Rosemary didn't go on a lot of dates; she barely had enough time to be with her friends. If, and when, she dated, it was usually with a group. She was nervous about being alone with Emmett. Her second language wasn't miming. The thought of acting out a story through body motions all night drained her. Thankfully, Kaye and Vera would be nearby to referee.

She didn't know about Vera's dating habits, but Kaye went on dates every week, sometimes twice a week. She enjoyed making plans and carrying on conversations with the opposite sex; it came easy for her. Rosemary was too busy taking care of the twins and assisting Nancy when she needed help. That and not too many guys were knocking on her door.

Ding
(Nancy)
Sick. Will you pick up and drop off the dinner Carolyn made for us?

Carolyn lives near Nancy. I'm cutting it close; but, if I hurry, I can make the play on time.

Carolyn, a lady from their church, made meals for the sick, pregnant, and hurting church family members.

(Rosemary)
Yes. Hope you feel better soon.

Rosemary dressed in her church clothes: a blue long-sleeved top with gold embellishments, a sleeveless blazer, and black dress pants picked up the food. She opted to change into her date clothes later at Nancy's.

Happy to have a visitor, Carolyn chatted on and on about the church members: Della's wild son lost his job, her grandson needed surgery, the youth pastor was secretly dating the choir director, and one of the Sunday school teachers separated from her husband. Rosemary learned more in one sitting than she did during weeks of church attendance.

Wow. I never knew what a busybody she was.

Breaking free from the chatterbox, Rosemary went on her way. She used her key to gain admission to Nancy's home, gathered a couple of bowls and spoons, and carried the food upstairs so the sick family members could eat in bed.

Despite their slight fevers, they were excited to see her. The twins asked for hugs and story time; they clung to her and begged her to stay. Reminding them about her date, she obliged them with a short book. Rosemary even made time to have a little conversation with Nancy.

Making sure they had everything they needed, she cleaned up after their meal, and spent a few minutes playing with the twins.

As Rosemary stood to leave, the children's pleas began. It broke her heart to disappoint them, but Emmett was waiting for her. She goodbye to the crying twins and left Nancy to calm them down.

Hopping into her car and heading straight for the theatre, she wished for things to go smoothly. She wanted to make a good impression. Instead, roadwork and the GPS routed her in a direction she'd never traveled, pushing her arrival time back. An accident brought traffic to a standstill, and the minutes sitting still clicked by faster than she liked. Unable to free a lane for traffic to proceed, the police officers rerouted them. Emergency crews needed a path to reach the injured. Being sent on a new route didn't help. The gridlock on the back road was bumper to bumper.

Ugh. At this rate, I will be late for our first date. Why is this happening? Emmett already dislikes me and this won't make a good impression.

Rosemary released a frustrated sigh.

"Come on, people. Let's get it together," she balked, knowing the other drivers couldn't hear her. It just felt right to express her irritation; it was better than keeping it bottled up inside.

When traffic came to another standstill, she sent Emmett a text.

(Rosemary)
Stuck in traffic. Will be late. Start without me.

Ding
(Emmett)
Okay.

Okay? I expected another reply. Maybe, a question of why? Or How long will you be? I guess he doesn't mind when he has Kaye by his side.

"Oh. Please. Please. Please. Get these cars moving again." She tapped her fingernails, at least what she had left of them, against the steering wheel.

Slowly, after several minutes, traffic began moving again. Rosemary was grateful she was only going to miss fifteen minutes of the play.

"On the first day of Christmas, my true lo..." the truck ahead of her, which carried a load of junk, lost something off of its back end.

Rosemary tried to avoid it. Tried. But couldn't. Traffic kept her from switching lanes, and she collided with the fallen object. First, there was a bump, then a loud bang, all just before her right rear tire blew.

"Traffic finally clears, and I can't move!"

On the side of the road, she searched the trunk for her spare tire. "Great! It's not here! Doesn't matter; the play is half over!"

(Kaye)
Hey! Where R U at?

(Rosemary)
Flat tire. No spare.
Going for help.
Please tell Emmett.

It was chilly, and she was coatless. A coat wasn't a necessity while sitting toasty inside her car. But walking in search of help, she regretted not bringing one along. The passing cars blowing up air didn't help the situation any. She was cold.

