Chapter 2: Settling In
Summary: Liv and Noah explore the charming little town and meet some interesting locals.
"What should we do first, sweet boy?" Liv asked as they bundled up in their winter gear, Noah's curls just peeking out beneath his wooly hat and headed outside.
"Can we see the snowman up close?" Noah suggested, pulling his mom by the hand toward the large snowman in front of the inn. He wanted to check it out for when he built his own later.
"Of course! After that, maybe we can walk down to Main Street and check out the shops." Liv smiled merrily as she followed her eager son to the snowman. The temperature was crisp, their breath billowing in the air as they walked.
"Look how much taller than me it is, Momma!" Noah exclaimed as he gazed up at the snowman. Liv pulled her phone out and quickly snapped a picture, sending it off to Rafa.
"It's as tall as I am!" Liv laughed in return.
"How big do you think we could make one?"
"I don't know, sweet boy. We'll have to see tomorrow."
Grasping Liv's gloved hand again, Noah indicated he was ready to explore the town. "I want to get Uncle Rafa a gift from one of the shops while we're here. Is that ok?"
"Of course, sweet boy," Liv replied, touched at how much Noah had taken to Rafa. "I'm sure he will love whatever gift you pick out for him."
"I know, I just wish he was here with us," Noah said, sadness tinging his little voice. "I think he would really like it here."
"Me too, honey. I know he's just as sad as we are that he had to stay behind and work," Liv replied.
They stopped to take in the sights once they turned the corner. The street was lined with decorations, lights strung back and forth across the road, each storefront had its own evergreen tree trimmed with baubles. Snow and salt dusted the sidewalk, crunching beneath their boots as they walked. People greeted them cheerfully as they strolled along. The vibe was entirely opposite of NYC, which was exactly what they hoped for and needed.
Noah peered through the windows of Dasher's Diner and pointed to the dining counter lined with round stools. "Can we eat here for dinner and sit at the counter?" It was something he had seen people do on TV.
"That sounds like a great idea!"
The mother and son continued their stroll through town, popping into charming little shops here and there along the way. In one particular shop, Noah spotted a keychain that read "Christmas Village" and had an opening for a small picture. "Momma, can I get this for Uncle Rafa? We can put a picture of me and you in it!"
"That's lovely, Noah! Uncle Rafa will love it," Liv replied truthfully as she paid for the trinket.
As they reach a circle of land at one end of Main Street, Noah spotted a tall tree bedecked in large ornaments and strung with lights, a huge silver star perched at the top. They stood before the tree admiring the decorations when someone appeared next to them with a ladder. The man was dressed for outdoor work in a heavy, tan Carhart coat, tan wool hat, and thick gloves. His bright blue eyes contrasted nicely with the neutral colors of his clothing.
"Just a few more decorations and we will be lighting it up this evening," the man said as he setup the ladder. He glanced at Noah, taking in the wonder and excitement on his face. "This your first time in Christmas Village?"
Noah nodded. "We're from New York City. Have you ever been there?"
The man knelt down to Noah's level and pulled the glove from his right hand. "I have, it was very big and noisy." He smiled broadly at Noah's giggle. "My name is Jack."
The little boy reached his hand out, glove still on. "I'm Noah. This is my mom."
Jack looked up as Noah gestured to her, his eyes raking her in pink cheeks, deep brown eyes, and waves of dark hair billowing out beneath her winter hat. He held out a hand to her. "Hi Noah's mom, I'm Jack."
Liv laughed, removing her glove, and replied, "I'm Olivia. It's nice to meet you, Jack." His hand was strong and lightly calloused. She could tell he did a lot of work with his hands, but it was evident he still took care of his skin.
"How long are you in town for?" His task temporarily forgotten as he made conversation with the delightful mother and son.
"Just the week," Liv replied watching her son eyeing the box of decorations waiting to be placed on the large tree. She caught his arm just as he reached into the box and softly reprimanded him. "Noah, you know better than touch things that aren't yours."
"Sorry, Momma," Noah replied shamefully.
"It's okay if he wants to check them out," Jack cut in not wanting the little boy to get in trouble. "In fact, he could even help me if that's alright with you, Olivia."
The hopeful expression on Noah's face made her give in, though she watched the interactions between Noah and Jack with keen eyes. He was a complete stranger after all. She took some photos on her phone of Noah handing Jack the large ornamental baubles as the man stood a few steps up the ladder.
Noah is fitting right in with the locals, she texted Rafa along with the picture. They've already put him to work.
Do they not have child labor laws in Vermont? That's a great tree! Rafa's reply came moments later. Keep sending pictures, they brighten this dreadful day.
