"So, where are you from?" Mr. Wesley sips a little water, before unfolding his napkin. Apparently I am forgiven for my tardiness, as he gave it no attention when I offered an apology. The smirk that the man give me when I place his wish ornament onto the table. Bill Avery brought us our food himself, a special Christmas brunch. Greasy fried potatoes, squeezed orange juice, buttered toast, a boiled egg, and crispy bacon. I requested for it to have an extra crunch. Shoot me if you must.

"I would rather talk about you. I'm not that interesting."

"I disagree, but why do you say that?" The man cuts into his omelet.

"I don't know. Doesn't everyone think their own personal lives are boring?"

"An interesting point." He says, "but since you don't wish to share about yourself, I will oblige the silence, and your preference."

"Share away." My stomach was in need of this sustenance, and I try to pay attention to the man at the opposite side of the table, when I catch a glimpse of Florence. She has that gleam in her eye. Let her gossip; she really is a sweet and caring soul, but this part of her just annoys me, but not enough for me to call her out. I am having brunch with a man, in Abigail's Cafe, and I've never done so before in the short time I have been here. I will be the talk of the town. But what is new on that score?

"I was raised in the state of Wisconsin. I have been searching for a small or growing town to settle down in for inspiration."

"Inspiration?"

"I'm a writer. In fact, you are the most recent inspiration I have had for a novel."

I snort, "So, all of this," I gesture to the decorated table, "is your research? On me?" I regret laughing. I don't want him to get the wrong idea and think that I believe what he does is stupid. That is not the case. I am simply baffled he went to all this trouble, and delusional to think this was anything else but an interview.

"Well, yes, but my main reason is to get to know you better. You intrigue me."

"And what, pray tell, intrigues you so?"

"You are easily distracted when people talk to you because you dispise monotony, and you bury yourself in work to distract yourself from emotions, when in reality, there is something you have left unacknowledged. Set aside. Neglected. One of these days, it will surface at the worst time possible. Best to deal with it now. My guess? A loss of some kind."

I might just spew my orange juice onto his face, but thank the Lord, I am spared that humiliation. "Stalk people much?" I ask.

"I have no need to. People's words and actions have benefit enough, and more accuracy. I am an author, Nyrah. It is my job to analyze a person's behavior."

"Actually, I happen to know, that occupation belongs to a psychiatrist."

He quirks an eyebrow, "And am I correct in assuming that comes from personal experience?" This man. How am I to keep up with his flawless "intellectual prowess?" He must have some sort of extra-sensory gift, or he really is that smart and observant. I don't like it, but now that the game has started, I am hooked, yearning to find more clues. This man. This unusual creature of mystery. A lopsided puzzle piece.

"Sorry, my turn, " I swat away his question with my own, "What are your intentions?"

"To woo you, of course." I scoff. Mixed signals indeed. Is he serious? Although, I cannot fault him for one thing. He is being forward, blunt, direct, which is exactly what I have grown to appreciate, as the hypocrite I can be. He reminds me of Lucas.

"Marvelous job so far."

"I never intended to upset you, and for that, I apologize." He even nods in asking of forgiveness like Lucas. But his features are far different. By the time he has finished his plate, I have as well. It is then I choose to speak again. "Apology accepted."

"Will you take a walk with me tomorrow?" The man checks his watch, and then drinks the final remnants in his water glass.

"You still want to spend time with me?"

"Absolutely." His smile grows, genuine and warm, and I nod my head in acceptance.

After our brunch, Jude and I part ways on the deck of the Cafe, and I meet Nathan on the center of the street. There is still half an hour before all the shops close for the day. His features quiver in worry, frustration even, but he does not see me.

"Nate, is everything alright?" He turns to greet me, his brows less furrowed than before.

"Yeah, of course." He is not in his uniform, which is nice to see. "Did you have a good time with Mr. Wesley?" I notice a small lilt of uncertainty in his voice, but I try not to dwell on what it means.

"This morning has been very revealing, but also has left me with more questions."

"How so?"

"He seemed to know everything and nothing about me at the same time. Apparently, I inspire him." I shrug.

"I'm- I'm glad that you enjoy his company. I confess, Lucas and I both noticed the two of you through the window. You looked happy." I notice something within Nathan this moment. Unrest. Disappointment, even. They both saw Jude and I through the Café window. I'm an idiot. Jude and Lucas aside for a moment, Nathan has my full attention. He continues, "Anyway, I wanted to give you this." A tiny little wrapped box finds its way into my grasp, and when I open it, a silver charm bracelet shines in the sunlight. He got Allie a charm bracelet too. What is this to mean? A house charm, a pistol charm, a fishing charm, and a family charm. I could add a few more, but that is the purpose is it not? Too long without a reaction, I believe Nathan starts to worry. "Allie likes you a lot, and I thought that the two of you would like to match."

I tip my chin to gaze up at him, a quiet smile moving my lips. "Nate, it is beautiful. I cannot express to you how much I love it." I don't care for him in that way. I don't. I never imagined I would have to convince myself of that. He appears to be pleased by my response. "Are you busy right now?"

"Not really, I was going to-"

"Good. Follow me." I leave no room for negotiation, and as I hear footsteps behind me, I know he has found it good reason to obey. Out of curiosity, I search for my ornament on the wishing tree as we pass by. It takes a few moments, and although it appears to be moved, it still remains on a small prickly branch. I wonder who moved it.