Glancing around, Rosemary noticed an open store. The Pine Tree Nursery Co-op. Centered between Bound and Delivered with Coffee, on the right and Rene's Deli Delights, on the left The only reason she noticed it was because of the lack of holiday decorations when the stores on either side of it were lit up with festive decorations: lights outlining their buildings, lights and figures in the windows, plus the deli had a dancing Santa standing by the door.

Ding
(Kaye)
You missed it.
Where are you?

(Rosemary)
Rene's Deli Delights.

(Kaye)
On my way.

Heading towards the deli, Rosemary noticed a flyer for the nursery posted in the store's window.

'Our fruit tree selection offers some of the best in disease resistance and adaptability. We offer a wide variety of hard-to-find Apples, Asian Pears, European Pears, Figs, Paw Paws, Persimmons, and many other fruits!'

Maybe I'll check the nursery out first.

"Welcome!" From behind the counter, the older woman, Mrs. Claus' twin sister, greeted Rosemary when she walked through the door. "We will close shortly. My name is Angelika. If there is anything I can help you with, let me know."

What a beautiful name, Rosemary thought but said, "I noticed on your flyer; you carry trees. Can you show them to me?"

"Betty, watch the front. I will return." Then she faced Rosemary and said, "Follow me."

Angelika guided her throughout the store, discussing the various plants as they went along. The greenhouse trees were in the back of the store.

Rosemary observed the greenhouse's walls and roof, made of transparent material to help regulate the climatic conditions. Inside the structure, there was a wide variety of plants and trees awaiting her approval and selection.

Rosemary walked around until she spotted a potted plant she liked.

At least something worked out tonight. She cradled the small sapling in her arms as they walked around.

Leaving the greenhouse, Angelika showed off their gift shop containing books and locally made crafts. Rosemary searched, unsuccessfully, for a Christmas craft book. The kids loved doing arts and crafts with her; she always kept her eye out for new ideas.

"We sell these on the side to attract customers. Business Slows down this time of year, but it helps supplement our income enough to keep us open. I am trying to come up with ways to make the winter months more productive."

"This will go perfectly with my plant," Rosemary said with a toothy smile as she picked up one of the crafts.

Paying for her two purchases, she collected her bag and headed toward the deli. Pausing at the door, she turned to face the workers.

"I like the concept of this store. Just a thought, if you decorate, as your neighbors do, it'll draw seasonal shoppers. Also, host storytellings to catch your family shoppers' attention. Mothers can shop while their children listen to the story." Rosemary suggested.

"Wow! That is a good idea. I have a granddaughter. I should have thought of that," Angelika said.

"You could also provide some seasonal crafts and books. Add holiday-related items: mini Christmas trees, poinsettias, and wreaths. They'd make great Christmas presents," Rosemary continued.

"You are full of ideas," Angelika smiled, removing a pen and pad from under the counter.

"I like to see small businesses succeed. Also, this would be a great time to offer garden consultations and workshops. People who don't have green thumbs like to have a way to receive the information and love getting it straight from the horse's mouth. Just a few suggestions, Happy Holidays!"

"Thank you! Happy Holidays!" Angelika called, waving.

Rosemary exited the store and collided with someone. The collision knocked her off balance, and before she knew it, she fell into the stranger's arms.

Straightening herself, she said, "Thank you! Your quick thinking saved me from a nasty fall."

"My pleasure," the deep voice said.

Looking up into a pair of blue eyes, she gasped.

"Kaye sent me," he said, helping her to stand on her own two feet.

"How did you like the play?"

"It was amusing. Kaye and I laughed at the same parts," Emmett told her.

Of course, you did. More bonding time for you and Kaye, she thought begrudgingly.

"I passed your car on the way up here. I've already changed the tire. Hope you don't mind; I put my spare on it. You can give it back later." He informed her, impressing her with his thoughtfulness.

"Thank you!"

"I didn't see you next door. Then I remembered seeing a flyer on my way into the store. I hoped you stopped over here"

"I was curious after reading the flyer, so I came to check out the store. I didn't know how long it would take for help to arrive," she admitted, shivering from the frosty night air.

"I think you still owe me a date," Emmett stated with a crooked smile.

"I do at that," Rosemary admitted.

"While I was waiting for you at the deli, I checked out the store's menu. Would you care to join me for a pear salad? And maybe a hot chocolate? I don't want to get in trouble for missing the first date."

