The Christmas Lamp Read Online Free PDF Page A

starting their annual pilgrimage to The Strip, and occasionally one still turned off the main highway so the passengers could purchase a Jolsen’s goodie.
    Roni smiled to a neighbor and eased off her shoes. She had written the notice regarding the new position on the town’s annual tree. The article would come out in the weekly paper. Folks would be upset. They would miss the spruce as much as she would. Even the thought dampened her spirit, but she wasn’t going to let Brisco’s cuts upset her. She’d be around long after he was gone. Her gaze shifted to the window, where the light ice coating had dissipated overnight. Today’s weather was downright balmy, and she had to admit the fifty degrees didn’t add much to her holiday mood. Others seemed unaffected as they hurried by the window.
    Roni, you’re a sentimental fool. Shake it off. You can’t let Brisco ruin your holiday.
    Speak of the Devil. Jake Brisco walked by and turned to enter the bakery.
    “Be with you in a minute!” Eugenia parroted over a sea of customers.
    He lifted a hand in response, his eyes perusing the showcase. Shrinking back in her chair, Roni fumbled for her shoes with her toes. The last thing she wanted was more fiscal cut talk.
    When Jake lifted his eyes, recognition flickered.
    She smiled.
    He smiled back. After a moment, he walked toward her table as the small room filled to capacity.
    “Hey.”
    “Hey,” she responded. “Busy place.”
    Taking a chair, he sat down. “I heard they’re making rye bread today.”
    “You like rye?”
    “Love it. How about you?”
    “I enjoy it. They make Limpa Rye during the holidays. Ed, my next-door neighbor, likes it, so I always purchase several loaves for him during the season.”
    “What’s limpa?”
    He was a rye man. Didn’t matter what sort, she decided.
    “Swedish rye made with molasses and brown sugar. Better buy two loaves and freeze one if you like it. This is the only time of the year you can depend on Eugenia to have a lot.”
    “I don’t have anywhere to keep an extra loaf. My hotel room only has a tiny refrigerator.”
    “Oh … right. Well, I have a large freezer. You’re welcome to store an extra loaf there.” She could have bitten her tongue off. Why had she offered her freezer? Wouldn’t she see enough of him in the coming weeks?
    “Thanks. Coffee? Soda?”
    “No, I’m just waiting my turn. The bakery is almost never this busy this early in the season. Maybe taking down the tree won’t spoil everyone’s holiday after all.” She caught her tongue. “Also, Mimsy will be wondering where I am.”
    “Mimsy?”
    “Mom’s cat. I kept her.”
    He nodded. “Part of the family.”
    The noise level in the close room increased. Folks vied for fruitcakes and Limpa Rye, chatting happily among themselves. Roni felt she should try to carry on a conversation but decided against the effort.
    After a bit, Jake scribbled a note on a napkin and passed it across the table. She glanced at the message. “Are you angry about the tree?”
    Reaching for the pen, she scrawled. “I’ll miss it.” She pushed the paper back to him.
    His eyes scanned the note. The paper slid back. “Are you angry?”
    “Very.” Back.
    “What choice did I have?” Back.
    This one took a while. What choice did he have? Permit the tree to be knocked down at least once or twice more? According to his estimates, and they were probably accurate, that would lead to a pretty sizeable replacement cost. Should she support tradition or sound judgment? She picked up the pen. “None. You were right. Do I have to like it?” She slid the napkin across the Formica.
    He wrote, “You can hate it, but don’t blame the messenger.”
    Eugenia yelled. “Roni! You’re up!”
    Roni shoved her feet into her shoes and reached for her purse. “My turn.”
    Nodding, he settled back in the chair.
    She purchased two loaves of rye and a fruitcake for Ed Carlson. There hadn’t been a Christmas in the past several years