by Sarah Fox
Chapter Twenty-Two
My plan came together better than I could have hoped. On Friday evening, the doorbell rang, announcing the arrival of our first guests. I opened the front door to Chloe and Lisa, who’d shown up at the same time. They hurried inside, all smiles, Chloe with a box of craft supplies in her arms. I hung up their coats as they headed for the family room and fussed over an excited Bentley. I was about to follow them when I heard another car approaching. I stepped out onto the front porch and waved as Leigh parked her car next to Lisa’s. All three of her daughters hopped out of the backseat.
“Hi, Marley!” they chorused.
“Hi, girls,” I greeted. “Head on inside. Brett’s making hot chocolate.”
That news elicited squeals of delight. As soon as they stepped into the foyer, they called out Bentley’s name and giggled when he raced down the hall to greet them.
“This was such a great idea,” Leigh said as she followed me into the house.
Her daughters, Amanda, Brianna, and Kayla, had already disappeared into the family room with Bentley.
“To be honest, I wasn’t sure what Johanna would think about the idea,” I said as I hung up Leigh’s coat, “but I’m glad she agreed to come.”
Minutes later, Johanna showed up with Emily.
“I still can’t believe you’re doing this for us,” Johanna said once we’d reached the family room and everyone had been introduced. Leigh’s middle daughter, Brianna, was in the same class as Emily at school, but Lisa and Chloe hadn’t met the Jessens before.
Leigh gave Johanna a hug. “We look after each other in this town.”
“Thank you.” Johanna directed the words at all of us, her eyes misty.
“It’s our pleasure,” I assured her. “Now, who wants hot chocolate and who wants eggnog?”
Once we had all the drinks sorted out, we got down to business. The kids were seated on cushions around the coffee table in the family room while the adults sat at the kitchen table. We all had clean seashells, paint, googly eyes, glue, ribbon, and a variety of other craft supplies.
Since Johanna and Emily had been forced to leave all their Christmas decorations behind when they’d left their previous home in Idaho, I thought it would be a nice gesture if we helped them make some new ornaments. I could have bought them some at the store in Port Angeles, but this seemed like a better idea. Not only would they end up with a decorated tree, but hopefully they’d also feel more connected to the community.
We spent the next two hours making little snowmen, angels, and other ornaments. Chloe painted a cute Santa Claus with a scalloped shell beard, and Brett surprised and impressed us by making silver stars and snowflakes out of a pile of bolts he’d brought in from the workshop.
While we worked, we chatted, laughed, drank eggnog and hot chocolate, and snacked on gingerbread and sugar cookies that I’d made the day before. The kids split their time between crafting, eating, and playing with Bentley and Flapjack, and they were all in good spirits. I watched them now and again, and was glad to see that Emily and Brianna appeared to be fast friends.
By the end of the evening, we had a box full of ornaments for Johanna and Emily to take home. When I handed them over to Johanna, her eyes filled with tears again.
“This is seriously the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for us,” she said, struggling to maintain her composure.
I hugged her. “We’re just glad to help.”
“You’ve helped more than you know,” she said with a tremulous smile.
“Merry Christmas!” Emily called out as she bounded down the front steps, a big smile on her face.
“Merry Christmas!” I called back.
I stayed on the front porch until all our guests had driven away.
“I think that was a successful evening,” Brett said, pulling me into a hug after I shut the front door.
“Very successful,” I said with a smile.
I tried to hold onto the happiness that was bubbling inside of me. I knew that it might not last, since the very next day we’d be attending Kevin’s memorial service.
Chapter Twenty-Three
I wasn’t entirely sure what to wear to a memorial service that included an outdoor hockey game. Even though I wouldn’t be taking part in the match, I’d likely be sitting outside watching Brett and the other players. I texted back and forth with Chloe to see what she planned to wear. After consulting with her, I decided to wear a dark blue dress and take a change of clothing with me, along with plenty of winter gear to keep me warm while sitting by the frozen lake. Brett had a similar plan; he was wearing a suit and bringing along other clothes as well as his hockey equipment.
We stashed our bags in the back of the truck’s cab. We didn’t want to put anything in the uncovered bed of the truck, in case it snowed before we returned home. We picked up Chloe on our way out of town and I scooted over on the bench seat so she could sit beside me.
“I’m not exactly looking forward to the service, since there’s a sad reason behind it, but I am looking forward to watching you two play hockey,” I said as we headed up the mountain.
Although Brett and I had been ice skating together at the rink on the outskirts of Wildwood Cove, I’d never seen him take part in a hockey game of any sort.
“I’m sure I won’t be much use,” Chloe said. “And I’ll only take part if they’re short on players.”
“I haven’t played hockey in years, so I might not be much use either.” Brett glanced my way. “Don’t expect me to be scoring any goals. I’m sure all my skills are rusty.”
“You’ll be great, no matter how rusty,” I said. “And goals or no goals, I’m your number one fan.”
“You haven’t even seen me play yet,” he pointed out.
“Doesn’t matter,” I said with confidence. “I’m still your number one fan.”
Chloe nudged my arm. “If you weren’t saying that to my brother, I’d think it was super cute.”
