Chapter 1
Miranda grinned, standing her ground. "No way. You two look just alike with that face now."
She held up the small figurine and gave it a playful wiggle, making Paul laugh.
"Well, maybe not quite so much anymore," Paul conceded.
In the end, Paul took the gift and thanked her.
"Don't mention it. The light's green," Miranda said.
Miranda arrived home well past midnight. She had ensured the house was spotless before leaving and had even arranged for a cleaning service to come while she was gone. It looked so immaculate that no one would have guessed she'd been away for days.
She showered and collapsed onto her plush bed, savoring the lingering fragrance of her body wash. She closed her eyes, feeling content. Home, she thought, was always the coziest place, no matter where she went.
Meanwhile, Paul was still awake, wrapping up the first phase of his experiment. Even getting to the airport had been a struggle. He planned to shower, change, and return to the lab.
Putting on his shoes in the foyer, he glanced up and saw the small figurine Miranda had given him. He’d placed it on a shelf above the shoe rack—a spot cleared just for it, amidst shelves packed with books.
He couldn’t help but smile. It really did look quite a bit like him.
In mid-January, Jandersville was hit with a heavy snowfall. Miranda opened her window to see the world covered in a fresh, white blanket.
It was just after 8:00 a.m., and neighborhood children were already building snowmen in the street below. Their laughter mingled with the calls of street vendors, creating a lively atmosphere.
While grabbing groceries, Miranda noticed a row of snowmen of all shapes and sizes. The largest one caught her eye, with its seed eyes and pink plastic pinwheel—strikingly like a cartoon character. She paused, then returned to press a small carrot from her basket onto its face as a nose. Stepping back, she admired her handiwork with a satisfied nod.
The butchered beef at the farmers' market was fresh and reasonably priced. Miranda bought some lean minced beef for spicy tacos; the rest would go into a hearty soup with sweet, crisp carrots.
A knock came at the door. Miranda quickly removed her apron to answer it.
It was Bonnie Hatcher, her neighbor from the third floor. Bonnie greeted her warmly, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Miranda, you're back! My daughter-in-law had a baby girl a few days ago. We made cupcakes to celebrate and shared them with everyone in the building. Here, this one's for you."
Knowing Miranda lived alone, Bonnie always looked out for her.
Miranda was genuinely happy for Bonnie. She thanked her and offered some castella cake and marmalade she had made.
Bonnie was surprised and tried to refuse. "Oh, you didn't have to do that. I didn't expect anything in return."
"These are just a few things I've been trying out. They're not really a gift. I just wanted you to try them," Miranda replied.
Bonnie accepted.
"Oh, and by the way, your next-door neighbor, Dr. Jefferson, is usually in and out all day. I've knocked a few times, but he's never home. Could you do me a favor and give him these cupcakes?"
Bonnie, remembering she needed to take chicken soup to the hospital for her daughter-in-law, left.
Miranda stared blankly at the cupcakes. If she remembered correctly, Paul wasn't a fan of cupcakes.
The snow began to fall again at 10:00 p.m. Paul snapped his umbrella shut, giving it a quick shake to dislodge the snowflakes. They melted almost instantly.
The experiment had hit a few snags, leading to complications. Even he was feeling worn out.
The Christmas spirit grew stronger as the year ended, filling the air with festivity. Paul hadn't slept well in days, but today, the experiment's data had finally reached safe levels. With Christmas approaching, he decided to give everyone two days off.
He reached for his keys. Just as he was about to open the door, he heard a noise behind him.
A warm, golden light seeped through a crack in the door, illuminating the hallway. The once-dim corridor was suddenly bright, and Miranda's voice, comforting as a hearth fire, followed.
"Dr. Jefferson, you're home early today. Bonnie from the third floor just became a grandmother. She brought over some cupcakes this afternoon. I have yours."
Paul's senses were usually keen, but her gentle voice seemed to momentarily stun him. It wasn't until she handed him a small wicker basket, filled with cupcakes and a thermos of homemade beef and lentil soup, that he fully registered her presence.
He finally managed a quiet, raspy, "Thank you."
A cold draft swept through the hallway, making Miranda shiver. "I warmed up the soup. Eat it while it's hot. I'll close the door now."
"Alright."
The warmth vanished as the door closed.
Paul stepped into his apartment and switched on the light. The empty room felt especially cold and quiet. He rubbed his aching forehead as he unscrewed the thermos lid.
The soup was still steaming, with bits of parsley floating on top, and the carrots perfectly softened. He took a bite. The flavor was perfect.
He glanced at the cupcakes, a slight frown of indecision crossing his face, but eventually, he picked one up. It wasn't bad as a dessert.
Soon, warmth spread through his body. He lounged on the couch, letting his thoughts wander, his mood lightening.
His phone buzzed several times. He knew who was texting without looking.
He'd been living abroad for years, missing family gatherings. With plans to stay long-term this year, gatherings were inevitable.
As expected, Paul's night was filled with WhatsApp messages after ignoring a morning call. Most were from his mother, filled with questions and concern. A few were from relatives. One was from his father, urging him to come home for a visit.
Paul replied to each message, assuring them he would finish his work soon.
After putting down his phone, his eyes drifted to the nearly empty thermos, just a couple of carrot pieces remaining.
Suddenly, it hit him: when he returned home in a few days, it would likely be after Christmas before he saw her again. Would she stay in Jandersville for the holidays?