Chistmas Ever After Read Online Free PDF Page A

out the front door.
    Jennifer struggled to contain her anger, as she stepped up to replace the box.
    Mrs. Wintergreen slowly worked her way through the narrow aisle until she was only a few feet from Jennifer. She lifted a gentle hand, trying to get Jennifer’s attention. Jennifer noticed.
    “I’ll be right with you,” Jennifer said, stepping down.
    Just then, a hulking man with a mild panic in his eyes seized Jennifer’s shoulder. “I need to get a gift for my wife. Somebody down the street said you’d be able to help.”
    Jennifer gave Mrs. Wintergreen an apologetic glance. Mrs. Wintergreen nodded understandingly, and browsed the shelves and displays as Jennifer made suggestions to the nervous man.
    A few moments later, Jennifer approached, looking at Mrs. Wintergreen curiously. “Have we met?”
    “Not directly, my dear.”
    “You look very familiar to me.”
    “I hear that a lot. I suppose I have a familiar face,” Mrs. Wintergreen said.
    Jennifer studied it. “Have you ever been to Tennessee?”
    “Oh yes, Jennifer, I have. A delightful state, filled with wonderful people.”
    “Oneida, Tennessee?”
    “I’ve been through it, yes, although it’s been many years.”
    “Maybe that’s where I saw you,” Jennifer said, satisfied for the moment. “What can I help you with?”
    Mrs. Wintergreen looked around the busy shop. “I’m afraid I caught you at a bad time, my dear. I apologize.”
    “It’s okay. That’s why I’m here, to help you,” Jennifer said, with a steely, efficient manner.
    “I want to talk to you about something. By the way, I love those Santa Claus dolls.”
    Jennifer frowned. “Those things?” Then she caught herself and forced a smile in a mock spirited tone. “Oh, yes! A lot of people seem to like them. They’re selling well. You were saying that you needed to talk to me about something?”
    Both women were jostled and bumped as they stood in the crowded thoroughfare. Mrs. Wintergreen pointed to the back of the store where it was more secluded.
    “Perhaps we could speak back there.”
    Jennifer hesitated, seeing Angela feverishly at work behind the cash register, and a line of people waiting. “You’ll have to make this quick, ma’am.”
    “Yes, indeed,” Mrs. Wintergreen said.
    They managed to edge their way to the rear of the store, near the Christmas tree, where the CD player was. Natalie Cole was singing O Tannenbaum . Mrs. Wintergreen paused to softly sing along and conduct with her right hand.
    “Du grunst nich nur zur Sommerzeit.” [You are green in summertime.] “Nein auch im winter, wenn es schneit.” [Also in winter, when it snows.]
    She looked at Jennifer, beaming. “Pardon me. I love that song and she sings it so beautifully, don’t you think?”
    Jennifer controlled her mounting impatience. “Oh yes,” she said, without sincerity.
    Mrs. Wintergreen gathered herself, folding her hands and lifting her warm eyes toward Jennifer. “Jennifer… I have a gift for you.”
    Jennifer slanted her a suspicious look. “A gift… for me?”
    “Yes.”
    “Okay…” Jennifer said, waiting, her alert eyes darting about the shop.
    “It is Christmas after all, the time for gift-giving, for granting wishes,” Mrs. Wintergreen continued.
    “…What did you say your name is?”
    “Mrs. Wintergreen.”
    “Mrs. Wintergreen, I appreciate the offer, but you don’t really have to give me anything.”
    “Oh, but I want to, my dear.”
    “Okay. Can you give it to me now or do I have to go somewhere and pick it up?”
    “You do indeed have to travel somewhere.”
    “Okay, and, where will I have to travel?” Jennifer asked, folding her arms tightly, obviously not interested.
    Mrs. Wintergreen’s voice rose in excitement. “Well, let’s just say that it involves an adventure.”
    Jennifer dropped her head, then slowly lifted it again. Her arms fell to her sides. “I’m going to have to cut this short. I really do have to get back to work. Thank you for