Irene Brand - The Christmas Children

D arkness had fallen when Carissa Whitmore drove into Yuletide, New York, and parked her SUV in front of a fast-food restaurant. At first, she couldnt understand why she felt so let down, until she recalled her reason for being there. Shed come to this lakeside village to find the kind of holiday spirit shed enjoyed as a child, but she couldnt see any indication of Christmas.

Carissa had anticipated a village ablaze with Christmas lights, nativity scenes and decorated trees, but except for the streetlights sparkling on the gentle snowfall as it filtered among the evergreen trees, the town was dark and uninviting. Stifling her disappointment, she entered the restaurant, sat at the counter to order a sandwich and a cup of tea. When she finished the meal, Carissa asked the waitress for directions to the police station.

The woman answered Carissas question, then asked, Are you the one whos moving into Naomi Townsends house for the winter?

Carissa smothered a laugh, but her blue eyes sparkled with mirth. Shed lived in a metropolitan area since leaving Minnesota twenty-five years ago. Carissa had forgotten how little privacy a person had in a small town.

Yes, I am, she said. Im supposed to pick up the key from the chief of police.

The woman peered over the counter and nodded approvingly when she saw that Carissa wore boots. I see you know how to dress for winter. Its only two blocks to the police station, but the streets are kinda slippery. Itll be safer if you leave your car parked here and walk, specially since youre from down South and maybe dont know how to drive on snow.

Carissa laughingly admitted that she had no experience with treacherous roads. When she lived in Minnesota, she couldnt afford a car.

She zipped up her heavy coat and stepped out into the chill air. The business section of Yuletide was located on the southern tip of Lake Mohawka small lake that measured four miles from north to south. Many vacation and permanent residences dotted the lakefront and extended into the wooded highlands.

Although Yuletide lacked Christmas ornamentation, it was a picturesque alpine village of small shops and businesses. Carissa looked forward to exploring the stores at her leisure, but she didnt dawdle tonight; the wind from the lake was penetrating her heavy parka. She gave herself a mental pat on the back for being wise enough to shop at a mall in Pennsylvania on her way north. Her Florida clothing wouldnt have been warm enough for Adirondack weather.

Warmth from a wood-burning stove welcomed Carissa when she entered the police station. The chief of police, a short sturdy man, sat behind a massive oak desk that dwarfed him.

Hiya! the chief greeted her. Im Justin Townsend. Mary, at the restaurant, called and said youd arrived. Weve been expecting you, but figured the snow had delayed you.

Carissa unzipped the front of her parka and shrugged out of the hood, revealing a head of short, curly blond hair.

The highways were clear until a few miles south of Saratoga Springs. After that, I had to maneuver my way out of a dozen or more snowdrifts. Id have stopped, but I didnt see any motels after the snow got so heavy.

Chief Townsend stood and reached across the desk to shake hands. Welcome to Yuletide.

He took a ring of keys out of a desk drawer and handed them to Carissa. Naomis my sister-in-law. Sorry you missed her, but she left for Florida three days ago. Shed intended to show you around before she had to leave.

I was delayed at the last minute, and Naomi already had prepaid airline reservations, so I insisted that she go ahead. I called her on my cell phone this morning. Shes already in Tampa enjoying the view of Tampa Bay from my eighth-floor condo. When I called, she was sitting on the balcony drinking a cup of coffee.

A grin spread across the chiefs broad face. Well, you wont be drinking coffee on her balcony in the morning.

Justin gave Carissa directions to his sister-in-laws home. If you want to wait a while, I can drive out with you. My deputy will be back in a half hour.

Oh, you dont need to do that, unless the house is hard to find.

Its along the main road, but its getting dark. I thought you might be a little skittish about going into a strange house and all.

Carissas even teeth gleamed in a wide smile. Ive lived alone for more than twenty years, so Im not afraid of an empty house.

No need to be, he assured her. Yuletide is noted for its low crime rate. He beamed expansively. I keep it that way. Remember, Naomis house is the first two-story log house on your left, a mile north of town. Theres a security light in the yard. We have someone in the station round the clock, so call if you need help finding the place. Drive carefully.

Before Carissa reached the sidewalk, Chief Townsend stuck his head out the door. Naomi turned the temperature down. The house might be a little cool, but itll warm up in a hurry when you raise the thermostat.