Page 42 of Postmarked December

Evergreen garlands draped the shelves, their scent of fresh pine, citrus, and clove filling the air. Hand-tied wreaths and seasonal centerpieces had been crafted with thoughtful detail, balancing tradition with a modern, understated charm. She ran her hand along the clay vases that lined the shelves and admired the blooms in Christmas colors. Light filtered through the tall windows, catching on eucalyptus stems and garden roses, while the air carried a subtle scent of earth and perfume. It was as though they had stepped out of the city’s rhythm and into a slower, more thoughtful world, where every flower arrangement seemed to speak tiny truths from her past.

One memory of her and Toby came flooding back.

“I’m thinking we should do roses,” she said, browsing the shelves of wildflowers. “What do you think?”

He wrapped his arms around her from behind, moved her hair off her shoulder, and kissed her neck, despite the prying eyes of the woman at the counter.

“Seriously, are you okay with roses?”

He chuckled. “I couldn’t care less what you hold for that hour as long as I get to take you home.” He scooped her up, making her squeal.

The woman behind the counter sighed happily.

“You should get a bouquet to take home,” Marion said, fiddling with a little bunch of red roses. “They’re all so beautiful.”

“Maybe I will.”

Heather went over to the other wall and perused arrangements that featured velvety amaryllis, hellebore, and winter berries gathered in muted, elegant palettes. Each one paired miniature evergreens with soft winter blooms, berries, and subtle accents of dried elements. No two bouquets were exactly alike, yet together they formed a cohesive display that felt warm and personal. They seemed perfect for her coffee table back home. She settled on a three-rose bundle with fir sprigs and berries.

“That’s gorgeous,” Marion said. “Makes me want to get one.”

“Maybe you should.”

“I’ll just admire yours. Scarlett would have it all over the floor in less than an hour.”

With a laugh, Heather went up to the counter and paid for the bouquet. “I was told to ask for Rachel.”

“That’s my name,” the woman said.

“Oh, hi.” Heather smiled. “Do you have an envelope for me? My name’s Heather Hart.”

“Yes, I sure do.” With a sparkle in her eye, the woman retrieved the familiar envelope from the back.

They thanked her and left the store.

“Two letters in one day—that’s exciting,” Marion said as Heather used the seat belt in the backseat to keep her bouquet safe on the ride home.

“It’s incredible.” She got into the driver’s seat and fastened her seat belt. “I just don’t understand how Toby’s doing it.”

“It’s a pretty amazing Christmas gift,” Marion said, blowing into her hands.

Heather tried to smile, but her thoughts must have shown on the outside.

“You don’t think so?” Marion asked.

Heather started the car to get some heat going and then twisted toward Marion. “There’s a part of me that wants to hang out in my memories of Toby all day, but there’s another part that’s ready to move on. I don’t want to leave Toby but, rather, carry his memory with me so I can get on with my life.” She shook her head, looking down at the envelope in her lap. “I don’t want to seem ungrateful, because he was the most thoughtful person on the planet, but when I get another letter that pulls me back into my old life, I’m pulled somewhere I can’t return to.”

Marion’s face creased with contemplation. “I wish I’d known the Toby that swept you off your feet. But from what you’ve told me over the last year, Toby was a lot of things, but random was not a characteristic you ever mentioned. He loved you, and he’s building that message in an elaborate way—the true mark of a great songwriter.” She smiled.

“You’re right.” Heather waved the envelope in the air. “Maybe he’ll fill me in on how he managed this right here.”

“Maybe!”

Heather ripped open the envelope and pulled out the next note. When she did, a key fell from the folded paper, and she scrambled to keep it from going down between the seats. When she inspected it, she knew what it was immediately, and she smiled. So Toby had it?

Are you tired of running around yet? I knew you’d be holed up in that apartment this Christmas, probably wallowing, so I wanted to get you out into the world. But now, you get to kick back. I’ve got one more place to send you. Tomorrow, I want you to pack your things and drive to the family cabin. I always wanted to take you there one last time so we could enjoy all the renovations, and I never got the chance.

“Tell me what it says. I’m dying over here,” Marion said.