Brett reached over to squeeze my hand. “It is cute. And mutual.”
“Okay, lovebirds,” Chloe said, “let’s not go overboard.”
The smile that had appeared on my face faded as I craned my neck to look out the windshield and up at the sky. The dark gray clouds hung heavily above us and the truck’s thermometer displayed the chilly outside temperature, which had dropped as we climbed up the mountain.
“I know the weather forecast said it wasn’t supposed to snow until late this afternoon, but I’m not sure I believe it.” I fished my phone out of my coat pocket so I could check the weather app again.
“Try not to worry,” Brett said, picking up on my anxiety, even though I’d tried to keep it contained. “We’ll still be able to drive home safely even if there’s a bit of snow by then.”
I knew he was right, but I always felt safer when the roads were clear. I consulted the weather app. The forecast was still for heavy snow and strong winds, but the estimated time of the snowfall’s onset had moved ahead by two hours to the early afternoon. I told Brett and Chloe about the change.
“If you want to leave when it starts to snow, we’ll do that. Nobody would hold it against us.” Brett gave my hand another squeeze. “Okay?”
“Okay.”
That made me feel marginally better. I didn’t want to bow out early, but hopefully it wouldn’t come to that. The memorial service was scheduled to start at eleven, followed by the hockey game. After that there would be refreshments served in the lodge. If worse came to worst, we could skip the food, but if the hockey game didn’t go on too long the weather might hold off until we were well on our way home.
I still had my phone in my hand when it chimed. “Sienna,” I said as I checked my text messages.
“Will she and Patricia be at the memorial?” Chloe asked.
“No,” I replied. “Patricia knows Rita and would have liked to come
, but she couldn’t leave the B&B. They’ve got guests and John is out of town. Patricia gave me a sympathy card to deliver on her behalf.”
I tapped the message Sienna had sent me.
Finally get to start Lily’s book! she’d written.
I wrote out a quick response. Let me know how it is!
She assured me that she would, and I tucked my phone back in my pocket.
When we reached Holly Lodge shortly before eleven, the temperature had dropped even more and a stiff breeze rustled its way through the surrounding pine trees.
“It’s freezing up here!” Chloe exclaimed as soon as we’d climbed out of the truck.
I rubbed my arms. “I’m glad I brought lots of layers for later.” Even through my thick winter jacket, I could feel the cold.
We left all our extra clothes and gear in the truck for the moment and hurried up the steps to Holly Lodge’s front door. Stepping inside brought immediate relief. The lodge was pleasantly warm and I was glad to shut the door on the icy breeze.
The lobby was empty, but I detected the sound of low voices in the lounge, and classical music played quietly in the background. We were removing our coats when Zahra entered the lobby, wearing a dark purple dress.
“Hi,” she greeted. “Thank you for coming.”
Chloe gave her a hug. “How are you and Rita doing today?”
“All right, in the circumstances,” Zahra said, returning the hug. “Here, I’ll take your coats.”
We handed them over and she took them into the office behind the reception desk before rejoining us.
“Everyone’s in the lounge,” she said, leading the way there. “We’ll get started shortly.”
Extra chairs had been added to the lounge, likely from the dining room. They all faced the fireplace, where flames danced and popped, adding warmth and comfort to the somber atmosphere.
Several people had arrived ahead of us, including Lily and Ambrose. They stood near the large window, looking out at the frozen lake, Lily’s arm tucked through his. I wasn’t surprised to see Evie and Harvey there, talking quietly near the fireplace, but I hadn’t expected Wilson Gerrard to show up. He stood on his own by the bookcases, staring at his cell phone.
I nodded at Wilson, but didn’t bother to speak to him. Instead, I set two sympathy cards—one from me and Brett and the other from Patricia—on a table where others had already set theirs. Then I introduced Chloe to Harvey and Evie.
“It was good of you to come all the way up here,” Evie said. “Hopefully the weather will hold for you to get home all right.”
“It should,” Brett said.
I sure hoped he was right. As if reading my thoughts, he took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Harvey glanced around at the other guests. “We’re expecting a few more neighbors. Then the service will get started.”
I was glad he hadn’t given us the cold shoulder. I’d been undeniably nosy when I’d talked to him in Port Angeles, but it seemed he’d forgiven me.
Cindy entered the lounge, wearing a dark green dress rather than the chef’s uniform I’d seen her in during our previous trip to the lodge. She had a man in a suit with her. They came over to join us and we all introduced ourselves. The man with Cindy was her husband, Tom.
About ten minutes later, another couple arrived. They appeared to be in their late forties or early fifties. Cindy waved to them and informed us that they lived a few miles farther up the highway. Almost on their heels, a man and a woman in their early sixties came into the lounge with a younger woman—their adult daughter, according to what Cindy told us.
“They’re neighbors too,” Evie said. “Maybe they wouldn’t be called that elsewhere, since they live several miles away, but around here it’s not uncommon to live a mile or two away from your closest neighbor.”
We fell quiet as Zahra addressed the room.
“Please take a seat, everyone,” she said. “I think we’re ready to start.”