"I would love to join you. I'm starving." Rosemary's stomach growled in agreement.

"I figured pears for the partridge in a pear tree," Emmett said as he offered his arm to her.

Rosemary smiled. "Considering how hungry I am, the partridge sounds tempting."

"You should have heard the ruckus my stomach made during the production. Kaye kept looking at me sideways as if I was talking and interrupting the play," Emmett chuckled.

Rosemary followed him to the deli where they placed their orders with the disheveled cashier, choose a seat at one of the small tables, and sat to wait for their food to arrive.

Right away, to Rosemary's dismay, Emmett began asking her questions.

This is a different Emmett. Inquisitive. I like him.

The questions came fast: How did she and Kaye meet? How long had they been friends? What activities did they like to do? Did they ever double date? Or was tonight going to be the first time? What movies did they enjoy watching? What were their favorite eating spots? Did they enjoy the same foods? Rosemary felt like she was being interviewed for a new job by the way he fired his questions at her.

Pausing, Emmett promised to drive her to her car after their meal. A part of her wanted to jump out of the booth and declare herself ready to go; instead, she sat in place waiting to satisfy her hunger.

"Everything okay?" He asked.

With the back of his hand, he wiped the sweat from his brow. Kaye mentioned his shyness. He's not rude, just bashful. Sweat free, his fingers returned to tapping on the table. The questions plateaued, and Rosemary realized Emmett was just as nervous about being on their date as she was.

"I would have kept our date were it not for the tire."

"I know. It wasn't your fault."

"I picked up something to apologize for missing our date, slash, thank you for changing my tire, gift." She handed him the bag from the Pine Tree Co-op. "I wasn't able to wrap it."

"That's okay." Giving her a puzzled look, Emmett took the bag. "You didn't have to get me anything."

"I wanted to. It was my way of partaking in the festivities from a distance."

"I see." He smiled, and her heart skipped a beat. "Thank you."

The seat clung to her outfit, and she shifted to free herself. "How did you like the play?"

"I enjoyed it. Thankfully, Kaye and Vera's company kept me from feeling awkward."

"Awkward?" She asked, watching the server prepare their drinks.

"Yes. Everyone in attendance seemed to be on a date. We sat together as a group."

"That was kind of them."

"They are pretty funny, especially Kaye."

"She is," Rosemary agreed, slightly envious of her friend; she and Emmett were bonding.

Their tousled server brought their pear salads and mugs of piping hot chocolate topped with thick whipped cream.

Rosemary ordered the pear balsamic salad served with greens; a sliced pear halved, dried cherries, and roasted walnuts. Along with a drizzle of dressing, the cook used the remaining pears and walnuts as a garnish.

"This looks delicious," Rosemary said, eating a roasted walnut.

Emmett chose the Roquefort pear salad. The dressing was a mix of oil, vinegar, sugar, mustard, chopped garlic, salt, and pepper. The salad, composed of a mixture of layered lettuce, pears, blue cheese, avocado, and green onions, sprinkled with pecans.

"It looks tasty," she said.

Thankfully, they weren't kissing at the end of their date; Rosemary scrunched her nose at the blue cheese bits.

She was getting ready to take a bite of her food after her prayers when Emmett stopped her. "Wait!"

She paused. The fork was in mid-flight, halfway between the table and her mouth. She arched her eyebrows in response.

"Did you forget something?" He asked with a crooked smile.

"No. I don't think so."

"The song."

"I don't sing. Ask Kaye; it will ruin your meal," she assured him.

"I don't believe you."

Rosemary could tell by the look he gave her he wasn't backing down. She had to sing for her supper.

Setting her fork down, she sighed. "On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me a partridge in a pear tree." She sang softly and quietly, not wanting to attract the attention of the other diners.

Emmett was kind enough to clap when the song ended.

Rosemary laughed. "Thank you," she said, bowing from her seat.

"Hey! I forgot to open my present. The waitress distracted me. I'll open it before we eat." He sat the bag on the table between them.

"Don't open it yet! I think we should have a photo," she said, pulling out her phone. "You can look inside now."

Like a child on Christmas morning, Emmett opened the bag. Laughing, he pulled out his present: an Asian pear tree with a partridge tied to one of its branches.

Rosemary took the picture.