A short while later, Jack finished his task and they bid him goodbye as they left to finish exploring Main Street.
….
When it neared sunset, Liv led Noah back to Dasher's Diner. A bell jingled as they walked through the door into the charming restaurant, causing the scattered crowd within the diner to turn toward them in greeting. Noah marched right to the counter, hopping onto a stool, and gazed directly at the variety of pies staged behind the counter.
"Well, hello there," a plump blonde woman greeted from behind the counter. Her name tag read Dotti. "Welcome to Dasher's Diner! I haven't seen you two around here before, are you visiting?"
"We are, just for the week," Liv replied as she accepted a menu from the woman.
"We're from New York City!" Noah added happily. He just loved telling people that.
"Woah, from the big city, huh? How are you liking Christmas Village so far, young man?"
"I love it! There's so much snow and cool decorations and the people are nice and there's a giant gingerbread house at the inn where we're staying and I can't wait to build a snowman with my mom tomorrow," Noah rambled excitedly much to the amusement of the adults.
"He's just a little excited," Liv said, running an affectionate hand over her son's curls.
Dotti's smile touched her eyes. "This town will do that to you. Now, what can I get you both to eat?" They ordered burgers and fries at Noah's insistence. Dotti took a picture of the two of them as they sipped on fountain soda, waiting for their food.
Dotti still had Liv's phone in her hand, camera app open, when Jack sidled up to the counter, taking a seat on the stool next to Noah. The woman snapped a photo as both Liv and Jack gazed down at Noah as he happily chattered away. Examining the photo, Dotti remembered what Anna told her about the latest guests at the inn – there was no father or sign of a wedding ring. She handed the phone back to Liv, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"If it isn't the best helper I've ever had," Jack greeted Noah, smiling at Liv over the top of Noah's head.
"Hi Jack! You eat here too?"
"It's my favorite spot. I love the burgers."
"That's what we ordered!" Noah replied, glancing at his mom who nodded.
"Did you enjoy exploring the rest of Main Street?" Jack asked, the question directed at Liv.
"We did. This is such a beautiful town," she admitted. "Everyone is so friendly and welcoming."
"The perks of a small town, especially one named Christmas Village. It's hard not to be happy and friendly here." The corners of Jack's eyes crinkled as he smiled warmly. Liv noted that he had been hiding a head full of thick dark hair beneath the wool hat, the kind of hair that women loved running their fingers through. The dark hair, blue eyes, and chiseled jaw were quite the attractive combination. The light blue flannel shirt he wore, with the sleeves rolled up, really brought out the color of his eyes.
"I can imagine," she replied, looking away from his intense blue eyes. She was definitely picking up on the vibes of interest from the man, and while it was a good feeling knowing someone found her attractive, she did not want to encourage him. Not when she was head over heels in love with Rafa. However, it was a very small town, and she also did not want to come across as unnecessarily rude.
In the end, Noah carried most of the conversation with the friendly stranger, leaving Liv to eat her burger and casually chime in when needed.
Once dinner was finished, they bid Dotti and Jack good evening and stepped out to watch the lights on the tree gleam down the street.
Returning to the inn, Liv and Noah settled onto the couch in front of the fireplace in the sitting area of their room.
….
"Hey Rafa," greeted her boyfriend when she picked up her buzzing phone. She was leaning back against the pillows on the bed, Noah sound asleep on the bed next to hers.
"Hi Liv, sorry I didn't call earlier. It's been hectic here. How was your day?" She noted Rafa sounded exhausted and a glance at the clock told her it was no wonder. It was 10 pm and he'd been working since they left early that morning.
"Our day was great. This town is so quaint. There is so much snow, everything is decked out with decorations, and the people are so nice. It definitely makes me consider living the small-town life. Are you still at the office?"
"It sounds heavenly. Wish I was there with you both. This day has been hell and it's not over yet. I have about another hour's worth of work to get through before I head back to my place."
"Rafa, don't push yourself too hard. You need sleep to function. As much as I want you here with us, I don't want you to kill herself trying to make it work," Liv said, worry tinging her voice, wishing she could wrap him up in her arms and soothe his stress away.
"I know, carino," he sighed. "Just keep sending me pictures of your adventures with Noah. I wouldn't mind a shot of just you occasionally too." His voice took on a teasing lilt.
"Oh yeah? You wouldn't mind me sending nudes? Gee, how utterly unsurprising," Liv laughed.
"A guy's gotta try, right?"
"Uh huh, sure," Liv teased before yawning deeply. "Good night, Rafa. Please don't work yourself into the ground."
"Good night, Liv…"