"Brenda!"
She turned and smiled a welcome at her neighbor, Dave Kingsdale. He tripped up the stairs like the athlete his physique portrayed. He lived across the hall from her and over the years, they'd become friends. Occasionally, Brenda thought she glimpsed a certain look in his eye that said he'd like to be more. Sometimes she wished the same thing, but she was too shy to make the first move. "Hi, Dave. That's quite an accumulation of snow, isn't it?"
He caught up and they walked side by side to the upper floor. "It's beautiful. It should snow every Christmas, don't you think?"
She didn't, but she couldn't burst Dave's bubble of happiness. Maybe if her circumstances were different, she'd feel excitement at the snowfall and the holiday. "I suppose it'll make the children happy."
Dave gave her a white-toothed smile. "Maybe we can go sledding some night. Or ice skating."
"Maybe."
He nodded at the bundle of mail in her hand. "Any news?"
"Nothing."
"I'm sorry. I know how much you hoped this lead would pay off. But don't give up. You'll find her. I have faith."
"Thanks, Dave. You're a good friend."
"Likewise. By the way, what are you doing tonight?"
She gave a shrug. "Nothing special. It's just another night to me."
His eyes rounded. "You can't be serious. You're spending Christmas Eve alone?" He shook his head. "Why don't you join me? I'm going to the candlelight service at church. Afterward, we can build a fire and sip hot cocoa while we wait for Santa."
She laughed. "I've had a long day. I think I'll just grab a quick bite and go to bed."
He peered into her bag. "Macaroni and cheese? On Christmas Eve?"
"It's an American staple."
"That settles it. I'll give you thirty minutes to get ready. We're going out for dinner, right after church service. Can't let a chance to celebrate the biggest snowfall of the season slip away. I'll have you home early enough that you'll be asleep before Santa's sleigh arrives."
She started to protest, but then she looked into his eyes. There was that look again, a longing and hopefulness. It reached out to her, crept inside and began to melt the ice crystals around her heart.
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