the town in a quiet, perfect peace.