After six minutes, the two of us race into the Coulter's home. I know he is uncomfortable, so I tell him to remain downstairs while I fetch something. When I clop back downstairs after several minutes, Natha's blue eyes widen. He might as well receive his gift first on Christmas. I finished his two days ago.

When the cloth from the frame is removed, he chuckles. It is a picture of our first time fishing together, with me shoving Nate into the pond. Lee helped me with buiding of the frames, so he has had an idea of what everyone's present is this year.

"Merry Christmas, Nate. This is kind of both yours and Allie's present, but I felt that now was the time to give it to you." He appears want to say something important, but then backs down quickly. I am not sure how I was hoping he would react.

"It's perfect, thank you," He nods to himself, "Allie will love it too."

"Would you help me with the clasp? It's hard to put this thing on with one hand." When I stretch out my wrist, he accepts, placing the charm bracelet against my skin.

"Thank you." Grabbing my shawl this time, and suppressing the need to cough, I open open the door, Elizabeth and baby Jack's gift in arm, as well as Rosemary and Lee's, and let's not forget Bill's. I had just enough time when I was up there last to put them in frames. "I will be spending Christmas with Elizabeth and the Coulters, is there any leftovers I could bring you and your niece later?" Nate joins me outside.

"No, but we appreciate the offer."

"I would invite you to spend Christmas with us, but I never talked to Elizabeth about it first. I'm certain all of us would love to have you."

"Nah, it's- it's alright. Allie and I have our own special...thing we do every year anyway." Nathan tilts his head.

In hesitation, I worry about him a little. He isn't behaving normally. Actually, he is behaving normally...when something is bothering him. "Are you certain there is nothing wrong? I ask.

A deer caught in the headlights, he is quick to shut that notion down. "Yes, I am absolutely certain...perhaps, I should get home. And thank you again for the gift. It was thoughtful of you."

"Ok," is all that I respond with, shivering like a figurine in a snow globe, watching as he walks away. Was he...jealous? He mentioned that Lucas and him saw me through the window. That could be a reason, but there could be thousands of others. Dumbfounded and practically frost bitten, I still take five glorious second to admire the scenery. Mountain peaks poking through the white of snow, which is soft to fall. Red berries glisten with ice coating them, with no birds in sight. Melting crystals decorate my hair.

I am greeted by Rosemary with a "She's finally here!"

When we all sit down, nostalgia envelops my soul. Not the kind I have experienced many times before, but the kind that I have not partaken of for many, many years. Having been transfered every Chrsitmas, I was always in a new foster home, and each holiday belonged to someone else's family, not mine. This Christmas, belongs to all of us. This is my family. I do not want to go back home. I am going to miss Sol, my best friend, but this place has provided healing. A kind of healing beyond words, and resides peacefully in the air.

The scent of mashed potatoes and delectable gravy makes my mouth salivate already.

"Nyrah, this picture is stunning!" Rosemary gushes over their wedding picture with the quote, "Everything leaps off of the page; it looks so real."

"My mother was an artist; I guess I get it from her."

"You most certainly do. Lee, look at this."

"I am looking, sweetheart." He says.

"You have captured my husband perfectly, Nyrah...His smile." The woman sighs, playing her wedding day in her mind, before kissing Lee on the lips. Lee points to the quote, and the two of them have a secret moment. Well...a semi-secret moment.

Bill on the other hand, likes his gift, but of course, he hides behind his rough and tough manliness, instead of crying like the big softie he is.

The Coulter's had a rocking horse made for little Jack, which went complete with the cowboy outfit Elizabeth purchased for him.

I receive presents too, which is sweet, but mostly awesome. My own fishing pole from Lee, a sewing kit from Rosemary, and a fancy dress from Elizabeth. She claims she no longer wears it, and thought it would be perfect for me. It is breathtaking, white with navy highlights, off the shoulder. I express my gratitude to each of them with all of my heart.

It is now time for the final gift, from me, to Elizabeth and little Jack. This is the final and best drawing I slaved over last night. Elizabeth grins, excited, until she sees what the picture is of. Tears brimming in her eyes, she gasps, lifting it up for everyone to see. When she places little Jack down to play, she rushes to give me a hug.

"Nyrah, than you so much." This is the part I never know how to deal with, so I just hug her back. When people cry, I am totally lost on how to act or what to do. I add a small pat on the back for good measure. People do that, so it can be me too.

"I'm glad you like it," I mention.

"Like it?" Elizabeth grabs my hands, which is not awkward at all, "Nyrah, I knew I would never see the three of us together, and you have made that possible for me." Elizabeth picks up the realistic photo, and brings it down to little Jack's level. "See Jack, this is your daddy; he's standing next to mommy, with you between us." She stares at it again, "Our little family."

Another chapter! Yay! I am hoping to get into Nyrah's backstory a little in the next chapter, so hang on! we have now officially entered season 7, so I will be combing through those episodes, searching searching for good ones that Nyrah would fit in well. I appreciated reading all the different ideas of where this story is headed, and some of you are really close to the mark. There is still a lot of change and progress to be made. I'm glad you all are enjoying my work.