I couldn’t see Rita anywhere, but as Brett, Chloe, and I settled into chairs that had been set up behind the couch, she walked into the room. She was stunning in a burgundy dress, but her expression matched the solemnity of the occasion. Despite the makeup that she wore, she looked tired, as if she hadn’t slept well since Kevin’s death. That was probably the case.
Zahra leaned in close and whispered something in her mother’s ear. Rita nodded and then took a seat in one of the armchairs. Zahra stood next to the fireplace, facing the room.
“Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate Kevin’s life. I grew up without a father, and although Kevin didn’t come into my life until I was a teenager, he filled in a hole I hadn’t fully realized was there.”
I glanced down at my hands, trying to keep my emotions under control. I understood exactly what Zahra meant. Like her I’d gained and then lost a stepfather who’d played an important role in my life.
Brett covered my hands with one of his, bringing me immediate comfort.
“He was a father figure,” Zahra continued, “a husband, and a friend to many.” Her eyes glistened and she drew in a shaky breath. “I thought I’d tell you a bit about Kevin’s past, and then if anyone else wishes to say a few words, you’re welcome to.”
She went on to tell us how Kevin was born in Bellevue and had lived in the Pacific Northwest all his life. Ever since he was young, he’d loved the outdoors and had looked forward to one day living up in the mountains where he could enjoy hiking and fishing on a daily basis. When he and Rita met, they decided to make that dream a reality together, leading them to purchase Holly Lodge.
After giving us a brief history, Zahra told a couple of funny stories about Kevin that elicited laughter from everyone in attendance, even Rita. By the time she wrapped up, Zahra had tears in her eyes again, but also a slight smile on her face.
Harvey stood up next and spoke about his friendship with Kevin. He mentioned how Kevin had given him a job at a time when he was in great need, having lost his employment at a sawmill.
After Harvey, Evie spoke briefly, and then Ambrose stood up.
“If it’s all right, I’d like to read one of my poems.” He addressed his words to Rita.
She nodded, sending him a grateful smile.
Ambrose opened his notebook and flipped through the pages. He read a brief poem about night falling over the land, which I figured was meant to represent death. It ended with a line about the sun rising again to warm those left behind. Like the poem he’d read during our last visit, it was full of references to nature.
When he was done, Ambrose shut his notebook, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
As he retook his seat, Rita stood and turned to address us all, clasping her hands in front of her. “Kevin was a good man. Infuriating, at times,” she said with a brief smile, “and funny at others, but always steadfast and loyal. I’m crushed to have to go on without him, but I will always cherish those years we had together.”
Her hands trembled, and she quickly sat down again.
Zahra stood up and smoothly took over for her mother. “Thank you again for coming. We truly appreciate your presence here today. For those of you taking part in the hockey game in Kevin’s memory, it will begin in twenty minutes or so. If you need a place to change, meet me out in the lobby and I’ll give you a key to one of the guest rooms. After the game, refreshments will be served in the dining room.”
Slowly, everyone got to their feet. A couple of the neighbors approached Rita, giving her their condolences and apologizing for the fact that they weren’t able to stay for the game or reception. Brett, Chloe, and I passed them by, meeting up with Zahra in the lobby. She gave us a key to the same room Brett and I had stayed in before, and Brett made a quick trip out to the truck to grab our bags.
Upstairs, Brett changed into jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. Chloe switched her dress for two pa
irs of leggings and a pink sweatshirt. I’d brought leggings, jeans, a long-sleeved shirt, and a sweater to wear under my puffy winter coat. We left our bags in the room and headed back downstairs, Chloe and Brett carrying their skates, coats, and the two hockey sticks Brett had brought along.
As we descended the stairs to the lobby, I spotted Zahra and Wilson near the front door.
“It’s totally inappropriate,” Zahra said in an angry whisper. “I think you’d better leave. Now.”
Wilson pulled on his jacket, unfazed. “If you insist.”
Zahra yanked open the front door and glared at Wilson as he left the lodge.
“Everything all right?” I asked as she slammed the door behind him.
“Yes.” She drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Sorry about that. He wanted to talk business with my mom. On today of all days! How insensitive is that?”
Chloe put an arm around her. “Some people have no consideration for others.”
Zahra nodded and took in the sight of all three of us. The rest of her anger seemed to drain away. “Two of you are going to play?”
“I’m going to try,” Chloe said. “If you need me to make up numbers.”
“I think we do.” Zahra glanced down at her dress. “I’d better go get changed. I’ll be back in a few minutes. You can head down to the lake, if you’d like.”
She disappeared through the door that led to the Mannings’ private quarters.
The lounge was empty now, but we could see some people heading down the pathway to the lake. We followed them in that direction. Harvey, wearing jeans and a thick winter coat, already had his skates on and was out on the ice, which had been cleared of snow near the shore. Evie was sitting on a wooden bench, tying up her skates. She, too, had changed into jeans. Scout wandered along the edge of the lake, sniffing here and there, his tail wagging gently.
Cindy was nowhere in sight, but her husband was seated on another bench, skates already strapped to his feet and a hockey stick in his hand. Some of the neighbors I hadn’t met were also present and getting ready to take part in the hockey game.